RITUALS AND GRACE

Why are the Sastras and Puranas written? Today not much importance is given to them in society. People think that they are all obsolete and out moded! Rationalism and scientific advancement have contributed to the loss of belief and faith in Sastras, Puranas and rituals. In fact all these have been written and propagated for the benefit, protection and well being of humanity. We are aware of the filial bond and affection of the parents for their children. But the love of the Sastras is equal to the combined effect of a thousand parents pouring out their affection on their children! If we follow the mandates of our Sastras, the benefits we enjoy are innumerable. All benefits run after a person who scrupulously follows the path of Sastras! He need not go after them!  He will be warmly welcomed by all irrespective of caste, color or race and community! It is because of this primacy that religious rituals and practices are respected more than Jnana or Knowledge! A person, finishing his bath and rituals early in the morning goes to meet the Jnani. The Jnani gets up at midday after a sound sleep!  What opinion will the person have about the so called Jnani? He would feel that he can get up at 1pm since the Jnani himself had slept till 12pm!! Therefore religious rituals are sine quo non for disciplining one’s life!  It is for this very purpose that Sastras, Puranas and “ acharas” and religious rituals are created!

Many debates are conducted questioning the killing of Vali in the Ramayana. Some argue that Rama was perfectly right while others try to establish that he is wrong! Vali himself says that Rama was wrong in killing him for the sake of support from Sugriva! It has become a fashion in modern days not to think of the good that the Sastras and the rituals recommend. But they jump into the conclusion that when such and such a person had done such a thing why not we too! Valmiki calls: “ Ramo Vigrahavan dharmaha”-- Rama is the embodiment of Dharma or righteousness! He has to set an example to others in following Dharma or righteousness. Though an incarnation of Vishnu, he had to follow all rituals prescribed for human beings.

That is why in Panchavati, he performed all “anushtanams” or religious rituals. Later, in different Yugas, people shouldn’t complain that Rama didn't perform rituals and hence they need not care for rituals! The Lord knows the mentality of modern man and hence set an example for humanity by performing rituals and following the path of Dharma! The Vedas declare the greatest are those who see the sunrise first! The Yadavas who rear the cattle and drive them early in the morning are really the greatest. Women who bring water from the lake for the worship of God early in the morning have the view of the Sun God! The inference is that everyone should see the Sun soon after waking up. Crystal clear and pure water has to be brought for the worship of God! These are more important than yoga! While Krishna was born in Yadava clan, Rama was born in Surya Vamsa itself! God is not only God but has come down as a common man subject to many righteous practices for the edification of man! The Absolute or Paramatma combines within Himself the common and special aspects as in the mantras!

It is said that Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha of Mattapalli appeared before sage Bharadwaja as the father of the Creator Brahma! Like the child of Yasoda he showered His grace on a common man in the forest! An aged tribal man came to Mattapalli with offerings of rice, dal, fruits and vegetables. But by the time he arrived, the archakas had locked the temple and retired to their home. Staying at the mantapa near the temple, he was sad that he can have the darshan of the Lord late on the next day after archanam and abhishek. He addressed the Lord and wondered whether this sinner shall have the darshan and grace of the Lord. He had arrived very late at the temple. Even as he felt dejected and disappointed, the temple priest came and took him into the temple for darshan with all the things he had brought. The archaka opened the door, placed the rice, dal, fruits and vegetables at the lotus feet of the Lord and performed archana and aarti with pleasure! He asked the old man if he is satisfied. The old man said he was extremely satisfied and overwhelmed at the wonderful darshan. He led the man to the mantap, asked him to stay till the morning and left. In his indescribable ecstasy at the darshan at such a late hour, and the extraordinary grace of the Lord he fell asleep. At six in the morning the priest came and questioned why he stayed there.

The old man shuddered with fear. “Go, take your bath and come back” roared the priest. The priest went into the sanctum and was amazed to see the resplendent Lord and the rice and other offerings at the feet of Lord Nrusimha! He was at a loss to know how the rice and other materials came into the sanctum that was locked and closed. Just then he had the vision of the old man whom he dismissed, in the sanctum in front of the Lord! That vision made him tremble from head to foot! He ran out of the temple! The old man, as per the order of the priest was bathing in the river Krishna. The priest fell on the feet of the old man! He said pathetically that he could not get the darshan of the Lord despite touching Him daily and performing worship! But He has given the old man darshan and got what he wanted for Himself through him! It is a wonder that the Lord performed archana for himself and took him unto his lotus feet! The archaka melted away in tears! That is the compassion of the Lord!!

OFFER EVERYTHING TO GOD

It is absolutely necessary for us to be conscious of the existence  of God within us! It is for this that we have to protect our body. We cannot do anything without the help of our body. “Jivam bhadrani pasyati” says the Sanskrit saying. Without life nothing can be achieved. The Upanishad proclaims that the body is the temple of God! He is established in the innermost recess of our heart! “Deham devalayo proktwa Jivo Devas sanatanah”. Since God is the indweller of every creature including the human being, it is of paramount importance that we should keep our body pure and perfect. The temple can be recognized through certain marks or colors outside. It has a gopuram. The body, the temple of God too has its marks that distinguishes  it. These marks are according to the people's culture and tradition. The marks or decorations are not for the mere body but for the God who is seated in the altar of our heart! No wonder that Lord Krishna echoes the same thought in the Bhagavad-Gita that whatever one does should be dedicated to Him! Parasara Bhattar, the commentator of the Sahasranama, on an occasion, was discussing on the topic of Vairagya or detachment. He said that one should be non attached like the lotus leaf in water. One should be totally detached!

The next day, all those who attended the discourse didn't bathe, didn't brush teeth nor did they bear any marks! “Why should we decorate our bodies? What is the use of it? Yesterday we were told that we should develop total detachment” they said. Parasara Bhattar was the chief priest of Sri RanganathaSwamy Temple. Those who attended the discourse on Vairagya came to worship and had a shock of their life! They saw the Bhattar smeared with fragrant sandal paste all over the body! Moreover, he had beautiful flowers in his tuft on his head! He wore garlands also around his neck! They were astounded at the sight of the Bhattar and questioned whether the discourse on Vairagya was not for him but for them! Bhattar asserted that he had not violated what he had told them on detachment.

The others wondered how the fragrant sandal paste all over his body, the flowers in his tuft and garlands around his neck establish his non attachment. Bhattar replied that what he had done for the body is only for Lord Ranganatha and not for selfish reasons! The others were dumbfounded! The Chandogya Upanishad asserts  that God is the essence  of all in the universe! He is also the smell or “Gandha”  in all creatures! How can we stand with our foul smelling and dirty body before such a deity? Bhattar explained that his beautifying himself is similar to erecting a pandal and decorations with flags and festoons for any celebration! It is only for the sake of God one should adorn flowers and garlands. We eat  food as an offering (naivedyam) to the “Antaryami”- the indweller in every body of ours! It is only when we do our acts with the realization that we do them for the Paramatma that they will fructify and yield results! The danger arises when we think that we do everything for ourselves! Offer all your efforts unto the Lord and there will be no mistake.

“Ajayamano bahudha vijayathe”- the One who has no birth has manifested in many forms! He is the indweller in all of us! He is also within every ‘achetana’ nonliving body! The word ‘Vishnu’ means all ‘pervading’, surrounding, enveloping everything in the universe. In the sloka on Sri Vinayaka the word Vishnu is used! “ Suklambara dharam Vishnum…” where the word has nothing to do  with Lord Vishnu as a few may get confused. It means that Lord Vinayaka is all pervading and  wears spotless white clothes!

The essence of our Sastras and philosophy is to  realize the Divine within ourselves! This is  called Self Realization. The very purpose of man is to realize himself! He should know the distinction between the body and the Soul within, the body that is destined to die and the Soul or the Divinity that is indestructible embedded in the body! Caught in the mire of Samsara, man is overpowered by ‘mamakara’ or attachment! Deluded by web of Maya or illusion, he considers right as wrong and wrong as right! Ignorance makes him think that riches, wife and children are permanent and he refuses to detach himself from them as early as possible! There is nothing more difficult than this in the world. This is more easily said than done! Detachment can be cultivated slowly but surely through Satsang and spirituality! Let everyone of us surrender all our actions to God and free ourselves from the consequences thereof!

INGRAINED NATURE

Man is a combination of three important gunas or qualities that are inborn! They are Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas according to which his conduct and character varies.The first, Satwa makes the person soft, gentle, understanding, noble and righteous! The second makes the person angry, irritable, and violent. The third, Tamas, converts the Individual into an indolent, sluggish,and a thick skinned person. Though these gunas are innate in every person they vary in degrees. According to the increase or domination of these qualities, the individual becomes good, bad or evil! As these gunas are firmly embedded in human nature it is extremely difficult to alter them except through rigorous discipline and training! In spite of all attempts to change, the original color and quality of the person reveals itself in many circumstances! It is practically impossible for man to suppress his ingrained nature!

A sage was seated under the shade of a large tree and absorbed in deep meditation and tapas. Suddenly, to his surprise and shock, he heard a shrill sound that totally disturbed his concentration! A mouse, shuddering with fear came and sat at his feet. The Maharshi slowly opened his eyes and looked at the mouse still trembling with fear. What will be the cause for its fear? Extending his gaze to the threshold of the ashram he saw a cat purring and waiting to gobble the tiny mouse. The sage knew the reason for the state of the mouse! He wanted to save the creatures out of compassion. He took some water from his kamandalu, and sprinkled it on the mouse saying,”Change yourself into a cat” Looking at this transformation the sage was immensely happy. A few days later, a cat came and sat at the same feet where the mouse had settled earlier! The sage found a wild dog at the entrance of his ashram terribly barking and ready to pounce upon the cat. Being kind and compassionate to all beings, he took some water and sprinkling it on the cat said “ Change yourself into dog!” The purring cat was changed into  dog by the mantric power of his incantations!

The Maharshi lost his privacy and meditation once again, for, after a few days the dog came for help and protection! The sage wondered what could frighten the dog so severely as to run for life. Then he saw a fierce tiger waiting at the door for its prey! There was no dearth for mercy in the sage! As he did earlier, he sprinkled water on the dog chanting some mantras and transformed it into a fierce tiger! The pity and wonder was that the tiger too returned to the sage with fright after a few days! This was too much! The Sage was in a dilemma as to what has terrorized the fierce tiger. There was nothing at the entrance of the ashram nor on the outside! The Sage turned and looked up! Then he saw five or six eagles soaring high in the sky! The sage beat his own head and felt sorry for his misplaced compassion. How can the tiger be afraid of the kites if it were born a tiger? It would never run to save itself from the eagles in the sky! By nature it should be a mouse! Though it has taken the new shape of a tiger, Its original nature or quality can never change! As a mouse, it is destined to be afraid of the eagles forever despite all transformations! Realizing his misplaced sympathy, he sprinkled water on the tiger and changed it to its original form, a mouse!

These transformations of the mouse into cat, cat into dog, dog into tiger, and again the tiger into mouse had cost him very heavily! He lost all the power and efficacy of his long accumulated penance! His word and the sprinkling of water on others had lost their force! He had to perform tapas once again to get back those rare powers of cursing and granting boons! A few people do not know what they do and why! In the Ramayana, Anjaneya, in search of Sita, spots  Mandodari and mistakes her for Sita! His joy knew no bounds as that was the mission for which he crossed the sea and came to Lanka. He didn't know how to express his unbounded joy! He lifted his tail and hit the earth out of indescribable happiness! It is the nature of monkeys to express their joy by beating their tails on earth. Anjaneya kissed his tail, jumped a little and danced! Not stopping at that, he went on climbing and getting down the pillar several times! Poet Valmiki describes Anjaneya as “Nava Vyakarana panditha.” and “ Rama pada seva dhurandhara.” Can such a great Vanara go up and down the pillar like an ordinary monkey?

When under the influence of extreme ecstasy Anjaneya exhibited his true nature! Therefore it is Impossible to suppress one’s true nature whoever he is! It is a fact that Ravana was a brahmin. He had pleased Lord Siva by his Sama gana! He had tried to lift and shake Kailash, the abode of the Lord! He had imprisoned all the Navagrahas! He had the boons of invincibility and deathlessness! But what happened at last? His lust and the obsession for other’s wife doomed him to death! That is the original nature of rakshasas! Ravana was out and out a great rakshasa!  Surpanakha too, in essence, a  true rakshasa! The moment she saw Sri Rama in the forest, she fell head over heels in love with him! She had to suffer humiliation for that. The nature of all Rakshasas is to aspire for others’ wives! They have insatiable lust that eventually leads them to death and destruction! At one time or other the true nature of the Individual is exposed consciously or inadvertently!

BHAKTHA POTANA

The Bhagavata Purana of Sri Vedavyasa ha been rendered Into beautiful Telugu version by one of the greatest poets, Bhakta Potana. His life is full of miracles and an example of how God’s grace is showered on his ardent devotees! Born to Niyogi Brahmin parents, in Ekasila Nagara, potaraju was younger to his brother Tipparaju. One day, rearing cattle at the nearby hill, Potharaju spotted a yogi by name Chidananda, went and bowed to him with devotion. Pleased at the boy’s devotion, the Yogi gave him a powerful mantra for chanting. Potaraju chanted it with great concentration as a result of which he became a very great scholar and a poet! It did not stop at that. Once during the lunar eclipse, after taking his bath in the Ganga, he went into meditation and chanting. Amazingly, Lord Sri Rama presented himself before Potaraju and bade him  render Sri  Maha Bhagavata into the Telugu language! Waking up as if from a dream, Potaraju went home and informed the miracle to all his people. Potaraju was poor and had to be satisfied with only a meal a day! A farmer by profession, all his produce was spent in feeding guests and devotees! Despite his poverty, he never approached the king or the rich for help! His brother in-law, Srinatha, was a great poet patronized by the king and lived

in great luxury. He wanted Potharaju to live in luxury like him.

To show his prowess, Srinatha ordered his palanquin bearers to leave their hold! The palanquin did not fall down! It progressed forward as usual! Seeing this miracle, potaraju asked his son Mallanna who was tilling the field to release the bulls from the yoke. The plough went on tilling the field without the bulls! Potana told Srinatha that it is better to eke out a living by cultivation in villages rather than living in luxury by selling poetry and literature to kings! When Srinatha wanted Pothana to dedicate Srimad Bhagavata to the king, Pothana did not reply! In the meanwhile Srinatha informed the king that Potana had agreed to dedicate his Bhagavata to him! Potana was extremely sad for his silence. Soon Goddess Saraswati appeared in his vision in tears weeping pathetically! Potana was wonderstruck and pacified her by saying that he will not sell her to the cruel king of Karnataka! Meanwhile, the king, anxious to get the Bhagavata dedicated to him came with his retinue and camped on the outskirts of the town. He sent his man to inform Potana about his arrival. Potana was writing on the Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu and a real boar was keeping guard at potana's home! The person was terrified at this sight and ran back to the king! Others were sent but all returned shaking in fear! The king then went with all his servants and fought with the boar! All his soldiers failed to control the boar and were killed! The king too was wounded! Hearing this noise and confusion, Potana came out and was surprised to see the king in front of him!

The king fell at the feet of Potana and apologized! He begged pardon for trying to get the dedication of the Bhagavata by force! The dead soldiers came back to life after the king prayed to Sri Hari! Potana thanked the Lord for his compassion! Another amazing incident happened while Potana was translating the Astama Skanda of the Bhagavata! It was the story of Gajendra Moksha. He wrote a part of the stanza but couldn't continue. He gave them notebook to his daughter and went out for a small break. In the meanwhile Lord Sri Rama came in the guise of Potana and supplied the missing link! Potana returned and was speechless at the Divine intervention  and the fortune of his daughter in having the darshan of the Lord!

In describing the anxiety of the Lord to save Gajendra from the crocodile, potana had written that the Lord ran in hurruburry without informing Lakshmi or taking up his conch and chakra or Garuda or any of his followers! Srinatha made fun of the Lord hastening to save Gajendra without his Chakra! Potana replied that the Lord needed no implements to save other devotees! His will or Sankalpa is  enough in itself! But Srinatha was not convinced. The next day, Potana hid Srinatha’s son in a room and announced that he had fallen into the well. Srinatha was shell

shocked and immediately ran to the well. Potana stopped him and said how can he save his son without a rope and ladder! OkIf an ordinary father is so anxious to save his son, what more anxiety can be expected of the universal father to save his devotees? Potana taught a lesson to his brother in-law. Srinatha was ashamed of his conduct and remark. Potana then revealed that Srinatha’s son was safe and sound!

The Bhagavata Purana was fully completed and dedicated to the Lord! It is one of the most respected and honored of the Puranas! The rendering inTelugu is very faithful to Vyasa’s original. This is “kadalipaka” the essence of the plantain fruits which is very sweet and cannot be described till it is experienced! There is no other work sweeter and replete with pure devotion than the Andhra Maha Bhagavata in any language!

FLEETING MIND

A person gets up from his bed and places the pillows in their proper place. To his utter horror, he finds four or five small snakes under the pillows!He began trembling and could not control himself. The snakes have been there throughout the night. He too would have slept keeping his hand under the pillow! Did he fear anything at that time? Not at all. It is only when the mind or Manas is associated with the situation that one experiences fear and other emotions. He was normal and fearless since the mind did not take cognizance of the presence of the snakes under the pillow. Anjaneya in his search for Sita happens to see the Asura women asleep at night! He feels guilty of peeping again and again to find Sita during that part of the night. He doubts if he had committed a sin. He questions himself and concludes that no sin was committed! If the mind is involved it is a mistake. So long as the mind is not involved in your action, you are not at fault! He was just searching for Sita and had no other intention. Thus he concluded that he was not at fault!

“ Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoh” declare the Sastras. It is the mind or Manas alone the cause of attachment and detachment or salvation. It depends on the angle of vision with which you see objects and things.You look at your sister with love and affection. But when you see a beautiful girl on the street your feeling is different. It is the mind that is responsible for the 'vikara’-the wrong turn that one takes in his life. When mind is trained to follow the right royal path of Dharma or righteousness there is no danger for man! If he lets it loose there is disaster! There are three vessels one containing tamarind rice, the second full of curd rice and the third filled with sweet rice! It is in front of a person who is troubled in his mind!  He looks mentally deranged! What will he do? He takes some curd rice and smears it on the wall nearby! He gets some sweet rice and smears it on the head of a person next to him! What is the reaction of people? People with him apologize and say that the man's mind is not sound. Despite the presence of everything needed, it is the lack of involvement of  the mind that is the root cause of all troubles of man.

In the Taittiriya Upanishad, Bhrigu, son of Varuna, wants to know the Brahman! Varuna directs him to perform tapas and find the answer himself. After penance, he dismisses Annam and Prana as not equal to Brahman! Next he performs penance again and tells Varuna, his father, that Manas is the Brahman. “Mano Brahmeti vyajanath!” He was again turned back to go and perform tapas! Meditating once again, Bhrigu concluded that Vignana, or Knowledge is  Brahman! The power of discrimination, the rational sense of man, is the difference between man and the beast. “ Vijnanam Brahmeti vyajanath.” we know what is right and what is wrong but we are incapable of choosing the right path and direction! That is the prerogative of the great and exceptional people! Again and again we fall into the lurch and lose ourselves. In spite of our best efforts we land in the same slush!

For this reason the famous Azhwars have thrown all their responsibility on God! They assert that they do not know what is right or wrong.They don't want to pose as if they know everything. It is He who knows what is good or bad for His devotee. Hence they call upon the Almighty to bestow what is good for them! The knowledge of discrimination between the good and bad, the ephemeral and the everlasting, is the speciality of a wise man. Hence Bhrigu thought that Knowledge is Brahman! Varuna bade him again to go to the forest and meditate! Now it dawned upon Bhrigu that Anandam or Bliss is Brahman! Returning, he told Varuna “ Anando Brahmeti Vyajanath.”Brahma Vidya begins with Bliss or Ananada and progresses step by step and finally ends with Ananda! Ananda is indescribable and has no limitations. It is overflowing bliss. It is an inexhaustible spring of beatitude. The more you experience the more it is sweetening! It is something that we can never give up after tasting it for a day or two!

Thus if the mind is made to concentrate on the Brahman surely the aspirant can enjoy this Brahmananda! If the mind or Manas is frittered away in silly material things and mundane activities there is absolutely no chance for Salvation or moksha! The Upanishad declares that our body is the chariot and Atma the charioteer. Buddhi or intellect is the driver of the chariot and manas is the bridle! The five Senses are the horses that draw the chariot! The horses have to be controlled by the reins and the bridle! If the horses or Senses are given freedom they shall surely gallop at great speed and involve the rider in an accident! All our scriptures, Puranas and the Bhagavad-Gita insist on the control of our insatiable senses without which man can never think of moksha or salvation! The downfall of many a sage, Deva and man is the result of the loosening of the mind! We cannot have better illustrations than the great sage Viswamitra, and the celebrated Siva devotee Ravana who allowed their Senses a free run! Let us beware of the overriding influence of powerful Senses on all of us!

"KARMABHUMI"

This land of ours is called 'Karma Bhumi’! What do you mean by that? It is the land of sacrifice or yajna. Our life itself is a series of sacrifices. Without sacrifice it is impossible to exist. It is surprising that from the unicellular organism amoeba to the most complex organism, namely man, life is a series of sacrifices or yajna! The mother sacrifices for the child,the father for his children, the friend for the friend, the individual for the group, the present for the future, the haves for the have nots, the weak for the strong--what is all this if not sacrifice or yajna? But while doing these we do them mechanically without understanding the significance of such sacrifice. We do it out of fear, or greed or for the fulfilment of our desires. Any yajna should be done consciously for spiritual and elevating purposes by man. When life is soaked in sacrifice egoism and arrogance will vanish. The Vedas are the repositories of hymns and mantras for the yajnas. Every single hymn of the Vedas and the rites signifies yajna or Sacrifice. If the stream of yajna dries up, it will be a great loss of spiritual wealth. India “ Is a Vedabhumi, not a vedanabhumi, not the vedanabhumi it is fast becoming. Vedana or suffering can never come if the Vedas are learnt or practiced again.”asserts Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The root of all Dharma or righteousness is the Vedas. “ Vedokilo Dharma mulam.” Any injury to the root will kill the tree beyond revival. If the roots are alive the tree will come back to life. The Vedas and the sastras are the two eyes of India. Blind aping of Western culture has dimmed those eyes. The neglect of the Vedas and the sastras has made India dependent on others  who guided it to their own culture! The Vedas are the property of those who realize their value, those that have an insatiable thirst for them and are ready to practice and enjoy the bliss and peace that it grants. Others have no right to talk of the Vedas and sit in judgement. To say that the Vedas are mere “Contraptions put together by a few Brahmins for their aggrandizement is the height of folly.” Essentially man is a seeker of Ananda or Bliss. Without that he is like a fish out of water. “He is Amrithaswarupa; hence, it is difficult for him to imagine that his body will fall off and he has to die one day. He has bandaged his eyes with egoism and he says the darkness is very congenial; the curious shapes of things he sees darkly, he takes as true.” comments Swami in one of His Divine discourses.

To come out of the illusion in modern life and bondage, one has to follow certain disciplines and Dharma. It is only then man can see the Light and all things in new Light. The antidote for the ‘Bhavaroga’- the disease of samsara, is the Vedic drug and the regimen of restrictions and regulations placed on the Brahmins who follow them. Many at present consider these rules and restrictions as mere superstitions. But that is not true. They are restrictions on conduct and on  the details of daily life. It requires great courage, and faith to follow and practice them.Those who follow  these restrictions and regulations are doing with great sincerity. Modern life has become a path overgrown with thorns and almost unrecognizable with potholes, hollows and brush. This is because of the long neglect of the royal highway laid down by the Vedic seers. Under the influence of modern civilization people have totally gone astray. They have no regard for religion and the mandate of the Vedas and the sastras. As a result many proscribed and unethical acts are being done.The urgent need of the hour is the resuscitation of Dharma and creation of a congenial atmosphere for the propagation of the Vedas?

Religious institutions and mutts like Jagadguru Sri Sankarachaya Mutt of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam are enlisting youngsters and instructing them in the Vedas from their early years.They are provided free boarding and lodging. Various spiritual and charitable institutions are also involved in spreading the knowledge of the Vedas and our scriptures.The response from the youngsters is not enough. Parents have to realize the significance of this spiritual orientation for their kids and support the institutions by sending their children for a study of the Vedas. Sri Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam authorities are doing yeoman service in the propagation of Dharma through various activities like discourses by eminent and scholarly speakers and conducting courses in the Vedas.

The advent of the Sai Avatar has changed the situation dramatically! Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization has changed the fabric of society! Swami has underlined the primacy of the study of the Vedas and the value of practicing Dharma. He has instructed that important sections of the Vedas should be taught to children, adults and even women! Sai Samitis are scrupulously following the mandate of Swami. Sai Organizations all over the world are thus endowed with the  rare opportunity of learning the chanting of the Vedic mantras including the Gayatri Mantra! I had the amazing experience of listening to the wonderful rendering of Sai Bhajans from the devotees from Saudi Arabia! European devotees are excellent in rendering the most difficult chanting of Sri Rudram and Chamakam! They also chant the Purusha Sukta and Mantra Pushpa and other hymns! In the Atirudra Mahayagna conducted in July-Aug, in Tiruvannamalai, about 200 devotees from all over the world participated and chanted Sri Rudram and Chamakam! A number of ladies were among them! Is it not a wonder? Devotees are able to feel peace and loss of stress and strain from their disgusting schedules! There is a kind of dharmic and spiritual Renaissance that is slowly enveloping the society despite the other enervating causes!

GUGGULUKALASA NAYANAR

Sivaratri means the night of Lord Siva. According to lunar calendar every month has a Sivaratri but the one in the waning period of the moon in the month of Magha is called Mahasivarathri! It is an all India festival There are celebrations galore in which devotees lose themselves in worship, meditation and celebration! Why is Mahasivarathri a special occasion? According to legend it is the day when the world, Devas and Asuras were saved by Lord Siva! When the ocean was churned by the Asuras and Devas with Mandhara mountain at the center and Vasuki the king of snakes as the rope, terrible all consuming poison came out first! Devas and Asuras ran helter skelter! None could save the situation! They prayed to Lord Siva who readily collected the poison into a ball and gulped it down! But it was stopped at the throat by Goddess Parvati! Hence Lord Siva is called ‘Nilakanta’ the one with blue throat! This incident is believed to have happened on the Sivaratri day! Another legend speaks about the attempt of Vishnu and Creator Brahma to find out the origin and end of the Linga! Both the Gods move in different directions but fail miserably! Vishnu owns defeat but Brahma lies for which he is cursed! It is because of this curse that Brahma has no separate temple for worship! The Jyotirlinga ( Fire) at Tiruvannamalai is said to be place of this incident!

The Nayanmars were those devotees of Lord Siva who lived, loved, ate and slept with their Lord! Theirs was utter surrender to the Lord! They detached themselves from all family attachments and fixed Him in their hearts! Gnanasambandar, Tirunilakantar, Tirunavukkarasar

and a host others are names to conjure with! They directly conversed with the Lord and many were the miracles that the Lord exhibited in their lives! On the eve of Mahasivarathri let us remember one such great Nayanar who was obsessed with offering fragrance dhoop to the Lord throughout his life! There lived a Brahmin in the village of Thirukkadavoor In the land of the Cholas. His name was Kalasa and soon after he came of age, he started worshipping Lord Siva in the Virattanam temple. He would offer fragrant dhoop daily to the Lord and hence was called  Guggulukalasa Nayanar. He was so much obsessed with this worship and offering to the Lord that he spent all his money on it! Unwilling to stop the worship for want of money, he started selling his property one by one till all of them were sold and the money was utilized for the worship of his dear Lord Siva! His wife and children had to starve for five days when it became unbearable and she called the Nayanar, gave her mangalyam and asked him to get groceries by selling it. On his way to the market, the Nayanar met a merchant carrying a bag of fragrant dhoop! This tempted the Nayanar and he felt that it would be better to buy the fragrant dhoop than get the groceries! He gave away the gold mangalya and bought fragrance dhoop! He went directly to the temple for worship forgetting completely the purpose for which he had come!

Nayanar’s wife and children waited for him but in vain. It was evening and became dark soon. There was no sign of his return. It was now very late In the night. Disgusted, hungry and tired, she fell asleep. She had a dream in which Lord Siva appeared and said that he had granted them prosperity! She woke up and to her pleasant shock and surprise saw her home full of groceries like rice, dal, ghee and jaggery! Very happily she cooked food, fed her children and awaited her husband. Meanwhile Lord Siva directed Nayanar to go home and have his meal as he was hungry! Returning home, Nayanar was wonderstruck to see what has happened. His wife narrated to him of her dream and the miracle. Despite their great prosperity and riches, the couple served the devotees of Lord Siva wholeheartedly when a strange incident occurred!

The king of Tiruppanandal was very much worried of the Sivalingam in the temple which had tilted to a side! He wanted to remove the dilapidated temple and replace the lingam! He employed many brahmins to lift the Siva lingam! But however much they tried to lift the lingam it did not move or budge! Disappointed, the king brought elephants, tied a rope to the lingam and had it dragged by the pachyderm! Still the Sivalingam did not move! The king was dispirited and didn't know what to do! The news spread like wildfire and Nayanar came to know about it. He wanted to see this wonder personally. When he went there he was shocked to see the elephant and the brahmins had swooned and fallen on the ground!

He was in a dilemma! How is it that the Sivalingam is so stubborn? What is the secret about it? How can the elephant fail in lifting the Sivalingam? These thoughts flitted across his mind! Will it be possible for him to try? Yes, he decided to try! He had an upper cloth on his person and nothing else! Can this ordinary piece of clothing do what the brahmins and the elephant failed to do? He immediately tied his upper cloth to the Sivalingam and pulled it with all his might! And lo, behold! With a single pull the Sivalingam dislodged itself from its place and came out of its position! The king and the people were amazed at the ease with which the Nayanar could lift the

Sivalingam. They realized that the Nayanar had removed the Lingam through the rope of his intense bhakti or devotion! The king and the people praised and honored the Nayanar. Later with the help of Nayanar the Sivalingam was consecrated. Nayanar stayed there for some time and left for his home. Later Vagisa Nayanar, and Gnanasambanda Murthy Nayanar visited him! He received them warmly and offered his hospitality. After living righteously for long, Nayanar reached the feet of the Lord!

ON SIDDHA PURUSHAS

For a realized soul there are no differences! To him all are equal, good or bad, big or small, right or wrong. He has attained equanimity and knows the differences are superficial! He does not worry about them. On the ground there is such a vast difference between the grass and the mighty pine tree. Man wonders at the difference between the size of grass and the pine tree. But when he climbs on the mountain and looks down, the grass and the pine tree as well as all other huge trees look insignificantly small and merge into the same background! Similarly for the common man in the world there are differences in rank and position-- one is a king another a cobbler, one is a father and another a son, one is a master and another a servant! The divine vision nullifies all these distinctions of good and bad or of high and low! Sri Ramakrishna gives an interesting incident to establish this fact! The saint was living at Rani Rashmoni Kali temple.

It so happened that a God intoxicated sadhu came to the temple where the saint was living. He did not get any food on that day. Despite that he did not approach any one for food! He was very hungry no doubt. An astonishing thing happened at this time. He saw a dog eating the remnants of the food thrown away in a corner after a feast. His action after seeing the dog was still more amazing! He went near the dog, and embraced it. He called it his brother and wondered how it could eat alone without sharing the food with him! He joined the dog in sharing the food without any Inhibition! After eating the food in the company of the dog, the sage entered the temple. He prayed with such sincerity and devotion that it reverberated through the temple! The sage, after finishing his prayers, prepared to depart.

All the while,Sri Ramakrishna was a silent witness to these happenings! He called his cousin,Hriday and directed him to follow the sage and talk to him. Hriday did as he was bid. The sage knew that he was being followed. After Hriday followed the sage for a distance, the sage could not keep quiet. The sage turned round, looked at Hriday and questioned why he was following him. There was no particular reason for Hriday in following him. Sri Ramakrishna had asked him to follow the sage and talk to him. So Hriday requested the sage to give him some instruction.  He wanted to know from the sage certain valuable lessons for life.

The sage significantly replied that the water of the dirty ditch and the holy Ganges at distance should  appear one in your sight! The sound of the flageolet and the noise of the crowd should not have a distinction in his ear! The sage remarked that only then he would reach the state of  true Knowledge! A realized Soul is one who treats all persons and objects equally! Hriday was astounded at the realization of the Sage! Hriday returned and narrated in detail what transpired between him and the sage. Sri Ramakrishna said that the sage has attained the true state of ecstasy and of knowledge! Such People are called Siddhas. They move about in different disguises, as a child, as an unclean spirit or even as a madman! It is very difficult to understand them for their behavior is quixotic and entirely different from that of the common man.They appear to be mad outwardly but they are mad after God! They have totally disconnected themselves from all external attachments but are perennially attached to God inwardly!

In modern times we have seen rare Siddhas like Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai in Tamilnadu. He was Siddha par excellence! His ashram is in Tiruvannamalai where his samadhi is worshipped even today! His ways, when he lived, were exceptional and different from those of ordinary mortals! He would smear earth all over his body, drink gutter water and roam about the streets of the town! If he were to enter any shop, that would bring a bonanza or a windfall for the shopkeeper! All his ware in the shop would be sold quickly and he would realize very good profit! All the traders anxiously anticipated his entry into their shops! But none knew when and where he would set his foot! Siddhas have wonderful supernatural powers called “ Animadi ashta Siddhis" They are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Isatwa,and Vasitva.”They can float in air, walk on water, appear and vanish at will and have power over others! They get these extraordinary powers by severe  tapas and Sadhana! The danger with these powers is that it tempts them to misuse the power for personal benefits! It is very rarely that we find real yogis and Siddhas who utilize these exceptional powers for the benefit of mankind!

" CHILD ISTHE FATHER OF MAN"

“ Child is the father of man” goes the saying. It is the child that grows into man and the quality and nature of man depends on his bringing up by his parents. Parents have to be very careful  and serious in looking after their wards lest they may stray away from the righteous path. It is alarming to witness the behavior of modern youth given to violence, and other evil ways! Children are the future pillars of society, future leaders and legislators of the nation. If they aren't guided properly the whole society is polluted and gets spoiled. Children are innocent and their love is pure and unselfish. Home is their first school and they learn many things by carefully and silently observing their parents. Hence the parents have to be very careful in their behavior  with the children and between them! Children up to five years are considered divine. Later up to their youth they have to be treated as servants. Later they have to be considered as friends! Mother is the first teacher of the child! Presence of the mother with the child is sine qua non for the well being and future greatness of the child. Her righteous influence goes a long way in moulding the future of the child. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is a familiar quote that establishes the significance of the mother in the development of the child.

For the first five years the child should grow with the mother! How many children have that fortune? Many children don't know what mother’s love is. It is of paramount importance that the child is not handed over to someone else for bringing up. Handing over children to servants and ayahs deprives them not only of mother’s heavenly love but they learn the customs, habits and vocabulary of those people! Next comes the part played by the father and the Guru. Children should imbibe human values from the preceptor as well as their duties to society. Modern school teachers are badly in need of them. “ Children are like fresh cloth; they can be given any color you like. Just dip them in that color, that is enough. Hearts that are green and soft will learn habits and disciplines quicker” remarks Bhagawan Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba.  Children believe everyone and everyone can believe them. Swami says that their hearts are like gramaphone records. They reproduce the correct tune without any distortion If the needle is sharp. What is that needle? The needle is Prema or love sharp and direct!

Children have no fear and they are innocent too. Elders are responsible for planting fear among children. They are also truthful while the elders educate them in lying! Children are plain spoken while the elders are not. Speech of elders may be truthful or scandalous or untruthful. It is therefore one should be simple and straightforward as a child. Children are devoid of any ego. Child devotee, Prahlada is a classical example for the absence of egoism and total unaffected calm. He never felt what affected his physical body! Childhood is the essence of Sath or pure truth and innocence. Without yarn there is no cloth and yarn is an integral part of cloth. If the child grows into man with this quality of Sath and innocence, as the great sage Suka did,  he can attain salvation easily. Children are always open minded and hence they are illuminated. Their smile dispels the darkness and grief at home. Other great illustrations of child devotees who attained mukti  through intense Sadhana are Dhruva and Markandeya!

What is it that man seeks in life? They are joy, encouragement, unison and Love between the master and the servant, husband and the wife, and the father and the son. These are essential between any two. These harmonious qualities have to be inculcated among children even from their early age. That is the richest inheritance that the parents can give their children! That is the effective antidote against the attack of despair, despondency, and discontent! God is the owner of this entire universe. Foolishly we think that the house we live in and the land is ours. We are the tenants and He is the Owner and Master. What is the rent we pay the Owner? We have to please God by engaging ourselves in constructive work. One who  lives only to eat is a cheat! Children should be taught not to receive anything for nothing. They should earn by hard work the things they seek.

Children should develop sporting spirit in playing games. The thrust and urge to win over the opponent causes mistakes. Play according to rules and with you heart and soul to gain victory.They should not be affected by the atmosphere of rivalry or enmity. Animosity, hatred and other qualities have to be eschewed while playing any game. Any competition has to  be healthy and the game has to be played according to proper rules and free from hatred and malice! Children are rough diamonds and invaluable precious stones that have to be polished and rounded up very carefully so that they may shine with coruscating brilliance! They are precious treasures that have to be looked after so that they may turn God

Lolward and serve the country well!!

ON REAL LIVING

Every being created by God lives for a longer or shorter duration on this Earth! They carry on their lives in one way or the other perpetuating their race is an important concern for them. The basic needs of food, clothing, sleep and reproduction are common to all even from the unicellular organisms like the amoeba! In what way is man different from all other creatures inhabiting the earth? Man is at the acme of evolution and cannot be satisfied with mere eating, sleeping and reproducing! A relevant question is being asked by many. “Do we live to eat or eat to live?” We may find a few who may live to eat but mostly people eat to live for without Annam Prana cannot exist. So, for sustenance food is the prime necessity. But is it enough if like animals, birds and other creatures man too exits the earth eating, sleeping,and begetting children? Is there no other purpose for man on earth? Living is not important but the way in which we live adjusting and accommodating ourselves to the trials and tribulations of family life  is far more important! We should not be merely born, grow and die soon and be forgotten!

There is a definite purpose for which God has created Man! But caught in the web of Maya or illusion man has gone astray. He has totally immersed himself in silly material things an attachments that prevent him from soaring high into the spiritual plane. He is a victim of the “Arishadvargas” like desire, anger, and others that have enslaved them and spread their tentacles on them! Religion has not helped him! Instead of uniting, it has divided man from man!

Theism has given place to atheism and agnosticism. One section of religion fights to destroy the other section of the same religion! Brotherly feelings for others have died down permanently and there is no proper understanding between people and the nations. Morals have been totally forgotten and immorality has increased in the present society by leaps and bounds! Yet man thinks that he is happy and carries on his existence as if nothing has happened!  Can this be called a proper living? Values for which he should live and die viz Satya-truth, Dharma- righteousness, Santhi- peace, Prema- love and Ahimsa- non violence have become things of the past!

Proper living is that which leaves footprints on the sands of time! It should guide the future generations to the right path! Man should achieve something noble and good by which he should be remembered forever and become an immortal! Hundreds of our ancients who have served the society and made others’ lives happy and comfortable are still remembered for their invaluable contribution! They have become Immortal! Should not mortal man become Immortal through his actions and thoughts? “ Asatoma sadgamaya, Tamasoma jyotirgamaya, Mrityorma amritam gamaya.”Should he not proceed from untruth to truth, from darkness to light and from  mortality to immortality? Present man and society is steeped in untruth, and darkness and both have to be saved from a catastrophic end! One shudders to think and witness the terrorist acts of senseless violence all over the world! Nations are locked in arguments and threats of war against one another! The common man is the sufferer to the maximum! Materialism and civilization has become more or less a bane rather than a boon to society despite the comforts and conveniences that they have brought!

Man has become obsessed with sex! There is not a single day when a rape or abduction is  not reported! Theft, robbery, kidnapping, murder, forgery, cheating, smuggling are the order of the day! Can we say that our living is ideal? Assess yourself and you will be aghast at the atrocities being committed by man! Yet he says he is happy and civilized! Can such living amidst such a society be called proper living? I doubt it very much. What is then the remedy for this rot that is eating away the vitals of society? The panacea for all the ills of modern society is to develop a sense of Spirituality! A few are afraid of of the term Spirituality. It has nothing to do with withdrawing into areas far from the madding crowd and meditating under the greenwood trees! It means service to society without expectation of any reward! Krishna emphasizes the same in his Bhagavad-Gita, “ Karmanye vadhikarastu ma phaleshu kadachana”-you have authority to act not to expect any reward! At least a tinge of selflessness or sacrifice and a concern for the sufferings of others is absolutely necessary for the modern man. It is badly wanting in him.  Faith in God, company with the wise and the pious, reading the scriptures and being a good Samaritan shall go along way in making him a spiritual person! Above all love for all creatures  is the crown of Spirituality and without it no service can take place!

Thus if we live to serve others in need and difficulties, we are living a worthy life! Otherwise it is worthless! Living, we are dead! “ He lives who lives for others”! There are so many downtrodden and hapless individuals in society who have not even a single meal a day, people without a home, those who cannot afford normal dress who cry for our attention and love! Do we look at them and does our heart go out in infinite love for their well being? That is the test for our good and ideal living! A life of such activity is real living! You should see God in the smile of every man! God manifests in every creature. “Ajayamano bahudha vijayathe”-without a birth He manifests in many!  A Living that identifies the God within with the God in the other can be called a Real Living!