Swami lays the greatest stress on the realization of one’s
own self. This, he says, is called "Brahma
Vidya. The word ‘Veda ‘ means knowledge
of the self. Jnana really means self realization. Swami remarks, “First look after yourself. Then you can go
to help others. Before helping others, find
out who you are. Only then you can really help others. Like a wall clock that
comes to a standstill after the spring
unwinds itself, so also absence of desires anew automatically brings one to a
standstill. It ushers in what is called as’ atma sakshatkaram,- realization of
self. Swami’s definition of 'saranagathi’ or total surrender to God is thought
provoking! Says Swami, “ Saranagathi is not the surrender of one Jeeva or
individual soul to another entity God. That is a wrong notion basically. It is
the surrender of the lower “ I “ to the truthful “ I “ in a higher plane.
The knowledge that there is only one Eternal Soul is the real Saranagathi”
Swami’s
utterances breathe throughout the avatar’s qualities that very often astound
us! Life is full of misery
says Swami. It is foolish to expect enjoyment or pleasure. God has created misery
by his own volition in order to
draw human beings into his fold! Swami
asks sinners to not feel sorry. "Open up your heart to me with all your sins and
drawbacks. I will not be shocked at your sins and withdraw. You may not be able
to overcome them and reach me finally. On the other hand your sins and defects
are not an obstacle for me. I will overcome all those and come to you. Then
where is the question of “I”
and “you ? Everything will become one. “ (Ra Ganapathy, Swami pp737)
Swami
differentiates the various approaches
leading to Jnana. He aptly remarks, “ In order to reach the city of
Jnana from our tiny hamlet, first we
take the foot path of karma, then the ordinary
kutcha road of Bhakthi, and then
finally reach the tar road of Jnana leading to the cosmopolitan city.” There is
a total identity of consciousness and bliss for both the Jnani and the yogi.
The supernal level of their bliss and consciousness is more important to them
than anything else. The mere presence of Bhagawan stimulates and energizes their bodies and consciousness. Swami has been
a guide and philosopher to many a yogi. He
has helped them to realize themselves according to their deserving. He is the bestower of mantra, yantra and tantra also. But above all he is the embodiment of
prema or love. Swami is sorry that man
is not in a position to benefit by the illumination given by the Vedas and the
sastras. Man is running after ephemeral enjoyments. This is like drawing water from
a pot full of holes. On the point of oneness or’ advaita’ Swami recommends
only ‘ Bhava advaita—spirit of oneness of everything but not Karma
advaita—oneness in action. “ The truth of Tat Twam
Asi must lead to Bhava advaitam not Karma advaitam, for when you come
down into the field of Karma duality is
inevitable.’
To attain and discover one’s reality
and divine peace one need not renounce the world and go far from the madding
crowd. He need not turn an ascetic. Detachment or non attachment is a quality that can be fostered at home or in the
jungle, Bhagawan speaks of the importance of the human body. “ The body is the
temple of God; He is the resident in the heart;
buddhi or intelligence is the
lamp lit in that altar; now every gust of wind that blows through the windows
of the senses affects the flame of the lamp and dulls its light, threatening
even to put it out. So close the windows; do not keep them open for direct attraction from objects.” ( SSS vol
5 pp76-77)
Swami refers
to vitamin deficiency indicated by doctors in general and points out that
entire humanity is deficient in one important vitamin viz vitamin G. …” I will recommend the repetition
of the name of God with accompanying contemplation of the glory and grace of
God. That is vitamin G. That is the medicine;
regulated life and habits are two
thirds of treatment while the medicine is just one third only.” ( SSS vol 5 pp55) (continued)
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