The following are the articles posted at Swamy's page in www.saidarbar.org between 2000 and 2001. That page is not being updated now. But the articles throw some light on my state at that time.
Sai Ram. Are you intrigued by the title? Well, read on and see for yourself whether it makes sense or not.
I am sure you have seen a monkey. If you haven't, well, I suggest you go out to the nearest zoo and spend some time looking at him, her or it or them. You could also go to a website like that of National Geopgraphic Society or BBC and look at them, in video. In any case, very soon, you will realise, if not already familiar, with their activity or restlessness. Whether it is alone or with a group, a monkey can never sit still, for probably more than a few seconds. In a cage, it will be clambering from one side to another, in a forest, from a tree branch to another. It will be swinging, jumping, scratching itself or gambolling. In short, a monkey and calmness are poles
apart.
Well friend, now leave the monkey aside for a few minutes and look inwards. Try to sit calmly at one place without talking to anyone and try to keep your mind steady on any single thought. If you are able to sit for 2 minutes without your mind running away somewhere, pl. stop reading further. You have arrived and you don't need anything else.
If you failed the above test, don't be unhappy, you are not alone. You belong to the majority (I would say a huge majority, probably > 90%) of the population who can't pass the test. I confess, I too belong to this category. So, you may say, how are you qualified to talk anything further on this subject? You will be fully justified in asking that small group of advanced Sadhakas who can pass this test effortlessly, who can keep their mind focussed on a single point for hours, to speak, write about how to go about equipping ourselves to keep our mind tethered to whatever thought we want.
While I confess that I can't keep my mind fixed on any thought even for a few seconds , I have a few perceptions on this topic, which He has kindly given. My aim in giving these perceptions is that some of us will benefit. In fact, even if you benefit, I will be happy.
Maharshi Patanjali defined Yoga as "Chitta Vritti Nirodhah". That means Obstructing the Way of the Mind. The mind has no way, or rather, it has itw own way. It is like a wild horse, which doesn't accept the control of the rider. It is like the Brownian motion of molecules (completely randomised). Lord Sri Krishna (I bow to Him today, on the occassion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami) also tells Sri Arjuna in Sri Gita that mind is very difficult to control. In fact, the mind has been very aptly compared to a monkey. Some wit, has actually compared the human mind to a monkey which had a peg too many (yes, monkeys do drink!), and then has been bitten by a scorpion! But the Lord gave a rider. He said that with practice it is possible to control it, like the wildest horse can be tamed by a skilled rider.
The story in Sri Bhagavatha about Mother Yashoda trying in vain to tie Lord Krishna with a rope to a mortar, has a lot of philosophical significance. He can't be tied by any one or with any thing, except, with love. When Yashoda failed and was at her wit's end, God Sri Krishna out of kindness, out of love (after all her motherly love to Him, which made her look at Him as a small child made Him respond), He allowed Himself to be tied.
On the other hand, when Kauravas under the leadership of Duryodhana tried to tie Him up when He went there as the emissary of Pandavas, He did not feel obliged to yield to them since there was no love on their side. However, He did show them His Viswaroopam, so they were indeed lucky after all. Even to be an enemy to Him, one needs a lot of Poorva Janma Punyam, it seems.
Coming back to the monkey, yes, I mean the normal physical monkey, it can be tamed if caught when very young and brought up with love by a Trainer. A few years back, I saw a TV film (on BBC or National Geographic Channel) about a Malaysian and his monkey, which rides alognwith him a bicycle, climbes coconut trees and plucks the coconuts. It even arranges them in a heap. I was amazed at the love and affection between the master and the monkey. I would strongly urge you to see the film if possible.
You may be wondering what is the connection between this film and the topic. Well, friends, if our minds are also caught at an young age by a Guru and trained with love to meditate on the divine Lotus Feet of the Guru God, these monkeys will also serve their masters with love. The story of Sri Hanuman and Sri Rama is the perfect example. Of course, Lord Siva Himself, took the form of the Monkey God, to give all of us an excellent example of the power of Service, Total Surrender and Bhakti. Not only Sri Hanuman, though a Monkey by birth, controlled Himself, He also helped in moulding crores of other unruly monkeys into a most powerful army which could give the powerful Rakshasa Army of the mighty Ravana, a run for their money! Even if not at an young age, at any age, if our monkey (our mind) is caught by a Satguru, we are saved!
So, friends! Let us all offer our humble pranams and sincere prayers to Sri Sai Nath, Sri Hanuman, Sri Siva, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and all other forms of the Formless One, to help the monkeys of our minds to become a true Vanara Sena for fighting on the side of Dharma, Good, Love against the forces of Hatred, Adharma and all unholy forces!
Om Sai Sree Sai Jai Jai Sai. Om Sri Sai Ram.
'Krodha' means anger. Anger comes out of frustration that our desires are not fulfilled. Desire is called 'Kama'. It is not necessarily sexual desire, though that is one of the most elementary and powerful of the many desires (we will explore this later). In my case, at least, it manifests in several ways. The desire for domination is the most important of them. I think this is the problem with all egoists. Though the dictionary defines egoist as "Selfish, a person who thinks of only himself" and differentiates him from egotist, who is defined as "Person who can't think or talk of anything except on topics relating to himself", I feel that desire for domination is the common attribute of those whose egos are very strong.
Why should we desire to dominate some one else? It is because of Maya, Avidya and a feeling that I am different from others. If I did not have that feeling, I will not for example, try to dominate myself! Though our intellect or bookish knowledge tells us that God is present in everyone including ourselves and the differences are only outward, the same knowledge has not been experienced. Suppose that our eyes are closed by a blindfold, or we develop cataract. We know that there are people and objects beyond our eyes but are not able to see them. Or take the case of a person born blind. He knows from others that there is the gift of sight but he himself is unable to see.
Thus though we may be reading a lot of books and feel that we know, we don't. We know only when we experience something. Till that time, it is bookish knowledge. Reading about the sweetness of sugar is of no use unless we have experienced the sweetness of sugar. Reading about the infinite love of God or Guru (they are same, I keep repeating for my benefit if not for others) is of no use unless we have experienced it. They are ready to give, only we must be ready to receive.To be able to receive, we must first give, give ourselves.
Egoists have a problem of giving themselves. Loving is giving. What goes by the name of love between human beings is tainted by selfish motives. The love of parents to their children, the love of husband and wife to each other, the love of brothers and sisters, the love of friends; every such love is selfish. In fact, in English the word for sexual union is "Making Love", not "Giving Love". Of course there are exceptions. But mostly the love is a mask for a business-like transaction. I scratch your back - you scratch my back. I praise you - you praise me (or give me some other favor). I love you, you take care of my needs. The degree of selfishness varies. In many cases, it is difficult to detect. I, being a die-hard egoist, detect it more easily in my or other's dealings. Many times the other people are not aware, of their own selfishness.
Even our worship, devotion or love to God is also Sakayma, i.e. with desires. That means we ask Him for favors after doing Puja or Prayer to Him. He is above all these but He accepts all this. Why? Because that way we are establishing contact with Him. And when He gave us the freedom in the form of human birth and ability to discriminate between right and wrong, He placed the ON/OFF switch for contacting Him in our hands. Thus He is like a 24 hour TV Channel, always ON. It is we, the humans who are either turned ON/OFF because of our ego. When we are in the prayerful, devotional mood, we are ON. When we are running behind sensual pleasures we are OFF as far as that channel is concerned. We are of course ON with respect to a different channel, i.e. that of SATAN, DEVIL or whatever you call.
Some people say that praying for 1 hour is useless if the remaining 23 hours are spent in dirtying our minds and bodies. True, but in the initial stages of our spiritual development (and I am in the very initial stages!), we are like small children, playing in mud. Our parents, esp. our loving mothers take a lot of trouble in cleaning us and dressing us up nicely. They leave us with clear instructions not to go out and dirty ourselves. But within a few minutes or hours, depending on our playfulness (forgetfulness), we end up dirtying our clothes and bodies. We don't even know that we have dirtied ourselves. Even if we do know, in our ignorance, we think that is good. The mother again painstakingly cleans. In our early childhood, the mother talks to us in sweet tones, chiding us gently and kissing us all the while. After we grow up a little bit, like Yashoda used to scold Krishna, the mother pretends to be very angry and scolds the child. After a little further growth, the mother may even beat the child. All these punishments are for the benefit of the child.
Thus unless we keep trying and all the time keep crying out for His / Her help, we can't progress. Till our ego is destroyed, the desires and all attendant problems will keep troubling us. He is our father, mother and Guru. May He give us the wisdom to worship Him without getting entangled in the sensual desires.
Om Sai Ram.
On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I attended the Guru Puja and Inauguration of Viswa Saidarbar at Saidarbar (Hyderabad Headquarters). I happened to read 2 interesting, useful stories. I thought I would share them with you.
The first story is about Sri Narada and is published in the Hindi section of Sai Leela the official magazine of Shirdisamsthan. The story goes like this. Sage Narada visits the abode of Sri Vishnu. Vishnu Bhagavan worships the Rishi (Sage) and asks him for the reason for his visit. Sri Narada replies: "Bhagavan, While travelling on earth, I came across a Satsang where the main speaker was praising the benefits of Darshan of Sadhus, but I could not hear the actual benefit. So kindly tell me what is the benefit of darshan of Sadhus." Sri Vishnu told Sage Narada, "Rishivar! Your question can be answered properly by an ant (Chiti in Hindi, I don't know whether it translates as ant), which is residing in so and so tree in such and such a place."
Rishi Narada goes to the ant (for the moral of this story, it does not matter what the actual creature was) and asks the ant the same question. The ant, instead of replying to him, dies in his hands. The rishi is grieved and goes to Vaikuntham with the dead ant in his hand and narrates the whole episode to Sri Vishnu. Lord tells Rishi, to go to Kailas mountain and the Mansarovar lake, where he can get the answer to his question from a Rajhans (Swan). The rishi goes to the Mansarovar lake and seeing the bird at the other side sits down and waits for the Swan to come to this side of the lake. He closes his eyes and is immersed in meditation on God. Suddenly, he feels something heavy in his lap. Opening his eyes, he is agitated to see the Rajhans, dead in his lap. He rushes to Vaikuntham with this dead bird and tells Vishnu the whole story. Vishnu tells him that now only a small, newly born child in Varanasi can clarify his doubt. Narada is horrified at the suggestion and says, "Oh No! The last two times, I went near some living thing to ask, it died. I don't want to carry the guilt of being responsible for the death of another life, that too a human child!" Sri Vishnu assured Sage Narada that this time, he need not worry and he will not have to take any guilt. With a lot of trepidation, Sri Narada approaches the 3-day old child. Seeing the Rishi, the child claps its hands in joy and addresses him thus: "Pl. come Oh! Rishivar! I am the ant. By the grace of your darshan, I became the Rajhans and again I had the benefit of your darshan in that life, because of which I got this human birth. Now with your darshan, I will..." Rishi Narada did not wait there even a moment to hear the child further but vanished.
Mother Lakshmi asked Sri Mahavishnu why Sage Narada did not come back. He replied with a laugh, "Devi! Probably he got his answer about the benefits of Sadhu Darshan from the ant etc."
The second story which I read in a Telugu magazine which is coming from Master Publications, Ongole and which is edited by the disciples of late Pujya Ekkirala Bharadwaja, is about Hazarat Nizamuddin.
Hazarat Nizamuddin was a great Muslim Saint. Once a poor man who has a daughter to be married off and who could not get any help from any one, came to the Saint and requested Him to help. The Saint replied, "I am a Fakir, what do I have? However, I will give you whatever I get from my visitors in the next 3 days!" The poor man is happy and waits at the feet of the great Saint Nizamuddin for the next 3 days. But nobody comes to the Saint and thus the poor man is in great grief. He laments, "Oh holy saint! my bad luck is dogging me here too. No one came to see you. Now what will happen to me and my poor daughter?"
Nizamuddin consoles the poor man and tells him, "I have taken a vow not to send any one from here with empty hands. The only thing, which I have now with me is this pair of chappals. Pl. take them and see whether someone will buy them from you. Whatever you get, you can keep". So saying the Saint gave the poor man his pair of chappals (Padukas).
The poor man took the pair of chappals and started home with a heavy heart and leaden feet, lamenting his bad luck. He carried the Saint's chappals in his hand. Amir Khusro, the King of that period was coming with a caravan carrying a lot of precious stones, jewels etc. He saw the poor man from a distance from his camel. While the poor man looked like any ordinary fellow, he saw a great halo with him. As he came nearer, he (a spiritually advanced disciple of Nizamuddin) saw the poor man carrying a pair of chappals with a dazzling halo, and recognized the chappals as belonging to his Guru Nizamuddin. Immediately he dismounted the camel and asked the poor man whether he will be willing to sell the chappals to him, and that he Khusro, will be happy to pay a good price. The poor man is happy and agreed, expecting a few rupees and asked Khusro how much he will give. Khusro diffidently offered him all the jewels and other precious stones carried by all the camels in his caravan along with the camels, keeping only two camels with him. The poor man's joy knew no bounds. He went with all the wealth and Khusro was also very happy. He went with the chappals to the Saint and bowed to him.
Nizamuddin asked Khusro how much he paid for the chappals. Khusro told him. The saint told Khusro, "My son, you got them at a very cheap price. The wealth of the whole world is nothing compared to the grace of the Lord. And Lord shows His grace through His servants like this."
Both the above stories remind us of the story of Kuchela in Srimad Bhagavat, who got so much wealth after visiting Sri Krishna, who took a fistful of pounded rice from him and gave him a palace in return. In the second story too, we start wondering who is the luckier of the two, the poor man or Khusro, the devotee of Nizamuddin. Both got benefited.
It is said that the sight, touch or talk with a Sadhu (Who has no anger or enmity to any thing or anybody, who is the embodiment of love and Satvik quality), or taking a prasad or pada tirtha from him, will destroy our Avidya and thus all our sins. On Guru Purnima day, we had the good fortune of worshipping Sai and taking his prasad. What a good fortune!
Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai. Om Sai Ram.
Why should we pray? When we pray, there is Dwaita Bhava, i.e. a feeling that we are different from our God, and also the implication is that we are adopting Child Ego State and are putting God on a higher pedestal (like a Father Figure) and so are requesting him for some favor. It is like a small child requesting / demanding his father or mother for some thing. Now the parents always do not accede to the child's request and the child, in its short-sighted ignorance cries, abuses or even beats the parent with its small fists. The parents do not mind all these tantrums, since they know that the child will soon outgrow these childish acts. Thus prayers and denial of prayers are part of the spiritual growing up.
The prayers that most of us put up to God are derived mostly from RIG VEDA and are well suited for us when we are confused, frightened, anxious, or feel unequal to the situation. In such situations, we do adopt the Child Ego State (pl. refer to Thomas Harris's excellent book, I am OK, You are OK for explanation of the three ego states, Child, Adult, Parent and the elements of Transactional Analysis). When we are calm, contented and when we are able to contemplate the higher philosophical truths, as expounded in UPANISHADS, we don't feel different from the Universal Consciousness which we call God and the prayers if at all any conscious prayers are used are for the universal welfare.
When we pray, we are trying to access the SAGUNA form of God, whereas when we philosophise, we try to understand the NIRGUNA form of God. Both are relevant to the respective situations. The ADVAITA Logic leads to NIRGUNA, where as DVAITA and faith lead to a paternal, divine, omnipotent, omniscient (all knowing), benevolent form of God.
It is true that if we believe in destiny, no prayers are needed. But since in the turmoil of the troubles, the lamp of firm faith in destiny (is it faith or is it a logical conclusion, we shall explore later), starts flickering, prayers act as shades. Prayers don't always yield positive results. What prayers do is, they give strength to face the situation calmly, with a feeling that we have done what is humanly needed and possible, and now we leave it to God. Thus prayers do help in reducing anxiety and stress and do prepare the person in a gradual spiritual progress of accepting destiny and its rewards.
Prayers are offered for several reasons; self progress, for alleviating the problms of others or for material gains. If we accept destiny as a predetermined Roadmap, our prayers for any purpose are of no use, since whatever happens is preordained. Of course, one may say that even the prayers and the results, positive or negative, are also preordained. This going around in circles leads us no where.
I feel more comfortable with the theory that destiny is like handicaps, i.e it gives you some positive and some negative qualities, some Karmic balances and debts. God has given us enough freedom to utilise these resources. What is probably preordained is some sort of role model in the cosmic drama, but the individual actions, dialogues etc. and the quality of acting are left to individual.
Sometime ago, I talked of The Kitten and The Baby Monkey. The situation of a Devotee who is praying to a Parental God for favors is that of a Baby Monkey. It is the devotee's responsibility to hold on to the Parent irrespective of what happens. Whether one's prayers are answered positively or not, one has to develop a steadfast faith and devotion to one's God. This is the first stage in spiritual development.
In the case of the devotee who has surrendered his ego totally, unconditionally to his God, the situation is similar to that of a Kitten, which doesn't move even an inch on its own but goes on crying when it is separated from its mother. Here too, we may say the devotee is praying, but the situation is different. The devotee is now praying for the company of his GOD, since he is unable to bear the separation. The devotee does not ask for anything specific, since the devotee knows that he is taken care by his God. He only wants to be with his God. This is the next stage of spiritual development.
I can only conclude this by saying that, in Advaita, there is no need or for that matter, no room for prayer. But to really feel one with God, one has to totally dissolve one's ego, and if one is successful in that, there is nothing to pray for. Since we can't totally get rid of our ego, we need to pray, since we feel that we must do something and prayer is also doing something.
The above may or may not be very logical but then logic is always not an answer for everything. I go through this dilemma almost everyday, so I pray for enlightenment. Sai Ram.
A friend who has been discussing these aspects and who happened to read the first part agreed that since we cannot keep quiet thinking that whatever happens is preordained, we must pray. That is exactly what I said, which I reproduce below.
" But to really feel one with God, one has to totally dissolve one's ego, and if one is successful in that, there is nothing to pray for. Since we can't totally get rid of our ego, we need to pray since we feel that we must do something and prayer is also doing something."
Since we are now in a Dwaita Bhava with respect to the Universal Consciousness, which we also refer to as God, Para Brahman, Parameshwara, Para Shakti etc., we do need to pray since prayer is one means of dissolving one's ego, just like meditation is another means.
If we can remove the veil which separates the consciousness from the subconscious or superconscious state, we become one with that universal consciousness. Evolved souls do have this ability of lifting the veil of maya when needed. It is like we wear outer garments to protect our privacy. It is like having walls, windows, doors, curtains etc. in a house. Some of them are easy to remove or push aside, while some of them are apparently fixed. But even those which appear to be fixed can be penetrated by X-rays, or they can be demolished, by force if needed. It is the 'I' which separates the inner and outer worlds, the microcosm and the macrocosm.
Prayers help in reducing anxiety, stress etc., which prevent us from relaxing and unless we relax deeply we cannot reduce the thickness of the partition between the conscious and sub-conscious parts of our mind. Yoga Samadhi refers to this deeply relaxed state when the yogi is able to expand the consciousness infinitely, in which case, it can envelop all other consciousnesses. Another way of looking at it is: by dissolving or partially moving the veil or partition between the conscious and sub-conscious parts of the mind, the yogi is able to connect to all other subconscious minds.
Another way of looking at it or another analogy: Our conscious minds are like islands in a sea. Through the subconscious, all of us are connected, like all the islands are connected through the sea-floor. Maya is like the water which is keeping the islands separate. We can reach from one island to another by many ways - by ship, by air, by crawling on the sea floor in a submarine or when the sea dries up all the islands become part of the land, etc. Similarly prayer is only one of several methods to expand our consciousness.
When the consciousness is expanded it is called super-consciousness. When we can submerge into it, we refer to it as subconscious.
My friend said that as our ego dissolves, our Satvik Prakriti will get strengthened. The three Gunas, Satva, Rajas and Tamas are because of Maya. It is like the pure white light splitting into the three primary colors, red, green and blue. Probably blue represents the Satva (Vishnu is portrayed as Blue and is also portrayed as Satvik), which is said to emanate from pure Tamas. Tamas means darkness. It also represents the closest to Nirguna state, when no gunas are perceptible. From Pure Tamas, the highest frequency is Blue (violet) in visible light. Green is the symbol of fertility, Prakriti. Red is the symbol of Rajas, the creativity in physical sense.
If our ego dissolves, we end up with no gunas. If we expand our consciousness to include other's problems, we are increasing our karmic burdens. If we are strong enough, if our ego state is closer to union with the universal consciousness, it is OK. Otherwise, we end up harming ourselves and the persons whom we were trying to help.
It is like this. If we are sick, we go to a doctor. If the doctor is properly trained and qualified, he is licensed to treat us. If in spite of his/her best efforts, we suffer some irreparable damage or die, our near and dear will not normally find any fault with the doctor. In fact, they may even thank the doctor(s), nurses etc., for all that they have done to us. However, if the doctor is found to be wanting , either in his professional attention or qualification, or if he is a downright quack, our relatives will be fully justified in suing them and reporting them to police for civil and criminal action.
Similarly if we start praying for others, we must be prepared to face all the karmic consequences. I was discussing some aspects of this yesterday night with SAIBANISA. I can't share all that we discussed with the reader without his express permission, but we more or less agreed on this aspect.
If at all we pray for others, we normally pray only for those, with whom we are linked at the aura level in an intimate way. For example, we are linked with our mother, father, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces etc., and also very close friends. We rejoice when some good thing happens to them, we are depressed when they get into difficulties. That means, we are simply reacting to the events happening to them only because of our aura level connection. We don't for example, react to the same extent to the same event which happens to a neighbor, a distant relative, a casual acquaitance and we almost don't react if it happens to a stranger.
If we want to pray for a stranger, we should be able to feel the same intensity of pain, grief, anxiety etc., as we feel if the problem affects us. In fact, we find it difficult to feel even for our relatives and friends to the same extent that we feel for ourselves. And unless we feel with intensity, our prayers will not be heard.
As I said, when we pray to God, we adopt a Child ego state and visualise God as a Parent. Thus only physical or spiritual parents, or parental figures would normally accept responsibility for the children in their charge. Physical parents and Guru have therefore been equated with God. Till 14 years of the child's age, physical parents (biological or foster parents, uncles, guardians etc.) are held responsible for all the sins of the child, since the child is considered to be ignorant. Similarly the child is sent to a Guru and so the Guru was held responsible for the omissions of the spiritual child.
When Gajendra (the elephant king) prayed for liberation from the jaws of the crocodile, Indra, Brahma and other Gods did not respond because they lacked Viswa Mayata (universal spread?) as per the beautiful translation of Sri Bhagavatham by Sri Bammera Potana . The text is "Viswa mayata lemi viniyu vooraka yundiri ambujasanadulu addupadaka" (forgive the bad breaking of the telugu sentence in english). So if Brahma cannot intervene, who are we to intervene?
If one says we are not intervening but are only trying to intercede (like making a recommendation to a higher authority), we should be fully aware of all the merits and demerits of the case which we are trying to recommend if our recommendation is to have any value. That is why, when Sri Gopanna ( the famous Sri Ramadas of Bhadrachalam wanted some body to intercede, he requested none other than Sri Sita, the consort of Sri Rama, whom he addresses as mother. (Nanu brovamani cheppave Sitamma Talli...). That only goes to show what is the necessary qualification of the recommender. Prayer is a very strong recommendation.
Prayers for universal welfare are given by highly evolved souls because their thoughts generate very powerful positive vibrations which help in counteracting the negative vibrations. In fact both positive and negative things are creations of God. From zero, if you want to create a positive number, you have to necessarily create an equal negative number. School students are taught number line, which has zero at its center. To the right side are all positive numbers and to the left side, are all negative numbers.That is why we talk of the Right hand and the Left hand paths. The latin for right is dexter and for left it is sinister, which as most of you know has acquired a meaning of dangerous, evil etc. over the ages.
If a person is having some problems and some positive benefit is to be given to him, the corresponding negativity which is inevitably created has to be controlled somewhere, somehow. In fact, astronomers and cosmologists (those scientists who are trying to gain knowledge of cosmos, universe) have a theory that there is an anti-universe, which will be a mirror image of our universe. That is probably what our Rishis meant when they talked of higher and lower lokas (the earth is the first of the 7 higher lokas, and Atala is the first of the 7 lower lokas).
At the elementary particle level, we have electron and its opposite, positron; proton and its opposite, anti-proton. When an electron and a positron meet, they annhilate each other and the result is energy. The equation is famous E=mc2 (m c square). E is the energy, m stands for mass and c is the velocity of light in vacuum.
Thus if our prayers are to be answered, the negative forces which are causing us the problems have to be annhilated by positive forces. We all talk of Karma, positive and negative balances which we call as Prarabhdha Karma, Poorvajanma Punyam etc. If we pray for materialistic benefits (health is also a materialistic trait) for ourselves or for someone, our positive balance gets depleted. Unless we are continuously replenishing our Poorva Janma Punyam with punya karmas (good deeds) in this birth, we will be over drawing our account.
A Guru who is highly evolved will have so much spiritual, positive energy that he can afford to intervene in our karma and still manage all the consequences. Till we grow spiritually, if at all we must pray, it is better that we pray for our own spiritual growth and enlightenment and do not interfere with other's lives.
If we don't have a personal physical Guru who is ready to accept this great responsibility for our actions, it is better to pray to a SAT GURU like Sri Sainath or to a God, like Sri Venkateswara ( a Guru and a God are not really different) to guide us on our path. If some body approaches us with their problem, we should listen with patience and advise them to pray for themselves and to seek the guidance and blessings of Sat Guru Sai Nath etc.
I am convinced that it is definitely hazardus spiritually to pray for someone without being fully qualified.
I seek your forgiveness for this very, very long winded article. I also thank my friends for initiating this discussion which has certainly helped in clarifying my own thoughts.
May Sainath guide us and give us the wisdom.
GOD THE INCORRIGIBLE OPTIMIST
All of us are either optimistic or pessimistic about our future. While many of us keep oscillating between the two postures depending upon our mood and the past experiences, there is one person (if we can call HIM that way) in this Universe, who is always Optimistic about our future. In fact HE is a Die-Hard Incorrigible Optimist.
HE never gives up his efforts to redeem us, to help us in reaching him. He cheerfully forgives all our mistakes out of his infinite compassion. When we stumble and fall, He helps us to get to our feet again and lovingly wipes our tears. Like a loving mother, He kisses our cuts and brises away and gives us reassurance to try again.
Why does HE do all this? Why does'nt HE just give us up? Because HE never loses hope. Because HE is an Incorrigible Optimist. Because HE only needs a small cry from HIS children like us to respond. We may wonder, why HE just doesn't wave a magic wand and lift us to Him. Why does HE wait for a call from us?
Well, friends, the answer is this. Just like a baby comes from the mother's womb and is nourished and nurtured by the mother, we are also God's children and we are just like small babes when we are born. Just as a child grows up and starts crawling and then tries to walk, we also grow up spiritually. The process of growing up gives freedom to us and with freedom comes responsibility. When we commit mistakes because of our newfound freedom, we fall down and get hurt, because that is the inexorable law of nature. Negative actions beget negative results, i.e. punishments.
Just like a loving mother does not tie her child always to herself, God too does not force us to be with him always. HE gives us the freedom which we wanted. However, again like a loving mother or father who always keeps a watchful eye on the child and rushes to it when the child gets into trouble, GOD too keeps watching us. When we are in our spiritual infancy, HE always watches and protects us. However, as we grow spiritually, HE gives us the freedom to explore our surroundings and doesn't interfere in our activities. Of course, there are exceptional circumstances where even without our calling HIM, he has to interfere not only for our sake but also for the sake of the others. But in normal circumstances, HE gives us the freedom to do right or wrong, and the results follow. When we get hurt, or when we fall, and when we cry, immediately HE responds. HE, in his infinite wisdom knows that our mistakes are small and have no lasting ill-effects, so HE knows that we will sooner or later outgrow these faltering steps.
Is HE not an Incorrigible Optimist? He is only waiting for a small cry from us to respond!
On Sunday, the 5th March, I attended the engagement function of my niece. So my thoughts were on marriage and the various rituals associated with it.
A practice adopted in all Hindu marriages, atleast all the South Indian marriages which I have seen so far, is the bride and groom placing their hands on each other's heads with Jaggery and Jeera at an auspiscious time fixed, i.e. the Muhurat time. Also a screen is placed between these two prior to that and after this only, the screen is removed and they are supposed to see each other.
For the past few days, I have also been reading "SRI GURU GITA", a commentary on the greatness of Guru. The Sanskrit text is from SKANDA PURANA and is in the form of a discourse between Siva and Parvati. The telugu translation and commentary is by Sri Sivacharanam. More of it later. Out of the many ways of a Guru transmitting his wisdom and spiritual power to a disciple, one which is more popular is to place his hand (Palm down) on the top of the head of the disciple. This process is called HASTA MASTAKA SAMYOGAM. Hasta is hand and Mastaka is head. Samyoga is coming together.
All of you know the story of Bhasmasura, who got a boon from Lord Siva that whatever he places his hand upon becomes Bhasma, i.e. ash. He starts misusing the boon and tries to place his hands on Siva himself. Sri Maha Vishnu with his Maya takes the form of Mohini and causes Bhasmasura to place his hands on his own head and thus burns him down to ash.This is a negative form of transferring power.
It is a common practice to seek blessings from elders by bowing to their feet and they in turn place their hands on our heads and give bendictions. Thus placing hands on the head is one important means of conveying divine power. The palms of the Guru give out the positive energy and the Sahasrara Chakra of the disciple on the top of the head which is always open recieves the same. Those who are familiar with REIKI have no difficulty in understanding or accepting this.
Now coming back to the marriage rituials, I started wondering why the hand of the groom is put on the bride's head and at the same time the hand of the bride is put on the head of the groom. I got an answer which I would like to share with all Sai Bandhus. The energy fields of both the groom and the bride get thoroughly mixed this way. The spiritual energy of the bridegroom enters the Sahasrara chakra of the bride, travels down the Spinal column and through the hand of the bride, reenters the Sahasrara of the bridegroom. Similarly the spiritual energy of the bride completes a circuit through the bride groom. This is real union of the two souls and there is no further separation between the two. The putting of the cloth screen and removing that after this is symbolic. Now whatever the two do, wherever they are, they are united at the soul level. What a wonderful way of uniting. The physical consummation of the marriage takes place later again at an auspicious time.
If we understand the significance of rituals we appreciate them much better. By the same logic, though seeing each other and talking to each other before marriage may be OK in the present day cultural practices, it is better for the boy and girl to avoid physical contact, i.e. even touching each other before the auspicious muhurat. At the time of the marriage, the boy and girl or rather the bridegroom and the bride should mentally surrender to each other, so that the energy flow is fast and complete.
So I hope the above will be found interesting by all seekers of knowledge.
Om Sai Ram.
7/2/2000 (2nd July 2000)
A short while ago, I heard of the passing away of an elderly person, father of my colleague and friend. The first reaction was "Ayyo!" our normal way of expressing sadness, concern and sympathy. But a little later, the mind started questioning as it does often. A thought came into the consciousness that a bubble has burst. Human life has been compared to a bubble in many of our ancient scriptures to emphasize the impermanence.
A bubble is a projection of a thin film of liquid containing air or vapor from its surface. Sometimes, it may even detach itself and float in air. It may look beautiful and colorful, it may even be in a group of similar bubbles. Sooner or later, all the bubbles burst, though each may live for a different amount of time. New bubbles may be coming up if there is a continuous supply of air or water vapor, like in a vessel with water boiling.
Compared to our own perception of time, the bubble looks extremely short-lived. But try to see it from a very small time scale, say microseconds. In that case, the bubble appears to be really long lived. Similarly while from a cosmic time scale, like that of Brahma, the creator, the human life span is really short, but compared to many other animals and insects our life span is pretty long.
What is more important is not the quantity i.e. the number of years that we have lived on this plane, but how we have lived, the quality of the life which we have led. Have we done something good, have we learnt something good? These are the questions that we have to answer.
Better late than never is one adage, which is true in the case of human beings. Though endowed with a great mind, which can discriminate between good and bad, many of us because of ignorance and illusion (delusion?) about the permanence of our life forget to do good or postpone it. The bad deeds we commit because of Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Illusion), Mada (Egoism) and Matsarya (Jealousy). Many times we realise that we have done bad and repent. We hope to redeem ourselves by doing something good so that the account book is in our favour. But alas, we don’t know when the bubble is going to burst. Even the best astrologer can’t predict the exact span of life. Assuming that we are endowed with a long span of life, what is the guarantee that we will have the physical and mental faculties intact to do good things in the later part of life?
So, dear friends, if you are doing good, continue to do more good. If you have been procrastinating and postponing, don’t delay. Do good!
Hari Om! Om Sri Sai Ram. Guru Deva Datta!
Later in the day, when I was visiting some other temples, I got an answer to the question, which I feel is the real answer and which I feel certain has been provided by Sri Gnana Saraswati. I got an answer to the question, which some friends raised: "Arati is for removing the DRISHTI DOSHA just like it is used for small children. In that case, we should not bring it to our eyes but keep it aside and sprinkle a few drops of water on it. So why do we bring our palms from the Arati to our eyes?" I am giving below the answer which the Goddess, I am convinced, has provided. In fact, I was very much elated and I am sure my ego must have started raising its head thinking that it is my intelligence that has provided the answer. So imagine my surprise when I completely forgot not only the answer but also the question itself which "I" thought I answered. I immediately realised my mistake and mentally prayed to the Goddess for forgiveness. Like a true mother, she forgave her small child’s mistake and gave back the memory.
I started writing a small article on these aspects. Again, probably my ego must have been rising (dissolving one’s ego is the most difficult job) thinking that "I" am writing all these articles which are being appreciated far and wide. Lo and behold, promptly a few articles and the previously written articles disappeared from my PC’s hard disk. And I did pride myself about my knowledge of DOS and WINDOWS, at least as far as file management is concerned. All my skills were in vain. God gave me one more lesson in humility. Sufficiently chastened, I retrieved a few articles from SAIDARBAR and a few I rewrote. This article somehow slipped from the conscious mind. So I was awakened again today by a mental wakeup call by Goddess Sri Gnana Saraswati.
I seek the reader’s forgiveness for this long introduction without giving the actual answer. I just wanted to caution my friends that our egos could play lot of tricks with us. Another reason is that I sincerely feel that it is the Goddess who wanted this reason to be known to other devotees and so has again stimulated me to share the answer with you.
Well, friends! The answer is this. The idol or photograph of any God or Goddess is not just Stone or paper or whatever other material but is a symbol of the true deity so that we can focus our attention to the deity. With constant Puja, even a personal photo or idol worshipped by a devotee acquires a distinct identity of its own and starts responding to the devotee. The idol of a deity in a temple is all the more powerful since the Deity is invoked by Mantras and regular Pujas. As prescribed in the AGAMA SASTRAS, Yantras are also installed under the idols to increase the power of the deity many fold. Thus a powerful aura is built around the idol. Any object, be it ARATI, kum kum, turmeric, sandal paste, or holy water or even the clothes used to adorn the deity acquire a part of the aura. (For more information, pl. read the article on IDOL WORSHIP). Thus we get a part of the deity’s powerful and beneficial aura when we bring any of these sacred objects near to us. We are supposed to have 9 RANDHRAS, i.e. holes in our physical as well as astral bodies. Out of them, 7 are in our head. (Mouth, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, 2 eyes). The other 2 are mostly meant for elimination of negative or waste products from the body and are in the lower portion. Thus when we bring the palms, which are placed over the ARATI to our eyes, not only our eyes but our nostrils too get charged with the positive aura. When we hear the hymns and bells, our ears get purified. When we take the holy water our mouth gets purified. When the SATHA GOPURAM (the conical piece with the feet of the lord on the top) is placed on our head our SAHASRARA CHAKRA gets charged.
Thus ARATI and other holy articles which are taken into the close proximity of the deity and are then given to us act as carriers or vehicles of the positive energy from the deity to us. The purpose is thus probably different from the ARATI given to small children to protect them from evil eye.
I hope all SAI BANDHUS will find the above answer interesting and convincing. However, there could be some more facets to this practice. When the time comes, God will find some tool to communicate the same.
Om Sai Ram. Pranams to Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi and all other divine manifestations of the NIRGUNA PARA BRAHMAN.
Our friend Gopi Krishna from Delhi sent e-mail containing a beautiful story about the Weight of Prayer. Of course there is a small inconsistency in the story about the scales being broken but the same can be ignored. When I was mulling over the philosophical or metaphysical aspects of the story, I was reminded about Sri Krishna Tulabharam (Weighing).
Many of you know the story about how Satya (Satya Bhama), the second and the apparently favorite wife of Sri Krishna was humbled by Rishi Narada and Rukmini with the full connivance of that mischievous Krishna. Just in case some one has not heard of it or has forgotten, here it is in a short form.
Satya prides herself about the love, which Krishna shows to her and her "Control" over him. Rukmini, on the other hand is the typical PATIVRATA. Her devotion is her real inner beauty and Krishna knows it fully well. On one occasion, Rishi Narada comes to Dwaraka and in the course of some conversation hints to Satya that the love that Krishna exhibits towards her is not all that real and in fact it is Rukmini, who being the first wife has the real control. Satya is unable to bear this and challenges Narada to prove it. Narada tricks her into accepting a VRATA where she has to give Krishna as Dana (i.e as a gift to Narada) and reclaim him by putting Krishna in one scale and her money, Gold, jewellery etc. in the other scale and after the scales become equal she can get back her Krishna. Narada lures her into accepting this VRATA by telling her that Krishna’s love to Satya will increase many folds if she succeeds in performing this TULABHARAM. He also instigates her ego by hinting that her wealth may not be sufficient to equal the weight of Krishna. Satya’s ego is raised and she tells Narada that she can mobilize so much wealth that it is a child’s play for her to outweigh Krishna. Narada warns her that if she is not able to do this, Krishna will become his slave to be done with as he pleases. Satya can’t even think of losing. So strong is her ego.
Well, one fine day, the scene is set for the VRATA. Satya first gives Krishna as DANA in spite of the other wives’ pleadings. Krishna, always the mischievous cowherd, meekly submits to this drama. After donating Krishna to Narada, Satya arranges for a big scale to be put up where everyone can see the Tamasha and sends with all assurance for her huge treasure of gold, jewellery etc. She gets the shock of her life when all that she has is put in the scale but the scale doesn’t budge. Narada starts taunting her and threatening her that if she can’t put enough gold or diamonds, he will be forced to auction Krishna as a slave to some other people. Satya, in frantic panic, swallows her pride and begs all the other wives to give their jewels. They agree because of their love for Krishna but alas, it is no use.
Krishna remains a mute witness to all this drama and rubs salt into the open wounds of Satya’s ego that he has now to become a slave to some cowherd and suffer the separation from his dear Satya. Narada suggests to Satya that may be Rukmini can get her out of the predicament. Initially, Satya’s ego doesn’t allow her to go to Rukmini but finally she has to swallow her pride and go to the devoted first wife of Krishna. Rukmini comes and with a prayer to her husband puts one, yes, I repeat, one leaf of the sacred Tulasi. Lo and behold, the scales become all at once so heavy that even after removing all the jewels, the scales remain down on the side where the Tulasi leaf is put.
Well, friends, don’t you find a stunning parallel in these two stories? Faith Moves Mountains is one adage. Ravana with his devotion to Siva could move Kailas. Ganesha, the God with elephant’s head who is supposed to be so heavy, rides a small mouse. Kumara, the other son of Siva and Parvati who is also called Muruga i.e Snake rides Peacock the archenemy of snake. Why, goddess Durga, Bhuvaneswari etc., i.e. all the manifestations of Sakti are shown riding tiger or lion.
All this apparently contradictory coexistence drives home one point. The whole universe is born out of the union of opposites who are represented as Purusha and Prakriti, the male and female aspects of PARA BRAHMA. Thus weight and lightness are also two opposites which are united by faith, devotion, prayer etc.
Om Sai Ram.
Seven islands (Sapta Dweepa Vasundhara), seven seas, seven hills, seven steps around the sacred fire (Saat Pheri), seven births to which we trace our ancestry (if we can), seven ragas, seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds, seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow etc. The number seven seems to be intimately connected with so many spiritual things.
I lay there thinking one night, wondering what could be the meaning of this 7? I thought I got an answer. I would like to share it with other SAI devotees for mutual benefit.
The sacred hills of Tirumala are 7 in number and when seen above look like a coiled serpent. Venkateswara, Balaji, Srinivasa, Seshachalapathi, the lord of the seven hills, etc., are the many names with which the presiding deity is known. Sesha means serpent, but an alternative meaning is "What is Left." Achala means "Which Does not move," that is a hill or one who doesn’t move or change. Since God is changeless and God remains after the world, which is His creation is gone, it is appropriate that he is called Seshachalapathi.
To reach him, one has to climb six hills (the seventh is his abode). This represents the journey of Kundalini (which lies dormant like a coiled serpent!) through the Shatchakras. When the journey is completed, the Individual Consciousness meets the Universal Consciousness. It also represents the Six Internal Enemies which the Devotee has to overcome and also probably the Six Ruchis (Tastes) to which normally a devotee could get attached. Thus Six represents the individual ego and only when this is overcome, is one able to reach The Higher Consciousness, which is God.
Sri Sai Satcharita or Sri Guru Charita is to be completed in 7 days, i.e. in one cycle, since 7 represents one spiritual cycle.
Sri Sai told his devotees that he spent 12 years with a Guru whom he called Venkusa, because he was an ardent devotee of Sri Venkateswara. Thus Venkateswara and Sai have a close connection. Both emphasised the importance of Bhakti. Both attempted to bring conflicting groups together. For example, by having the word Iswara in his name (Venkata+Iswara=Venkateswara), he has become the God for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. Similarly by taking the name Balaji, he has become the God(dess) of Shakti worshippers. Sri Sai of course, propagated the oneness of all religions and especially tried to bring peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims.
Thus 7 represents the occult, mystic spiritual aspect.
By the way, my date of birth adds up to 7 (the total of date, month and year). That could be one reason why Seshachalapathi and Sai have chosen me as an instrument to convey some of these spiritual matters for the benefit of all devotees. Om Namo Venkatesaya. Om Sri Sai Ram.
Dear Editor of Sai Vichar,
Om Sai Ram. Congratulations for the good service which you are rendering to Sai Devotees through Sai Vichar. Thanks to Sri RAVADA GOPALA RAO garu, I got the latest issue of Sai Vichar, which included the article "Why do we give Arati?"
I read with interest the feature article on IDOL WORSHIP sent by the SAI DEVOTEE from UAE. Since her e-mail address is not given, I am offering my comments to you so that you can if found fit include them in your next issue of Sai Vichar.
I agree with the theme that idol worship is not an idle practice followed by uneducated, ill-cultured savages as made out by some misguided people. It is just a means of focussing your mind on the SAGUNA form of the formless GOD. It gives a lot of pleasure and mental relaxation to many people, especially those whose spiritual evolution has just begun. For those who can't chant the name of the God constantly or meditate on his formless infinite attributes, IDOL WORSHIP is a good daily routine. Just as the body needs regular exercise, nourishment and rest, mind too needs regular activity. Idle mind becomes a devil's workshop i.e. negativities start building up.
There is one saying in Telugu. IT translates roughly as follows " Once you tie a little piece of Asafoetida in a cloth, it will smell long after you remove the Asafoetida piece " Russians with their Chirlian Photography have proved that a leaf has an energy field which persists for quite some time in space and time. Thus a leaf from which one half has been cut off continues to show the energy pattern of a full leaf for quite some time.
Thus if you imagine that God is residing in a particular form in an idol, photograph or a similar sacred object, the positive vibrations of your mind will be held in the object for quite some time. So if you do daily puja you will reinforce the vibrations and slowly the object of worship gets a life of its own. Thesophists have seen thought forms exist in space for quite some time.
The above form of Prana Pratishta i.e. creating a God in an initially inert object is a little informal and depends mainly on the extent of the faith of the devotee. Since it is made of his vibrations, it is predominantly tuned to him and those who are near to him spiritually.
In a temple, on the other hand, the idol is bigger, and with the help of suitable Yantras and Mantras, PRANA PRATISHTA is done in a formal way by some holy saint. Here a pujari performs all the pujas prescribed in the AGAMA Sastras and the idol gets a life independent of any individual devotee. Also the vibrations are more powerful and are capable of tuning many individuals.
I hope the above will be found to be of interest to SAI Devotees.
I next respond to your question of the week.
"How does a Sai devotee define truthfulness in devotion?"
The relationship between a devotee and his God is sacred and only the devotee and his / her God will know the truthfulness. External signs can be false and misleading but we cannot deceive the God who dwells in our heart. Thus we may put on all the external symbols like Vibhudi, Rudraksha, Kumkum or many other marks to show that we are devoted, but what counts is our mind and heart.We can't pretend to our conscience. Since Sai is SATCHITANANDA, SAT means TRUTH. He knows whether our devotion to him is true or not.
During times of difficulty, do we remember him and pray to him? After all the prayers, do we accept the result as His will especially if the result is not what we prayed for? If yes, we can say we are true devotees.It is a very difficult test indeed and though we may pass it once or twice we may not pass it all the time. In fact getting a steadfast devotion to any God is itself due to God's or Guru's grace.
So let us pray to SAI to give us true steadfast devotion.
I read with a lot of interest the experience of Ravi Subramanian Gahanna, USA. I was really moved by the love of SAI towards his devotee and tears came to my eyes at his love. Sai blesses all his devotees. Om Sai Ram.
A friend started a discussion. It turned towards heart and mind. Human beings are different from the other animals mainly in having a highly developed mind, with very well developed logical reasoning faculties. Emotions on the other hand are common to all animals including humans. Especially the higher animals are quite good in communicating their feelings with their eyes and other parts of their body. Watch a dog for example. When its master comes, it shows its happiness by wagging its tail, getting up on its hind legs and waving its forepaws, by barking and when near, by licking. Thus it shows its affection in so many ways. Scold the dog and it retires and shows its hurt by sitting quietly with its snout kept between its paws and looking at you with doleful eyes. The logical reasoning skills of even a highly intelligent dog are pretty limited and are almost wholly made up of reflexes that are learned.
Mind on the other hand in a human being is made up of a strong reasoning center and of course a powerful emotional center. Though the theory is not fully accepted and some controversy is there about the experimental evidence, the two halves of the brain are supposed to be fairly distinctly developed and differentiated from this point of view. "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" probably describes. Logical reasoning, mathematical and abstract reasoning skills, spatial coordination, and of course aggression are the attributes of one half. Artistic, linguistic and communication skills, emotional skills are the main attributes of the other half. Of course, no human being is totally developed in one half and devoid of the other. More about this and the Ardha Nariswara concept which more or less talks of the same I will write some other time.
Thus humans are capable of pure cold logic and very intense love. Where there is love, there is of course bound to be its negative counterpart, i.e. hatred. All other emotions are more or less derived from these basic emotions of love and happiness.
God also has love but does God have hatred too? Our very concept of God is of positive qualities, so we can’t think of hatred in God. Of course we can have a negative God whom we call Satan, Devil, Dayyam etc. The question will naturally arise. How is our love different from that of God?
The answer I feel lies in this. We, because of our egocentric attitudes have love, which is tinged by selfishness. So if our love is not reciprocated, it rebounds and like a vector, changes its sign. Thus selfish love manifests itself as hate. God’s love on the other hand, never rebounds. If the devotee doesn’t respond consciously, God is not bothered because he can communicate with us on several planes. Whether we respond consciously or not, God continues to pour out love like sun that radiates light, so that, sooner or later, we start responding to this continuous divine love and our ego start dissolving. Once our egoism disappears, if not totally, at least to a large extent, the negativity or selfishness in our love disappears and our love too becomes selfless love like God’s.
Sai’s love to his devotees is example of the true self-less love, as manifested by his total lack of anger or any other emotions towards those who called him fake, mad or refused to give him alms or the merchants who refused to sell him oil for lighting lamps. His response was " Allah achha karega" meaning God will do good to you.
You may be wondering what is the role of the logical center in all this. Well, when we are overwhelmed by negative emotions such as anger, hatred, jealousy etc., it is God’s special gift to a human that he can pause, ponder over the situation, analyse and realise that there is really no ground for all this negativism since all are God’s children and it is only our and their petty egos which were responsible for the negative emotions.
Once our logic takes over and reason starts controlling our thought patterns, our negative emotions will disappear. We stop reacting and will act according to our own thoughts. Serene thoughts now replace the negative thoughts and we raise ourselves a little higher and from that height the issues which provoked all the negative emotions look rather small and insignificant.
Thus till we get the divine grace and conquer our limited ego and become capable of expanding or merging our ego with the universal consciousness that God is, it is the logical or reasoning power which God has so kindly gifted to human beings which comes to our rescue.
All animals have two options in an encounter: Fight or Flight. Only we have the third, viz. to discuss, argue, reason and try to convince each other and if nothing else agree to disagree. This is probably the reason why Lord Siva who is the originator of all of us is portrayed with the Third Eye. When this eye opens it burns everything. When the power of reasoning is opened, it burns ignorance, prejudice and other such petty negativity.
So, friends, by all means let us live with our heart as long as we have positive emotions but let us switch on our third eye when ever, selfishness raises its ugly head.
Om Sri Sai Ram. Jai Guru Deva Dutta.
IS MY GOD DIFFERENT FROM YOUR GOD?
Many of us who are educated, especially through the westernised system are in a situation somewhat like Nana’s. Since we think we know, we are prevented from real knowledge. Our bookish knowledge, our worldly stature, our intellectual sharpness etc. also increase our ego and thus build the wall between the Supreme and us. We have to unlearn everything before we can relearn.
In Sri Bhagavatham, the story of "Gajendra moksham" is one of the most beautiful and moving. The elephant king i.e. the mind or Jeevatma is caught in the shackles of Samsara because of his ignorance. The crocodile in the lake is probably symbolic though it could be real. The elephant fights for a long time but in vain. Then the ego having been vanquished and because of POORVA JANMA SAMSKARA, he remembers God and prays to him. Once the ego is destroyed, God is able to come and cut the crocodile, i.e. ignorance, with SUDARSANA CHAKRAM. Sudarsana means Good Sight. A clear insight into the nature of ATMA, the transient nature of the materialistic world and the limitations of our petty egos, destroys our AVIDYA and liberates us.
Jesus Christ said "Blessed are the poor. The kingdom of heaven is theirs." Mahlsapathy was very poor, like Kuchela of Sri Bhagavatha. More than the riches it is the desire to be rich and the attachment to wealth and worldly possessions that hold the mind in bondage, like the crocodile held the elephant.
So detachment, which comes from contentment, is important. True devotion can come only when the ego is annihilated.
Till then, we can only pray to Sri Sai Baba to help us to break the wall. If we cannot break it from our side, He can and does break it from his side. In that process, we may get slightly bruised and cry like small children who get hurt. But in the end, Baba never hurts us or tests us more than our capacity and breaks the wall.
Om Sri Sai Ram
WHY DO WE GIVE ARATI?
While Arati is performed with many types of lamps, camphor is the most common ingredient in all temples. Camphor has excellent medicinal properties; especially it protects against many diseases in a hot climate that pervades most of India. The camphor and other aromatic substances purify the atmosphere and when the devotees place their palms over the Arati and bring the palms to their eyes and nose, they absorb the medicinal benefits. This is born out by the books on Homeopathy.
The camphor Arati, especially is very short lasting and thus it signifies the short span of human life and the physical, sensual pleasures which come of attachments caused by AVIDYA or AGNANA. Thus Arati inspires the devotee to seek God who is permanent.
"Make hay while the sun shines" is a popular adage. Since the Arati is short lasting, it compels the devotee to focus his attention on the God.
Bells are usually rung while the Arati is being given. The rhythmic sounds of the bells have a nice soothing calming effect on our mind which helps in seeing the real God in the physical image.
In many temples, the Arati is also accompanied by chanting of Vedic Mantras or beautiful songs, which extol the virtues of the presiding deity, especially the all-pervasiveness. These again reinforce the devotion and help the devotee in his / her chosen path to reach spiritual enlightenment.
There could be several more possible reasons and the origins of this excellent practice are lost in antiquity. I will be grateful if Sai devotees could shed more light on this subject.
I believe that, as long as one lives, one learns. In fact, I feel that the very purpose of being born on this earth plane is to learn and that too to learn pretty fast. The lessons to be learnt are very hard, but one has had a lot of preparation. Just like no student is admitted in a degree program, unless he meets the minimum qualification prescribed, one is allowed to take birth in a particular family or environment because he or she has, in the previous birth, learnt the lessons, to a minimum standard. This accumulated experience in fact is what constitutes one's karma, which by the way includes Poorva Janma Punyam and Papam. So the very fact that one has taken birth, especially in the human form on the earth means one has come a long way in his spiritual evolution and that he has now qualified to progress further.
Taking the analogy of this earth being a spiritual class room a step further, we all know that, when one joins an University or college, one has to register for a particular programme, containing some specific subjects and has to study under qualified lecturers, readers or professors. Suppose the candidate has finished his M.Sc or M.Phil and now wants to do Ph.D. He will now be required to register himself with a Guide, who himself is a Ph.D. He now concentrates all his intellectual and practical experimental (call it experiential) faculties in studying the intricacies of a specific problem and if his work is of sufficiently good standard, he will be given his Ph.D, after he satisfies his own guide and a body of other highly qualified professionals.
Guru is like a Professor who takes a handful of Ph.D. Scholars and guides them. 'Sri Guru Charita' is one of the very few treatises which extol the need for a Guru. Every one needs a Guru, especially when one has reached a fairly advanced state of spiritual growth. In the lower levels of education , one learns from many and one can even pass the examinations by mugging up, through study guides or even by guessing the correct answer in an objective examination. But no one can do his Ph.D. by such methods, especially if the University has any reputaion worth its name. One of course need not bother about the institutions and the Gurus who dish out Ph.D degrees for money. They are the false Gurus. Sat Guru is like a good guide in a reputed college. He will be kind, loving and yet firm. He may appear to be harsh, or even dictatorial at times. But he knows the manifest and latent capabilities and the limitations of his student, even better than the student himself. So he tries to push his student to the limit so that the student finishes his work at the earliest and reaches the goal. He does it not for his own benefit but for the benefit of the student and the society. Sri Guru, Adi Shankara, Sai are all Gurus of the highest order. They are demanding but they are like Nobel Laurettes! Every one can't get the privilege of being tutored by them. How many Arjunas are there who are fortunate enough to be taught the Divine Knowledge by the God himself?
What after the student himself gets his Ph.D? Is it the end of the journey? No. One does post-doctoral research or continues with the guide on more advanced topics of research. He now helps the guide in guiding other research scholars. Eventually he himself becomes qualified to become a Guide. But no student, however much he may have progressed will ever forget his guide, who helped him reach the position he now occupies. Sir Issac Newton is reported to have said," I am a pigmy. I could see farther than the giants because I was standing on their shoulders." That shall be the attitude of a true student who has shed one's ego.
I welcome your comments and perceptions on this subject.
The Monkey and the Kitten
The monkey presents an interesting contrast. The baby monkey holds firm to the underside of the belly of its mother and the mother moves from place to place sometimes even jumping from branch to branch of trees at great height. The baby monkey just holds firm its mother and doesn't let go even when the mother jumps at great heights from tree branch to tree branch. Even if the baby is bruised in the process, it doesn't let go since instinct tells it that death is certain if it relaxes its grip.
Thus in both cases, the mother carries the baby. But what a contrast? In the case of the monkey, it is the baby which is responsible for holding on. In the case of the kitten it is the mother cat which takes the responsibility to hold its baby.
These two are usually used as illustrations to represent the relationship between the devotee and the God. (In Sanskrit, they are known as Marjala Kishora Nyaya and Markata Kishora Nyaya). In the case of the devotee who is not fully free of ego, it is his responsibility to hold on to his Ishta Devata in spite of any troubles (which are to test his steadfast devotion). But once he makes contact with his God and starts getting benefit, and his ego dissolves, the devotee becomes like a kitten and it now becomes the responsibility of God like the mother cat to take care of the devotee.
Thus while both the baby monkey and the kitten are good models for devotees to follow, the kitten represents the true Saranagati, i.e. a devotee who has totally surrendered himself to God.
So let us all become kittens or if that much change is difficult, let us start by being baby monkeys and hold on firmly to God.
Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This page is maintained by Sri S V SWAMY
SWAMY'S PAGE
"Swarna Venkateswara Swamy, born on 8th April 1948, at Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a Physicist, a Metallurgist, and a Quality Assurance Professional by Education, Training and Employment. Like a small child with a lot of curiosity, Swamy was interested in everything from A to Z and used to read whatever he could lay his hands upon, including Puranas and Philosophical books. However, by God's (Lord Venkateswara Swamy, after whom he is named) grace and Guru Sai's grace, he is now taking his first steps in spiritual progress, with Moksha as the goal. Since ego is the biggest barrier to that (Demolish this Teli's wall between you and Me, Sai told His devotees!), Swamy is trying hard to 'die', i.e. dissolve the ego, through this Seva to Sai Maharaj!"
This page is maintained by Sri S V SWAMY
SWAMY'S PAGE
"Swarna Venkateswara Swamy, born on 8th April 1948, at Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a Physicist, a Metallurgist, and a Quality Assurance Professional by Education, Training and Employment. Like a small child with a lot of curiosity, Swamy was interested in everything from A to Z and used to read whatever he could lay his hands upon, including Puranas and Philosophical books. However, by God's (Lord Venkateswara Swamy, after whom he is named) grace and Guru Sai's grace, he is now taking his first steps in spiritual progress, with Moksha as the goal. Since ego is the biggest barrier to that (Demolish this Teli's wall between you and Me, Sai told His devotees!), Swamy is trying hard to 'die', i.e. dissolve the ego, through this Seva to Sai Maharaj!"
The Monkey of a Mind!
Sai Ram. Are you intrigued by the title? Well, read on and see for yourself whether it makes sense or not.
I am sure you have seen a monkey. If you haven't, well, I suggest you go out to the nearest zoo and spend some time looking at him, her or it or them. You could also go to a website like that of National Geopgraphic Society or BBC and look at them, in video. In any case, very soon, you will realise, if not already familiar, with their activity or restlessness. Whether it is alone or with a group, a monkey can never sit still, for probably more than a few seconds. In a cage, it will be clambering from one side to another, in a forest, from a tree branch to another. It will be swinging, jumping, scratching itself or gambolling. In short, a monkey and calmness are poles
apart.
Well friend, now leave the monkey aside for a few minutes and look inwards. Try to sit calmly at one place without talking to anyone and try to keep your mind steady on any single thought. If you are able to sit for 2 minutes without your mind running away somewhere, pl. stop reading further. You have arrived and you don't need anything else.
If you failed the above test, don't be unhappy, you are not alone. You belong to the majority (I would say a huge majority, probably > 90%) of the population who can't pass the test. I confess, I too belong to this category. So, you may say, how are you qualified to talk anything further on this subject? You will be fully justified in asking that small group of advanced Sadhakas who can pass this test effortlessly, who can keep their mind focussed on a single point for hours, to speak, write about how to go about equipping ourselves to keep our mind tethered to whatever thought we want.
While I confess that I can't keep my mind fixed on any thought even for a few seconds , I have a few perceptions on this topic, which He has kindly given. My aim in giving these perceptions is that some of us will benefit. In fact, even if you benefit, I will be happy.
Maharshi Patanjali defined Yoga as "Chitta Vritti Nirodhah". That means Obstructing the Way of the Mind. The mind has no way, or rather, it has itw own way. It is like a wild horse, which doesn't accept the control of the rider. It is like the Brownian motion of molecules (completely randomised). Lord Sri Krishna (I bow to Him today, on the occassion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami) also tells Sri Arjuna in Sri Gita that mind is very difficult to control. In fact, the mind has been very aptly compared to a monkey. Some wit, has actually compared the human mind to a monkey which had a peg too many (yes, monkeys do drink!), and then has been bitten by a scorpion! But the Lord gave a rider. He said that with practice it is possible to control it, like the wildest horse can be tamed by a skilled rider.
The story in Sri Bhagavatha about Mother Yashoda trying in vain to tie Lord Krishna with a rope to a mortar, has a lot of philosophical significance. He can't be tied by any one or with any thing, except, with love. When Yashoda failed and was at her wit's end, God Sri Krishna out of kindness, out of love (after all her motherly love to Him, which made her look at Him as a small child made Him respond), He allowed Himself to be tied.
On the other hand, when Kauravas under the leadership of Duryodhana tried to tie Him up when He went there as the emissary of Pandavas, He did not feel obliged to yield to them since there was no love on their side. However, He did show them His Viswaroopam, so they were indeed lucky after all. Even to be an enemy to Him, one needs a lot of Poorva Janma Punyam, it seems.
Coming back to the monkey, yes, I mean the normal physical monkey, it can be tamed if caught when very young and brought up with love by a Trainer. A few years back, I saw a TV film (on BBC or National Geographic Channel) about a Malaysian and his monkey, which rides alognwith him a bicycle, climbes coconut trees and plucks the coconuts. It even arranges them in a heap. I was amazed at the love and affection between the master and the monkey. I would strongly urge you to see the film if possible.
You may be wondering what is the connection between this film and the topic. Well, friends, if our minds are also caught at an young age by a Guru and trained with love to meditate on the divine Lotus Feet of the Guru God, these monkeys will also serve their masters with love. The story of Sri Hanuman and Sri Rama is the perfect example. Of course, Lord Siva Himself, took the form of the Monkey God, to give all of us an excellent example of the power of Service, Total Surrender and Bhakti. Not only Sri Hanuman, though a Monkey by birth, controlled Himself, He also helped in moulding crores of other unruly monkeys into a most powerful army which could give the powerful Rakshasa Army of the mighty Ravana, a run for their money! Even if not at an young age, at any age, if our monkey (our mind) is caught by a Satguru, we are saved!
So, friends! Let us all offer our humble pranams and sincere prayers to Sri Sai Nath, Sri Hanuman, Sri Siva, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and all other forms of the Formless One, to help the monkeys of our minds to become a true Vanara Sena for fighting on the side of Dharma, Good, Love against the forces of Hatred, Adharma and all unholy forces!
Om Sai Sree Sai Jai Jai Sai. Om Sri Sai Ram.
Kama, Krodha and Ego
'Krodha' means anger. Anger comes out of frustration that our desires are not fulfilled. Desire is called 'Kama'. It is not necessarily sexual desire, though that is one of the most elementary and powerful of the many desires (we will explore this later). In my case, at least, it manifests in several ways. The desire for domination is the most important of them. I think this is the problem with all egoists. Though the dictionary defines egoist as "Selfish, a person who thinks of only himself" and differentiates him from egotist, who is defined as "Person who can't think or talk of anything except on topics relating to himself", I feel that desire for domination is the common attribute of those whose egos are very strong.
Why should we desire to dominate some one else? It is because of Maya, Avidya and a feeling that I am different from others. If I did not have that feeling, I will not for example, try to dominate myself! Though our intellect or bookish knowledge tells us that God is present in everyone including ourselves and the differences are only outward, the same knowledge has not been experienced. Suppose that our eyes are closed by a blindfold, or we develop cataract. We know that there are people and objects beyond our eyes but are not able to see them. Or take the case of a person born blind. He knows from others that there is the gift of sight but he himself is unable to see.
Thus though we may be reading a lot of books and feel that we know, we don't. We know only when we experience something. Till that time, it is bookish knowledge. Reading about the sweetness of sugar is of no use unless we have experienced the sweetness of sugar. Reading about the infinite love of God or Guru (they are same, I keep repeating for my benefit if not for others) is of no use unless we have experienced it. They are ready to give, only we must be ready to receive.To be able to receive, we must first give, give ourselves.
Egoists have a problem of giving themselves. Loving is giving. What goes by the name of love between human beings is tainted by selfish motives. The love of parents to their children, the love of husband and wife to each other, the love of brothers and sisters, the love of friends; every such love is selfish. In fact, in English the word for sexual union is "Making Love", not "Giving Love". Of course there are exceptions. But mostly the love is a mask for a business-like transaction. I scratch your back - you scratch my back. I praise you - you praise me (or give me some other favor). I love you, you take care of my needs. The degree of selfishness varies. In many cases, it is difficult to detect. I, being a die-hard egoist, detect it more easily in my or other's dealings. Many times the other people are not aware, of their own selfishness.
Even our worship, devotion or love to God is also Sakayma, i.e. with desires. That means we ask Him for favors after doing Puja or Prayer to Him. He is above all these but He accepts all this. Why? Because that way we are establishing contact with Him. And when He gave us the freedom in the form of human birth and ability to discriminate between right and wrong, He placed the ON/OFF switch for contacting Him in our hands. Thus He is like a 24 hour TV Channel, always ON. It is we, the humans who are either turned ON/OFF because of our ego. When we are in the prayerful, devotional mood, we are ON. When we are running behind sensual pleasures we are OFF as far as that channel is concerned. We are of course ON with respect to a different channel, i.e. that of SATAN, DEVIL or whatever you call.
Some people say that praying for 1 hour is useless if the remaining 23 hours are spent in dirtying our minds and bodies. True, but in the initial stages of our spiritual development (and I am in the very initial stages!), we are like small children, playing in mud. Our parents, esp. our loving mothers take a lot of trouble in cleaning us and dressing us up nicely. They leave us with clear instructions not to go out and dirty ourselves. But within a few minutes or hours, depending on our playfulness (forgetfulness), we end up dirtying our clothes and bodies. We don't even know that we have dirtied ourselves. Even if we do know, in our ignorance, we think that is good. The mother again painstakingly cleans. In our early childhood, the mother talks to us in sweet tones, chiding us gently and kissing us all the while. After we grow up a little bit, like Yashoda used to scold Krishna, the mother pretends to be very angry and scolds the child. After a little further growth, the mother may even beat the child. All these punishments are for the benefit of the child.
Thus unless we keep trying and all the time keep crying out for His / Her help, we can't progress. Till our ego is destroyed, the desires and all attendant problems will keep troubling us. He is our father, mother and Guru. May He give us the wisdom to worship Him without getting entangled in the sensual desires.
Om Sai Ram.
Benefit of Sadhu Darshan and Sparsan
On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I attended the Guru Puja and Inauguration of Viswa Saidarbar at Saidarbar (Hyderabad Headquarters). I happened to read 2 interesting, useful stories. I thought I would share them with you.
The first story is about Sri Narada and is published in the Hindi section of Sai Leela the official magazine of Shirdisamsthan. The story goes like this. Sage Narada visits the abode of Sri Vishnu. Vishnu Bhagavan worships the Rishi (Sage) and asks him for the reason for his visit. Sri Narada replies: "Bhagavan, While travelling on earth, I came across a Satsang where the main speaker was praising the benefits of Darshan of Sadhus, but I could not hear the actual benefit. So kindly tell me what is the benefit of darshan of Sadhus." Sri Vishnu told Sage Narada, "Rishivar! Your question can be answered properly by an ant (Chiti in Hindi, I don't know whether it translates as ant), which is residing in so and so tree in such and such a place."
Rishi Narada goes to the ant (for the moral of this story, it does not matter what the actual creature was) and asks the ant the same question. The ant, instead of replying to him, dies in his hands. The rishi is grieved and goes to Vaikuntham with the dead ant in his hand and narrates the whole episode to Sri Vishnu. Lord tells Rishi, to go to Kailas mountain and the Mansarovar lake, where he can get the answer to his question from a Rajhans (Swan). The rishi goes to the Mansarovar lake and seeing the bird at the other side sits down and waits for the Swan to come to this side of the lake. He closes his eyes and is immersed in meditation on God. Suddenly, he feels something heavy in his lap. Opening his eyes, he is agitated to see the Rajhans, dead in his lap. He rushes to Vaikuntham with this dead bird and tells Vishnu the whole story. Vishnu tells him that now only a small, newly born child in Varanasi can clarify his doubt. Narada is horrified at the suggestion and says, "Oh No! The last two times, I went near some living thing to ask, it died. I don't want to carry the guilt of being responsible for the death of another life, that too a human child!" Sri Vishnu assured Sage Narada that this time, he need not worry and he will not have to take any guilt. With a lot of trepidation, Sri Narada approaches the 3-day old child. Seeing the Rishi, the child claps its hands in joy and addresses him thus: "Pl. come Oh! Rishivar! I am the ant. By the grace of your darshan, I became the Rajhans and again I had the benefit of your darshan in that life, because of which I got this human birth. Now with your darshan, I will..." Rishi Narada did not wait there even a moment to hear the child further but vanished.
Mother Lakshmi asked Sri Mahavishnu why Sage Narada did not come back. He replied with a laugh, "Devi! Probably he got his answer about the benefits of Sadhu Darshan from the ant etc."
The second story which I read in a Telugu magazine which is coming from Master Publications, Ongole and which is edited by the disciples of late Pujya Ekkirala Bharadwaja, is about Hazarat Nizamuddin.
Hazarat Nizamuddin was a great Muslim Saint. Once a poor man who has a daughter to be married off and who could not get any help from any one, came to the Saint and requested Him to help. The Saint replied, "I am a Fakir, what do I have? However, I will give you whatever I get from my visitors in the next 3 days!" The poor man is happy and waits at the feet of the great Saint Nizamuddin for the next 3 days. But nobody comes to the Saint and thus the poor man is in great grief. He laments, "Oh holy saint! my bad luck is dogging me here too. No one came to see you. Now what will happen to me and my poor daughter?"
Nizamuddin consoles the poor man and tells him, "I have taken a vow not to send any one from here with empty hands. The only thing, which I have now with me is this pair of chappals. Pl. take them and see whether someone will buy them from you. Whatever you get, you can keep". So saying the Saint gave the poor man his pair of chappals (Padukas).
The poor man took the pair of chappals and started home with a heavy heart and leaden feet, lamenting his bad luck. He carried the Saint's chappals in his hand. Amir Khusro, the King of that period was coming with a caravan carrying a lot of precious stones, jewels etc. He saw the poor man from a distance from his camel. While the poor man looked like any ordinary fellow, he saw a great halo with him. As he came nearer, he (a spiritually advanced disciple of Nizamuddin) saw the poor man carrying a pair of chappals with a dazzling halo, and recognized the chappals as belonging to his Guru Nizamuddin. Immediately he dismounted the camel and asked the poor man whether he will be willing to sell the chappals to him, and that he Khusro, will be happy to pay a good price. The poor man is happy and agreed, expecting a few rupees and asked Khusro how much he will give. Khusro diffidently offered him all the jewels and other precious stones carried by all the camels in his caravan along with the camels, keeping only two camels with him. The poor man's joy knew no bounds. He went with all the wealth and Khusro was also very happy. He went with the chappals to the Saint and bowed to him.
Nizamuddin asked Khusro how much he paid for the chappals. Khusro told him. The saint told Khusro, "My son, you got them at a very cheap price. The wealth of the whole world is nothing compared to the grace of the Lord. And Lord shows His grace through His servants like this."
Both the above stories remind us of the story of Kuchela in Srimad Bhagavat, who got so much wealth after visiting Sri Krishna, who took a fistful of pounded rice from him and gave him a palace in return. In the second story too, we start wondering who is the luckier of the two, the poor man or Khusro, the devotee of Nizamuddin. Both got benefited.
It is said that the sight, touch or talk with a Sadhu (Who has no anger or enmity to any thing or anybody, who is the embodiment of love and Satvik quality), or taking a prasad or pada tirtha from him, will destroy our Avidya and thus all our sins. On Guru Purnima day, we had the good fortune of worshipping Sai and taking his prasad. What a good fortune!
Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai. Om Sai Ram.
To Pray or Not to Pray - I
The dilemma which is posed in the title is common to all of us and is a conflict between logic and faith. I will try to present my views, (I don't pretend to answer) in the next few lines.Why should we pray? When we pray, there is Dwaita Bhava, i.e. a feeling that we are different from our God, and also the implication is that we are adopting Child Ego State and are putting God on a higher pedestal (like a Father Figure) and so are requesting him for some favor. It is like a small child requesting / demanding his father or mother for some thing. Now the parents always do not accede to the child's request and the child, in its short-sighted ignorance cries, abuses or even beats the parent with its small fists. The parents do not mind all these tantrums, since they know that the child will soon outgrow these childish acts. Thus prayers and denial of prayers are part of the spiritual growing up.
The prayers that most of us put up to God are derived mostly from RIG VEDA and are well suited for us when we are confused, frightened, anxious, or feel unequal to the situation. In such situations, we do adopt the Child Ego State (pl. refer to Thomas Harris's excellent book, I am OK, You are OK for explanation of the three ego states, Child, Adult, Parent and the elements of Transactional Analysis). When we are calm, contented and when we are able to contemplate the higher philosophical truths, as expounded in UPANISHADS, we don't feel different from the Universal Consciousness which we call God and the prayers if at all any conscious prayers are used are for the universal welfare.
When we pray, we are trying to access the SAGUNA form of God, whereas when we philosophise, we try to understand the NIRGUNA form of God. Both are relevant to the respective situations. The ADVAITA Logic leads to NIRGUNA, where as DVAITA and faith lead to a paternal, divine, omnipotent, omniscient (all knowing), benevolent form of God.
It is true that if we believe in destiny, no prayers are needed. But since in the turmoil of the troubles, the lamp of firm faith in destiny (is it faith or is it a logical conclusion, we shall explore later), starts flickering, prayers act as shades. Prayers don't always yield positive results. What prayers do is, they give strength to face the situation calmly, with a feeling that we have done what is humanly needed and possible, and now we leave it to God. Thus prayers do help in reducing anxiety and stress and do prepare the person in a gradual spiritual progress of accepting destiny and its rewards.
Prayers are offered for several reasons; self progress, for alleviating the problms of others or for material gains. If we accept destiny as a predetermined Roadmap, our prayers for any purpose are of no use, since whatever happens is preordained. Of course, one may say that even the prayers and the results, positive or negative, are also preordained. This going around in circles leads us no where.
I feel more comfortable with the theory that destiny is like handicaps, i.e it gives you some positive and some negative qualities, some Karmic balances and debts. God has given us enough freedom to utilise these resources. What is probably preordained is some sort of role model in the cosmic drama, but the individual actions, dialogues etc. and the quality of acting are left to individual.
Sometime ago, I talked of The Kitten and The Baby Monkey. The situation of a Devotee who is praying to a Parental God for favors is that of a Baby Monkey. It is the devotee's responsibility to hold on to the Parent irrespective of what happens. Whether one's prayers are answered positively or not, one has to develop a steadfast faith and devotion to one's God. This is the first stage in spiritual development.
In the case of the devotee who has surrendered his ego totally, unconditionally to his God, the situation is similar to that of a Kitten, which doesn't move even an inch on its own but goes on crying when it is separated from its mother. Here too, we may say the devotee is praying, but the situation is different. The devotee is now praying for the company of his GOD, since he is unable to bear the separation. The devotee does not ask for anything specific, since the devotee knows that he is taken care by his God. He only wants to be with his God. This is the next stage of spiritual development.
I can only conclude this by saying that, in Advaita, there is no need or for that matter, no room for prayer. But to really feel one with God, one has to totally dissolve one's ego, and if one is successful in that, there is nothing to pray for. Since we can't totally get rid of our ego, we need to pray, since we feel that we must do something and prayer is also doing something.
The above may or may not be very logical but then logic is always not an answer for everything. I go through this dilemma almost everyday, so I pray for enlightenment. Sai Ram.
To Pray or not to Pray - Part II
A friend who has been discussing these aspects and who happened to read the first part agreed that since we cannot keep quiet thinking that whatever happens is preordained, we must pray. That is exactly what I said, which I reproduce below.
" But to really feel one with God, one has to totally dissolve one's ego, and if one is successful in that, there is nothing to pray for. Since we can't totally get rid of our ego, we need to pray since we feel that we must do something and prayer is also doing something."
Since we are now in a Dwaita Bhava with respect to the Universal Consciousness, which we also refer to as God, Para Brahman, Parameshwara, Para Shakti etc., we do need to pray since prayer is one means of dissolving one's ego, just like meditation is another means.
If we can remove the veil which separates the consciousness from the subconscious or superconscious state, we become one with that universal consciousness. Evolved souls do have this ability of lifting the veil of maya when needed. It is like we wear outer garments to protect our privacy. It is like having walls, windows, doors, curtains etc. in a house. Some of them are easy to remove or push aside, while some of them are apparently fixed. But even those which appear to be fixed can be penetrated by X-rays, or they can be demolished, by force if needed. It is the 'I' which separates the inner and outer worlds, the microcosm and the macrocosm.
Prayers help in reducing anxiety, stress etc., which prevent us from relaxing and unless we relax deeply we cannot reduce the thickness of the partition between the conscious and sub-conscious parts of our mind. Yoga Samadhi refers to this deeply relaxed state when the yogi is able to expand the consciousness infinitely, in which case, it can envelop all other consciousnesses. Another way of looking at it is: by dissolving or partially moving the veil or partition between the conscious and sub-conscious parts of the mind, the yogi is able to connect to all other subconscious minds.
Another way of looking at it or another analogy: Our conscious minds are like islands in a sea. Through the subconscious, all of us are connected, like all the islands are connected through the sea-floor. Maya is like the water which is keeping the islands separate. We can reach from one island to another by many ways - by ship, by air, by crawling on the sea floor in a submarine or when the sea dries up all the islands become part of the land, etc. Similarly prayer is only one of several methods to expand our consciousness.
When the consciousness is expanded it is called super-consciousness. When we can submerge into it, we refer to it as subconscious.
My friend said that as our ego dissolves, our Satvik Prakriti will get strengthened. The three Gunas, Satva, Rajas and Tamas are because of Maya. It is like the pure white light splitting into the three primary colors, red, green and blue. Probably blue represents the Satva (Vishnu is portrayed as Blue and is also portrayed as Satvik), which is said to emanate from pure Tamas. Tamas means darkness. It also represents the closest to Nirguna state, when no gunas are perceptible. From Pure Tamas, the highest frequency is Blue (violet) in visible light. Green is the symbol of fertility, Prakriti. Red is the symbol of Rajas, the creativity in physical sense.
If our ego dissolves, we end up with no gunas. If we expand our consciousness to include other's problems, we are increasing our karmic burdens. If we are strong enough, if our ego state is closer to union with the universal consciousness, it is OK. Otherwise, we end up harming ourselves and the persons whom we were trying to help.
It is like this. If we are sick, we go to a doctor. If the doctor is properly trained and qualified, he is licensed to treat us. If in spite of his/her best efforts, we suffer some irreparable damage or die, our near and dear will not normally find any fault with the doctor. In fact, they may even thank the doctor(s), nurses etc., for all that they have done to us. However, if the doctor is found to be wanting , either in his professional attention or qualification, or if he is a downright quack, our relatives will be fully justified in suing them and reporting them to police for civil and criminal action.
Similarly if we start praying for others, we must be prepared to face all the karmic consequences. I was discussing some aspects of this yesterday night with SAIBANISA. I can't share all that we discussed with the reader without his express permission, but we more or less agreed on this aspect.
If at all we pray for others, we normally pray only for those, with whom we are linked at the aura level in an intimate way. For example, we are linked with our mother, father, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces etc., and also very close friends. We rejoice when some good thing happens to them, we are depressed when they get into difficulties. That means, we are simply reacting to the events happening to them only because of our aura level connection. We don't for example, react to the same extent to the same event which happens to a neighbor, a distant relative, a casual acquaitance and we almost don't react if it happens to a stranger.
If we want to pray for a stranger, we should be able to feel the same intensity of pain, grief, anxiety etc., as we feel if the problem affects us. In fact, we find it difficult to feel even for our relatives and friends to the same extent that we feel for ourselves. And unless we feel with intensity, our prayers will not be heard.
As I said, when we pray to God, we adopt a Child ego state and visualise God as a Parent. Thus only physical or spiritual parents, or parental figures would normally accept responsibility for the children in their charge. Physical parents and Guru have therefore been equated with God. Till 14 years of the child's age, physical parents (biological or foster parents, uncles, guardians etc.) are held responsible for all the sins of the child, since the child is considered to be ignorant. Similarly the child is sent to a Guru and so the Guru was held responsible for the omissions of the spiritual child.
When Gajendra (the elephant king) prayed for liberation from the jaws of the crocodile, Indra, Brahma and other Gods did not respond because they lacked Viswa Mayata (universal spread?) as per the beautiful translation of Sri Bhagavatham by Sri Bammera Potana . The text is "Viswa mayata lemi viniyu vooraka yundiri ambujasanadulu addupadaka" (forgive the bad breaking of the telugu sentence in english). So if Brahma cannot intervene, who are we to intervene?
If one says we are not intervening but are only trying to intercede (like making a recommendation to a higher authority), we should be fully aware of all the merits and demerits of the case which we are trying to recommend if our recommendation is to have any value. That is why, when Sri Gopanna ( the famous Sri Ramadas of Bhadrachalam wanted some body to intercede, he requested none other than Sri Sita, the consort of Sri Rama, whom he addresses as mother. (Nanu brovamani cheppave Sitamma Talli...). That only goes to show what is the necessary qualification of the recommender. Prayer is a very strong recommendation.
Prayers for universal welfare are given by highly evolved souls because their thoughts generate very powerful positive vibrations which help in counteracting the negative vibrations. In fact both positive and negative things are creations of God. From zero, if you want to create a positive number, you have to necessarily create an equal negative number. School students are taught number line, which has zero at its center. To the right side are all positive numbers and to the left side, are all negative numbers.That is why we talk of the Right hand and the Left hand paths. The latin for right is dexter and for left it is sinister, which as most of you know has acquired a meaning of dangerous, evil etc. over the ages.
If a person is having some problems and some positive benefit is to be given to him, the corresponding negativity which is inevitably created has to be controlled somewhere, somehow. In fact, astronomers and cosmologists (those scientists who are trying to gain knowledge of cosmos, universe) have a theory that there is an anti-universe, which will be a mirror image of our universe. That is probably what our Rishis meant when they talked of higher and lower lokas (the earth is the first of the 7 higher lokas, and Atala is the first of the 7 lower lokas).
At the elementary particle level, we have electron and its opposite, positron; proton and its opposite, anti-proton. When an electron and a positron meet, they annhilate each other and the result is energy. The equation is famous E=mc2 (m c square). E is the energy, m stands for mass and c is the velocity of light in vacuum.
Thus if our prayers are to be answered, the negative forces which are causing us the problems have to be annhilated by positive forces. We all talk of Karma, positive and negative balances which we call as Prarabhdha Karma, Poorvajanma Punyam etc. If we pray for materialistic benefits (health is also a materialistic trait) for ourselves or for someone, our positive balance gets depleted. Unless we are continuously replenishing our Poorva Janma Punyam with punya karmas (good deeds) in this birth, we will be over drawing our account.
A Guru who is highly evolved will have so much spiritual, positive energy that he can afford to intervene in our karma and still manage all the consequences. Till we grow spiritually, if at all we must pray, it is better that we pray for our own spiritual growth and enlightenment and do not interfere with other's lives.
If we don't have a personal physical Guru who is ready to accept this great responsibility for our actions, it is better to pray to a SAT GURU like Sri Sainath or to a God, like Sri Venkateswara ( a Guru and a God are not really different) to guide us on our path. If some body approaches us with their problem, we should listen with patience and advise them to pray for themselves and to seek the guidance and blessings of Sat Guru Sai Nath etc.
I am convinced that it is definitely hazardus spiritually to pray for someone without being fully qualified.
I seek your forgiveness for this very, very long winded article. I also thank my friends for initiating this discussion which has certainly helped in clarifying my own thoughts.
May Sainath guide us and give us the wisdom.
GOD THE INCORRIGIBLE OPTIMIST
All of us are either optimistic or pessimistic about our future. While many of us keep oscillating between the two postures depending upon our mood and the past experiences, there is one person (if we can call HIM that way) in this Universe, who is always Optimistic about our future. In fact HE is a Die-Hard Incorrigible Optimist.
HE never gives up his efforts to redeem us, to help us in reaching him. He cheerfully forgives all our mistakes out of his infinite compassion. When we stumble and fall, He helps us to get to our feet again and lovingly wipes our tears. Like a loving mother, He kisses our cuts and brises away and gives us reassurance to try again.
Why does HE do all this? Why does'nt HE just give us up? Because HE never loses hope. Because HE is an Incorrigible Optimist. Because HE only needs a small cry from HIS children like us to respond. We may wonder, why HE just doesn't wave a magic wand and lift us to Him. Why does HE wait for a call from us?
Well, friends, the answer is this. Just like a baby comes from the mother's womb and is nourished and nurtured by the mother, we are also God's children and we are just like small babes when we are born. Just as a child grows up and starts crawling and then tries to walk, we also grow up spiritually. The process of growing up gives freedom to us and with freedom comes responsibility. When we commit mistakes because of our newfound freedom, we fall down and get hurt, because that is the inexorable law of nature. Negative actions beget negative results, i.e. punishments.
Just like a loving mother does not tie her child always to herself, God too does not force us to be with him always. HE gives us the freedom which we wanted. However, again like a loving mother or father who always keeps a watchful eye on the child and rushes to it when the child gets into trouble, GOD too keeps watching us. When we are in our spiritual infancy, HE always watches and protects us. However, as we grow spiritually, HE gives us the freedom to explore our surroundings and doesn't interfere in our activities. Of course, there are exceptional circumstances where even without our calling HIM, he has to interfere not only for our sake but also for the sake of the others. But in normal circumstances, HE gives us the freedom to do right or wrong, and the results follow. When we get hurt, or when we fall, and when we cry, immediately HE responds. HE, in his infinite wisdom knows that our mistakes are small and have no lasting ill-effects, so HE knows that we will sooner or later outgrow these faltering steps.
Is HE not an Incorrigible Optimist? He is only waiting for a small cry from us to respond!
HASTA MASTAKA SAMYOGAM
On Sunday, the 5th March, I attended the engagement function of my niece. So my thoughts were on marriage and the various rituals associated with it.
A practice adopted in all Hindu marriages, atleast all the South Indian marriages which I have seen so far, is the bride and groom placing their hands on each other's heads with Jaggery and Jeera at an auspiscious time fixed, i.e. the Muhurat time. Also a screen is placed between these two prior to that and after this only, the screen is removed and they are supposed to see each other.
For the past few days, I have also been reading "SRI GURU GITA", a commentary on the greatness of Guru. The Sanskrit text is from SKANDA PURANA and is in the form of a discourse between Siva and Parvati. The telugu translation and commentary is by Sri Sivacharanam. More of it later. Out of the many ways of a Guru transmitting his wisdom and spiritual power to a disciple, one which is more popular is to place his hand (Palm down) on the top of the head of the disciple. This process is called HASTA MASTAKA SAMYOGAM. Hasta is hand and Mastaka is head. Samyoga is coming together.
All of you know the story of Bhasmasura, who got a boon from Lord Siva that whatever he places his hand upon becomes Bhasma, i.e. ash. He starts misusing the boon and tries to place his hands on Siva himself. Sri Maha Vishnu with his Maya takes the form of Mohini and causes Bhasmasura to place his hands on his own head and thus burns him down to ash.This is a negative form of transferring power.
It is a common practice to seek blessings from elders by bowing to their feet and they in turn place their hands on our heads and give bendictions. Thus placing hands on the head is one important means of conveying divine power. The palms of the Guru give out the positive energy and the Sahasrara Chakra of the disciple on the top of the head which is always open recieves the same. Those who are familiar with REIKI have no difficulty in understanding or accepting this.
Now coming back to the marriage rituials, I started wondering why the hand of the groom is put on the bride's head and at the same time the hand of the bride is put on the head of the groom. I got an answer which I would like to share with all Sai Bandhus. The energy fields of both the groom and the bride get thoroughly mixed this way. The spiritual energy of the bridegroom enters the Sahasrara chakra of the bride, travels down the Spinal column and through the hand of the bride, reenters the Sahasrara of the bridegroom. Similarly the spiritual energy of the bride completes a circuit through the bride groom. This is real union of the two souls and there is no further separation between the two. The putting of the cloth screen and removing that after this is symbolic. Now whatever the two do, wherever they are, they are united at the soul level. What a wonderful way of uniting. The physical consummation of the marriage takes place later again at an auspicious time.
If we understand the significance of rituals we appreciate them much better. By the same logic, though seeing each other and talking to each other before marriage may be OK in the present day cultural practices, it is better for the boy and girl to avoid physical contact, i.e. even touching each other before the auspicious muhurat. At the time of the marriage, the boy and girl or rather the bridegroom and the bride should mentally surrender to each other, so that the energy flow is fast and complete.
So I hope the above will be found interesting by all seekers of knowledge.
Om Sai Ram.
A BUBBLE BURSTS
7/2/2000 (2nd July 2000)
A short while ago, I heard of the passing away of an elderly person, father of my colleague and friend. The first reaction was "Ayyo!" our normal way of expressing sadness, concern and sympathy. But a little later, the mind started questioning as it does often. A thought came into the consciousness that a bubble has burst. Human life has been compared to a bubble in many of our ancient scriptures to emphasize the impermanence.
A bubble is a projection of a thin film of liquid containing air or vapor from its surface. Sometimes, it may even detach itself and float in air. It may look beautiful and colorful, it may even be in a group of similar bubbles. Sooner or later, all the bubbles burst, though each may live for a different amount of time. New bubbles may be coming up if there is a continuous supply of air or water vapor, like in a vessel with water boiling.
Compared to our own perception of time, the bubble looks extremely short-lived. But try to see it from a very small time scale, say microseconds. In that case, the bubble appears to be really long lived. Similarly while from a cosmic time scale, like that of Brahma, the creator, the human life span is really short, but compared to many other animals and insects our life span is pretty long.
What is more important is not the quantity i.e. the number of years that we have lived on this plane, but how we have lived, the quality of the life which we have led. Have we done something good, have we learnt something good? These are the questions that we have to answer.
Better late than never is one adage, which is true in the case of human beings. Though endowed with a great mind, which can discriminate between good and bad, many of us because of ignorance and illusion (delusion?) about the permanence of our life forget to do good or postpone it. The bad deeds we commit because of Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Illusion), Mada (Egoism) and Matsarya (Jealousy). Many times we realise that we have done bad and repent. We hope to redeem ourselves by doing something good so that the account book is in our favour. But alas, we don’t know when the bubble is going to burst. Even the best astrologer can’t predict the exact span of life. Assuming that we are endowed with a long span of life, what is the guarantee that we will have the physical and mental faculties intact to do good things in the later part of life?
So, dear friends, if you are doing good, continue to do more good. If you have been procrastinating and postponing, don’t delay. Do good!
Hari Om! Om Sri Sai Ram. Guru Deva Datta!
WHY DO WE GIVE ARATI? – PART 2
On 9th February, 2000, I visited Basar (Vyasapura) near Nizamabad and had the Darshan of Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi, the presiding Deity of the temple there. I had the privilege of visiting the temple in the company of Sri Sri Sita Ramaswamyji, the junior Swamyji of Sri Hampi Mutt. My wife was also there by my side. We had the Darshan of the Goddess who is also accompanied by Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. Later in the day we also visited a few more temples in some village nearby. A few days before, we (Sai Bandhus) were having a discussion on the topic "Why do we give Arati?" and so the topic was still in my mind probably when I visited Sri Gnana Saraswati. I of course, prayed to the Goddess to give me Gnana, because my worldly needs are, by God’s grace, already met. I felt a surge of energy when I stood in front of the deity. I felt blessed. As prasad, we were given a little of the turmeric, which is applied to the idol of the deity. As is usual, we took it to near the eyes and paid our respects to the same with our eyes (Namaskaram with eyes). The teertham, which we were also given, we took near to eyes before taking it into the mouth and the little left in the palms, we applied to our head.Later in the day, when I was visiting some other temples, I got an answer to the question, which I feel is the real answer and which I feel certain has been provided by Sri Gnana Saraswati. I got an answer to the question, which some friends raised: "Arati is for removing the DRISHTI DOSHA just like it is used for small children. In that case, we should not bring it to our eyes but keep it aside and sprinkle a few drops of water on it. So why do we bring our palms from the Arati to our eyes?" I am giving below the answer which the Goddess, I am convinced, has provided. In fact, I was very much elated and I am sure my ego must have started raising its head thinking that it is my intelligence that has provided the answer. So imagine my surprise when I completely forgot not only the answer but also the question itself which "I" thought I answered. I immediately realised my mistake and mentally prayed to the Goddess for forgiveness. Like a true mother, she forgave her small child’s mistake and gave back the memory.
I started writing a small article on these aspects. Again, probably my ego must have been rising (dissolving one’s ego is the most difficult job) thinking that "I" am writing all these articles which are being appreciated far and wide. Lo and behold, promptly a few articles and the previously written articles disappeared from my PC’s hard disk. And I did pride myself about my knowledge of DOS and WINDOWS, at least as far as file management is concerned. All my skills were in vain. God gave me one more lesson in humility. Sufficiently chastened, I retrieved a few articles from SAIDARBAR and a few I rewrote. This article somehow slipped from the conscious mind. So I was awakened again today by a mental wakeup call by Goddess Sri Gnana Saraswati.
I seek the reader’s forgiveness for this long introduction without giving the actual answer. I just wanted to caution my friends that our egos could play lot of tricks with us. Another reason is that I sincerely feel that it is the Goddess who wanted this reason to be known to other devotees and so has again stimulated me to share the answer with you.
Well, friends! The answer is this. The idol or photograph of any God or Goddess is not just Stone or paper or whatever other material but is a symbol of the true deity so that we can focus our attention to the deity. With constant Puja, even a personal photo or idol worshipped by a devotee acquires a distinct identity of its own and starts responding to the devotee. The idol of a deity in a temple is all the more powerful since the Deity is invoked by Mantras and regular Pujas. As prescribed in the AGAMA SASTRAS, Yantras are also installed under the idols to increase the power of the deity many fold. Thus a powerful aura is built around the idol. Any object, be it ARATI, kum kum, turmeric, sandal paste, or holy water or even the clothes used to adorn the deity acquire a part of the aura. (For more information, pl. read the article on IDOL WORSHIP). Thus we get a part of the deity’s powerful and beneficial aura when we bring any of these sacred objects near to us. We are supposed to have 9 RANDHRAS, i.e. holes in our physical as well as astral bodies. Out of them, 7 are in our head. (Mouth, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, 2 eyes). The other 2 are mostly meant for elimination of negative or waste products from the body and are in the lower portion. Thus when we bring the palms, which are placed over the ARATI to our eyes, not only our eyes but our nostrils too get charged with the positive aura. When we hear the hymns and bells, our ears get purified. When we take the holy water our mouth gets purified. When the SATHA GOPURAM (the conical piece with the feet of the lord on the top) is placed on our head our SAHASRARA CHAKRA gets charged.
Thus ARATI and other holy articles which are taken into the close proximity of the deity and are then given to us act as carriers or vehicles of the positive energy from the deity to us. The purpose is thus probably different from the ARATI given to small children to protect them from evil eye.
I hope all SAI BANDHUS will find the above answer interesting and convincing. However, there could be some more facets to this practice. When the time comes, God will find some tool to communicate the same.
Om Sai Ram. Pranams to Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi and all other divine manifestations of the NIRGUNA PARA BRAHMAN.
THE WEIGHT OF PRAYER
Our friend Gopi Krishna from Delhi sent e-mail containing a beautiful story about the Weight of Prayer. Of course there is a small inconsistency in the story about the scales being broken but the same can be ignored. When I was mulling over the philosophical or metaphysical aspects of the story, I was reminded about Sri Krishna Tulabharam (Weighing).
Many of you know the story about how Satya (Satya Bhama), the second and the apparently favorite wife of Sri Krishna was humbled by Rishi Narada and Rukmini with the full connivance of that mischievous Krishna. Just in case some one has not heard of it or has forgotten, here it is in a short form.
Satya prides herself about the love, which Krishna shows to her and her "Control" over him. Rukmini, on the other hand is the typical PATIVRATA. Her devotion is her real inner beauty and Krishna knows it fully well. On one occasion, Rishi Narada comes to Dwaraka and in the course of some conversation hints to Satya that the love that Krishna exhibits towards her is not all that real and in fact it is Rukmini, who being the first wife has the real control. Satya is unable to bear this and challenges Narada to prove it. Narada tricks her into accepting a VRATA where she has to give Krishna as Dana (i.e as a gift to Narada) and reclaim him by putting Krishna in one scale and her money, Gold, jewellery etc. in the other scale and after the scales become equal she can get back her Krishna. Narada lures her into accepting this VRATA by telling her that Krishna’s love to Satya will increase many folds if she succeeds in performing this TULABHARAM. He also instigates her ego by hinting that her wealth may not be sufficient to equal the weight of Krishna. Satya’s ego is raised and she tells Narada that she can mobilize so much wealth that it is a child’s play for her to outweigh Krishna. Narada warns her that if she is not able to do this, Krishna will become his slave to be done with as he pleases. Satya can’t even think of losing. So strong is her ego.
Well, one fine day, the scene is set for the VRATA. Satya first gives Krishna as DANA in spite of the other wives’ pleadings. Krishna, always the mischievous cowherd, meekly submits to this drama. After donating Krishna to Narada, Satya arranges for a big scale to be put up where everyone can see the Tamasha and sends with all assurance for her huge treasure of gold, jewellery etc. She gets the shock of her life when all that she has is put in the scale but the scale doesn’t budge. Narada starts taunting her and threatening her that if she can’t put enough gold or diamonds, he will be forced to auction Krishna as a slave to some other people. Satya, in frantic panic, swallows her pride and begs all the other wives to give their jewels. They agree because of their love for Krishna but alas, it is no use.
Krishna remains a mute witness to all this drama and rubs salt into the open wounds of Satya’s ego that he has now to become a slave to some cowherd and suffer the separation from his dear Satya. Narada suggests to Satya that may be Rukmini can get her out of the predicament. Initially, Satya’s ego doesn’t allow her to go to Rukmini but finally she has to swallow her pride and go to the devoted first wife of Krishna. Rukmini comes and with a prayer to her husband puts one, yes, I repeat, one leaf of the sacred Tulasi. Lo and behold, the scales become all at once so heavy that even after removing all the jewels, the scales remain down on the side where the Tulasi leaf is put.
Well, friends, don’t you find a stunning parallel in these two stories? Faith Moves Mountains is one adage. Ravana with his devotion to Siva could move Kailas. Ganesha, the God with elephant’s head who is supposed to be so heavy, rides a small mouse. Kumara, the other son of Siva and Parvati who is also called Muruga i.e Snake rides Peacock the archenemy of snake. Why, goddess Durga, Bhuvaneswari etc., i.e. all the manifestations of Sakti are shown riding tiger or lion.
All this apparently contradictory coexistence drives home one point. The whole universe is born out of the union of opposites who are represented as Purusha and Prakriti, the male and female aspects of PARA BRAHMA. Thus weight and lightness are also two opposites which are united by faith, devotion, prayer etc.
Om Sai Ram.
Seven Seas, Seven Hills
A few days ago, I wrote an article with a similar title but did not submit it to Saidarbar immediately. So Sai took it into him in cyberspace, on Saturday i.e. on 12/2/2000, which by the way adds to a 7. Those of you who know or believe in numerology, i.e. the study of the effect of numbers can’t but be aware of the significance of number 7 in matters of occult, mysticism, spiritual etc. Any way, with the grace of Sri Venkateswara, Sai and all other manifestations of the Para Brahman or Sri Adi Para Shakti, let me again try to put down a few thoughts which divine grace has put in my head.Seven islands (Sapta Dweepa Vasundhara), seven seas, seven hills, seven steps around the sacred fire (Saat Pheri), seven births to which we trace our ancestry (if we can), seven ragas, seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds, seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow etc. The number seven seems to be intimately connected with so many spiritual things.
I lay there thinking one night, wondering what could be the meaning of this 7? I thought I got an answer. I would like to share it with other SAI devotees for mutual benefit.
The sacred hills of Tirumala are 7 in number and when seen above look like a coiled serpent. Venkateswara, Balaji, Srinivasa, Seshachalapathi, the lord of the seven hills, etc., are the many names with which the presiding deity is known. Sesha means serpent, but an alternative meaning is "What is Left." Achala means "Which Does not move," that is a hill or one who doesn’t move or change. Since God is changeless and God remains after the world, which is His creation is gone, it is appropriate that he is called Seshachalapathi.
To reach him, one has to climb six hills (the seventh is his abode). This represents the journey of Kundalini (which lies dormant like a coiled serpent!) through the Shatchakras. When the journey is completed, the Individual Consciousness meets the Universal Consciousness. It also represents the Six Internal Enemies which the Devotee has to overcome and also probably the Six Ruchis (Tastes) to which normally a devotee could get attached. Thus Six represents the individual ego and only when this is overcome, is one able to reach The Higher Consciousness, which is God.
Sri Sai Satcharita or Sri Guru Charita is to be completed in 7 days, i.e. in one cycle, since 7 represents one spiritual cycle.
Sri Sai told his devotees that he spent 12 years with a Guru whom he called Venkusa, because he was an ardent devotee of Sri Venkateswara. Thus Venkateswara and Sai have a close connection. Both emphasised the importance of Bhakti. Both attempted to bring conflicting groups together. For example, by having the word Iswara in his name (Venkata+Iswara=Venkateswara), he has become the God for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. Similarly by taking the name Balaji, he has become the God(dess) of Shakti worshippers. Sri Sai of course, propagated the oneness of all religions and especially tried to bring peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims.
Thus 7 represents the occult, mystic spiritual aspect.
By the way, my date of birth adds up to 7 (the total of date, month and year). That could be one reason why Seshachalapathi and Sai have chosen me as an instrument to convey some of these spiritual matters for the benefit of all devotees. Om Namo Venkatesaya. Om Sri Sai Ram.
Idol Worship
Dear Editor of Sai Vichar,
Om Sai Ram. Congratulations for the good service which you are rendering to Sai Devotees through Sai Vichar. Thanks to Sri RAVADA GOPALA RAO garu, I got the latest issue of Sai Vichar, which included the article "Why do we give Arati?"
I read with interest the feature article on IDOL WORSHIP sent by the SAI DEVOTEE from UAE. Since her e-mail address is not given, I am offering my comments to you so that you can if found fit include them in your next issue of Sai Vichar.
I agree with the theme that idol worship is not an idle practice followed by uneducated, ill-cultured savages as made out by some misguided people. It is just a means of focussing your mind on the SAGUNA form of the formless GOD. It gives a lot of pleasure and mental relaxation to many people, especially those whose spiritual evolution has just begun. For those who can't chant the name of the God constantly or meditate on his formless infinite attributes, IDOL WORSHIP is a good daily routine. Just as the body needs regular exercise, nourishment and rest, mind too needs regular activity. Idle mind becomes a devil's workshop i.e. negativities start building up.
There is one saying in Telugu. IT translates roughly as follows " Once you tie a little piece of Asafoetida in a cloth, it will smell long after you remove the Asafoetida piece " Russians with their Chirlian Photography have proved that a leaf has an energy field which persists for quite some time in space and time. Thus a leaf from which one half has been cut off continues to show the energy pattern of a full leaf for quite some time.
Thus if you imagine that God is residing in a particular form in an idol, photograph or a similar sacred object, the positive vibrations of your mind will be held in the object for quite some time. So if you do daily puja you will reinforce the vibrations and slowly the object of worship gets a life of its own. Thesophists have seen thought forms exist in space for quite some time.
The above form of Prana Pratishta i.e. creating a God in an initially inert object is a little informal and depends mainly on the extent of the faith of the devotee. Since it is made of his vibrations, it is predominantly tuned to him and those who are near to him spiritually.
In a temple, on the other hand, the idol is bigger, and with the help of suitable Yantras and Mantras, PRANA PRATISHTA is done in a formal way by some holy saint. Here a pujari performs all the pujas prescribed in the AGAMA Sastras and the idol gets a life independent of any individual devotee. Also the vibrations are more powerful and are capable of tuning many individuals.
I hope the above will be found to be of interest to SAI Devotees.
I next respond to your question of the week.
"How does a Sai devotee define truthfulness in devotion?"
The relationship between a devotee and his God is sacred and only the devotee and his / her God will know the truthfulness. External signs can be false and misleading but we cannot deceive the God who dwells in our heart. Thus we may put on all the external symbols like Vibhudi, Rudraksha, Kumkum or many other marks to show that we are devoted, but what counts is our mind and heart.We can't pretend to our conscience. Since Sai is SATCHITANANDA, SAT means TRUTH. He knows whether our devotion to him is true or not.
During times of difficulty, do we remember him and pray to him? After all the prayers, do we accept the result as His will especially if the result is not what we prayed for? If yes, we can say we are true devotees.It is a very difficult test indeed and though we may pass it once or twice we may not pass it all the time. In fact getting a steadfast devotion to any God is itself due to God's or Guru's grace.
So let us pray to SAI to give us true steadfast devotion.
I read with a lot of interest the experience of Ravi Subramanian Gahanna, USA. I was really moved by the love of SAI towards his devotee and tears came to my eyes at his love. Sai blesses all his devotees. Om Sai Ram.
SHOULD WE LIVE WITH OUR HEART OR WITH OUR HEAD?
A friend started a discussion. It turned towards heart and mind. Human beings are different from the other animals mainly in having a highly developed mind, with very well developed logical reasoning faculties. Emotions on the other hand are common to all animals including humans. Especially the higher animals are quite good in communicating their feelings with their eyes and other parts of their body. Watch a dog for example. When its master comes, it shows its happiness by wagging its tail, getting up on its hind legs and waving its forepaws, by barking and when near, by licking. Thus it shows its affection in so many ways. Scold the dog and it retires and shows its hurt by sitting quietly with its snout kept between its paws and looking at you with doleful eyes. The logical reasoning skills of even a highly intelligent dog are pretty limited and are almost wholly made up of reflexes that are learned.
Mind on the other hand in a human being is made up of a strong reasoning center and of course a powerful emotional center. Though the theory is not fully accepted and some controversy is there about the experimental evidence, the two halves of the brain are supposed to be fairly distinctly developed and differentiated from this point of view. "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" probably describes. Logical reasoning, mathematical and abstract reasoning skills, spatial coordination, and of course aggression are the attributes of one half. Artistic, linguistic and communication skills, emotional skills are the main attributes of the other half. Of course, no human being is totally developed in one half and devoid of the other. More about this and the Ardha Nariswara concept which more or less talks of the same I will write some other time.
Thus humans are capable of pure cold logic and very intense love. Where there is love, there is of course bound to be its negative counterpart, i.e. hatred. All other emotions are more or less derived from these basic emotions of love and happiness.
God also has love but does God have hatred too? Our very concept of God is of positive qualities, so we can’t think of hatred in God. Of course we can have a negative God whom we call Satan, Devil, Dayyam etc. The question will naturally arise. How is our love different from that of God?
The answer I feel lies in this. We, because of our egocentric attitudes have love, which is tinged by selfishness. So if our love is not reciprocated, it rebounds and like a vector, changes its sign. Thus selfish love manifests itself as hate. God’s love on the other hand, never rebounds. If the devotee doesn’t respond consciously, God is not bothered because he can communicate with us on several planes. Whether we respond consciously or not, God continues to pour out love like sun that radiates light, so that, sooner or later, we start responding to this continuous divine love and our ego start dissolving. Once our egoism disappears, if not totally, at least to a large extent, the negativity or selfishness in our love disappears and our love too becomes selfless love like God’s.
Sai’s love to his devotees is example of the true self-less love, as manifested by his total lack of anger or any other emotions towards those who called him fake, mad or refused to give him alms or the merchants who refused to sell him oil for lighting lamps. His response was " Allah achha karega" meaning God will do good to you.
You may be wondering what is the role of the logical center in all this. Well, when we are overwhelmed by negative emotions such as anger, hatred, jealousy etc., it is God’s special gift to a human that he can pause, ponder over the situation, analyse and realise that there is really no ground for all this negativism since all are God’s children and it is only our and their petty egos which were responsible for the negative emotions.
Once our logic takes over and reason starts controlling our thought patterns, our negative emotions will disappear. We stop reacting and will act according to our own thoughts. Serene thoughts now replace the negative thoughts and we raise ourselves a little higher and from that height the issues which provoked all the negative emotions look rather small and insignificant.
Thus till we get the divine grace and conquer our limited ego and become capable of expanding or merging our ego with the universal consciousness that God is, it is the logical or reasoning power which God has so kindly gifted to human beings which comes to our rescue.
All animals have two options in an encounter: Fight or Flight. Only we have the third, viz. to discuss, argue, reason and try to convince each other and if nothing else agree to disagree. This is probably the reason why Lord Siva who is the originator of all of us is portrayed with the Third Eye. When this eye opens it burns everything. When the power of reasoning is opened, it burns ignorance, prejudice and other such petty negativity.
So, friends, by all means let us live with our heart as long as we have positive emotions but let us switch on our third eye when ever, selfishness raises its ugly head.
Om Sri Sai Ram. Jai Guru Deva Dutta.
GOD, THE UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Since I could not get sleep, I lay thinking. A few Slokas and hymns in praise of different gods and goddesses were going through my mind. I was just pondering over Who or What God is and if He, She or It should appear to me how God can convey the unlimited picture to my limited mind. At that point of time, a thought came into my mind. Just as we have a consciousness different from our physical body, God is the Universal Consciousness different from the Universe, which is his physical body. So even when the physical universe goes through its cycle of birth and death, the consciousness remains. So God is indeed eternal and indestructible.
IS MY GOD DIFFERENT FROM YOUR GOD?
Just as a pure white light will be seen as colored when passed through a colored filter, the universal consciousness will manifest in the form of the Ishta Devata of a devotee. Thus there are innumerable forms of God. A group of islands appear separated from each other but are connected to each other through the sea bed or ocean floor, and only the water is giving us the illusion of separation. God the universal consciousness manifests in the form of several Deities, Saints etc., who to our limited vision appear separate. The Maya or our limited perception is what makes us feel that each Deity is different from the other.
A REVIEW OF "GOD WHO WALKED ON EARTH
Last Sunday, i.e on 16th January, my wife and I went to the temple of Sai Baba at Dwarakapuri Colony, Punjagutta. The temple is very well maintained and there is also a small library in the ground floor. Since this was our first visit to this temple, we were exploring and thus went to the library too. 4 books, all biographies of Sai Baba were on Sale. I am a book lover so I went through all the books. The book, "God who walked on earth" by Shri Rangaswami Parthasarathy was somehow attracting my attention more than the other books. Another gentleman who happened to be there also recommended that book highly. So in spite of some slight reluctance from my wife I bought that book. When I told SAIBANISA, he also told me it is an excellent book. I read that book from cover to cover and finished the first reading by Friday night or rather the early hours of today.
I was greatly impressed by the book. The author has specifically targeted the book at educated persons who need to reason out and cross-check facts before they can accept. The author tried to be as objective as possible and brought out the extraordinary spiritual qualities and the powers of Baba. He has not approached it from the positive belief, nay faith of a devotee, since such a person doesn’t need any proof and will not accept any evidence to the contrary.
I couldn’t help seeing a few mistakes in the book, caused by oversight in Proof reading. The name of Radhakrishna Ayi is at some places given as Ramakrishna Ayi. If there are in fact two women devotees with such names I stand corrected. A few typographic errors are also noticed. But in general, the book is very well written and edited. The publisher and printer have done a good job in bringing out the book in an attractive format. Now, the good points.
One aspect of the book, which appealed to me, is the comparison, nay contrast that the author brought out between Nana Chandorkar and Mahlsapathy. Both are ardent devotees of Baba. Both are, like many devotees, close to Baba. But what a difference? Nana is like Arjuna of Maha Bharat, who knows that Sri Krishna is God but perpetually keeps slipping into intellectual dilemmas because of his ego. That is probably the reason why Baba made Nana explain a Sloka from Gita and caught him flat-footed. Baba, like Sri Krishna, then explained the essence of Gita to Nana.
It is said that after the war, Krishna and Pandavas visited Sri Bhishma who is lying on the bed of Arrows (more about that some other time) to seek wisdom. Sri Bhishma asked Sri Krishna: "When you, the supreme God are here, what is the necessity for a small person like me to teach? Also, I am not in a good physical condition." Sri Krishna replied that when he gave the message of Gita to Arjuna, neither the teacher nor the disciple were in a perfect frame of mind (He probably said that to soothe the feelings of his friend Arjuna). Also, it is not proper for me to praise myself. You are a great devotee who has understood the real nature of Paramatma. So I give you the strength to talk. Kindly give the wisdom to these grandsons of yours." Bhishma gives Pandavas the Vishnu Sahasranamam (the one thousand names of God). Is that why Baba also asked all his Hindu devotees to regularly chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or at least the name of Sri Rama?
Mhalsapathy, on the other hand did not have any pretensions to intelligence, so called culture, riches etc., and was therefore totally free from ego-created problems. His devotion and faith were rock steady.
I was greatly impressed by the book. The author has specifically targeted the book at educated persons who need to reason out and cross-check facts before they can accept. The author tried to be as objective as possible and brought out the extraordinary spiritual qualities and the powers of Baba. He has not approached it from the positive belief, nay faith of a devotee, since such a person doesn’t need any proof and will not accept any evidence to the contrary.
I couldn’t help seeing a few mistakes in the book, caused by oversight in Proof reading. The name of Radhakrishna Ayi is at some places given as Ramakrishna Ayi. If there are in fact two women devotees with such names I stand corrected. A few typographic errors are also noticed. But in general, the book is very well written and edited. The publisher and printer have done a good job in bringing out the book in an attractive format. Now, the good points.
One aspect of the book, which appealed to me, is the comparison, nay contrast that the author brought out between Nana Chandorkar and Mahlsapathy. Both are ardent devotees of Baba. Both are, like many devotees, close to Baba. But what a difference? Nana is like Arjuna of Maha Bharat, who knows that Sri Krishna is God but perpetually keeps slipping into intellectual dilemmas because of his ego. That is probably the reason why Baba made Nana explain a Sloka from Gita and caught him flat-footed. Baba, like Sri Krishna, then explained the essence of Gita to Nana.
It is said that after the war, Krishna and Pandavas visited Sri Bhishma who is lying on the bed of Arrows (more about that some other time) to seek wisdom. Sri Bhishma asked Sri Krishna: "When you, the supreme God are here, what is the necessity for a small person like me to teach? Also, I am not in a good physical condition." Sri Krishna replied that when he gave the message of Gita to Arjuna, neither the teacher nor the disciple were in a perfect frame of mind (He probably said that to soothe the feelings of his friend Arjuna). Also, it is not proper for me to praise myself. You are a great devotee who has understood the real nature of Paramatma. So I give you the strength to talk. Kindly give the wisdom to these grandsons of yours." Bhishma gives Pandavas the Vishnu Sahasranamam (the one thousand names of God). Is that why Baba also asked all his Hindu devotees to regularly chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or at least the name of Sri Rama?
Mhalsapathy, on the other hand did not have any pretensions to intelligence, so called culture, riches etc., and was therefore totally free from ego-created problems. His devotion and faith were rock steady.
Many of us who are educated, especially through the westernised system are in a situation somewhat like Nana’s. Since we think we know, we are prevented from real knowledge. Our bookish knowledge, our worldly stature, our intellectual sharpness etc. also increase our ego and thus build the wall between the Supreme and us. We have to unlearn everything before we can relearn.
In Sri Bhagavatham, the story of "Gajendra moksham" is one of the most beautiful and moving. The elephant king i.e. the mind or Jeevatma is caught in the shackles of Samsara because of his ignorance. The crocodile in the lake is probably symbolic though it could be real. The elephant fights for a long time but in vain. Then the ego having been vanquished and because of POORVA JANMA SAMSKARA, he remembers God and prays to him. Once the ego is destroyed, God is able to come and cut the crocodile, i.e. ignorance, with SUDARSANA CHAKRAM. Sudarsana means Good Sight. A clear insight into the nature of ATMA, the transient nature of the materialistic world and the limitations of our petty egos, destroys our AVIDYA and liberates us.
Jesus Christ said "Blessed are the poor. The kingdom of heaven is theirs." Mahlsapathy was very poor, like Kuchela of Sri Bhagavatha. More than the riches it is the desire to be rich and the attachment to wealth and worldly possessions that hold the mind in bondage, like the crocodile held the elephant.
So detachment, which comes from contentment, is important. True devotion can come only when the ego is annihilated.
Till then, we can only pray to Sri Sai Baba to help us to break the wall. If we cannot break it from our side, He can and does break it from his side. In that process, we may get slightly bruised and cry like small children who get hurt. But in the end, Baba never hurts us or tests us more than our capacity and breaks the wall.
Om Sri Sai Ram
WHY DO WE GIVE ARATI?
15/01/2000, 21:20 hrs.
A few minutes ago, my wife, who is a staunch Sai devotee was playing a cassette of Sai Arati. The music was excellent and soothing and I too was enjoying the lyric, the tune and the voice of the singer, who could convey a sense of devotion to Sai. Arati is performed regularly in all Hindu Temples and the same custom has been introduced in Shirdi too. The question arose in my mind, like so many questions keep arising like waves in a turbulent sea. The question is: " Why do the priests / devotees offer Arati to God?" I got a few answers out of the possible many. I want to share the answers with all Sai devotees who may like to add the many other answers for my enlightenment.
The first is of course to do with light. Many temples in India are dimly lit and Arati gives an opportunity to get a better view of the God. Thus the light is physical and the devotion it evokes in the mind of the devotee helps kindle the spiritual light.
A few minutes ago, my wife, who is a staunch Sai devotee was playing a cassette of Sai Arati. The music was excellent and soothing and I too was enjoying the lyric, the tune and the voice of the singer, who could convey a sense of devotion to Sai. Arati is performed regularly in all Hindu Temples and the same custom has been introduced in Shirdi too. The question arose in my mind, like so many questions keep arising like waves in a turbulent sea. The question is: " Why do the priests / devotees offer Arati to God?" I got a few answers out of the possible many. I want to share the answers with all Sai devotees who may like to add the many other answers for my enlightenment.
The first is of course to do with light. Many temples in India are dimly lit and Arati gives an opportunity to get a better view of the God. Thus the light is physical and the devotion it evokes in the mind of the devotee helps kindle the spiritual light.
While Arati is performed with many types of lamps, camphor is the most common ingredient in all temples. Camphor has excellent medicinal properties; especially it protects against many diseases in a hot climate that pervades most of India. The camphor and other aromatic substances purify the atmosphere and when the devotees place their palms over the Arati and bring the palms to their eyes and nose, they absorb the medicinal benefits. This is born out by the books on Homeopathy.
The camphor Arati, especially is very short lasting and thus it signifies the short span of human life and the physical, sensual pleasures which come of attachments caused by AVIDYA or AGNANA. Thus Arati inspires the devotee to seek God who is permanent.
"Make hay while the sun shines" is a popular adage. Since the Arati is short lasting, it compels the devotee to focus his attention on the God.
Bells are usually rung while the Arati is being given. The rhythmic sounds of the bells have a nice soothing calming effect on our mind which helps in seeing the real God in the physical image.
In many temples, the Arati is also accompanied by chanting of Vedic Mantras or beautiful songs, which extol the virtues of the presiding deity, especially the all-pervasiveness. These again reinforce the devotion and help the devotee in his / her chosen path to reach spiritual enlightenment.
There could be several more possible reasons and the origins of this excellent practice are lost in antiquity. I will be grateful if Sai devotees could shed more light on this subject.
Why should we read "Sri Guru Charita"?
One well wisher has asked me this question. I thought that I will try to answer this question through this page. Of course, what is written here need not be accepted by anyone in toto. Please feel free to differ and offer your perception. I am probably one of the several blind men trying to describe an elephant.
I believe that, as long as one lives, one learns. In fact, I feel that the very purpose of being born on this earth plane is to learn and that too to learn pretty fast. The lessons to be learnt are very hard, but one has had a lot of preparation. Just like no student is admitted in a degree program, unless he meets the minimum qualification prescribed, one is allowed to take birth in a particular family or environment because he or she has, in the previous birth, learnt the lessons, to a minimum standard. This accumulated experience in fact is what constitutes one's karma, which by the way includes Poorva Janma Punyam and Papam. So the very fact that one has taken birth, especially in the human form on the earth means one has come a long way in his spiritual evolution and that he has now qualified to progress further.
Taking the analogy of this earth being a spiritual class room a step further, we all know that, when one joins an University or college, one has to register for a particular programme, containing some specific subjects and has to study under qualified lecturers, readers or professors. Suppose the candidate has finished his M.Sc or M.Phil and now wants to do Ph.D. He will now be required to register himself with a Guide, who himself is a Ph.D. He now concentrates all his intellectual and practical experimental (call it experiential) faculties in studying the intricacies of a specific problem and if his work is of sufficiently good standard, he will be given his Ph.D, after he satisfies his own guide and a body of other highly qualified professionals.
Guru is like a Professor who takes a handful of Ph.D. Scholars and guides them. 'Sri Guru Charita' is one of the very few treatises which extol the need for a Guru. Every one needs a Guru, especially when one has reached a fairly advanced state of spiritual growth. In the lower levels of education , one learns from many and one can even pass the examinations by mugging up, through study guides or even by guessing the correct answer in an objective examination. But no one can do his Ph.D. by such methods, especially if the University has any reputaion worth its name. One of course need not bother about the institutions and the Gurus who dish out Ph.D degrees for money. They are the false Gurus. Sat Guru is like a good guide in a reputed college. He will be kind, loving and yet firm. He may appear to be harsh, or even dictatorial at times. But he knows the manifest and latent capabilities and the limitations of his student, even better than the student himself. So he tries to push his student to the limit so that the student finishes his work at the earliest and reaches the goal. He does it not for his own benefit but for the benefit of the student and the society. Sri Guru, Adi Shankara, Sai are all Gurus of the highest order. They are demanding but they are like Nobel Laurettes! Every one can't get the privilege of being tutored by them. How many Arjunas are there who are fortunate enough to be taught the Divine Knowledge by the God himself?
What after the student himself gets his Ph.D? Is it the end of the journey? No. One does post-doctoral research or continues with the guide on more advanced topics of research. He now helps the guide in guiding other research scholars. Eventually he himself becomes qualified to become a Guide. But no student, however much he may have progressed will ever forget his guide, who helped him reach the position he now occupies. Sir Issac Newton is reported to have said," I am a pigmy. I could see farther than the giants because I was standing on their shoulders." That shall be the attitude of a true student who has shed one's ego.
I welcome your comments and perceptions on this subject.
The Monkey and the Kitten
Dear Sai Bandhus,
Om Sai Ram. I hope that you will like the following.
There are two interesting species who care for their young in different ways. One is the cat and the other the monkey. The kitten doesn't move even one inch on its own. It just goes on meowing and it is the mother cat, who with gentle love and affection lifts the kitten by holding its neck with its teeth (not hurting it at all) and goes from place to place and deposits the kitten wherever it wants.
Om Sai Ram. I hope that you will like the following.
There are two interesting species who care for their young in different ways. One is the cat and the other the monkey. The kitten doesn't move even one inch on its own. It just goes on meowing and it is the mother cat, who with gentle love and affection lifts the kitten by holding its neck with its teeth (not hurting it at all) and goes from place to place and deposits the kitten wherever it wants.
The monkey presents an interesting contrast. The baby monkey holds firm to the underside of the belly of its mother and the mother moves from place to place sometimes even jumping from branch to branch of trees at great height. The baby monkey just holds firm its mother and doesn't let go even when the mother jumps at great heights from tree branch to tree branch. Even if the baby is bruised in the process, it doesn't let go since instinct tells it that death is certain if it relaxes its grip.
Thus in both cases, the mother carries the baby. But what a contrast? In the case of the monkey, it is the baby which is responsible for holding on. In the case of the kitten it is the mother cat which takes the responsibility to hold its baby.
These two are usually used as illustrations to represent the relationship between the devotee and the God. (In Sanskrit, they are known as Marjala Kishora Nyaya and Markata Kishora Nyaya). In the case of the devotee who is not fully free of ego, it is his responsibility to hold on to his Ishta Devata in spite of any troubles (which are to test his steadfast devotion). But once he makes contact with his God and starts getting benefit, and his ego dissolves, the devotee becomes like a kitten and it now becomes the responsibility of God like the mother cat to take care of the devotee.
Thus while both the baby monkey and the kitten are good models for devotees to follow, the kitten represents the true Saranagati, i.e. a devotee who has totally surrendered himself to God.
So let us all become kittens or if that much change is difficult, let us start by being baby monkeys and hold on firmly to God.
Om Sai Sri Sai Jai Jai Sai.
posted by S.V.Swamy | 10/15/2008 08:58:00 pm
|
0 comments
