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This section of the blog presents a message of Bhagawan Baba every week. Mostly, it is the form of a question that is answered by Bhagawan, giving us the correct understanding and interpretation of a concept or a term or a practice. So watch out every Sunday for a special message from Bhagawan Baba that could serve as your driving force throughout the week. Wish you a happy week!!
This section of the blog presents a message of Bhagawan Baba every week. Mostly, it is the form of a question that is answered by Bhagawan, giving us the correct understanding and interpretation of a concept or a term or a practice. So watch out every Sunday for a special message from Bhagawan Baba that could serve as your driving force throughout the week. Wish you a happy week!!
The audio clip of the message has a name that adopts the following code: Title relating to the message, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the English translation of the message. Below the English translation is the audio player.
Ganesha Chaturthi Special
09 September 2013
What is the inner significance of Siddhi and Buddhi
– the consorts of Vinaayaka?
What is
the inner significance of Siddhi and Buddhi – the consorts of Vinaayaka-2.24-1994
September 09
Vinaayaka is the one with the power and capability of supreme intelligence. Humans derive happiness and joy because of the combination of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (fulfilment or achievement). Therefore, in the worldly stories (Puranas), Siddhi and Buddhi are referred to as the consorts of Vinaayaka. Since, He is the master (adhipati) of intellect and wisdom, He is referred to as their husband (pati). Thus being the master of Siddhi and Buddhi, Vinaayaka is called the leader or the adhipati of these. Humans derive happiness and bliss because of the combination of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (fulfilment or achievement). That is why; happiness and bliss are also referred to as the children of Vinaayaka.
Such
metaphors and analogies give some satisfaction to the people in the worldly and
physical sense. (Truly speaking) how can Vinaayaka, who has no desires or any
mental feelings, have any wives or children? Pati does not necessarily mean husband; it means adhipati (master). He is called the
husband of intellect and wisdom as He is the master of these two.
09 September 1994
What is
the inner significance of Siddhi and Buddhi – the consorts of Vinaayaka-2.55-2001
August 22
Vinaayaka is the one with a pure heart. Siddhi (fulfilment or achievement) and Buddhi (intellect) are His two eyes. The two eyes of Siddhi and Buddhi are regarded as His two consorts. Thus Vinaayaka is the Nayaka or the leader of Siddhi and Buddhi. To have Siddhi (fulfilment), one must have Buddhi (intellect). To have Buddhi (intellect), we must develop the feeling of gratitude in us. For the one without any gratitude, the intellect will be destroyed. Once the intellect is destroyed, how can you have any fulfilment or achievement? Sarva Siddhi Sampradaaya Namah – Vinaayaka is the one who bestows on you all the achievements (success). We need to make an effort to recognize this principle of Lord Vinaayaka.
22 August 2001
What is the inner significance of the elephant head of Ganesha?
What is
the inner significance of the elephant head of Ganesha-2.43-1994 September 09
Vinaayaka has supreme intelligence. In the morning when I came to the Hostel, Sai Gita (the elephant) came towards Me trumpeting with delight! She does not trumpet at any other car. My car came and behind My car, there were another 80 cars. The moment My car came and she heard the sound of My car, she came trumpeting loudly to the road. See, how clever she is. She has so much wisdom and intelligence. That is why any individual who is very intelligent is generally referred to as the one having the intelligence of an elephant (gaja telivi – elephant intelligence). The elephant has such supreme intelligence. Therefore, the reason behind placing an elephant head for Vighneshwara, is to declare to the people through this symbol, that He is the one of great intelligence. Otherwise, why else would they create Him with human hands and legs and with the head alone as an elephant head? They gave maximum importance to His intelligence (medha shakti – power of intelligence).
Apart from
the above, it is necessary that we must first listen to anything that is said. In
Vedanta, the three most important aspects are Sravanam (listening), Mananam
(contemplating) and Nidhidhyaasanam
(assimilating). Only when you hear first and contemplate subsequently, you can
put something into practice. Without listening and without contemplating, how
can you put anything into practice? Therefore, Sravanam – the ears of the elephant are very large, which means
that it hears properly to everything. Whether criticism (dushanam) or praise (bhushanam),
it listens to both. But what does it do with praise (bhushanam)? It nicely takes it inside. And what does it do with
criticism (dushanam)? It hits it
again and again (with its large ears) and throws it out. Thus it accepts good
things into it and throws away bad things outside. This is the inner
significance of the elephant head.
09 September 1994
What is the inner significance of the elephant head of Ganesha-2.55-2001 August 22
Vighneshwara is created with the head of an elephant and the vehicle of a mouse to declare to the world the ideal and the truth that Divinity is not limited to the human form only. Divinity exists even in insects and in all beings. The elephant is supremely intelligent. It is full of loyalty. It will never forget its master, even if it loses its life. Without forgetting the master, so long as it is alive, with the principle of Divinity in it, it nurtures a sense of gratitude. The elephant stands for the quality of gratitude. Gratitude is a very sacred quality. Kshama (forbearance) is truth, kshama is dharma, kshama is vedam, kshama is non-violence, kshama is indeed everything. The elephant is the very embodiment of kshama (forbearance). The elephant would be ready to even give up its life, but it will never tolerate any pain to its master.
The elephant shows the ideal path to humanity. In a forest that has no paths or roads, once an elephant walks through, a pathway is automatically created for the people. Therefore, in this forest of life, for the people who cannot see the pathway, the elephant (Ganesha) preaches and shows the path. The one donning the head with such intelligence is Vinaayaka. Therefore Vinaayaka means the one with intelligence, who shows the ideal path to mankind.
22 August 2001
What is the inner significance of the Mushika (mouse) being the Vaahana (chariot) of Lord Ganesha?
What is
the inner significance of the Mushika
(mouse) being the Vaahana (chariot)
of Lord Ganesha-2.02-1995 August 29
What is this elephant head and a mouse vehicle for Ganesha? The mouse is called a Mushika. The Mushika is a symbol for the night. Night stands for darkness. Therefore, the mouse symbolizes darkness (darkness of ignorance). Since, Ganesha has trampled the darkness beneath Him (kept it under check), He is referred to as the one having a mouse as a vehicle. Vinaayaka is the master who dispels the darkness and bestows light on the world.
Mushika is
also a symbol of Vaasanaas
(tendencies). The mouse keeps travelling to places based on vaasana (smell). Therefore, Vinaayaka is
the one who has total control over desires, tendencies and ignorance.
The mouse is
the chariot of Vinaayaka. What is the meaning of a chariot? Chariot is the one
which is below the rider. The one boarded on it is the master. Therefore,
Vinaayaka is the master who has control over the tendencies, desires and
ignorance.
29 August 1995
What is the meaning of the title Vinaayaka?
What is
the meaning of the title Vinaayaka-1.38-1994 September 09
He is also known as Vinaayaka. Vinato Naayaka Iti Vinaayaka – The one without any master (leader) is Vinaayaka. Vinaayaka has no leader. He is all independent (absolutely free). Everybody (in this world) has some leader (master), everybody has some authority above them, but Vinaayaka has no master. The one with the mind alone has a master. But, where is the (need for a) master for the one without a mind? Thus, Vinaayaka is the principle that transcends the state of amanaska (mindlessness). Without understanding this true principle of Vinaayaka, we merely regard Him as the physical and visible form having the trunk of an elephant, with four hands and with ears like fans. Vinaayaka is the master for the entire world, the universe, and all the beings.
09 September 1994
What is the meaning of the name Ganaadipati and Ganapati?
What is
the meaning of the name Ganaadipati & Ganapati-2.22-1995 August 29
Vedas describe Ganesha as Ganaadipa. Who are these Ganas?
(Gana indicates the republic, the assembly.
Alternatively, Gana may also be taken as the attendants or the warriors of Lord
Shiva. For further details:
Are these
angelic Ganas or demonic Ganas? They refer to the angelic Ganas. Where do these Ganas exist? Are they roaming around in
the outer world or are they part of the inner world of the human body? Being
the master of all the Ganas (angels),
He is called Ganaadipa.
Gana actually means the five senses. The
principle of the five Karmendriyaas (instruments
of action - conative) and the five Jnaanendriyaas
(instruments of perception - cognitive) take the form of the Ganas. The master of all these ten
senses is the mind. Mind being the master of the ten senses (Indriyas) is given the tile of Indra. Further,
the Buddhi (intellect) is the master of the mind. Therefore, Ganesha is called Gana (senses)-dhi (intellect)-pati (master).
Next, what
is the meaning of the word Ganapati? “Ga”
means Buddhi (intellect). “Na” means Vijnaana (wisdom). As He is the master (Pati) of the intellect (Ga)
and wisdom (Na), He is called
Ganapati. Buddhi (intellect) is the
master of the mind. Mind is the master of the senses. And as He is the head of
all the Ganas (senses), He is called
Ganapati.
29 August 1995
What is the message that the family of Lord Shiva conveys?
What is
the important message that the family of Lord Shiva conveys to us-1993
September 19
This is a family of four members: Iswara, Parvati, Vighneshwara and Subramanyam. They symbolize Paramatma (Divinity), Prakruti (Nature), Buddhi (Intellect) and Siddhi (Fulfillment) respectively. These four stay together in unity. If we enquire about this from a worldly point of view, the chariot of Iswara is the bull and the chariot of Pravati is the lion. The bull and the lion are great enemies. (Swami sings the Telugu song – Tandava Kelisalpene Parameswarudu Sri Sambasivudu…). Lord Shiva has the Ganga on His head and fire (in the form of the third eye) in His face (forehead). Fire and water are opposites. However, they remain there without assuming or manifesting any opposition. Given all this, the family dances the Tandava dance.
Swami
continues singing the Telugu song…. Tandava
Kelisalpene…
The Iswara
principle brings about equality (unity) among all the opposites. The head of
Vighneswara is an elephant’s head. His mother’s chariot is the lion. The
elephant cannot survive if the lion appears even in its dream. Though being
opposites, they live so intimately. The chariot of Subramanyam is a peacock.
The ornaments of Iswara are serpents. These two are totally against each other.
But all of them live together in unity. All this is a symbol to set an ideal to
the world. Divinity thus demonstrates an ideal life to the entire world.
Vighneswara has a serpent as a waist band. The chariot of Subramanyam is a
peacock. Watching a peacock, the serpent just runs away. However such opposite
or contradictory relationships experience unity in Iswara’s family. The family
of Iswara demonstrates the symbol of unity to the world.
19 September 1993
09 September to 15 September 2013
Why does Swami often address us as Bangaaroo (Gold)?
Why
does Swami often address us as Bangaaroo
(Gold)-2.03-2000 July 16
 |
| Bangaaroo |
Enquire a
little into the nature of gold. (For example), if a customer takes a small
amount of gold, he is asked to pay Rs.500. However, if some copper is mixed
with the gold, the value comes down to Rs.300. Further, if some brass is mixed
into it, the price further comes down to Rs.200. What is the reason for the
price to come down? Mixing (adulteration) is the cause for the price to come
down. Why should you mix this copper and brass with pure gold? Because of
mixing with these, the value of gold goes down.
(Similarly)
when we are born, we are pure and highly valuable. However, as we grow, the
copper of desires get mixed into us. The brass of ego also gets mixed into us.
Consequently, our value goes down. What is the reason for our value to go down?
The reason is the mixing of valueless materials with that which has high value.
Therefore, we should not allow cheap materials (desires and ego) to get into
us.
16 July 2000
Teachers Day Special
O5 September 2013
Who is a true teacher (Acharya)?
Who is
a true teacher-Acharya-3.29-2001
November 21
.jpg) |
The Universal Teacher |
The teacher
is an Acharya. What is the meaning of
an Acharya? Acharya is not merely a teacher. Acharya is the one who practices and then teaches. Therefore, the
name Acharya is given because the
teacher is supposed to practice and then teach. First follow and then teach the
children. Children may have some bad habits. The teachers must first of all
control these bad habits themselves and then train the children accordingly. If
the teacher himself sits in the college and keeps smoking, the children too would
come smoking to the school, the next day. The teacher may shout at the student,
“Aye, why are you smoking?” The student would reply, “Sir, you too are smoking”.
What reply can the teacher give to this question? No reply. He can only apply,
but no reply.
Therefore,
if you want to teach the student, then you must not practice this bad habit in
front of the student. If you practice any bad thing, the students too will
start following you. Whatever you think is good and you want to teach to the
students, you must practice first. Do good and teach good. This is the correct
way of teaching and the right characteristic of education. With this, the goodness
in the students will manifest itself. Such a student will come to the teacher
and will confess on his own, “Sir, I have committed so many mistakes
unknowingly. I have done this, I have done that….” Saying so, from that day
onwards the student will turn into a good person.
I know this
very well as I punish the student in many ways. I shout at them, I advise them,
I love them, I give them everything; but at times, I am very stern. At such
times, the children come on their own to Me and say, “Swami, I have committed a
mistake. Please forgive me. I have not been able to follow what You have said.
Now I am able to recognize the truth in what You said. Henceforth, I will not
commit such mistakes.” Swami melts at this and responds, “Son, be good hereafter.
Ensure that you do not change again. Whatever I do is for your own good.” Teachers
also should teach their students like this.
21 November 2001
O2 September to 08 September 2013
What is the real purpose of human birth?
What is
the real purpose of human birth-1.12-1999 November 18
18 November 1999
28 August 2013 – Krishnaashtami Special
What is the significance of the Gopikas churning
the curd to get butter?
What is
the inner significance of the Gopikas churning the curd to get butter-3.25-1994
August 28
Yashoda said, “Krishna, you do not eat what I am offering to you. You go to the houses of the cowherds and collect fistfuls of butter from their pots and eat it. The matter has come to the knowledge of all on the streets. What is this madness? Is there no butter in our house? Why should you not eat when I offer to you? Why does the butter from other houses appear so tasty for you? Because you steal that butter, the whole village is full of noisy complaints. Your full mouth has the smell of butter. The entire village is protesting with so many complaints. You are such a small child. Why are making so much mischief in this Gokulam? You should not do this.”
Krishna
replied, “Mother, I am not taking the butter. I am taking away their hearts.
The heart is pure. Mother, do you know how their hearts are? Nirgunam (attributeless), Niranjanam (blemishless), Sanaatanam (eternal), Niketanam (ever immersed in oneself), Nitya (permanent), Shuddha (ever pure), Buddha
(ever illumined), Mukta (totally
free), Niramala (immaculate) Swaroopinam (embodying all these). Such
butter (heart) is not available in our home.
You ask me
as to why I find the butter of their houses so tasty. In the early hours of the
morning, the Gopikas insert the churning rod into the curd inside the pot. They
wind the rope around the rod, and as they churn the curd taking the name of
Krishna, their bangles (hit against each other and) give the right taalam (music beat) to the chanting of
the name of Krishna. The swirling of the rope around the churning rod is like
the shruthi (musical note). With this
shruthi (musical note) and taala (beat), they churn the curd. After
the churning, the one which floats on the top is the butter.
Therefore,
mother, the hearts of the Gopikas are like the pots. They immerse the churning
rod of the buddhi (intellect) into
their heart; tie the rope of love around it; and churn with the chanting of the
name of the Lord; The nectar that emerges from their heart is the very essence
of all the Vedas and that is the real butter. This butter is the nectar that
emerges from the churning of all the shastras
(scriptures). Does this happen in our house? Do you chant the name of Krishna?
You get the curd churned by somebody else in the morning. The butter of the
Gopikas is so very tasty.”
28 August 1994
What is the inner significance of Krishna stealing
the Butter?
What is
the inner significance of Krishna stealing the Butter-6.00-2002 May 29
 |
| Krishna is the stealer of hearts!! |
Wherever Krishna went, people thought that He had committed theft. “Theft” is a very bad word (bad accusation). If he were to be a thief, why would he leave traces of butter smeared all over his face? No, no, no. Yashoda herself had this doubt, and asked, “O Krishna! Your entire mouth smells of butter, the whole village is agog, and there are complaints galore. You are so small. Can you be the cause of such trouble? What is this mischief? Is there no butter in our house? Will I not give you if you ask? Why should you take butter going to all their houses?”
Krishna
replied, “Mother! It is not that we do not have butter in our house. Butter
represents the (spiritual) heart. The butter inside the hearts of those people
is very sacred. The butter (hearts) in our home acts as it wishes. The butter outside
is very pure and not just that; it has sacred aroma.”
Mother
Yashoda pleaded, “Son, please do not go out anywhere. How much ever butter you
want, it is available at home and I will give you.”
Krishna
replied, “That would not be necessary. I find the butter from all these houses
very special! And I am not stealing. I
am taking it away right in their very presence.”
That is why
devotees sing “Bada Chitta Chora, Brindaavana
Sanchaara”. They call Krishna as Chitta
Chora (the thief of hearts). When called so, Krishna used to feel very
happy. Actually if you call someone a thief he would get into a fight with you
and question you, “What, am I a thief?” But with Krishna it is not like that.
He has to be called out loudly, full throated - Bada Chitta Chora, Brindaavana Sanchaara. You are a thief. People
sing like this with appropriate beat and feel so happy. When we refer to God as
thief, it means He is Chitta Chora (stealer
of hearts). He shines forth in the hearts of all. The Chitta or awareness within the heart is symbolic of the butter. Krishna
is the one who steals such hearts.
29 May 2002
What is the meaning of the word Krishna?
What is
the meaning of the word Krishna-5.09-1990 August 14
We must understand properly the meaning of the term Krishna. The word has three meanings. One is “Krishyathi Iti Krishnah” (The one who cultivates is Krishna). Krishi means cultivation. What is it that has to be cultivated? Krishna cultivates the Hridayakshetra (field of the heart). He removes the unwanted weeds of bad qualities, waters it with the water of love and softens it, ploughs it with the use of sadhana and sows the seeds of devotion to God. This is how Krishna cultivates the field of our hearts. This is “Krishyathi Iti Krishnah”.
The second
meaning of the word is “Karshathi Iti Krishnah”
(The one who attracts is Krishna). Karsha
means the one who attracts. Krishna attracts you with His eyes, His speech, His
actions and His flute. He attracts you with every aspect of His. By His (soothing)
words, He cools down the hearts filled with anger and makes them cheerful. Once
when Krishna was a small child, He went to the house of a Gopika, climbed up a
pillar and took the curd that was kept in a pot suspended from the ceiling. The
Gopika approached him with all anger. She caught hold of the pillar and said, “Let
me see how you will get down now. I will take you to your mother Yashoda right
now. She always claims that her son never commits any mistakes. Now I will expose
you to her red handed”.
Looking at
the Gopika coming with all anger, mother Yashoda (went with her and) questioned
Krishna, “Krishna, what are you doing?” Krishna replied (most innocently), “The
calf in our house is missing. I was seeing whether it has come here by any
chance. The Gopika could not contain her laughter at this answer. Can a calf
ever be found in a pot tied within a basket? Thinking so, she laughed loudly
and covered her face with her hands. The moment she let go, Krishna jumped down
and ran away. Thus in every act of His, there is attraction - “Karshathi Iti Krishnah”.
A third
meaning of the word Krishna is “Kushyathi
Iti Krishnah” (one who is always blissful). Kush means happiness, the one who is always blissful and joyful. Krishna
is always in a state of overwhelming bliss. It was because He embodied the
principle with these sacred qualities, that sage Garga named Him Krishna. The
ordinary meaning of the word Krishna is “one who is dark”. We generally think
only of this meaning and forget the deeper and inner meanings of the Lord's
name. The funny part was that He preached the Truth to the world, manifested and
declared the eternal reality, but yet with humour in life; He gave joy to the
people all around.
14 August 1990
26 August to 01 September 2013
What is Samskrithi
–Refinement-Transformation?
What is
Samskrithi –Refinement-Transformation-4.16-1990
May 20
 |
| Samskrithi is the culturing process |
Samskrithi means the one that is refined or transformed. The word samskrithi, originates from the root samskritham. It refers to the process of refinement of every object that is in its natural form, before it is made fit for human use. A small example; we eat rice every day. But consider how many transformations are undergone by paddy before it reaches this state and becomes fit for consumption. Threshing the paddy grains from the sheaves, winnowing and separating grains from chaff, pounding or milling to remove the husk from the grain, cleaning the rice by removing extraneous matter like small stones and weed seeds, etc., soaking the raw rice in water, and finally cooking over fire to get cooked rice that we can eat. Such samskrithi (refinement) makes it possible for us to consume the rice. Samskaaram (transformation) also enhances the value of things. For instance, the value of paddy is, say, one hundred rupees per bag. But, when it is dehusked and cleaned in the milling process and made fir for consumption, the value of one bag of rice becomes six hundred rupees. What is the reason for one sack of paddy costing a mere Rs.100, to assume the value of Rs.600 when it is converted into a sack of rice? The value comes from the process of transformation.
We wear a
watch on our wrist. If a wrist watch made of stainless steel is crushed and
thrown into fire, the resulting mass of stainless steel will not be worth even
a quarter of a rupee (2 annas). But
what is the reason for you to pay Rs.1000 and buy the watch? It is the process
of refinement. It has been made into a form that we can experience
meaningfully. Bolts, nuts, screws, pins, alarms, all have been assembled in the
right way in the course of the transformation process. This is what causes the
value to rise.
Since
ancient times, Bharatiyas subjected all objects to the process of
transformation and enjoyed them. Here is a cloth. But what all processes of
transformation it has to undergo to become a cloth. Cotton harvested from the
cotton plant has to be dried, the unwanted calyx removed, and then put in a
ginning machine to separate the seeds from the lint; the lint has to be spun
into yarn in a spinning machine, and the yarn has to be woven into cloth in a
weaving mill. We are not enjoying cotton as cotton itself. We subject it to a
number of refinement processes and then don the same as cloth.
Likewise, it
is futile for man to remain in the same state in which he was born. He should
manifest his inherent divinity that is beyond humanity. We must make an attempt
to undergo such individual transformation.
20 May 1990
19 August to 25 August 2013
What is true unity?
What is
true unity-3.19-1985 August 15
 |
| True unity is unity with God |
Worldly
unity is only about “Hello, hello, hello, hello”. Is this unity? When there is
money in the pocket, when your father’s position is very good, when everything
is fine, all will come to you saying “hello, hello”. When the money is gone and
the position is gone, there will not be anyone in the world to even say goodbye
to you. So long as there is water in the tank, there will be thousands of frogs
over there. Once the water dries up, there will not even be one frog over there.
Therefore, unity related to the world is all based on money, money and money.
Money makes many things, money makes many wrongs. With respect to God, it is “Mann”
(mind) and with respect to the world it is money. We must seek unity through
the mind. Mind to mind, heart to heart, love to love; not body to body. If we truly
wish to achieve unity, we cannot do so by any path other than the Divine path. All
things (in this world) undergo change but Divinity never changes. Only when we
follow the Atma that never changes, the world can be safe and secure.
15 August 1985
15 August 2013 Special
What is true freedom-1.19-1985 August 15
What is
true freedom-1.19-1985 August 15
What is the meaning of Swatantram (freedom)? Tantram means Atma (Self). Swaa-Tantram means following the Atman, coming under the control of the Atman (Self). Paraadheenam Dukham Atmaadheenam Sukham – One who is under the control of others will be full of sorrow, while one who is under the control of the Atman will be full of happiness. Therefore, it is called Swaatantram, i.e. follow your heart (not physical heart but spiritual heart symbolic of one’s inner/higher Self). Your heart is your Guru; your heart is your God; your heart is your Master. Therefore, it is said - Follow the Master, Finish the Devil, Fight to the End, Finish the Game. Those who follow their heart will gain victory. Thus, follow God.
15 August 1985
Why do we face difficulties in life, though we
think of God?
Why do
we face difficulties in life though we think of God-4.00-1998 April 26
 |
| Anusmarana - Think of Me constantly |
Krishna
smiled and said, “It is true that you have made Me sit on your chariot. You
have made Me sit on the external chariot, but why do you not make Me sit on the
inner chariot of your heart? That which is external is Yantra (machine), while that which is internal is Mantra (sacred formula). I am the Mantraswaroopa (personification of Mantra) and not Yantraswaroopa (the personification of Yantra). You feel that you are thinking of Me constantly. Maam Anusmarana Cha - you are doing Smarana but not Anusmarana. Smarana or
contemplation is bound by a particular time, discipline and place. But Anusmarana is Sarvada Sarva Kaaleshu Sarvatra Harichintanam – contemplation of
God always, at all times and everywhere. You will be able to recognize My Divinity
only when you practice and experience Anusmarana.
Then, these worldly problems will not affect you anymore. Maam Anusmarana Cha. Think of Me even during the war. When you
contemplate on Me thus, you will not face any problems in life.”
(Arjuna
further asked Krishna) “Swami, I am an ordinary family man. When I am facing
all these challenges with my wife and children, with all this property and
assets and with the responsibility of ruling a kingdom; how can I think of you
constantly?”
“(Arjuna) these
are your duties and you need not give them up. Take care of your wife and
children, your property and assets and discharge your duties. These are duties
bestowed on you by God. You must necessarily discharge the responsibilities
given to you by God. However, even as you do all this, consider it as the prasaadam (gift) of God. If you thus
think of Me properly in this manner, you will recognize the Divinity and none
of these problems will affect you.”
26 April 1998
05 August to 11 August 2013
What must be the two banks for the river of human life?
The two
banks of the river of life-2.15-1990 May 26
 |
| Two banks for the river of human life |
On one side
is the eight lettered mantra – Shra-ddha-vaan-La-bha-the-Jnaa-nam
(Shraddhavaan Labhathe Jnaanam: the
man of faith acquires supreme wisdom).
On the other
side is the eight lettered mantra – Sam-shay-Aat-ma-Vi-nash-ya-te
(Samshayaatma Vinashyathi: the one
filled with doubts will perish).
Human life
can reach its goal only when there is Shraddha
(faith) on one side and Nisamshayam (doubtlessness)
on the other side. Thus, the Gita declares that faith and freedom from doubts
are very essential for human beings.
26 May 1990
What is the role of Buddhi (Intellect) in human life?
What is
the role of Buddhi (Intellect) in
human life-3.28-1990 May 26
 |
| Intellect is like the charioteer of our life |
Therefore,
in the journey of life, the intellect is of prime importance. It is called Nischayatmika Buddhi, which means that
the intellect has the decision-making capacity. In daily life, many
difficulties, problems and disturbances arise from time to time. It is the
prime duty of man to overcome these obstacles. But then, what is the key to the
solution for these problems? It is the Buddhi
(intellect). Without the intervention of the intellect, none of our problems and
difficulties can be solved. “Samshayaatma
Vinasyathi”, (meaning that a man filled with doubts will perish – Bhagavad Gita).
Because the Buddhi destroys doubts, it
is said (in the Gita) “Buddhi Graahayam
Athindriyam”. As the intellect transcends the senses, it takes the form of the
one that dispels doubts.
26 May 1990
22 July to 28 July 2013
Who is the true Guru?
Who is
the true Guru-3.26-2001 July 05
 |
| God is your true Guru |
It is stated
in the Vedas, Shastras, Itihaasa (history)
and Puranas, and quoted by Shankara:
Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu,
Gurur Devo Maheswara,
Gurur Saakshat Para Brahma,
Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.
Guru is
Brahma, Guru is Vishnu,
Guru is Lord
Maheswara,
Guru is
verily the Para Brahman,
My salutations
to such a Guru.
Guru is everything
for me. He is Vishnu, He is Shiva, He is Brahma, He is everything. Therefore, in
this world, everything is a manifestation of Divinity. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). Whomsoever we
see, they are embodiments of Divinity. Whomsoever we see, they are verily the
form of Vishnu. We are witnessing the Vishwa
Viraata Swaroopa (Cosmic form of the Lord). The Vedas have said, Sahasra Seersha Purushaha Sahasraaksha
Sahasra Padh (With thousands of heads, thousands of feet and thousands of
eyes, Divinity pervades everything). Whomsoever we offer our salutations, Easwara Sarva Bhutaanaam – it amounts to
saluting God Himself; this was their practice. Sarva Bhuta Namaskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchati, Salutations to all
beings reach Keshava and Iswara (God). Why? Because, Eswara Sarva Bhotaanaam (God is the indweller of all beings); Isaavaasyam Idam Jagath (the entire universe
is permeated by the principle of God).
Therefore,
one cannot restrict Divinity to a particular place. Here, there and everywhere,
there is only one Atman (God) present everywhere. There is only one who resides
in the heart. The same Iswaratva
(Divine Iswara principle) exists in
all. The Vishnutwa (Divine Vishnu principle) in all is the same. We
are developing differences only out of our delusion, but there are no
differences in Divinity. Sarvam Khalvidam
(everything is Divine). Gurus in those days were created to propagate such
principle of oneness. Today there are many good disciples, but it is very
difficult to find a true and noble Guru.
05 July 2001
15 July to 21 July 2013
What is the true meaning of surrendering to God?
What is
the true meaning of surrendering to God-1990 May 24
 |
| Do your best and leave the rest to Him! |
To ensure
that the food in the plate reaches your stomach, is it not necessary to make
use of your hands and mouth? Just looking at the food in the plate if you keep
repeating “potato chapatti” any number of times, will it ever fill your
stomach? You do have the strength. In case you do not have the strength, then
at least it may be fine to just leave everything to God. Whether you have the
strength or not, perform all your activities as an offering to God.
24 May 1990
