DEVI KAMAKSHI

Navaratri is a period of nine days of the waxing moon celebrated during the month of Aswiyuja as per the lunar calendar. Shakti is worshipped in her various forms like Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati in those days. She is also meditated upon as Sri Rajarajeswari, the concentration of all energies, creation, protection and destruction! She is also Kamakshi, one of the forms of Parvati enshrined in the world famous temple dedicated to her in the temple town Kanchipuram.” Nagareshu Kanchi”. Other important centers of worship of the deity in Tamilnadu are Madurai  where she is established as Meenakshi and Tiruchi where she is Akhilandeswari, the presiding goddess of all the worlds! Sri Kamakshi temple, most probably was built by the Pallava kings with Kanchipuram as their capital.

Sri Kamakshi is seated in a yogic posture in padmasana with all her majesty and grandeur. Her posture signifies peace and prosperity. She has not assumed the traditional standing stance. She has sugarcane bow and arrows in her lower arms and pasa and ankusa( goad) in her upper arms! A parrot is perched near the flower bunch! Unusual for Kanchipuram with hundreds of temples, this is the only Parvati temple we find in the famous town. According to ‘Kamakshi Vilasa’ she had to draw within herself all other Shakthi forms to give boon to Kama the God of desire. Another legend says that her Rajarajeswari form signifies absolute control over the land. She is believed to have offered worship to Siva lingam made out of sand under a mango tree and gained Siva’s hand in marriage! Adi Sankara reestablished Sri Chakra in this Kamakshi temple. The shrine in front of  Kamakshi garbhagriha is of sage Durvasa known as ‘ krodha bhattaraka’. Chief upasakas of Kamakshi Devi are thirty three among whom are Manu, Chandra,Kubera and others. The most important among them are Lopamudra, and Sage Durvasa. It is said that it is Durvasa who established Kamakoti Peeta by consecrating “Bhu prasthara Sri Chakra” in front of Devi! He composed ‘Lalith Sthava ratna’ in sringara rasa. It is said that he was cursed by Saraswati and was born deaf and dumb! Devi Kamakshi’s grace saved him.

Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari is the moola devata of Kamakoti Peetam! There is Gayatri mandapa in the center of the sanctum. The four walls stand for the four Vedas! Twenty-four pillars represent the twenty four syllables of the Gayatri mantra! Sri Vidya Parameswari is the inner core of Gayatri mantra. In the center of Gayatri mandapa Devi Kamakshi is seated on  “Panchabrahmasana” with ‘pasa, ankusa, ikshu kodanda, and puspa bana--flower arrows! In her yogasana, she faces south east. Devas performed tapas in the form of parrots to escape from the torment of Bhandasura. Sri Lalithambika emerged out of Chidagnikunda-- sacrificial fire and destroyed Bhandasura, Chanda, Munda, Mahishasura and his train!

Tapa Kamakshi is to the right off moola devata. Uma,separated from Mahadeva came as Annapurna in Varanasi. On the advice of sage Katyayana she came to Kanchi, worshipped Ekamranatha under the mango tree and married him! Anjana Kamakshi or Arupa Kamakshi is to the left of the moola devata facing north in front of Sowbhagya Ganapati. Swarna Kamakshi  or Bangaru Kamakshi is in the second prakara. She is said to have been created by Sri Vidya Parameswari from her third eye as the Shakthi of Ekamranatha-- Ekambika! This was taken to Thanjavur for safety from Muslim invaders by an ancestor of the famous music Trinity Syama Sastry! The next, Utsava Kamakshi, for processions, is in the second prakara with Saraswati and Lakshmi on either side.There is no  separate shrine for Lord Siva as  Sri Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari is an embodiment of Siva himself! Sri Lalitha Devi was presented to the world by the creator Brahma with the special name Sri Kamakshi! She is the primordial Parasakthi Sri Lalitha as she brings joy to Kameswara, her spouse!

Sri Lalitha Devi is described as ‘Sri Mata’, and ‘Sri Maharajni’ and ‘Sri math Simhanaseswari’  in her Sahasranama stotram! After annihilating the asuras Bhandasura, Mahishasura and others with the aid of her second in command Varahi and Bala, Lalita Devi sits in her court and takes stock of the situation! That happens to be the tenth day or Dasarathri abbreviated as Dasara! That day is the celebration of the victory of Good over Evil. It is the culmination of the

Supreme Grace of the Goddess for peace, plenty and prosperity of the entire human race and other creatures! Let us think about Lalithambika on these days at least and celebrate her Glory and get her blessings!!

EFFECTS OF BHAKTHI

“ I visit the temple daily, I am a devotee of Vishnu” says a person. “I am a follower of Siva says another. The third asserts that he is a devotee of the Goddess! Many say that they are the devotees of different preceptors! It is easy to call one self a devotee of God or Goddess or some Guru! Merely visiting the temples and worshipping Vishnu or Siva does not make one a devotee! There are many who think of their brand new slippers while inside the temple! There are others who engage a friend in conversation inside the temple! There are other women who come to the temple for gossip! The temple becomes the venue for many things for which it is not intended! Devotion is a sacred word which is more abused now a days! You have no right to boast that you are a devotee. It is the deity you worship or the preceptor that should certify that you are his devotee! Is that possible in this Kaliyuga? Certainly not! Devotion, in its ideal nature is pure, undiluted love for God which many of us in the present world do not possess.We have to coat the plain glass of our heart with the proper chemical, bhakti, or devotion to  get the picture of God! Only then the image of the Divinity can be impressed on the heart!

Real bhakti or devotion is like the whole hearted devotion of a chaste wife for her husband! It is a rare thing. Pure bhakti is involved in the absorption of the mind and soul in God! It should create a ‘bhava’ in which he becomes speechless! Devotion to God is inversely proportional to the attachment to the objects of the senses! Maintain intimacy with God by constantly thinking about Him so that he will be compelled to yield to your prayers! What are the effects of bhakthi? The more you love God the more tasteless become the pleasures of the senses! Mere mention of the name of God should move you into tears! Devotion to God is compared to a tiger which swallows up the animals of lust, passion and other inner enemies! The Gopis of Brindavan are a testimony to this strong devotion to Krishna!

Is it absolutely necessary to forsake everything for the sake of God? The bhakta cannot resist the temptation to merge into God! Light has an irresistible attraction to the moth. It flies from darkness and loses itself in the light! In the same way the ant loses its life in the sweet syrup it enjoys! The Divine effulgence that draws the bhakta doesn't burn and cause death! It is like the radiance of a gem, ‘shining yet soft, cool and soothing’. On the other hand ‘it illumines the heart with peace and joy’. Even when the  bhakta doesn't know the right path, his intense devotion to God and a desire to know Him directs and guides him to the right path! What are the other effects of bhakthi? It flowers into Viveka-right discrimination, renunciation, universal love, service, sathsang, truthfulness and other virtues!

What more qualities are needed for God-realization? The above-mentioned qualities eminently qualify him for that rare and coveted position! It is said that the magnetic rock under the sea attracts the ship moving over it and destroys it totally by drawing out all the iron nails, separating all the planks and sinking it! Similarly  the magnet of God annihilates man's selfishness and his sense of individuality! “It plunges the soul into the ocean of God’s Infinite love”

Illustrious saints had achieved this state of realization. It Is not necessary to withdraw into the forest far from the madding crowd and perform penance! Intense contemplation on God at all times, though involved in the cycle of Samsara or family life, is capable of bringing in realization of God! Sant Kabirdas, Sant Tulsidas in the north and the Azhwars and Nayanmars in the south are all classical examples of perfect, pure, and lofty love for God! They thus loved and lived in God and merged into Him at the end! The effects of bhakti are more spiritual than material! They lift man from the mire of samsara and elevate the bhakta almost to the level of God head!!

ON RESIGNATION

Some opine that resignation is a new chapter in their life! “ Resignation is a quality of saintly souls says another writer. According to Henry David Thoreau, “ Resignation is really confirmed desperation.” We learn resignation not by our own suffering but by the sufferings of others says another writer. Different persons define resignation differently according to their experiences. In normal parlance resignation means quitting the job and seeking a better one! Dissatisfaction and failure leads to frustration, dejection, and depression! Man thinks that he is the doer and whatever he does should succeed! After several attempts and disappointments he realizes that there is some other entity presiding over him and his actions and the results!  He mistakes that he is the doer whereas it is God who works through him! After all man is an instrument in the hands of God! That is what the Lord says to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, “ Nimitta matram bhava Savyasachin.” For realizing God the easiest way is to resign  yourself to the will of God! This is called total surrender or Saranagati”.

Even the blade of grass doesn't move without His Will! There is nothing that we can do and therefore have to resign ourselves to His will! It is possible to do so with faith and pure love. Like giving up your job for better prospects, give up everything and throw all your burden on Him who   is the supreme and the protector of all creatures. It is because of His will that the five elements  perform their duties perfectly and regularly! Man in his arrogance thinks he is independent and can do anything at his will and pleasure! He is terribly mistaken! To believe in his mental and physical power is not a wise thing. Your attempt and God’s Will should coincide! Dependence on one’s own caliber and relying on God can be best illustrated through these two ‘ nyayas’.

.The first is called ” markata kisora nyaya”. The young one of the monkey clings itself to the belly of its mother tightly even as it jumps from one tree to the other. It has to safeguard itself! The mother is least concerned about the safety of its own child! If by chance, the young one lets go its hold, the child falls down and dies! It is a precarious condition! One false step leads to death and destruction!That is the analogy of the man who tries to do things depending on his own skill, intelligence and power! The second ‘nyaya’ is “marjara kisora nyaya”  The kitten is helpless and it is the mother cat that looks after it. It is very affectionate towards the young kitten and transfers it from one place to the other catching It gently with it's mouth! Though its  teeth are very sharp , no damage is done to the kitten! Hence the man who throws his entire burden on God is like the kitten protected always by the grace of God! The Jnani belongs to the first type while the devotee or bhaktha belongs to the second type of ‘nyaya’.

On an occasion Radha, One of the greatest devotees of Krishna, had to undergo a test! People wanted to test her chastity and gave her a task impossible for anyone to accomplish! She was asked to carry water in a vessel with a thousand holes but not spilling a single drop! She took up the challenge nonchalantly, thought of her beloved Lord Krishna and carried the vessel without spilling a single drop! People were all astounded and couldn't believe their eyes! They praised her for exceptional chastity never before heard or seen! But Radha  said that she was only an instrument in the hands of God, her Lord Krishna! Is it not the duty of the Lord to come to the rescue of his staunch devotee when in dire need?

What is the comparison for absolute reliance on God? Sri Ramakrishna says that it is “ like that happy state of relaxation felt by a fatigued worker when, reclining on pillow, he smokes at leisure after a day’s hard work. It is the cessation of all anxieties and worries”. He says that man must live like a leaf cast off  after its use! What will happen to the leaf? Battered by the wind it moves here and there! It reaches indoors and sometimes falls in dirty places. Similarly, placed in a position remain there! When God places you in a better place accept it and resign yourself to His Will! Accept whatever is given, pleasure, pain, joy or sorrow as His will and pleasure! Let things take care of themselves! Adamance and ego in doing things will surely end in failure! Leave everything to Him in true devotion and surrender and enjoy how God comes to help you!!

GOD REALIZATION

God realization is something reserved for the select few only! There may be many spiritual leaders, yogis and mendicants but they are all far from realizing God! When Narendra questioned Sri Ramakrishna if he can show God to him, the realized soul said without any hesitation that it is possible for him! Later when Narendra went to him, the Saint touched Narendra and he went into “ Nirvikalpa Samadhi” from which he did not want to come back! That was how Narendra became SwamiVivekananda! How many saints and yogis can demonstrate such incredible power today? It is possible only for those who have realized God within themselves.They have equanimity and to them all are equal! They transcend the three gunas! They treat all equally. They have tremendous control over anger and the other inward enemies! They are inwardly peaceful and enjoy the beatitude of Divine bliss! They see God in every living creature! They are unperturbed by the wrongs done to them and consider everything as the will and act of God! “Ekah paratma bhu deha varti” The eternal Soul is one but manifests in different bodies!

In a monastery in a village lived a number of monks. It was their custom to go begging and collect food for their sustenance. On a particular day, a monk, while on his usual duty of begging saw a strange and sad sight. A zamindar was beating a poor man mercilessly! In spite of the poor man’s requests the landlord didn't desist from beating him! He severely beat him up and the poor man was about to collapse! The monk , on his way happened to see this pitiable sight. Kind-hearted and compassionate as he was, he tried to intervene and stop the zamindar from beating the helpless poor fellow! The landlord was a brute and didn't pay heed to the words of the monk. On the other hand his fury turned on the monk and suddenly he left the poor man and turned on the monk! He vented all his anger on the monk for the fault of interfering in his act.

Blind with rage he belabored the monk so heavily that he fell down unconscious on the ground! Everything happened in moment and a person who witnessed this strange incident ran to the monastery and informed the other monks of what has happened. The monks were shell shocked to hear the news and went immediately to the spot where the monk was lying on the ground. They were petrified to see the monk on the ground in such a condition.They lifted him up and carried him to the monastery and put him in a room. All the while the monk was unconscious and didn't know what was happening to him! Even after he was laid in the room he continued to be in the same condition. All other monks were very much worried about his condition. The tried various ways to bring him to consciousness. Anxiety and sorrow reflected on their faces. A few brothers fanned him and others bathed his face with cold water. They didn't stop at that. They poured milk into his mouth and did everything to revive him!

Slowly but surely the treatment by the brothers had its effect! The monk showed signs of recovery! Gradually he regained his consciousness. He looked around and was surprised to see his fellow monks intently looking at him. He didn't know what had happened to him. They were looking anxious. He had pain all over his body and could not move properly! One of the monks wanted to test if he had fully recovered. He asked the monk if he could recognize his friends. He said loudly, “ Revered Sir, do you recognize him who is feeding you with milk?” The monk had no strength in him to reply. But in feeble voice he responded, “ Brother, he who beat me is now feeding me.” The reply of the monk surprised all the monks surrounded him!

He had no acrimony or hatred for the person who had beaten him blue and black! He did not abuse him or make any remark offending him. He was quite calm and unruffled! His face was the very essence of peace and satisfaction! He has transcended good and evil! He has risen above virtue and vice! Sri Ramakrishna says that one cannot realize this oneness of spirit unless he has reached God consciousness! This Adwaitic feeling is very rare and every spiritual aspirant should try to cultivate it by his intense Sadhana and tapas!

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ON REAL KNOWLEDGE

There are eminent public speakers, erudite scholars, and speakers on religion, spirituality and philosophy who are capable of carrying the audience off their feet! The audience are mad after them and attend their lectures and discourses time and again. A few of these who attend their lectures may even get reformed and quit their evil ways and turn spiritual! They may feel sorry for the manner in which they had led their earlier life. But it is doubtful if the speakers themselves have led pure, ideal and exemplary lives they recommend to others! One who speaks of detachment is totally attached to mundane things! The other who is against hoarding money is himself a rich man and miser! One who advocates love for all in his speeches is a communalist and hates others! One who speaks of a religion doesn't like another religion! In the same way a lover of a particular language hates other languages like Sanskrit and Hindi! In other words there is fanaticism over religion, language and various other things in life! There is a distinct variance between what you speak or preach and how you act! Ego, pride, and arrogance dictate the lives of eminent scholars, speakers and even spiritual teachers! Their personal lives are far removed from what they teach and propagate! They are puffed up with the pride of their knowledge which cannot help them at the end! Sankara had warned already in his Bhajagovindam “viddhi vyadyabhimana grastham lokam soka hatamcha samastam”

There lived a brahmin scholar well versed in the Itihasas and Puranas. He was an authority in the Bhagavata Purana, and wanted to show off his erudition! His ambition was such that he wanted to teach the king of the land. He went to the king and openly offered to teach him the scriptures! The king, for a while, was taken aback by the offer of the brahmin. The king knew immediately the pride and vanity of the brahmin. One who is the master of scriptures wouldn't boast himself especially before the king. All scriptures recommend Self realization and the Bhagavata Purana is no exception to this ideal! The study of the Bhagavata Purana can never drive a person to the king for money and honor!  The king told the brahmin that the he had not read  the Purana properly! He would become his student after he understands the Bhagavata Purana properly! The king sent away the scholarly brahmin to the utter disgrace and disappointment of the scholar!

The brahmin was shocked and angry at the discomfiture at the king’s place. “How dare he underestimate the brahmin and his erudition after a long period of the study of the scriptures?”, he thought. But he once again did a thorough reading of the scripture keeping in mind what the king had said. After satisfying himself that he has prepared well, the brahmin went to the king once again with high expectations! The king listened to him but wasn't satisfied. Still the brahmin fell short of  the King’s assessment! It was a very great humiliation for the brahmin to be sent back by the king for the second time! He didn't know what to do! Is the king playing a game or is there any plan behind the action of the king, he thought. There must be some meaning or message behind the action of the king he felt! The king is not a fool to rebut and send away a scholar casually! The brahmin couldn't believe what had happened to him!

He sat up and went through the Bhagavata Purana once again and several times mainly to spot out the reason for his rejection by the king. Not to be disturbed in his studies, he shut himself in  a room! The more he studied the better he understood the hidden meaning in the words of the scripture! He now realized that wealth and money are as transient and unstable as the bubble in the wave! He understood that life is as short lived as the brilliant flash of lightning ending in total darkness! He clearly saw in his mind the futility of running after money and material, wealth and honor! That was the turning point in the life of the brahmin! He turned his eye on perfection and  worship of God to achieve his ideal! He totally forgot the king in his devotion to God and the attempt for purity and perfection! Days rolled on and a few years went by. While the brahmin scholar was immersed in his deep devotion to God and realizing his Self, the king, engrossed in his regal duties, suddenly remembered the scholar! He wondered why the brahmin had not returned. He wanted to know what had happened to him.  He took pains to visit the brahmin at his home and went there personally. The sight that he saw there amazed him and it was incredible! He perceived the brahmin” now radiant with Divine light and love!” There he saw the brahmin totally transformed into a real spiritual entity capable of educating a multitude of aspirants in true knowledge and non attachment!

The king lost all his ego and pride! He saw before him the epitome of love and radiance, the brahmin, who has achieved Self realization! There was nothing greater than that! That is the  summum bonum’ of life! It is that which he wanted to see in the brahmin when he came twice! The king fell upon his knees and said, “ I see that you have now realized the true meaning of the scriptures. I am ready to be your disciple if you will duly condescend to make me one.” Through this parable, Sri Ramakrishna Illustrates how meaningless and vain are your wealth, scholarship and all other mundane things! The purpose of man on the surface or earth is to know the Self or  spirit that has enshrined itself in his heart! The Self is indestructible “ ajayamano bahudha vijayate”- never born but manifests in many! All education, scholarship, wealth, fame and name are worthless if you do not know who you are! You are the Atma, the Eternal Soul!

ON GURUS

The world has a number of spiritual persons and godmen and teachers! It has become very difficult to decide who is the real or true teacher. Many mutts have been established and the person lives a life of ostentation surrounded by his chelas. Of late there is a spurt in the rise of these godmen whose actions and behavior have come under suspicion! We have seen how those who called themselves godmen like Ram Rahim of Dera establishment, and many others like him have brought disrepute to the very name of spiritual teachers! Innocent but gullible individuals have been taken in and cheated! Immoral and illegal activities have been  carried on by these persons to the detriment of society and the nation! The word Guru, or Teacher, a very sacred name, has been polluted beyond repair! Modern Gurus wield much money power and have contacts with politicians! It is sad to see such teachers who misguided and mislead people. Our ancient Guru like Vasishta, Vamadeva, Viswamitra, had established a wonderful tradition of real spiritual yearning for their disciples! Where is it now? It is KaliYuga and accordingly all morals, values, thought and culture have degenerated!

A teacher is one who is illuminated ‘ by the light of true knowledge.’ One who has tasted snow can say what it is. Similarly one who has realized himself and experienced God and considered himself as His servant, friend and lover is eligible to be a teacher! Most of the teachers of the present do not qualify for the post! A realized man does not talk much. It is ‘ empty vessels that make a loud noise’. Great sages like Narada and Sukadev and others came down out of mercy and love for mankind! According to Sri Ramakrishna there are two types of perfect men or teachers. The first kind attain Truth, become silent, enjoy it all by themselves not bothering about others! The second variety attain Truth but do not find pleasure in keeping it to themselves. They cry out in a trumpet voice to all to share and enjoy the Truth! Sri Ramanujacharya was exactly of this nature. When his guru gave him the mantra and bade him  keep it a secret, Ramanuja could not keep quiet. He stood on the temple tower and gave the mantra to all the crowd so that they could get salvation!

A pure and perfect man attracts the attention of others by his conduct and character! When the  flower is full blown, the bees come of their own accord drawn by the sweet fragrance! Ants too crowd round places where sweets are kept. No one need invite the be or the ant! A teacher who has realized himself shall be a success wherever he goes and teaches. Wherever fire and light exist, moths come and fall into it. Likewise people come seeking the real teacher. A true teacher is a worshipper of God all the time. He is, forever, a seeker of emancipation from birth and death. Otherwise he cannot guide his disciples to liberate themselves from the eternal cycle of birth and death! Mere book learning, reading of the sastras, Vedas and others do not make a goo teacher or preacher! It is the bounden duty of the teacher to guide his disciples in the path of real knowledge for the emancipation of his soul! It is God who inspires the true teacher! The teacher is the mouthpiece of God himself!

“Matru Devo bhava”- mother is the first and foremost teacher followed by the father. The teacher in the school does the function of the parents of children in society. Mere teaching does not constitute a teacher. He should set an example to his disciples. The word ‘acharya’ doesn't denote the ordinary teacher. It is applicable to  the person who actually practices what he teaches! That is how the great Sankara, Ramanuja, and Madhva were called ‘ acharyas! Guru is the destroyer of darkness or ignorance which in Vedantic parlance is called ‘avidya.’  It is through him that illumination or  knowledge arrives. This knowledge is not bookishness but the eternal knowledge of the Soul by realizing which no other mundane scholarship is essential! By creating interest and inspiration for this knowledge the Guru is the Creator Brahma'; As the knowledge thus provided protects the disciple throughout his life, Guru becomes Vishnu; and since sishya’s ignorance is totally obliterated and destroyed, Guru is Maheswara! Guru’s grace is absolutely essential for the student without which he can never prosper! Karna in the Mahabharata fell because of the curse of his own Guru Parasurama whom he cheated by lying that he was a brahmin! On the other hand Guru Dronacharya taught mighty astras to Arjuna that he did not teach his own son Aswathama!

Once a pregnant tigress jumped on a flock of sheep and in doing so gave birth to a cub! The tigress died soon. The young cub grew up in the company of the sheep. Along with the flock it also grazed and bleated like them. Days rolled on and it became a full grown tiger! Another tiger that chanced to attack the flock was shocked to see the sheep tiger in the flock! When it caught the sheep tiger it began to bleat in fear like the sheep! The tiger dragged the sheep tiger to a pond nearby and showed their reflection in the water! It told the sheep tiger that it is a real tiger, not sheep, as they both look alike. It forced a piece of flesh to the sheep tiger’s mouth. Despite this, the sheep tiger didn't eat the flesh and maintained that it is sheep! Soon the taste of flesh ignited its dormant instincts and it believed that it is a ferocious tiger and not the gentle sheep! Both the tigers disappeared into the forest! The attacking tiger is the Guru and the sheep tiger the disciple. It has lost its nature and individuality through association! The other tiger destroyed its ignorance by revealing its true nature and showing its figure in the reflection! Thus Guru’s grace destroys all fear. “The Guru will open your eyes and tell you who you are and what your real life is!”

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

Faith and renunciation work wonders in the life of man! But faith has to be strong and genuine.The Individual has to rely on the Providence entirely to reap the benefit of his faith! It is not an easy thing to cultivate and retain such faith and renunciation. But once we succeed in that venture, results are astounding and miraculous! For the common man it is incredible but for the man with imperturbable faith it is called the Grace of the Supreme Being! Our Puranas and Itihasas are full of incidents where the faithful had attained the Grace of the Lord by their sincere prayer and total surrender! The story of Gajendra in the Bhagavata Purana is a classical example! Caught  in the foot by the crocodile, he fought with it for a number of years. His ego or ahankara did not help him. With faith and total surrender he called for the intervention of the Lord! It was only after the elimination of his ego Lord Vishnu came down and saved Gajendra by killing the crocodile! In modern days people don't believe in miracles but still they do happen in the lives of the sincere and faithful devotees

A father had a son who was terminally ill. All had give up hope of his recovery. Preparations were being made for his funeral when suddenly a sadhu entered the scene! Looking at the man on the death bed, he said that there is a last hope and if that is properly done the son shall surely recover and escape death! The father of the boy was surprised but pleased. He wanted to know how the boy could be saved.The remedy narrated by the Sadhu depressed and disappointed all the people present! The Sadhu said that a skull has to be procured with the venom of a cobra! It should be mixed with a few drops of rain water! Rainwater has to be collected under the constellation of Swati! If that combination of water is given, the dying son shall surely live again! The father was desperate. He wanted his son to live but the remedy suggested appeared a herculean task and impossible! Where will he go for a skull and the venom of a cobra? When will the constellation Swati appear? How can rain pour at his will? But he was not unnerved at these impossibilities!

With supreme faith and sincere prayer he set out for his search for the materials suggested by the Sadhu. Looking into the almanac, he was surprised to know that Swati star would be in the ascendant on the next day. He felt happy and fervently prayed to God to make his search a great success and save the life of his only son! He earnestly began his search in the evening for the skull at a deserted spot. His diligence was rewarded and he saw an empty skull under a tree! The first condition was satisfied. He held the skull in his hand and prayed again for rain so that he could  collect a few drops!  Lo, Behold! There was a sudden shower and he collected a few drops of rain water! Now the second condition was satisfied.The third condition was the most difficult and highly improbable in normal circumstances!

He once again prayed to God to help him procure cobra venom and started looking for the cobra. After a while, he saw, not far from him, a toad lying on the ground! Behind the toad, a cobra was ready to spring on it! Before he knew what had happened, the toad jumped over the skull in his hand followed by the cobra whose venom fell into the skull! Can we believe in such things happen? But it is a fact! The father could not believe his own eyes. Whatever the Sadhu had asked him to procure to save the life of the son has been achieved, not by his personal skill but by the causeless compassion of God moved by the unshakable faith of the father and his pure and sincere prayer! With overwhelming gratitude the father exclaimed that with His Grace impossible things are made possible! He was overjoyed to know that his son’s life could be saved! Remember, this is not a cock and bull story. It is an illustration of how God’s Grace works under the influence of deep faith and sincere prayer!

“ More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” said Tennyson the Victorian poet! It is not just a poetic statement.This can be realized only by those faithful souls who are ever humble and prayerful with all their sincerity and honesty! Miracles do happen in their lives because they have thrown all their burden on God and resigned themselves to His Will! That is what  Jagadguru Lord Krishna declares in his Bhagavad-Gita, “ Sarva Dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham twa sarva papebhyo rakshaishyami masucha” Through this simple parable Sri Ramakrishna establishes the preeminence of faith and sincere prayer that can fetch the Grace of the Supreme Lord! Let us try to be sincere in our prayer which is rather difficult at present!

WORLDLYWISE MAN

We are living in a society which is highly materialistic! The aim of every Individual is to earn money by hook or crook! Man spares no effort to amass property and wealth. He is not bothered about the means in earning money! He doesn't understand that earning money is not the be all and end all of human existence! He is under the illusion that he is happy with his family, children and property! He has mistaken the small pleasures that life affords as real happiness! He has strayed far away from the real purpose for which God has created him! He has become a slave of desire which can never be quenched. He has no idea of what religion is! He has become an atheist and questions the very existence of God! The tragedy is that he considers himself as God! His knowledge is only of material things! He is a cipher in spirituality! The inner enemies have totally enslaved him! It is all because of the environment in which he lives! Our ancient generations in Krutha, Treta, and Dwapara yugas were totally different from us in all respects because of the times in which they lived! We are in KaliYuga noted for all evil qualities that one can imagine!

After all man is social animal! He is also a rational animal! Society and rationalism exert a very  powerful influence on him. That is why his thoughts and actions are according to social trends. His rationalism has led him to question everything religious and spiritual! He does not know what faith is!  Above all he is a victim of his own knowledge and rationalism! He will be a fish out of water in an ambience of religion, faith and spirituality! He cannot exist in that company for long! He will be suffocated and would like to escape from that atmosphere as early as possible!

A group of fisherwomen were on their way home from a distant market. It was very cloudy on the evening and they grew thick and dense by night fall. The women were frightened and didn't know what to do. Even as they they were thinking, a terrific hail storm descended on them and they could go no further! They were compelled to stop their journey home and see if they can stop over some place for the night and continue their journey the next day morning. To their fortune, there was a florist’s cottage nearby and they decided to rest for the night in the cottage. The owner of the cottage was very kind and compassionate and allotted them a room. But the room had a few baskets full of fragrant flowers for supplying to his customers the next day morning.The fisherwomen thanked the owner for his hospitality and tried to settle themselves to sleep. But they could not sleep throughout the night! The room, filled with the fragrance of the sweet smelling flowers, was too much for them to enjoy or appreciate! They were used to the smell of the fish in which they were soaked always! They could not appreciate the sweet smell of the flowers!

How long could keep themselves awake? At last one fisherwoman had the presence of mind to suggest a remedy. “ Let us sprinkle a little water on our empty fish baskets and place them close to us” she told her other companions! She said that would keep the troublesome smell of the sweet flowers from spoiling their sleep! Everyone accepted the wise proposal of their friend and did as they were bid! Soon all of them fell into deep sleep and began to snore! Habits die very hard! Power of environment can never be underestimated!

Sri Ramakrishna thus illustrates the mentality of the common man enveloped in the Maya of materialistic society in which he lives. The fisherwomen, in spite of their stay amidst the fragrant flowers could not sleep! They desired the foul smell of the fish to which they were habituated! It is in such environment they could sleep! Give them the best and the most luxurious ambience and they have no use for it and reject it outrightly! Sri Ramakrishna remarks, “ The worldly soul brought up in and accustomed to materialistic thoughts and surroundings cannot breathe long in an atmosphere of purity and renunciation without feeling restlessness and discomfort!”

BELIEVE IN GOD'S WILL

Implicit faith and belief in the Supreme and throwing all our burden on God with sincerity and seriousness is the hallmark of total surrender to God! But it is easier said than done! It requires great grit and determination. Even among the devotees not many possess this quality! Nothing happens in the world without the will of God! Even the blade of grass doesn't move without His Will! The lives of Ahwars and Nayanmars of the south are replete with miracles and incredible occurrences because of their blind faith and sincerity in the will of God! Bhakta Ramadas suffered torture in the jail for spending the money of the Government for ornaments to his chosen deity Sri Rama! Unable to bear the agony and persecution he prayed to the Lord. Listening to his prayers Rama and Lakshmana, took the form of his servants, appeared in the dream of the Nawab, paid all the dues of Ramadas, secured his release and departed! Surely God will come down to take care of his devotee if he is entirely dependent on His Will!

A pious eaver lived in a  village. He used to go to the market to sell his goods. He was sincere and very honest.He was such an ardent d

evotee hat he repeated the name of Rama at every sentence he uttered! “By the will of Rama the thread costs one rupee; by the will of Rama the labor costs four anna's;  by the will of Rama, the profit is two annas; by the will of Rama the price of the cloth as it stands is one rupee and six annas.” People loved him for his honesty and frankness and paid money immediately and took the cloth home. As a true devotee of the Lord, after supper he would meditate on God for a long time and chant His sacred name! One late night, before retiring to bed, he was sitting alone in the courtyard near the entrance.

It so happened that a gang of robbers passed that way. They saw the weaver lost in meditation and thought that he would be ideal for carrying the booty they plunder!  They soon approached and very easily dragged him away to do the duty of porter. As they planned, they broke into a house and stole many things, bundled them up and placed pile on the weaver’s head! Precisely at that moment the watchman arrived at the scene. Sensing that they might be caught, the robbers ran away leaving the poor weaver with the bundle on his head. Finding none else but the poor weaver with the booty on his head, the watchman confirmed to himself that the weaver was himself the thief. The load on his head had betrayed him! The weaver was under lock up throughout the night for no fault of his! All this time the weaver remained dumb and left everything to the will of God!

The news of the arrest of the innocent weaver spread like wildfire in the entire village. They could not believe what had happened. Something wrong should have happened they thought.They came in large numbers to see the weaver. The weaver would be  presented before the magistrate the next morning! Anger and astonishment reflected in the faces of the villagers. The

protested against the weaver’s arrest. They asserted that the weaver was incapable of committing such a crime. But the magistrate was not impressed. None had seen what had happened during the night! There were no witnesses to confirm what had happened! So he asked the weaver to recount clearly what had happened and how the pile of stolen articles were found on his head!

The weaver, nonchalantly began in his usual manner! “ By the will of Rama I was sitting in the courtyard. By the will of Rama it was very late in the night. By the will of Rama , I was meditating on God and repeating his holy name. By the will of Rama, a band of robbers passed that way. By the will of Rama,  they dragged me away with them. By the will of Rama they broke into a house. By the will of Rama they piled a load on my head. By the will of Rama, I was caught. Then by the will of Rama, I was kept in prison and this morning I am brought before your honour!” The magistrate was dumbfounded at the spirituality and veracity of the simple and honest weaver! His innocence impressed him much. He knew that the weaver would not have committed the crime nor abetted it. He decreed him innocent and released him! The weaver came out with a broad smile and said, “ By the will of Rama, I have been released.”

Sri Ramakrishna describes how the weaver was so casual in all his dealings! He was ever contemplating and repeating the name of Rama which formed the Japa! Every action of his, thus, was a sacred offering to God! He has been, after all,an instrument in the hands of God Rama! If  he is imprisoned, then, Rama is imprisoned! How can Rama allow his true devotee to suffer? Carry on all your actions in the name of God! Then the sting and sin are absent! If you think you are the doer or Kartha You have to face the consequences!

NARADA'S CONCEIT

We think that mortals alone are affected by the six inner enemies otherwise called 'arishadvargas!’ That is not true. Sages, saints and even the Devas are victims of a few enemies embedded in their nature! Pride and arrogance have led to the downfall and ruin of many a celebrated individual! It is surprising to see even great jnanis and evolved souls affected by ego or ahankara and suffer. Sage Narada is recognized as “ Brahma manasa putra”- one born of the Creator  Brahma’s manas! Very often he is spoken of as the creator of trouble and confusion among Devas and mortals. He is always immersed in the thought of God Naryana, and spends his time singing the glory of the Lord in Vaikunta!  But he too, once became the victim of conceit and felt that there was no greater devotee than himself! What such jnanis should not feel has now affected Narada. Omniscient Lord Vishnu wanted to teach him a lesson and bring him back to his normal self. His pride and arrogance has to be purged since they are not the qualities of great sages and saints.

Lord Vishnu summoned Narada and bade him go to a particular place where one of his devotees lived. Narada should become friends with him and spend time with him. Narada wondered how there can be a better and greater  bhaktha than himself. But he had to obey the Lord and went in search of that devotee. He came upon an agriculturist who was the devotee referred to  by the Lord. Narada observed his daily routine. The farmer devotee got up very early in the morning, pronounced the name of Hari ( Vishnu) only once, and left for the field! He tilled the soil throughout the day and returned home by evening. He retired to bed by night after chanting the name of Hari once more! Narada was totally disillusioned! Here he is, thinking and singing the glory of the Lord all the twenty four hours and there is the farmer who just repeats the name of the Lord just twice a day! Yet the Lord calls him a true and great devotee! He doubted the logic of the Lord and felt he should get it clarified! The farmer was fully engaged in worldly duties too!

Narada went back to Vaikunta and expressed his opinion on the farmer devotee. He questioned how the farmer can be called a true devotee. Lord Vishnu smiled and gave him a cup of oil. He asked Narada to go round the city and come back to him. But he should take care to see that not a single drop of it is spilled! Narada felt that it was an easy job to go round the city. But as he started, he knew how difficult it was to carry the cup of oil without spiling a single drop! His concentration was now on the cup of oil! He totally forgot chanting and singing the glory of the name of God! He did not think of the Lord during the entire period of his travel! Finally, after herculean effort, he succeeded in  bringing back the cup of oil without spilling a single drop!

Narada thought that the Lord would be very happy and congratulate him on his successful trip. But he was in for a surprise. “ How many times did you remember me during your walk round the city?” questioned Lord Vishnu. Narada was very frank and said that he did not think of the Lord even once! He pointed out that carrying the cup of oil without spilling a single drop was so exacting and difficult that his entire concentration was fixed on it! Lord Vishnu smiled mischievously and admonished him. This one cup of oil had diverted him and made him forget the Lord! But the rustic farmer, despite his family burdens and agricultural activities  remembered the Lord twice a day! Narada's ego and arrogance was blown away! He realized how the common man is involved in the cycle of Samsara and still finds time to think and worship God! That is really great! Though a jnani himself, he had lost concentration while carrying just a cup of oil! He felt sorry for his conduct and begged pardon

Sri Ramakrishna points out how great and renowned saints and jnanis are subject to spells of ignorance and Maya of the Lord!  But they soon realize their faux pas and correct themselves.The common man on the other hand is unable to do so and hence is led to his doom and destruction! We have to be extremely cautious in this world as situations arise when we become proud, arrogant and conceited! Let us pray that such situations shall not meet us in our lives!

ON HUMILITY

Humility is a quality rarely seen in man. He is always conscious of his merits and qualifications mental and physical. Very often he is puffed up with pride on account of these qualities! He turns arrogant in extreme cases. Humility must be carefully nurtured by every Individual if he wants to be recognized. According to John Ruskin “ the first test of a truly great man is his humility.”  What is humility? CS Lewis defines it as “ not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” There is no point in gloating over yourself and your achievements!  Consider yourself small as many are there much better and greater than yourself. “ Humility is the mother of Giants; one sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.” says GK Chesterton. According to St., Augustine “ It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” The tall tree in its haughtiness is felled by the strong wind while the simple blade of grass bends down it's head and survives!

A man who thought he was humble went to a sadhu and said with great humility that he was a low person and did not know how to save himself. He wanted the Sadhu to guide him so that he can attain salvation. The Sadhu read his mind and also understood how humble he was!  He asked the person to go out, search very well, Identify any object meaner than himself and bring it to him! The man was surprised at the advice of the Sadhu. He thought it was very easy task. He started his search in right earnest but to his disappointment did not find any object meaner

than himself! He surveyed all around him, examined all objects, but in vain! What object can be meaner than myself he thought. But something struck him and he smiled! Atl last  he had identified an object meaner than him!

He saw his own excrement and gloated over his success in identifying it! He thought it was meaner than himself. He remembered what the Sadhu told him. He had to bring that object to the Sadhu! Well, the time has come and he stretched forth his hand to  take it up and carry it to the Sadhu. It was then the man was in for a rude shock! He least expected anything like that. He

heard a voice which forbade him to touch it. Further it called him a sinner! The person was taken aback! What sin has he committed that has disqualified him from touching it? Many such thoughts flitted across his mind!

The excrement had called the man a sinner and described to him how it has been spoiled by him! Originally it was a sweet and delicious cake fit for all spectators and to be shared by the Gods! Its appearance was pleasing! It was it's bad luck that it happened to meet this man. His evil contact was responsible for it's detestable condition at present! From being welcomed for its delicious taste and enchanting appearance, it has become a nauseating experience for all! They run away from the excrement turning away their faces and covering their noses with handkerchiefs! The excrement was very sad that even at this first contact with man it had to endure this fate! It could not imagine what terrible degradation would happen if the man touched it again! The man was astounded at what he heard from the excrement.

The man thus understood what true humility is and became the humblest of the humble! As days passed by he gained the highest perfection!  Sri Ramakrishna points out how man commits many atrocities in Nature! He does not leave any object untouched! What he touches, he spoils, curtails, damages, and transforms for his selfish purposes! He revels in destruction not construction! Nature has been exploited by man to the maximum and there is not a single day when he has not done so! Tapping of water has reached such a dangerous level that in a few more years we may not get water for drinking purposes! It is so iWhn various other fields of activity! When Nature is so generous in granting the ever increasing demands of man, is it not treacherous for man to  destroy it systematically for his selfish desires? Let us ponder over this!

WHAT IS BRAHMAN?

The Vedas and the Upanishads have tried their best to describe the supreme Brahman and failed miserably! They ended by declaring that it is that  where the words fail to describe and even the Manas returns disappointed and crestfallen! “ Yato  vacho nivartante aprapya manasa saha”. No Upanishad has specifically described the Brahman as this or that! Some vakyas of Upanishads are, “ Satyam jnanam anantam Brahma”, “ Om ityekaksharam Brahma”, “ anoraniyan mahato mahiyan”-smallest of the small atom and the greatest of the great! The Soul, which is considered as the chip of the same block Brahman, has no beginning, middle or end- adi madhyanta rahita! It is never born but manifests in different forms in the universe-”ajayamano bahudha vijayathe”. The Upanishad also points out that one who says he knows does not know the Brahman! On the other hand he who says that he doesn't know the Brahman, knows It!

A father had two sons whom he wanted to learn the Vedas and the Upanishads. When they came of age, as brahmacharis, they  were sent to a famous religious preceptor to learn the Vedas and Vedanta. It is not an easy thing to master the Vedas and Vedanta in a few years  The youngsters served their mentor and after a successful completion of the course of their studies returned home. The father was really proud of his children who were away from home for the purpose of gaining the knowledge of the Vedas and the Upanishads. The father, a devout enthusiast of Vedanta asked his boys if they had studied Vedanta. They replied in the affirmative at which the father felt very happy. He presumed that they must have grasped the essence of all the Upanishads by going through Kena, Khata, Isavasya, Taittiriya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka Upanishads and others under their preceptor. He was overjoyed and wanted to know what exactly they have assimilated during the course of their study under their teacher.

He looked at his elder son and said, “ Tell me what is Brahman.” The elder son soon started quoting from the Vedas, the Upanishads and the scriptures! He replied, “ O Father, it is beyond words and thought. It is so and so. I know it all”. In support of his statement he quoted again the Vedantic texts. The father listened to him patiently. “ So you have known Brahman!”, said the father and asked him to Go about his work. Then he called his younger son and asked him the same question. There was no reply from the younger son! The father thought that the son had not heard his question! But it was not so. The son had maintained discreet silence!

The boy continued to remain silent! Not a word emerged from his mouth! The father understood the message of his son. His silence was eloquent!  The father said that the boy was right. Nothing can explain the Absolute and the unconditioned Brahman! The moment one tries to speak of it, he talks of the infinite in terms of the finite, “ the Absolute in terms of the relative, the unconditioned in terms of the conditioned”. The father complemented his younger son and said that his silence was much better than reciting a hundred verses and quoting of a hundred authorities!

Sri Ramakrishna points out how difficult and impossible it is to describe what is Brahman!  It has to be experienced, not described! The experience has made the sages and saints spell bound!   Sri Ramakrishna gives an apt illustration. At a feast, a number of guests arrive. There is a lot of noise as these guests start talking since the meal is not yet served. Soon after the food is served  every member is absorbed in eating and enjoying and there is absolute silence! Sri Ramakrishna points out that the silence is comparable to ‘Brahmananda!’ When  Brahman is realized there is no speech; it results in silence and total indescribable bliss!

ON EGO OR AHANKARA

The Vedas, Upanishads and philosophy proclaim that the Brahman is real and the world or universe is unreal! “ Brahma satyam Jagan mithya”. What is this ‘mithya?’ It is otherwise called as Maya or illusion that represents the real as unreal and the unreal as the real. This Maya or illusion is in the form of ‘ahamkara‘ or egotism in every Individual in the universe. It is like a cloud that hides God

from our sight. The Sun is totally cut off when he is covered up by thick dense clouds! In the picture, Sri Rama is in the front and Lakshmana is behind. In between Sri Rama and Lakshmana is Sita representing Maya! Lakshmana represents Jiva, the Individual soul and Sri Rama is Paramatma! Sita or Maya coming in between prevents the Jiva from having a view of Paramatma! Sri Ramakrihna says that man’s ego itself is Maya. It is like a cloth held before a person that shuts him out of view though he is very near you! “The body is the earthen vessel; wealth and learning, caste and lineage, power and position are like rice, pulses and potatoes. Egoism is the heat. The Jiva is made hot (haughty) by egotism.”

Man becomes free when that “ I “ disappears from the Individual. “ I” and “ mine” constitute ignorance! “ Thou” and “ Thine” is true knowledge. Man has to understand that he is after all an instrument in the hands of God! He should think that all this is His glory! “This home and this family are thine, not mine; I have only the right to serve as thou ordainest.” Generally this feeling of “ I” does not go. It returns again and again despite conscious effort! There may be very few who can get rid of this ahankara through samadhi. When the tree is cut, it sprouts again after a  few days! Sri Ramakrishna describes two types of ego -- ripe and unripe. When you feel that  nothing is yours and everything you do, think, and experience is God’s, it is ripe ego! In unripe ego you say “This is my house, this is my child, this is my wife, this is my body”!

How to control and conquer ego? Consider yourself as the servant of God. Then there is not much to fear from this ego. The ego that you are a servant of God or a good devotee of God or the “ I” of the child does not last long! It is similar to a line drawn with a stick on the surface of water! A true devotee is like a child. Its individuality and separateness is a mere appearance, not a reality!The self of the child is entirely different from the self of man! The ego, destroyed by the fire of Supreme knowledge cannot bind like a burnt rope that retains its form! Though Hanuman was blessed with the vision of God, he retained the ego of a servant of God! The great sages Narada, Sanaka, Sanandana, and Sanatkumara were of the same type!The Upanishad says that one who says he knows, knows not! One who says he knows not, Knows! It is only after a bitter struggle with one’s lower nature and practice of spiritual discipline the state of Samadhi can be attained! It is then that the ego with all its train disappears! Reaching  the state of Samadhi is a real herculean task! Because of the persistent ego we are born again and again in the world!

Man should get rid of the feeling that he is the doer. It is an illusion! You feel that you have done this good work or that bad work. This sense of distinction is called Maya! The whole world revolves around this distinction. The aspirant should take recourse to  ripe ego and Vidya Maya full of Satwa guna! It leads him to the right path! When is man free? “ A man is truly free, even here in this embodied state, if he knows that God is the true agent and he by himself is powerless to do anything! It is easily said than done! Man’s attachment to his family, wife and children is so great that he doesn't think about his long range salvation or mukti. Wealth and money is another illusion that draws him away from detachment That is how “ punarapi jananam punarapi maranam” takes place! Ego is inextricably interfused into his nature to force him to innumerable births and death!  It is given to very rare individuals to realize this plan of nature and fight against the ego embedded in  them!

Hence let us not be egoistic, proud, arrogant and thoughtless to think that we have won or achieved something good or great! It is all a coincidence of your action and the will of God! Not a blade of grass moves without His will! It is through the dazzling radiance of the Supreme being that the Sun, the Moon and stars lightning and Fire shine and carry out their activities! Man proposes but God disposes! In Spite of our best efforts,  we fail many a time! Without any effort, we succeed by God’s grace! “ Viddhi vyadyabhimana grastham lokam soka hatancha samastam” says Adi Sankara referring to the part played by ego in human life!  Ego is the root cause of sorrow in the world!