GOD AS FRIENDj

GOD AS FRIEND

Bhakthi or devotion is defined as unalloyed and pure Love for the Lord! The devotee has different ways or methods to worship or meditate on the Supreme Reality. Bhagavata Purana demarcates nine varieties of  bhakthi that are prominent among the various bhaktas.It is not compulsory that God should be meditated upon in one particular way! The nine types bhakthi are: Sravanam- hearing the stories of God and his glory, Kirtana- singing his glory, Smarana- remembering His  greatness and glory, Padasevana- worshipping His lotus feet, Archana- worshipping Him, Vandana- bowing down to Him, Dasya - being obedient like a servant, Sakhya- being intimate like a friend and finally Atma- Nivedanam- total surrender unto His lotus feet! Bhakthas have realized the Divinity through all these nine types of devotion! A few emotional and ecstatic  states are also experienced by great devotees. They are Santha bhava, Dasya, Sakhya, Vatsalya, and Madhura Bhavas.

Foremost example of Sakhya or friendship with the Divine is the Pandava warrior, Arjuna. There is a link between Nara that is Arjuna and Narayana who is Krishna. Arjuna not only looked upon Krishna as a friend but as God also. Stationed in the midst of the two armies on the famous battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is assailed by remorse and many doubts and refuses to fight! He is tormented at the thought of killing his own kith and kin, his gurus,and the grand old man Bhishma. He is  despondent and moved by 'mamakara or attachment! He has no interest in eating a bloody meal.  He is ready to beg rather than kill all his relations and rule the empty kingdom. His whole body trembles and he lays down his famous bow Gandiva,and the quiver of arrows and turns to the Lord to clear his doubts! Like a true friend, the Lord disabuses his mind and points out that it is his duty to kill his enemies as they, by all counts, are evil and deserve to be killed. This is the beginning of the Bhagavad-Gita. Arjuna asks searching questions on Karma, bhakthi, jnana, and various other aspects of life and like a preceptor, the Lord, explains and even grants him the vision of His ‘Viratswarupa’--the Cosmic Form. Can you ever imagine the Supreme Lord serve as the Sarathi--the driver of the chariot for an ordinary mortal though of royal origin? It is because of Arjuna’s inordinate bhakthi that has bound the Lord to his devotee. The Mahabharatha is replete with incidents to prove that

a friend in need is a friend in deed.

It is because of this Divine friendship that Draupadi’s chastity was protected while all the five brothers were mute spectators along with Bhisma and others. Arjuna married Subhadra, Krishna’s sister and thus he became the Lord’s brother in law! It was the presence of the Lord by the side of the Pandavas that saved them finally. During the course of the war, Arjuna's son Abhimanyu tore into the ‘ padma vyuha’ and fought fiercely. He was surrounded by the Kaurava warriors all at once and mercilessly killed! It was one Jayadratha that was responsible for Abhimanyu’s death. Infuriated at this, Arjuna vowed that he would kill him by the next twenty four hours. But the Kauravas, having known this, protected Jayadratha and did not allow him to come out until the sun set the next day! The battle continued and Arjuna was on the look out for his target! But Jayadratha was not to be seen! Arjuna was disappointed and was becoming desperate. Time was running out and he did not know what to do. The Lord was a silent witness to all the conflicts in the heart of his dear friend Arjuna!  The sun was about to set but not fully. That was the time that Krishna decided to help his friend.What can prevent when God wills it? Krishna sent his Chakra to hide the Sun to create  feeling that the Sun has set! Seeing the false sunset, the Kauravas were very happy that Arjuna had failed and that he would immolate himself according to the vow he has taken. Jayadratha came out in glee. Krishna bade Arjuna to aim and shoot even as he took back the Chakra and the Sun came out brightly. Arjuna caught the golden opportunity and beheaded Jayadratha! This is an illustration of the deep friendship between the bhaktha and God!

Krishna has been a friend, philosopher and guide not only to Arjuna personally but to the Pandavas as a whole as they were all righteous and protected Dharma. He volunteered to go as a messenger to the court of Dhritarashtra to prevent war. He saved the life of the only heir of the Pandavas, Parikshit in the womb of Abhimanyu’s wife Uttara! Aswattama had shot a terrible arrow to kill the child in the womb! The Lord once again showered his Grace on Arjuna, sent his Chakra to protect the!! foetus and saved the child who ruled the country after the Pandavas.To be neutral Krishna did not participate in war. When Duryodhana and Arjuna came to request help, cunningly he offered his army to the former and preferred to be the driver of the chariot of Arjuna! Foolish Duryodhana was more than happy as he thought that Krishna by himself would not be of much use.

When, in the last, Karna was grounded and the wheels of his chariot caved in and he remained unarmed Arjuna hesitated to  kill him. But it was krishna who goaded Arjuna to kill Karna! He reminded Arjuna how Karna and others conspired to kill Abhimanyu in the ‘ padma vyuha’. Arjuna could not have survived without the grace of his friend and guide Lord Krishna! The effect of the terrible sastras aimed at Arjuna by Bhishma, Drona Karna and others was so great that the chariot of Arjuna would have burst into flames! Arjuna got down from the chariot first, soon after the war. The moment Krishna came  down, the chariot burst into flames to the surprise and shock of all! Arjuna was saved by Krishna from the Nagastra that was sure to take his life. He pressed the chariot down a little to miss its aim. Thus at every step in life the Divine hand does not leave the bhaktha in the lurch. On the other hand it protects its friend and devotee all through his difficulties and troubles! Arjuna is really a blessed friend recognized by the Lord and what more can be expected better than this in life?

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

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REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

The other day I asked my friend, “ Do you live to eat or eat to live?”. He suddenly looked perplexed and did not answer. He seemed to think for awhile. Most of us do not know the nature and purpose of life. we take life casually and are not much concerned about its turns and tides. Life is not a bed of roses or is it a bed of thorns. It is a mixture  of both. But man wants to live happily for ever and does not like sorrow to visit him. “ To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all”  says Oscar Wilde. Man is a social animal. He is distinguished from the ordinary animal by his power of intellect and power of discrimination. Is it enough if he exists similar to the animal that eats, sleeps, and reproduces periodically? Hence mere existence is of no consequence. He has to establish that he is different from the beast! He should aim high and leave footprints in the sands of time! Only then he would be remembered as in the case of many great men whom we remember today. He should achieve something great and worth the memory physically, mentally or spiritually.

“ In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life; it goes on” says the famous poet Robert Frost. Time and tide waits for no man. Life goes on for ever and it's continuity can never be arrested. Ages and centuries have gone by and generations have changed accordingly.It is for man to live and adjust and accommodate himself to the changing conditions of life. He cannot afford to be a square peg in a round hole.You cannot have too many lives! “ You may live once, but if you do it right, once is enough” says another writer. How do you live your life? According to  Albert Einstein” There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.The other is as though everything is a miracle.” It can be with a scientific bent of mind with God given rationalism or wondering at the incredible and indescribable nature and other creations as miracles of God! After all science is mere invention and discovery of the miracles manifested by the Almighty! There are certain dreamers who forget to live their lives always engrossed in them.That causes disillusionment.

“ Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor” remarks another great writer.  “All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players”  said Shakespeare. It is a dream and drama for those with a philosophical bent of mind.The rich can have all the fun they want in their life but it is definitely a tragedy for the poor who would suffer for want of money in this work a day world! Life is short; “Smile while you still have teeth” is what another writer says! Life is considered as short as lightning that illuminates the world in a fraction of a second and dies immediately.  “Vidyut chalam jivitam” is the Sanskrit saying. Caught in the shackles of samsara man is drowned in the mire of material life and does not think of releasing himself from it. He forgets to seek spiritual progress and salvation! By the time he wakes up the damage is done and he is lost! So within the the short duration of his life he has to achieve something worthy to redeem his life.

According to the famous philosopher Confucius, “ Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Man is a bundle of desires. There is no saturation point for his desires. Fulfilment of one desire leads to another and there is no end.There is disappointment and frustration when the desire is not fulfilled. The inner enemies assail him. Greed, jealousy, ego, arrogance, pride and prestige lead him astray from the path of fulfilment of the goal of life and righteousness! He becomes the architect of his destiny, good or bad, by this own volition.As Abraham Lincoln puts it, “ln the end, it is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.” You should not consider life as a problem to be solve.   It is a reality to be experienced.

The purpose of Life is to be happy, but what kind of happiness? Is it the pleasure that is trivial and transitory or the happiness and bliss of eternal peace and contentment? Man prefers generally the former to the latter. But that is not the purpose for which man is created. He has to realize who he is. He should know that he is not the body but the indestructible soul, the atmic principle that is omnipresent in the universe and manifests in every creature. It is said that he lives who lives for others. Service to humanity and the deserving elevates man to spiritual level leading him to Divinity. “ Life’s persistent and urgent  question is ,’what are you doing for others?’ says Martin Luther King. “Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it” it is said. It is appropriate to conclude with the words of Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba: “Life is a song; sing it. Life is a game; play it. Life is a Challenge; meet it. Life is a dream; realize it. Life is a sacrifice; offer it. Life is LOVE; enjoy it”.

THE REAL BRAHMIN

THE REAL BRAHMIN

The word Brahmin has totally lost its original and main significance! The class of Brahmins today are far removed from the qualities and virtues of the Brahmins of the previous eras like the Vedic period. Time has ravaged various civilizations as well as many institutions including the nature and quality of the Brahmin class of society. Today we have Brahmins only for namesake, divested of almost all qualities and virtues of the earlier generation! It is very sad to see the downfall and decline of the idealism and spirituality of the Brahmin class in the present. They have lost their preminence and say in society. They are a minority now in the country and fighting for their rights and privileges in society! The caste system of ancient ages has played a havoc in the lives of the Brahmins today! They are looked down upon by the political class and the reservation system has virtually eliminated the Brahmin from almost all avenues of employment and other opportunities! What were the qualities of the Brahmins of yore? Why was he considerd important to society? Let us see what the Sasthras say about this.

Brahmins were generally considered as priests, teachers and protectors of sacred learning.

The earliest reference is from the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda where the Brahmins are represented as the face of the Viratpurusha or the Cosmic Being. The Kshatriyas represent the shoulders, the Vaisyas form the thighs and the Sudras the feet of of the Purusha! This is called “ chaturvarna “-division into four classes of society. It was only a broad demarcation and no superiority or inferiority was contemplated! Every section of society is as important as the other and complementary to the other. Brahmin was thought as an advisor and an intellectual, the Kshatriya as a protector, the Vaisyas as a trader and merchant while the Sudras the helper to the other three. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna speaks of the creation of the four  ‘varnas’ Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra according to their qualities and actions?!. No higher or lower status was given to them. Birth in the family cannot determine if the person is a Brahmin or otherwise. It is his conduct and character and actions that decide his class. “ Chatur varnam maya srustwa Guna karma vibhagasaha” There is needless confusion and controversy over these statements in the present day politics. Brahmin community today is more sinned against the sinning.

According to Gautama Dharma Sastras, every Brahmin should possess eight virtues like truthfulness, teaching the virtuous, following the rules of rituals, studying the Vedas, gentleness and nonviolence, self control and kindness and others. Baudhayana Dharma Sutras require a Brahmin to refrain from anger. He should never be arrogant. Vasishta Dharma Sutras insist on austerity, self control, purity, compassion, erudition, intelligence and religious faith. According  to Manu Smriti, “ A well disciplined Brahmin although he knows just the Savitri verse is far better than an undisciplined one who eats all types of food and deals in all types of merchandise though he may know all three Vedas” ( Manu Smriti 2.118) A Brahmin can engage himself in agriculture, trade, lend money on interest, become a warrior in times of adversity and take up any occupation to sustain himself according to Gautama Dharma Sutras!

Manu Smriti forbids Brahmins from producing or trading in poison, weapons, meat, trapping birds and others, Six duties are prescribed for the Brahmin. He has to study the Vedas which is called ‘ adhyayana’. He should teach and instruct the students in the Vedas called as‘ adhyapana’.He should perform yagna or sacrifices for the welfare of society. This is called ‘ yajana’. He should get the sacrifices performed by others which is termed ‘ yaajana’. He should offer alms to others and this is called ‘ dana’. He should also receive alms from others which is termed ‘ prarigraha’. How many of us, today, follow at least a few of the principles prescribed by these Dharma Sutras? We don’t know even the names of these Sastras and Sutras! We are ignorant of the lineage of our ancestors --gotras and the hoary past to which we belong

“ One becomes a Brahmin not by birth but only when one realizes the Supreme Brahman” declares Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Unfortunately we gloat ourselves as Brahmins only by our birth in those families.We don't bother about the very normal and ordinary duties of a Brahmin like performing ‘ Sandhya vandana ‘ at least once a day. We have become victims of social transformation and carried away by a directionless society that has lost its values and principles. We take nonvegetarian food and take to drinking. We have taken professions forbidden and even question the very rules and principles laid down by our ancestors.Morality and faith have given place to immorality and loss of faith and atheism. There is no fear for sin and heinous crimes are the regular order of the day! In the remorseless current of time the Brahmin has lost himself instead of defending or saving himself. He has become a laughing stock and the butt end of ridicule for other communities who have gained the upper hand in society! He has forgotten his ‘Swadharma’ and followed ‘ Paradharma’ which is the reason for his fall. There is a purpose in the creation of man. He is expected to know his real Self. He should realize that the body is separate from the eternal Soul or Spirit that is embedded in the innermost recess of his heart!  This is termed as Self Realization or realizing the Supreme Brahman! Then he can call himself a Brahmin, not otherwise.

PURUSHASUKTAM---MEANING!

PURUSHA SUKTAM -- MEANING

Purusha Sukta is a hymn of the Rig Veda, dedicated to the Cosmic Being by the rare insight of the great seer Narayana Rishi. There are a few different versions in the other Vedas also. The sukta glorifies the Lord of the yagna who protects not only human beings but the quadrupeds. Purusha is both immanent in the manifested world and transcends it. Purusha is endowed with thousands of heads and feet. After filling the entire universe, He rose ten inches above the earth. He embodies the past, present and the future and is the cause for immortality since he transcends the inert world. All creation and what is perceived in this world is just one fourth part of God! The other three fourths are in the eternal! sky. While this is beyond the perception of the mundane world, the other one fourth has emerged as the world we see!

The YAGNA--  From this original Purusha, macrocosm ( Brahmanda) came into existence. Along with it  the Cosmic person emerged. He created the earth first and the bodies of  all creatures. Meanwhile the Devas desired to perform a yagna for the welfare of  the world, and not having anything to offer in the sacrificial fire, finally sacrificed God himself! Entire Nature played a distinctive  part in the performance of the yagna.Spring season was the ghee, summer the firewood, and rainy season the naivedya. The sides of the homa kunda were formed by the earth and the other elements, day and night to drive away evil forces. Twigs (samidas) for the sacred fire were the five jnanendriyas, five karmendriyas, five pranas, mind,intellect, chitta, and ahankara or ego! Creator Brahma became the sacrificial animal and the yagna began. Brahma rose as the yagna purusha as the sages,Devas and others chanted Vedic mantras.

THE CREATION: As the yagna purusha, Brahma created curd, ghee, all birds, the deer, wild animals, and cattle. From this sacrifice emerged all the four Veda mantras including the famous Gayatri and others of different chanda (prosody) From the same yagna emerged horses with single layer of teeth and animals with two layers of teeth like cows, buffalos, goats. Before man emerged, they imagined what form should be given to him. They thought about what parts of this Virat Purusha should correspond to the face, shoulders, thighs, and feet of the different classes of human beings. The class of Brahamana formed the face of this Virat Purusha representing thinking and discriminating power. Kshatriyas that save the society from enemies became the strong and powerful shoulders of the Purusha. Vaisyas who increase the wealth of the nation formed the thighs while Sudras formed the feet that aided the movement of the Viratpurusha! From the manas of the great form Chandra (Moon) was born. From his eyes the Sun (Surya), from the face Indra king of God's, and Fire the god of fire, and from his prana or breath Vayu (Wind) were born respectively! From his navel the Sky, from the head the heaven or Swarga, from the feet the Earth, from the ears directions like the East came into existence

REALIZATION:  I have realized and understood the powerful self sacrificing Bhagawan, effulgent like the Sun and far distant from the darkness of ajnana. He has created all the forms in the universe and given them names also actively! The creator Brahma first knew about this Purusha. He told about this knowledge to Indra who realized the Paramatma in all the four directions. One who understands the omnipresence of Paramatma shall be emancipated. There is no other way to achieve immortality! The Devas were selfless in performing the Yagna and followed Dharma. By following the path of Dharma and Thyaga or sacrifice one can reach the higher worlds. This world emerged from the essence of water and earth. Brahma was the offspring of the Paramatma. He is immanent in the creator Brahma. This Omnipresent form of the creator Brahma came out at the beginning of creation. I have realizes this  Paramatma! One who has this realization attains salvation here even in this birth itself!

           Paramatma is very active and in spite of birthlessness, is born in this world in many forms! Great Maharshi or sages

          have recognized His real Nature! That is why persons like Brahma desire to have the position of sages like Marichi

          and others! My pranams to the One who is the Radiance, mentor, and preceded all the Devas! The Devas have

          announced that they will be favourable to those who try to realize the Paramatma in the manner described above! O

          Paramatma! the very form of modesty Hri Devi and the source of all wealth and prosperity Lakshmi Devi are your

          consorts! Day and Night are your two sides! The stars are your holy form! only! Aswini devas are your blooming face!

          Kindly shower your Grace on us and grant all we desire! Grant us the pleasures of the earth and heaven!

VYASA PURNIMA--ITS SIGNIFICANCE

VYASA PURNIMA-- ITS SIGNIFICANCE

The full moon day in the month of Ashada in the Indian calendar is  called Vyasa PURNIMA-- or GURU PURNIMA-- dedicated to the greatest of all the gurus that lived on earth! The word Vyasa means ‘ compiler’.  He codified the four Vedas, composed eighteen Puranas, wrote the great Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavata and the Brahma Sutras to establish Santana Dharma. But for him we would have lost these great writings including the Bhagavad-Gita which forms a part of the Mahabharatha.These compositions are the bedrock of Indian culture and civilization.The Upanishads, Brahmasutra and the Bhagavad-Gita are called the “ prasthana thraya” which form the standard for criticism! No argument can be accepted unless it is accepted  by any one of these great works! This day is considered very important because Vyasa started writing the Brahma Sutras from the Ekadasi of the month and completed with tremendous speed on the full moon day!

Sage Vyasa was the son of Maharshi Parasara and the father of Suka Brahmam. He is also called ‘Badarayana’ and ‘Krishna Dwaipayana’. Sage Vyasa is considered as the avatar of Lord Vishnu.” Vyasaya Vishnu rupaya Vyasa rupaya Vishnave”. “ He is Brahma without four heads, Vishnu with two hands, and Shiva without his third eye” according to a sloka in Sanskrit! Hence sage Vyasa is the most revered GURU for all humanity! On this sacred day let us remember the significance of the term guru and what it stands for. The letter  'gu’ stands for darkness and ‘ ru’ for that which arrests it. So Guru is one who dispels darkness, the darkness of ajnana or ignorance from the mind of his disciple. A form of Lord Shiva -Dakshina Murthy is considered as the greatest among the Divine gurus. Seated underneath the banyan tree, and facing south he taught the greatest of the sages, Sanaka, Sanandana, sanatkumara and Sanatsujatha the very quintessence of Brahmavidya through silence! With his chin mudra he revealed the nature of Parabrahma to these oldest sages! “ Chitram vata tharormule vruddhas shishya gururyuva gurosthumouna vyakhyanam sishyas thu chinna samsaya”.

Today there are too many gurus and there is confusion regarding which guru one should follow! Ancient gurus were compendiums of knowledge and lived a simple unostentatious life educating their disciples. Gurus are also called “ acharyas”. Guru should practise the tenets that he preaches to his students.’ acharati iti acharyaha’ He should set an example to others lest he fails to impact society around him. He should be a realized soul, one who has the real knowledge of the Brahman for how can he impart that knowledge to his students? He must be kind and compassionate to his students because they may be found wanting in many things. The most important quality of the guru should be his aversion for earning money! India has the distinction of having a lineage of illustrious gurus like Yagnavalkya, Viswamitra, and Parasurama who were all realised souls! The  teachings of the Guru not only changed the life of the student but had its effect on society! Some of the great sages were not  only gurus but advisors to great kings and emperors. Sage Vasishta was a mentor for King Dasaratha of the Ramayana! King Janaka,had for his guru the renowned sage Yagnavalkya. Guru is said to be the incarnation of the trinity Brahma,Vishnu,and Maheswara. That is because he creates and inspires his disciple first, helps him to maintain that inspiration and finally destroy his ignorance or ajnana!

The contribution of the three great acharyas Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa in the South can never be underestimated.They were the pillars on which our Sanatana Dharma stood and spread.They resuscitated the sinking dharma from the attack of Buddhism and Jainism and established faith in the Sastras and God! Sankara established the six types of worship for different sections of society and composed several hymns in praise of different Gods. He established the Advaita school of philosophy. Ramanuja publicly taught the Narayana mantra to all people for their salvation and started the Visishtadvaita school of philosophy. Madhwa brought in his own Dwaita school of thought! Each had its own distinctive features. In other words, the teachings of these gurus and a few more, had far reaching influence on the society of the day and the religious practices in vogue. The North too had its famous gurus like Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramakrishna and others. They exercised a profound influence on the society at that time and continue to do the same even now.

We find the influence of Sadgurus like  Shirdi Baba and Sri Satya Sai Baba in the present day society. The latter is considered as the reincarnation of Shirdi Baba and has brought a silent revolution in society. His life has been his message. He radiated pure love all over the world and it's people and they to responded equally. He built schools, colleges, universities, fostered the Vedas and Sanatana Dharma and changed the lives of thousands  for the better! The service organization he started has encompassed the entire world irrespective of caste, creed, community and religion. His Super Speciality Hospital provides free medical aid and role model to all. His university is a pioneer in providing free education! His spiritual discourses have dispelled the of ignorance  of many a man! What more can be granted by a compassionate Sadguru? Let us remember them and lead a contented and peaceful life!

ON OPINIONS

ON OPINIONS

The other day discussion on weather continued at home. The sky was overcast and the sun was hesitating to peep out. I said that there will be rain soon. My brother said that it will not rain. My mother pointed out that the forecast has indicated slight showers. My friend who joined the conversation said that he has no belief in weather forecasts and that it may or may not rain.He said the dark clouds that have gathered are deceptive and the gale can sweep them away! It is said that three things in life are  unpredictable.The birth of a child may precede or follow the date given by the doctor! It may threaten to rain  and you come out with an umbrella but the Sun may come out mischievously mocking at you! Life itself is so uncertain that people die who want to live while those who wish to escape life’s struggle are forced to continue by destiny! Opinions and tastes differ from individual to individual. What I like you may not like. My opinion can be diametrically opposite to that of yours. My preference for sweets may be your dislike for it. “ loko bhinna ruchi” says the Sanskrit saying! Tastes differ from person to person.

What a person feels in the inner recess of his heart is always safe and good. Difficulties arise when you want to neglect your own opinion and choose to follow the opinion and direction of someone. There is an inner voice in everyone and it directs him in the right path “ atma' buddhi sukham chaiva” -own intellect leads to happiness.A man and and his son were walking along with a donkey. After some distance, a passer by questioned the man why he made his young son walk. The man was perturbed and now asked his son to ride on the donkey. As they moved along , another person felt pity for the donkey and the father asked his son to get down and walk. A third person said that both the father and son were stupid! When the donkey was available, why should these two walk and strain themselves? The father was confused and thought that the person was right. Now both the father and son started riding on the donkey! The poor lean and lanky donkey could not bear the weight of the two and collapsed on the way! It is foolish to listen to the views or opinions of everyone we come across! We must have a steady mind and stick to it.

Kaikeyi, one of the wives of king Dasaratha loved Rama more than Kausalya herself! She doted on him and was ecstatic on hearing the news of Rama’s coronation.Manthara her maid, an evil genius, poisoned her mind and suggested that her son Bharata should be crowned and not Rama! Foolish Kaikeyi fell a victim to her wiles and acted according to the dictates of Manthara. She demanded the crowning of Bharata, her son, and an exile for Rama into the forest. it ended not in the crowning of Bharata but king Dasaratha’s sudden death! One has to be wary of the opinions of others!  

Another example is that of Ravana, king of Lanka, who was doomed to destruction by the opinion of his sister Surpanakha. She happened to see Rama, Lakshmana,and Sita in the forest and fell in love with Rama! She was struck with the celestial beauty of Sita. When Rama refused her amorous advances she approached Lakshmana. He too refused her and finally her nose and ear were cut. Humiliated and infuriated at this, she went back to Ravana,and explained what had happened to her. She described to Ravana the extraordinary heavenly beauty of Sita and insisted that he should have her as his wife. She said his life shall not find fulfilment till he brings Sita and marries her.This opinion of Surpanakha turned the tide of Ravana’s life.  Notorious for abductions of heavenly damsels, Ravana abducted Sita and was Killed by Rama subsequently! One has to weigh the opinions of others before acting on them.Ravana acted blindly in spite of his greatness as the devotee of Lord Siva!

Opinions and good advice fall on deaf ears very often depending on the nature of persons! Mandodari, Ravana's wife warned him of dire consequences and counseled him not to acquire the wrath of Rama who was the embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Ravana’s brother Vibhishana advised him sincerely to give up his wicked intention but in vain. But as fate would have it, it remorselessly dragged Ravana to his humiliation, disgrace and death! The influence of the opinions of others is so powerful as to save the person or throw him down to his destruction and death. Man has to judge by his intellect which opinion is good for him and act upon it to be safe and happy!

ON DEVOTION --ITS TRUE NATURE

ON DEVOTION--ITS TRUE NATURE

Many of us call ourselves devotees of God. Do we really understand what devotion is? We visit temples and think we are devotees. We go on pilgrimages and call ourselves devotees. We follow religious rituals and pat ourselves  as devotees!! why do we go to these temples, pilgrimages, and observe religious rituals? It is for the fulfilment of some desire or other. There is none in the world who enters the temple without a particular want or desire. Couples go to temples and pilgrimages praying for children.Patients ardently pray to God for relief from their diseases. Businessman wants improvement in his business and good profit. The Unmarried visit temples praying for a suitable match.Homas and other rituals are performed for the sake of  certain other desires. God's and goddesses are propitiated to appease them and to ward off the evil effects of some malefic planets. In short we are all selfish and to satisfy our  personal desires approach God, visit temples, and go on pilgrimages!

Can all these be called real devotion? “ Devotion has been defined as desireless love for the Lord.” says Bhagawan Sri Satya SaiBaba.It is doubtful if ever man visits temples if he is asked to worship the Lord without any desire! Temples may remain empty and all religious and pilgrim centers deserted! Man is a bundle of desires. In fact nothing moves on in this world without desire. Our life itself may come to a standstill if we have no desire. That is why KAMA or desire is given the first place among the inner enemies (arishadvargas). It is desire the root cause of all suffering, disappointment, defeat, and destruction. When a desire is unfulfilled anger takes over and wreaks havoc in the life of man. Entertaining a desire is not a fault or defect. The fault lies in what you desire. Our wants are silly, transitory, fading and momentary! Caught in the web of Maya and the cycle of samsara, we have forgotten our real nature and aspire for transient pleasures. If only man desires God  really and sincerely all his troubles and impediments will vanish. But this is precisely what man does not do! He knows that God grants everything, but in accepting what all God has given, forgets God conveniently.

Man has forgotten his relationship with God and hence his  fear, anxiety and suffering in society!  You will never fail in life if you have Love for God! A real and true devotee is one who loves God but does not ask for any favour. Pure and unadulterated passion or love is the quality of a true devotee. He does not yearn anything from God. He yearns for God himself. That is enough for him. When God is with you, you have everything that you desire. Hence by desiring God you satisfy all your wants material as well as spiritual! There is a heart to heart and love to love relationship  between a true devotee and God! Nothing else! Pure, unalloyed selfless love for God is the hallmark of true devotion. It is here the ordinary mortal fails whereas the true devotee wins! True devotion consists in obeying the command of the Lord and spreading his message.”There is none greater than a true devotee in this world” declares Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

True devotion is complete surrender to God. It cannot be a part time affair or taken on credit! Love is the seed from which sprouts of devotion spring! Is it possible to exhibit pure love for God? Yes. Many a devotee has immersed himself in true love for God without any selfish expectation. A classical example is the child devotee, Prahlada, in the Bhagavata Purana who doted on Srihari even from his birth. He converted his young friends to bhakthi by singing songs on Sri Hari and defied his mighty father who was the inveterate enemy of Lord Vishnu. God killed his father and showered his Grace on the child. The love of the Gopis for Lord Krishna is another example of pure unselfish love for God! They were ready to desert everything for the sake of the Lord and languished for his presence. In modern days we have Sri Ramakrishna paramahamsa  who pined for the vision of Goddess Kali, his chosen deity, and tried to kill himself since She  did not present herself before him. All the Azhwars and Nayanmars were true devotees who lived, loved and died for God! They are all deified today and are worshipped by humanity!

Thinna was a hunter devoted to the Vayu linga at Sri Kalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh.Seeing the linga neglected,he brought water from the river Swarnamukhi nearby in his mouth and performed abhishekam. He offered swine's flesh to the Lord as naivedya. When the Lord, to test his devotion, made the temple tower crumble, Thinna covered the linga to protect it while others ran away in fright! Lord Siva was not satisfied. The Linga began bleeding from one of the eyes. A shocked Thinna immediately plucked one of his eyes with an arrow and placed it in the place of the bleeding eye! But soon the second eye too started bleeding. Thinna put his leg at the spot of the eye and was about to pluck out his second eye when the Lord appeared and blessed him by restoring his eyes! Thinna 's love was pure and spontaneous. The Lord always accepts whatever is done out of pure love. Thus Thinna became one of the sixty three Nayanmars and is called Kannappa Nayanar.This is true devotion and such devotees are dearer to the Lord more than anybody else

KARMA---NO ESCAPE

KARMA--NO ESCAPE

Every action has an equivalent and opposite reaction said Newton! This statement is  perfectly true in religion as it is in science. For every cause there must be an effect. In religious parlance we call action as karma. It is impossible for man to exist without action or karma. Physically or mentally he is ever active. He is involved in some physical work or mentally worried about some problem or other entangled in the cycle of birth and death. Usually we do some work expecting a result. The result may be either good or bad. But the result has to be there. Now the question is whether you can perform a work but prevent the result yourself. Whether you like it or not there is bound to be the result for any action done by the individual. There cannot be two opinions on this point. Whether we take a laxative or some pill knowingly or unknowingly the effect is surely to be felt. In other words, there is no escape from the result of our actions or karma.

“ avsya manubhoktavyam krutham karma subhaa subham-- The effects of action, good or bad, have to be experienced  definitely say our Sastras.The distinctive features of Hinduism are the belief in rebirth and the theory of karma! Unlike Islam and Christianity that accept unmerited suffering as the will of God, Hinduism explains it as the result of one’s actions in his previous birth.The reason why people are born dumb, deaf, blind, lame and other disabilities is to be found in their actions in their previous birth! God can never be partial to a few and impartial to others. All are his children and his Grace is showered on all like the light of the Sun. He allows the human beings to suffer or enjoy according to their bad and good deeds respectively. Lord Krishna explains the invincibility of karma to Arjuna in His discourse on Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Even as the child is born, karma is in action! Birth In a rich, middle class or poor family and various other factors depend on this factor. This is called PRARABDHA KARMA---karma already yielding results.During his lifetime,man accumulates karma by his actions good or bad. This is similar to a fixed deposit from which you can draw whenever you require. This type is called SANCHITA KARMA-- cumulative deposit.This karma is the basis for man’s future course of life and what happens to him at every stage of life. This is called AGAMI KARMA--that which is to come. Thus man’s existence is inextricably interfused  with his actions in this and his previous births! The accumulated karma is so huge and colossal that it can not be exhausted and experienced in a single birth. Hence man has to take countless births to experience the effects of his actions. After he suffers and enjoys and comes to the end of his experiences, after innumerable births and deaths, he can expect salvation or mukti. Papa and punya--- sinful and good deeds have to be suffered and enjoyed respectively and separately. They can not  be exchanged. After suffering in hell and enjoying in heaven,on account of papa and punya, the jeeva has to descend to earth again! “ kshine punye martya loke visanthi” On no account can one’s sinful deeds be cancelled by his good deeds or punya! One should not be under the delusion that by charitable acts and other good deeds his sins will be cancelled!

“ The consequence of karma can be wiped out only through karma, as a thorn can be removed only by means of another”. Says Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba.Jaya and Vijaya, the guards at the threshold of Vakunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu prevented the great sages Sanaka, Sanandana and others from entering. Angered at this, the sages cursed them to be born as mortals on earth.Taking pity on them, the Lord gave them a choice,either to have seven births as friends of the Lord or three births as inveterate enemies of the Lord. Jaya And Vijaya chose to be the enemies and desired to return to Vakunta as early as possible. Thus their action resulted in their birth as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu in the krutha yuga, Ravana and Kumbhakarna in Treta yuga and Sisupala and Dantavaktra in DwaparaYuga! They tormented the world and even the  heavens. Devas had to rush to Lord Vishnu for relief. Lord Vishnu himself had to take avatar to kill these demons. Hiranyaksha was killed during the Varahavatar,(wild boar) and Hiranyakasipu was killed during that Narasimhavatar (man lion).

To kill Ravana, the Lord came down as Sri Rama in Treta yuga, and was the embodiment of Dharma or righteousness! He established Ramarajya and became the role model for humanity! Again in Dwapara yuga the Lord took avatar as Krishna the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He killed many demons in his childhood including his maternal uncle Kamsa. He killed Sisupala and others and was responsible for the annihilation of the Kauravas who were personification of evil, greediness and arrogance. Thus killed in their three births as enemies of the Lord, Jaya and Vijaya returned to their abode and duty at Vakunta! For a small indiscreet act in stopping the sages they were cursed and had to suffer untold miseries on earth! None can escape the effect of karma.Is it possible to overcome the effects of karma? Yes. It is possible under extraordinary circumstances! One should be a passionate and ardent devotee of God totally surrendering himself to God’s will. Only great bhaktas like the child devotees Dhruva, Prahlada and Markandeya had that Divine Grace that totally destroyed their karma and gave them emancipation!

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Man cannot live without food! But this intake of food is very much neglected and in modern days junk food has come into use! Many are not conscious of the damage it causes. Advertisements mislead the elderly as well as the youngsters as they indulge in eating junk food. Man is the product of food or ‘annam’. How was this annam created? What is its origin? How can we say that man is created out of annam? The sequence of the formation of annam is beautifully described in the  “Anandavalli” of “Taittiriya Upanishad”. According to the Upanishad It was the sky that was first created by the Parabramha! From! the sky Vayu or the wind came into existence. From Vayu Fire emerged. From Fire, Jalam or water, and from Water,Earth  came into existence. From the Earth grew medicinal Herbs and from these medicinal Herbs  ‘annam’ was created.  From this ‘Annam’ ‘purusha’ or man--human being takes his birth!

In other words, man is the embodiment of the essence of anna or anna rasa. His physical body is replete with  anna rasa and built on it. The Upanishad says that this being, full of Anna rasa, is none other than the Parabramha himself! It is not different.The un ity of the jeeva and the Brahman is indicated here. In the mantra “ Anna dwai prajah prajayanthe yah kascha pruthivi sritah” the Upanishad underlines the significance of  annam'. All creatures dependent on earth are born out of food or annam'. They live by it and after death they merge into the same annam' or food. Therefore it is true that annam' has preceded all creatures and is the best. It is said that annam' is the remedy or medicine for the hunger of all creatures. Those who worship or do upasan as Parabramha shall have all food. Annam is being eaten by all creatures and it eats them away too. That is the reason why it is called ‘“Annam!” According to the Upanishad  this is called “annamaya kosa” or the sheath filled with Anna. The other four kosas that make our body are “ pranamaya, manomaya, vignanamaya and anandamaya  kosas or sheaths.

The food we take daily is digested and assimilated in the body by the blood. It undergoes various stages and changes and is responsible for the creation of semen indispensable for procreation. Thus food is the cause for all creation. The buried and cremated bodies in the earth are split by the organisms and mix up with the earth. When rain comes there is germination and crops are grown by farmers. These crops like rice, wheat, ragi, millets and others are used as food by us and this cycle of transformation continues endlessly. Thus man is born of annam' and merges into annam! Though we are eating away tons of food during our lifetime we are not aware that it is food that is the raw material for our physical body. It plays a major part in the shape and structure of our physical frame. In the Bhriguvalli of the same Upanishad, Bhrigui, the son of Varuna wants to know the Brahman and performing tapas realizes that annam is Brahman--” Annam brahmeti vyajanath”. Food should never be abused as it is equal to the Brahman. It should be taken with utmost devotion and respect! This should be done with religious discipline. It is through that prana or life breath the body is supported. Body and Prana or life breath are interdependent..!

“ Food and habits are responsible for qualities in man good or bad.” Says Bhagawan Sri Satya SaiBaba. Food is classified into three types namely “ satwa, rajas, and tamas” depending on the qualities they produce in those who eat. Garlic is said to belong to rajas as it induces anger and short temper! Our Sasthras prescribe certain foods and proscribe certain others. Alcohol is an  example of tamasic food as it makes the person lazy and lose balance of mind. The Bhagavad-Gita too advocates proper selection of food to lead a healthy life. It says that food left over on the day should never be eaten the next day! Today we find people eating the left overs a number of days after storing in the refrigerator! A person had a cook at home and used to take the food prepared by him. After sometime he felt a tendency to steal things and could not understand why he felt such vibrations. Later, on going into the antecedents of the cook, he knew  that the cook was a thief before he took up this job! Therefore, the nature of the person who cooks is transferred to the person who eats that food!

Vegetarian food is mostly satwick and good for health. It doesn't mean that nonvegetarian food is bad. That belongs to rajasic and tamasic variety of food. Eating the flesh of animals and creatures killed already is really nauseating. The Sasthras say “ “mamsam mamsena vardhate”--meat or flesh develops flesh alone!” We find meat eating people robust and strong compared to the vegetarians! Tastes differ and we cannot dictate terms to others regarding their food habits.people have realized the danger and confusion created recently by the government in banning beef eating and selling! It is for the individual to decide. It is enough if people realize the value of food and it's importance in their life and eat wisely in their own interest!

MEDHA  SUKTAM

SUKTAM is an ode or a prayer to a god or goddess requesting his or her grace and bestowing of benefits. The word SUKTAM is split as ‘sustum uktam’ that which is well spoken or said. Thus SUKTAM is a prayer addressed to a god  or goddess that connects us to the supreme power that is Almighty! If DHARMA is considered as a road, suktas are the stones or bricks that pave the way for it! Thus we have a number of suktas like the Purusha,Sri,Bhu,Medha, Durga, Vishnu and other suktas.Medha sukta is from the Yajur Veda and it is also found in the Rig and Atharva Vedas. Medha sukta is a prayer  for Medha or retentive power and concentration addressed to goddess Saraswathi, the presiding deity of all knowledge, wisdom and concentration.In the Sikshavalli of Taittiriya Upanishad the student of the Vedas propitiates the Almighty with the mantra  “yas chandasamrushabho viswarupaha….He praises the Absolute through hymns as ‘ Purushottama’-greatest of Purushas, Viswarupa- the form of the entire universe and the one who has emerged from the pure Veda suktas! “ Let me attain immortality. Let me obtain physical and mental powers. Let my word be sweet and reach its height. Let my ears  hear good teachings always. Oh, Paramatma! you are the sheath of the Absolute I request your Grace so that I can retain and remember these mantras for ever!”

                                                                                               

                                                                                             Medha Suktam

“ Medha Devi jushamana-------

Let the omnipresent goddess Saraswati, the bestower of everything good, including happiness, grace us with Her presence. O Devi, earlier we wasted our precious time in worthless and useless talk. Now, with your benign grace we have become wise and obtained the capacity to discuss lofty truths along with our good children and disciples.

Twaya jushta rushir bhavati devi--------

O Devi! One who has your Grace flowers into a rishi- a sage. He becomes a Brahma Jnani-- one who realizes the Brahman and prosperous in all respects. Oh, goddess Saraswathi, kindly grant us riches and all round  prosperity.

Medham ma Indro dadhathu medham Devi Saraswathi

Let Indra, king of God's and goddess Saraswathi grant me intellect! Let the Aswini Devas bedecked with lotus garlands grant me intellect!

Apsara suchaya medha gandharveshu cha yan manaha

Let me be granted the same intellect innate in the Divine damsels- apsaras and the mind of the Gandharvas! Let that intellect which revealed itself as the Vedic knowledge and spreads like sweet fragrance be granted to me!

Aa mam medha surabhir Viswarupa-.....

Medha-- Intellect grants inner wisdom, spreads like sweet fragrance, can examine and research all things in the universe, glitters like gold and is everlasting! It should be realized by the seekers of Truth! Let Medha-- Devi who brings me up with milk and other riches take me into her fold with her radiant face and bring me safety and renown!

Mayi Medham mayi prajam mayyagnis thejo…..

Let Agni, the god of Fire grant me intellect, progeny, the radiance from the recitation of the Vedas along with the strength of the indriyas! Let Surya, the Sun god grant me intellect, progeny and the power to terrify the minds of my enemies!

WHITHER OUR SOCIETY

WHITHER  OUR SOCIETY?

The brutal murder of Swathi, of Infosis, Chennai, on the platform at Nugambakkam railway station, poses a number of questions! It was a broad daylight murder in the presence of a large number of passengers.  Even as they saw, the person slashed Swathi’s neck, jumped the platform even as the train approached and fled! The precious life of the young woman was snubbed out in three minutes.The people who were witnesses to the bloody murder caught the train that arrived and went to their respective places of work! None dared to approach the murderer or chase and catch him. It appears from the statement of the person who saw the incident that two persons chased the man and one of them threw a stone at him. But the man escaped!

Society has failed to save and protect a precious member! Swetha's father was full of remorse and regret as none of the passengers came to her help. Members of our society are found lacking in civic consciousness and very rarely we come across one or two who volunteer to help the needy at the nick of the moment.  people are afraid that they would be drawn into needless troubles by the police. This tendency has to be given up. We should be compassionate to our own brethren, show our love and sympathy especially during situations like this. Why do people turn cruel, desperate and go to the extent of murdering others? What provokes them to indulge in these heinous crimes? Is humanity so beastly as to demolish whatever it dislikes? The fact is that man, in spite of advancement of civilization, science and technology has not lost his basic animal nature! He is the slave of his passions, emotions and desires! Anger, arrogancce, greed and hatred have made him their slave. Having controlled almost everything in the world, Man has lost control over himself. Morality and ethics are at their lowest ebb and people are not bothered about the consequences of their actions.

Most of these heinous crimes are the outcome of disappointment in love affairs! There is confusion in the mind of the Young man. He confuses love with lust. Love is noble; lust is ignoble. Love is compassionate; lust is cruel and beastly. Love is selfless; lust is selfish. Love is eternal; lust is ephemeral. Love is largeheartedness; lust is narrow minded.  Love is not possessive; lust is possessive. Love is not for physical satisfaction of the Senses; lust is only for the physical satisfaction of  the Senses.The ideal lover wants the well-being of his lady love wherever she is and even when she marries another person. The person infected with lust can never tolerate another possess his fiancee! Thus lust is mistaken for love and it has lost all its meaning and significance! Love involves supreme self sacrifice whereas lust murders and destroys! The incident of Nirbhaya’s gang rape is a classical example of what lust is in all its implications.

Why do these things happen? It is because animal instincts in man have gained the upper hand! Man has become selfish and highly materialistic! He has forgotten the purpose for which he is born-- to realize himself. He has lost his moors and has strayed into dangerous waters. He has totally forgotten the very essence of happy and contented life-- human values    namely truth, righteousness, peace, love and nonviolence that form the bedrock of human existence. The world is tormented by violence everywhere. There is no peace in any part of the world. There is dishonesty, fraud and falsehood all over the world. He is mad, mad, and mad after money and is ready to die for it as if it will give him salvation. It is a pity that modern society is drowned in the mire of materialism

How can this worsening situation be altered? “ Spirituality alone will take man to the sacred path leading to his destiny! Spiritual wisdom is not something received from others. It has to blossom from within. For man to acquire peace he has to activate thyaga (sacrifice) and get rid of the sense of dualism. True spirituality consists in the elimination of all animal instincts in man and manifesting the Divine light within.” remarks Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba!!! He should have fear for sin and love for God.-- “ Papa bhiti Daiva priti”.He should recognize the atmic principle in every creature on earth for God manifests himself in every creature as the atmic principle or Spirit. It is not impossible for man to change but it requires a concerted effort on his part. Only when there is a transformation to this effect, in man, society  stands the chance for redemption !!!