THE THREE REQUISITES

                                                                

“Education, wealth, and strength are necessary for everyone but the value of each of them depends on the way you use it. Education is the basis for leading a purposeful life in the physical world, in the realm of the mind and in society. Education is a wasteful process unless knowledge is transformed in to wisdom and wisdom is expressed in character. Educated man must not run after glitter and glamour but instead, he must seek the good and the Golden ”declares Sri Sri Sri Bhagawan Satya Sai Baba! He has summarized the essentials of true education. Man cannot exist without education. Education does not mean sitting in the four walls of the class room in a school or a college. It is acquisition of knowledge by any means to broaden your vision and comprehend things properly. For example, travel is also a kind of education. Visiting various countries broadens your vision and you can understand and appreciate different cultures, languages, customs and habits of others. One without education is equal to an animal says the adage—“ vidya vihinah pasuhu.”

          You cannot expect a society to progress where there are no educated members. Without intellectuals, scientists, doctors, engineers, work force, and many others life cannot go on. Mere collection of degrees and diplomas has no meaning. Education or knowledge gathered, has to be   transformed into wisdom and benefit society at large. Industrial Revolution and the explosion of scientific knowledge and technology have done yeoman service to mankind. At the same time they have brought society to the verge of danger and destruction! Education and knowledge not wisely applied will lead to total annihilation.The end of education is humility and character, but these two qualities are significant by their absence in modern society Man should not lose his head by acquiring knowledge and skills.

            Apart from education, mans destiny is inextricably interfused  with wealth or money! Sage Vasishta tells Sri Rama that money is the most essential thing to be earned. “ dhana marjaya kakutsa, dhanamoola midam jagat  antaram nabhi janami nirdhanasya mrutasyacha” Earn money for it is the root cause of the world. I don’t find any difference between the poor and the dead! But money in excess shall create more problems than solving. We see the issue of Black Money and the exposure of Panama papers! Money is being stashed away in foreign banks to elude taxes. It leads to crimes and many an allied guilt!You lose your peace of mind and are always on tenterhooks! What is the use of money asks  a poet. Earning it is difficult; protecting it is more difficult; spending it leads to sorrow and losing it is an unbearable agony. Then why such money wails the poet! Money just needed for a happy and simple life is what is required. Money is useful for many other very important purposes in life, for buying essentials, charity, and other good activities. Spending money for good or bad depends on the individual concerned.

              With all your education, knowledge and wealth, you are a misfit in the world if you are not healthy.’ Health is wealth’ people say. It is your health that allows you to use your knowledge or education and wealth. You have to be strong to withstand the vicissitudes in life. One’s life without health is the worst that can be imagined. He has everything but has nothing! He cannot eat, sleep, rest nor can he do the very ordinary activities of life! Strength can be acquired through body building ,and muscle control and other exercises. But for that you must be healthy. India is considered as the capital for Diabetes!  Control of diet and proper exercise like walking will reduce the incidence of the disease. it is not enough to be strong in body alone. One has to be sound in mind also as the adage goes, “A sound mind in a sound body.” When the body is weak or disabled mind is affected and the person is dejected and depressed. This again weakens him. Therefore, it is the duty of every person to acquire these three indispensable necessities namely education or knowledge, wealth and strength through maintaining good health. A s Baba says proper application of educational knowledge, and having just the needed wealth and becoming strong through maintaining health can make man live happily!

BHARTHRUHARI SUBHASHITHA 1

                                                         

Bharthruhari is believed to be a king disillusioned with love who abdicated his throne to his younger brother Vikramaditya! He was a Sanskrit author and poet. He is said to have written “ Vakyapadiya” a text on  Sanskrit grammar.He was born in Ujjain to one Chandrasana. He was very popular in medieval times when society was impressed with sensual traditions, monastic principles of Vedanta  and the acharyas. He was a worshipper of the formless God and believed in the powers of siddhi His disappointment in love led him to write three types of poetry glorifying the importance of the three aspects of life in every individual He has composed three “ satakams ( 100 stanzas) each on 1 Sringara—those with erotic and romantic temperament 2 Vairagya—those with the mood of other worldliness and dispassion and 3 Niti—related to morality, ethics and polity. Thus we see him, at once, as a lover, sage and king These ‘Satakams’ have become very popular and recognized as words of great wisdom in literary circles. Hence they are called “ Subhashiitha” ---well spoken!  I give below a few of these ‘subhashitha’ stanzas for the benefit of the readers.

              The poet says that it is very difficult to satisfy the mind of a foolish or stupid person! “we can  pluck out the precious stone from among the sharp teeth of a crocodile called Simsumara somehow or other;  we can ferry across the raging and tempestuous ocean by some means or other; we can even mesmerize  an angry, and poisonous snake and wear it as a garland or on the head; but it is impossible to satisfy the mind of a careless, foolish and stupid person filled with anger,  by any means!”

              The poet considers the foolish and stupid person as the lowliest of all. ‘A dog happened to possess a bone. It was dense with germs and insects and wet with the saliva dropping from the mouth  and foul in smell; It was repulsive to the very sight; it had no muscle at all on it; the bone was that of the lowly  donkey; The dog began eating that bone as if it was a delicacy and with great love; It would not care , at that time, even if Devendra , king of Gods were to be there; Low creature is interested in eating alone but does not care if the object is edible or not!

               Foolishness leads to difficulties and impediments! Wisdom and intelligence is the need for the individual. “The terrible flow of river Ganga fell amidst the locks of Lord Siva from the heights of heaven! Then it reached the Himalayas and then it came to earth and the ocean and finally went down to’ pathala—the nether world!  Decline to lower positions is sure for those who have no wisdom or intelligence! Water from the Ganges from heaven had to go down to the lower world !

              There is nothing in the world to remove the foolishness and idiocy of an individual! “  we can control fire with water,  sun with an umbrella,  rogue elephant with ’ankusa’,  bullock and the donkey with a stick,  disease and illness with  medicine, japa,  mantra and homas, poison with ‘mantras and tantras’. Sasthras have prescribed remedies for all troubles by the wild animals. But unfortunately, no Sasthra has indicated how a foolish and stupid person can be reformed and made wise.”

            It is impossible to satisfy the mind of an arrogant and foolish individual! ‘It may be possible to draw oil from oilless sand through some machine;  we can even drink water from the illusory mirage and satisfy our thirst;  we can also obtain the proverbial ‘ rabbit’s horn’ in the forest

with increased effort but it is practically impossible to satisfy the mind of the foolish and the stupid!

              

SIVA MANASA PUJA

Siva Manasa Puja  sthothra is one of the finest and ideal praises composed by Adi sankara. Sankara is regarded with utmost respect and devotion for his contribution to Indian philosophy and religion. He established the Advaita school of thought and devised ways for different types of worship according to the personal preferences of devotees. He is known as  ‘ shanmata sthapanacharya”—one who established six types of worship---Saiva, Vaishnava, Ganapathya, Saktha, Kaumara  and  Saura. Though he established these forms of worship, his catholicity is indicated in the different wonderful compositions he has given us on various deities like Siva, Vishnu, Devi, Skanda and various others. Usually, worship of any God or Goddess is performed with  sixteen “ upacharas’ called as ‘Shodasa Upacharas’ or services. With the concerned ‘mantras’ we invite the deity which is called’avahanam’ Then we offer Him a seat  which is called ‘asanam’  Then we offer the invited God or Goddess  ‘padyam’—water to wash His feet. Next we give some water to His hands which is called ‘arghyam’.

           Some more water is offered  for His face called ‘achamaniyam’. Next important ritual is to bathe the deity which is done with milk, curd, fruit, ghee, honey and sugar. This is called ‘Panchamrutha abhisheka’. Later the deity is bathed with pure water, cleaned and dressed .Sacred thread is offered and sandal paste is smeared to the idol. Then ‘archana’ with flowers is performed followed by ‘ dhoopa’ scented sticks, deepa-- Offering of lamp and ‘ naivedya’-- dishes prepared for the deity. ‘ Thamboola with betel leaves and arecanut and spices is offered next and finally ‘ nirajanam’ is offered by showing ‘harathi’ with lighted camphor. With ‘ manthra pushpam’—offering of mantras as flowers the worship is completed. Then you prostrate yourself and pray for His grace and blessings and send back the deity to His place which is called ‘punah puja’. Veda mantras are recited and you dedicate every action of yours to the Lord! Al these activities are to be done with devotion and faith as if you are personally inviting God and offering Him worship!

              Fixing up the Supreme in your heart, meditating on him and worshipping and offering him the ‘ ‘shodasopachara’ in your heart is the best according to Sankara and that is exactly what he does in this Sivamanasa puja sthothra.” Oh Lord! I have provided you a seat bedecked with diamonds, bathed you in water from the Himalayas, offered you the best dress, and adorned you with varieties of precious stones. I have put ‘thilaka’ with ‘kasthuri’ and sandalwood. I have performed archana with divine, beautiful flowers like jasmine, bilwa and thulasi. I have offered you sweet fragrance and ‘deepa’ – all in my heart, O,pasupathi! Kindly accept “, says Sankara in the first sloka. He continues:” I have placed in a golden platter with diamonds, ‘payasam’ made of ghee, the five kinds of delicacies,  milk, curd, plantains, and other preparations, tasty water, and ‘ thamboolam with spices! Kindly accept these that I have offered with bhakthi!”

               “I have offered through my ‘sankalpa’ or wish in my heart all the following namely, the umbrella—(chatram), chamaram—fans,  a clear mirror and pleased you by the sweet music of the veena, ‘bheri, and mridanga’ and other instruments. I have presented songs and dance too. I have   prostrated myself to you and  praised your glory in many ways!  Oh Lord, accept my worship!” Prays Sankara. “You are my Atma, my intellect is Girija, the sakthi,  my friends are the five breaths—Prana, apana, samana,Dana and vyana! My body is your abode, the temple!  My involvement in material things and luxuries is your worship or puja! My sleep is the Samadhi state! Why, whatever karma or activity I do is worshipping you! Oh Mahadeva! whatever mistakes I have committed  through my limbs, body, speech and deeds or through ears and eyes or manas , whether allowed or prohibited, pardon them with grace! Victory to you, the sea of compassion!”

                   The great Sankara illustrates the significance of total surrender to the lotus feet of God through this sthothra! Every action of ours should be dedicated to God! There is nothing ‘mine!’ Everything is ‘thine!’ Physical, ostentatious worship is of no use, it is enough if you sincerely meditate and offer worship in your manas! That is more acceptable to the Providence! When Adi Sankara feels like this can anybody dispute?

               

MANDUKYOPANISHAD

                                                                   

Shortest of all Upanishads, Mandukyopanishad  is assigned to Adharva Veda and listed as  number 6 among  the 108 Upanishads. It is in prose of 12 verses associated with Rig Veda School. It is among the oft cited texts on chronology and philosophical relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism. Several meanings are given for the word ‘Mandukya’ whose root is ‘ manduka’.  The meanings are, a frog, a particular breed of horse, the sole of the horse’s hoof or a kind of coitus. This Upanishad is important for Hinduism specially for the Advaita Vedanta School. The Upanishad discusses the syllable OM and explains the four states of      consciousness. It asserts the existence and  the nature of ‘ atma’ ‘ soul’  and ‘self’. It points out that this alone is sufficient to gain knowledge to gain moksha. Several central doctrines are incorporated in Mandukyopanishad. It proclaims that the Universe is Brahman. It maintains that the self or soul or ‘atma’ exists and is Brahma. It establishes the four  states of consciousness and theories about the syllable OM and declares that it symbolizes self.

           The syllable AUM is the whole world and that transcends the past, present and the future. Everything is Brahman including the self. The self has four quarters. Vaiswanara, the waking state cognizes external objects with its seven limbs and nineteen mouths! According to Sankara the seven limbs are: the effulgent sky is the head, the sun the eye,  the air vital breath,  space the waist, water the bladder, and the earth the feet and Ahavaniya fire is the mouth. The nineteen mouths are:  the five organs of sense, the five organs of action, the five vital breaths –pancha pranas, the mind, understanding, the ego sense and thought. Taijasa is the second quarter who cognizes internal objects in the Dream state. He too has seven limbs and nineteen mouths. He is the enjoyer of subtle objects.

          Fast, desireless dreamless and deep sleep  is the third quarter and is called prajna. It is full of bliss. This is the inner controller, knower and source of all. “ that which does not cognize either internal or external objects, which cannot be thought of, which cannot be designated, the essence of the knowledge of the oneness of the self, the peaceful, the benign, the non dual-----is the fourth quarter! That is the Atman which is to be known! The Upanishad then identifies the Atman with the syllable AUM. The quarters and the elements complement one another. Letter A signifies the waking state, Vaiswanara  corresponds  to letter A element. Taijasa, the dreamy state, represents the letter U the second element. Prajna the state of deep sleep stands for letter M the third element! The fourth state has no elements. It is indescribable, benign and nondual. In short, the Upanishad,declares that the syllable AUM is Atman itself. One who realizes this becomes one with the self!

THE EFFECT OF LOVE

                                                                          

 Love is an eternal component in the heart of man! There is not a single individual in the universe who,    has no love in his heart. We call people as heartless because heart is considered to be the seat of love. The most hardhearted man has feelings of love The butcher, who mercilessly kills and sells meat, is in essence, kind, and exhibits love to his own children. Love starts with selfishness. You love yourself first and foremost. Then you love your parents, siblings and your friends later. You want everything for yourself. You are not ready to share anything with other friends! The child is intensely possessive and   selfish and cries if something is snatched from its hands. Selfishness is innate in all of us. This has to be transformed into the lofty nature of selflessness

         Childhood, boyhood and youth of an individual are characterized by this selfishness that is raw and pronounced!  The eligible bachelor now has amorous feelings and seeks his match in marriage. He has fallen in love! As Shakespeare says, “Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold” , the young man is carried away by the looks of his chosen lady and love is now transferred to her. This love is more physical, mental, sensual but not ideal. The physical satisfaction of the senses is more important than anything else. The most important phase in the life of man arrives when he is the father of a few children! Now the selfish love undergoes a silent transformation. The husband and wife made for each other slowly forget themselves in bringing up the child!

            “Love removes selfishness and expands consciousness through sympathy and compassion” says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. They are still selfish as the children are their own but they care more for their kids and are ready to sacrifice their comforts for the sake of their children. After man mellows, he gradually turns his attention to the society  in which he is a member and desires to contrbute his mite for its progress! Love from being selfish and selfless graduates into the ideal of service to society and mankind! This takes the shape of sympathy for the suffering, the poor and downtrodden sections of society.  Their needs and necessities have to be satisfied and he is ready to efface himself in the service of others. Service to man is service to God! We satisfy the God who has manifested in all the living and non living objects in the universe!

               “Love lives by giving and forgiving. Self lives by getting and forgetting” declares Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. How truly said! Whereever there is love, there is sacrifice! It is the sacrifice of the parents that sustains the children! Ideal, Platonic love is totally selfless. The lover is more concerned about his lady wherever she is and whomsoever she marries! He is not extremely possessive. On the other hand, it is common for ordinary people to get all the benefits of love from others and forget all about it soon. The quality of ideal love is forgiving which is a divine quality. God forgives us for all the sins and mistakes we commit in our lifetime. Compassion is another inseparable quality of love. Running to the help of others in difficulty and danger and helping them out of danger is the quality of compassion!

               The final stage of love is that for the country to which one belongs—to his motherland! So, love that was selfish, narrow minded, and personal has metamorphosed into the love for the family, society and finally to the love for the country! “ Janani Janma bhumischa swargadapi gariyasi”—Mother and motherland are greater than Swarga or heaven. The soldier on the heights of the Himalayas is a shining example of a true patriot! Daring the chill winds and tolerating many difficulties, he stands guard at the frontiers of our nation to protect us all from foreign aggression! We on the other hand live totally oblivious of the hardships that he endures for our sake! Political leaders there are in plenty who have sacrificed their bright future for the love of the country MahatmaGandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Patel, Tilak and a host of others swore by the nation and fought for the nation’s liberation from the clutches of the British! Saints and philosophers like Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda  and the Sai Avatar are  classical illustrations of social reformers and compassionate beings! The world can never forge these  noble embodiments of divine Love and compassion!