VYASA PURNIMA--ITS SIGNIFICANCE

VYASA PURNIMA-- ITS SIGNIFICANCE

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

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

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

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

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

ON OPINIONS

ON OPINIONS

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

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

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

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

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

ON DEVOTION --ITS TRUE NATURE

ON DEVOTION--ITS TRUE NATURE

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

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

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

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

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

KARMA---NO ESCAPE

KARMA--NO ESCAPE

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

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

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

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

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

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

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

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

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

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

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