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People
undertake various spiritual practices to attain Divinity. One may be
evil-minded, yet with the blessings of elders and in the company of noble
souls, one can easily get rid of evil tendencies and develop virtues. The
life of Ratnakara, the highway robber, bears ample testimony to this. His
life was transformed as he came into contact with the Saptharishis (seven
sages). He gave up his evil ways and unwaveringly followed their teachings
and ultimately became the Sage Valmiki. He set an ideal to mankind and
composed the great epic, Ramayana. Prahlada, the son of demon king
Hiranyakasipu, constantly contemplated on Lord Narayana and chanted His
Name. As a result, he had the same divine effulgence of Lord Narayana
Himself. Likewise, Charles Darwin resembled his master Henslow in all
respects as he continuously thought of him and followed his teachings.
Similarly our ancient sages and seers always contemplated on God
constantly and adhered to His dictates. As a consequence their faces
radiated divine brilliance. Lord Krishna has said the same in the
Bhagavadgita, Mamaivamso Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta Sanathanah (the
eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). He said, "Arjuna,
it is My Divine effulgence that shines forth in all." God is
all-pervasive. He is present in all elements and in all beings in the form
of radiance. When God is ever present within, why does man suffer? Some
people say that they are facing hardships and are leading a miserable
life. It is foolish on their part to say so. God, the indweller, has
absolutely no sorrow and worries. He is the embodiment of supreme bliss.
Is it not a sign of foolishness to think that you are haunted by misery
when God is installed on the altar of your heart? God says, "I am
present in you. You are but a spark of My Divinity." Such being the
case, how can one be affected by difficulties and sorrows? When you
enquire on these lines, you will realise that the demonic and bestial
tendencies in you are responsible for this. You will not be able to
experience the truth Mamaivamsho … unless and until you give up
evil qualities.
Though God is present within, man behaves as if he is under the influence
of a demon. First of all, he should realise that he is a spark of divinity
and that no evil spirits can control him. God says that He resides in your
heart. Heart is a single seat. There is room for one only. So, God only
should be seated in your heart and none else.
Today man is
failing to comprehend that he is an aspect of divinity. He is unaware of
the fact that God is within and deludes himself that there is none to care
for him. Everyone is endowed with a heart which is divine and by nature
full of compassion. God dwells in such a heart. But today man has become
hard-hearted as he has lost this natural compassion. Such a person cannot
be called a spark of the Divine; he is verily a demon. The assertion Mamaivamsho
… does not apply in such case. There is a spark of divinity in the heart
of everyone. It is because of bhrama (delusion) that man is unable to
realise his divine nature. In the first instance, man should make efforts
to overcome this delusion and realise that God is always with him, in him,
around him, above him and below him. Delusion causes evil feelings to
arise in your heart and mind. They are sheer imagination and have nothing
to do with divinity.
God is present in the heart of one and all. He does not have a particular
form and is not confined to a particular place. He is present in your
heart and is all-pervasive. Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvathokshi
Siromukham, Sarvata Sruthimalloke Sarvamavruthya Thishthati (With
hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears pervading everything, He
permeates the entire universe). Such effulgent divine principle of the
Self is termed as Atma. Krishna has asserted, this Atma is a part of His
own aspects. There cannot be any defects or imperfections in such divine
principle. Whatever defects you think you see are purely the result of
your imagination. God is the embodiment of virtues. Hence, man too should
lead a life of virtues. Evil propensities are impediments to the spiritual
path. For a start, man should distance himself from all evil actions and
undertake good deeds. Only then will he have the right to call himself a
human being. Human life is highly sacred. The Upanishads consider human
life to be verily divine. Man considers himself to be a weakling because
he has forgotten the principle of The Self which is beyond all attributes.
His evil qualities, wicked deeds and misconduct have brought him down to
this sorry state. As is the company, so are the thoughts. Hence, it is
said, "Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are."
Your friendship influences your nature. Ratnakara became Sage Valmiki
because of his association with the Saptharishis. Prahlada was the son of
a demon, yet he was always in the company of noble souls.
Sathsangatwe Nissangatwam, Nissangatwe Nirmohatwam, Nirmohatwe
Nischalatattwam, Nischalatattwe Jivanmukti (Sanskrit Sloka)
(Good company leads to detachment, detachment makes one free from
delusion, freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind and steadiness
of mind confers liberation.)
What is the inner significance of Devi Navaratri? People worship the
Triune Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi during these nine days. Who
is Durga? She is the embodiment of all powers. Saraswati is the presiding
deity of speech and wisdom.
The Gayatri Mantra begins with "Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvah." 'Bhuh'
means materialisation. It represents matter which is subject to change.
Bhuvah represents life principle, i.e., vibration. Savitri is the
presiding deity of life principle. You must have heard the story of
Savitri, who restored her dead husband back to life with the power of her
devotion and surrender. Saraswati is worshipped as 'Jnana Devata' as she
confers good intellect and wisdom. This is described in the Vedas as Prajnanam
Brahma. Prajnana does not mean worldly knowledge. It is Constant
Integrated Awareness, which is changeless and eternal.
The divine mother has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati. Gayantham
Trayathe Iti Gayathri (Gayatri protects those who sing her glory).
Gayatri, being the presiding deity of our senses, helps us to master the
senses. Savitri, being the presiding deity of the life principle, protects
our life. Saraswati bestows on us the changeless and eternal wisdom.
Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati are present in every man, but he is not
able to understand and experience their presence. Consequently, he is
giving room to wicked qualities and indulging in evil deeds, thereby
ruining his life. His bad habits are responsible for his downfall. First
of all, man has to develop good habits and transform himself. How could
Savitri revive her dead husband back to life? She transformed the
vibration in her into divine vibration by contemplating on God
incessantly. That led to the resurrection of her husband. When you develop
divine feelings, nothing is impossible for you. Any mighty task can be
accomplished through pure and selfless love.
Love develops divine power in you. There is nothing that love cannot
conquer in this world. Sages perform penance in dense forests infested
with wild animals. They do not possess any weapon for self-protection. The
weapon that protects them is their intense love and yearning for God. They
tame the wild beasts with their power of love and transform them into
docile beings. Man's character gets transformed into good or bad depending
his company. Noble company bestows noble feelings and bad company gives
rise to evil traits. Your speech and conduct are based on your feelings.
You deserve to be called a human being only when you develop good
feelings. Form alone does not constitute a human being. A true human being
is one who embodies good habits, helps ever and hurts never. You should
not merely be an Aakara Manava (human in form); you should become
an Aachara Manava (human in practice). Speak good, see good, do
good and be good. Divinity will manifest in you only when your conduct is
good. God is not somewhere in a distant land; He is very much in you, with
you and around you, guiding you and guarding you. Develop divine feelings
and listen to the divine voice from within. Human body can be compared to
the musical instrument Veena. You can enjoy the divine melody only when it
is tuned to divine feelings. The divine melody will bestow bliss on you
and make you forget yourself in ecstasy. On the other hand, Profane
feelings will give rise to discordant notes. Hence, let your thoughts,
words and deeds be suffused with sacred feelings.
Do not hurt others. Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam (one
attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them). Hence,
the Vedas teach, Help ever, hurt never. The Vedas emphasise on the
need to cultivate sacred feelings. In fact, the sacred feelings are
within, but man has forgotten them. Human being is the repository of
divine energy. Durga (goddess of energy), Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and
Saraswati (goddess of wisdom) are present in the human. Man is not poor in
any sense. He is not weak or forlorn. He has all the capacity to
experience divine bliss. In spite of being endowed with all powers, man is
weak. This is the effect of evil company. You should not take it amiss,
but the fact is that the modern system of education is ruining the lives
of many. Modern education is leading to agitation instead of elevation. It
is giving rise to evil qualities like anger, greed, desire, jealousy, etc.
In fact, people who are unlettered have the virtues of humility,
obedience, love and peace. Humility is the hallmark of education. One may
acquire high qualification, but all his knowledge becomes useless if he
lacks humility.
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"In
spite of his education and intelligence, a foolish man will not
know his true Self and a mean-minded person will not give up his
wicked qualities. Modern education leads only to argumentation,
not to total wisdom. What is the use of acquiring worldly
education if it cannot lead you to immortality? Acquire the
knowledge that will confer on you immortality."
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(Telugu
Poem)
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True education
is that which fosters truth, morality, integrity and culture. Education
should develop human values in you. You should respect elders and serve
your parents. People talk of friendship but we do not find true friends
anywhere. Today friendship is tainted with wickedness and self-interest.
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Tyaja
Durjana Samsargam; Bhaja Sadhu Samagamam; Kuru Punyam Ahorathram;
Smara Nityam Anityatham
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(shun bad
company; seek good company and perform righteous deeds the whole day;
discriminate between permanent and ephemeral).
This is what you are supposed to do. Some people appear to be good and
talk sweetly, but their minds are filled with wicked feelings. Beware of
such people and keep them at a distance. It is because of such people
abound that present-day society is in turmoil.
Prahlada was the son of a demon king, yet his thoughts were always centred
on Lord Narayana. He repeated His Name always. His father and his teachers
tried their best to divert him from spiritual path and infuse demonic
traits in him. Once Hiranyakasipu asked Prahlada what he had learnt from
his preceptors. Prahlada replied, "The teachers have taught me many
things. I have learnt the principles of Dharma and Artha (righteousness
and wealth) and studied sacred scriptures. In fact, I have learnt the very
essence of all knowledge." Hiranyakasipu was overjoyed to hear all
this. He said, "Oh son! Let me have the pleasure of listening to that
great knowledge." Prahlada said, "Oh father, the Name of Hari
will destroy all our sins. Of what use is one's education if one does not
contemplate on Lord Hari and attain liberation?" Hiranyakasipu became
furious on hearing this. He pushed him from his lap. But Prahlada was
least perturbed. He continued to chant the name of Lord Narayana.
Hiranyakasipu subjected him to various ordeals. He made elephants trample
upon him and set poisonous snakes to bite him. Prahlada's unflinching
faith in Lord Narayana protected him from all these dangers. Prahlada felt
the mighty elephant to be as light as feather and the poison turned into
nectar by the power of his devotion. Such things can be understood only by
experience and not by mere description. Though he was young, Prahlada was
firm in his resolve. Hiranyakasipu was overcome fury. He roared, "Oh
madcap, you talk very high of your God, where is He?" Prahlada very
calmly replied, "Father, never doubt that God is here and not
there. In fact, He is present wherever you look for Him." (Telugu
Poem) "If God is all-pervasive, can you show Him in this
pillar?", he challenged Prahlada. "Yes, I can", pat came
the answer. Such was Prahlada's faith and devotion. One can attain
divinity only with confidence.
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Where
there is confidence, there is love;
Where there is love, there is truth;
Where there is truth, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is bliss;
Where there is bliss, there is God.
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Hiranyakasipu
at once hit the pillar with a mace. Lo and behold! Lord Narasimha emerged
from it. What is the inner meaning of this? The body is like a pillar. One
can have the vision of Atma only when one breaks the manacles of body
attachment. You can develop Atmabhimana (love for the Atma) once you give
up Dehabhimana (body attachment). It is only Atmabhimana that will protect
you always. Learn the language of the heart. It can be taught only by
divinity and not by teachers.
Students!
What you need today is unwavering faith in God. Faith alone can protect
you. Under all circumstances, at all times, consider God as the basis of
your life. Give up evil qualities like anger, greed, jealousy, etc. Anger
can be compared to Ravana's pyre. It keeps burning always. Desire is the
cause of man's downfall. Hence, eradicate desire and anger.
You should manifest love and be embodiments of love. Love is God, live in
love. If you have love, you can achieve anything.
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Start
the day with love,
Fill the day with love,
Spend the day with love,
End the day with love,
This is the way to God.
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Hence, develop
the spirit of love. Love is the most potent weapon that can win over
anyone. What was the weapon that protected our ancients who lived in
forests? It was not hydrogen bomb or atom bomb. It was love and love
alone. So, one need not acquire atom bomb or hydrogen bomb, it is enough
if one has the weapon of love. You can conquer the entire world with the
power of love.
People worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati during these nine days. Durga
destroyed the demons. As the weapons are no longer needed, people perform
Ayudha Puja. When you pray to Durga wholeheartedly, she will protect you
in all your endeavours.
You are not
able to understand the principle of divinity. Nobody in this world can
help you the way God helps you. Hence, surrender yourself to God and pray
for His help. Also devotion to God safeguards our ancient culture. People
are haunted by misery and grief as they have forgotten God.
Control your emotions. Develop love. Do not entertain evil thoughts.
Nothing can confer the experience of bliss that the proximity of God
gives. Love all and all will love you. Share your love with even dogs,
monkeys and cats. You can see how they reciprocate your love. Man lacks
the sense of gratitude that even dogs have. We see many foreigners having
dogs and cats as their pets. When you love them, they too will love you in
turn. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavathi (as you think so you become). You are
bound to experience the reflection, reaction and resound of your feelings,
be they good or bad. If you see bad in others, it is only a reflection of
your bad feelings. It is a mistake to blame others ignoring your own
faults. Purify your feelings in the first instance. Love even those whom
you consider as wicked. In fact, nobody is wicked in this world. It is
because of bhrama (delusion) that you consider some as good and some
wicked. Develop Sathya Sankalpas (noble feelings) and follow the path of
truth. Do not indulge in vain gossip. Instead, sanctify your time by
chanting the Divine name. There is nothing sweeter than Divine name.
(Bhagawan sang the bhajan, "Hare Rama, Hare Rama…"
and continued His Discourse.)
Remember what
Shivaji taught his minister. This body will be respected so long as there
is life in it. Once the life ebbs away, it will not have any value. The
same was stated by Duryodhana during his last moments. He said, "I
was respected so long as I was alive. Tomorrow crows and dogs are going to
feast on me." Whatever has to happen will happen. Lead a respectable
life while you are alive. Develop divine feelings in you. Only then you
would have led a true human life. Today man is leading a purely
materialistic life. This is also necessary to a certain extent. Remember
that there is the transcendental principle even in this secular life.
Embodiment of Love!
The divine vibrations that result from the Bhajan you have just sung is
spreading to all parts of the world. The divine name that you chant
purifies the hearts of many. Hence, do not entertain bad feelings. Do not
use bad words. Use only sacred words. Sing the glory of God. By doing so,
you would have rendered a great help to the whole world. Do not hurt
others. Help everybody. When you help others, you will certainly achieve
positive results. Make proper use of your time. Chant God's Name and make
your heart sacred.
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