Month: February 2012

There are six Discourse excerpts presented in this posting. These have been selected from the Discourses given by Bhagawan Baba in the years 1996 and 1997.

Time is God. Don’t waste time. Time waste is life waste

Vyasa composed the 18 Puraanaas. But eventually, where are the people who read these Puraanaas? There is just no free time for all this. Many people think they must read these Puraanaas, but they say that they do not have the time to read these. In case they have to undertake some Vratam (spiritual vows), they say they have no time at all, they have lot of office work, they have a number of business errands or they have lot of studies to cope up with. In this way, they give reasons based on their position and status in life.

I install Myself in the hearts of those who sing the glory of God

At one time, Narada asked Lord Vishnu. Swami, all the time, in order to have your Darshan, I come to the place where you are there. But at times, there may be an emergency. At such times, if I need to see you or send word to you, where would you be? Where is your head office? Is it at Vaikuntam, or at Kailasa or in Heaven? Then Lord Vishnu said, “Narada, take down my address. Mad Bhaktaaha Yatra Gaayanti, Tatra Thishthami Narada. Narada, this Kailasa, this Vaikuntam, this heaven; these are all branch offices. My head office is – Mad Bhaktaaha Yatra Gaayanti – where my devotees sing my glory – Tatra Thishthami Narada – therein I install Myself Narada. At other places, I am just a procession idol. However, in the head office I install Myself. He said “install Myself” and not just “reside therein”. Therefore, every heart is the dwelling place of God. Hence, man should not imagine that he is just a man. All are verily forms of God Himself!

For true experience, both “nearness” and “dearness”  are essential

We study the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, the Bhagavd Gita and perform so many Paaraayanaas(chanting the name of God / studying scriptural texts / sharing the glory of God). But what is the use? Everyday we do Paaraayanaaof the Bhagavatha and the Bhagavd Gita. Everyday we chant the Sahasranaamaa (1008 names of the Lord). All this is merely textual knowledge. But we need practical knowledge. It is enough if we practice at least one teaching (of these scriptures). If we enquire in this manner, it is a matter of shame and embarrassment to call ourselves devotees. We are there very close possibly. But we are like frogs on the flower. On the other hand, honey bees come from far off places and suck the nectar from the flower and go away.

Spirituality has become a sort of fashion these days!

How is the practice these days? If there is some spiritual discourse, some Harikatha (story of God), or some other narration of the glory of God, all the people go there to listen. So long as these discourses, talks and Harikathas go on, vibrations of renunciation keeps manifesting in the people, over and over! How long do these vibrations, emotions and renunciation last? The moment the discourse gets over, these too vanish. What is heard, is not treasured even till they reach their homes. So what is the use of listening to any number of discourses that preach “Anityam Asukham Lokam” (this world is ephemeral and full of sorrow). It is all only listening, but no practice. Only when we practice, we will realize the benefit. Only when you eat, you come to know the taste and the hunger is satiated. We can also assimilate its strength. We do not know the taste. Why? Because we are not eating. We are unable to get rid of the weakness. Why? Because we are not digesting what is eaten. What is heard has to be eaten (absorbed) and what is eaten has to be digested (assimilated).

By the time you leave the  Hall, the spiritual discourse is forgotten!

There was a devotee. He had been attending spiritual discourses since 16 years. What were these discourses about? They were the stories of Lord Rama. Everyday, there would be a discourse on the life of Lord Rama. The quality of detachment is found extensively in the story of Lord Rama. His whole life was full of difficulties. To add to it, the Pundit was narrating the story with all the more feelings and emotions. The Pundit laid down the discipline that whosoever attends these spiritual discourses should do so without absenting themselves even for a day. Because, if people miss the discourse, the crowd will appear less! The Pundit wanted the pride of having large crowds attending his discourse. Therefore the Pundit had laid down the rule that unless one attends these discourses everyday without missing even one day, they would not receive the benefits / results of this Paaraayanam.

One teaspoon of cow’s milk is enough, why barrels and barrels of donkey’s milk?

Therefore practice is most important. All these texts like the Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagawatha, Koran, Bible, etc. have not been written for the sake of Paaraayanaa (i.e. sacred reading or chanting). For that matter, any religious text is not meant for mere Paaraayanam. They all have been written for the purpose of practising. However, today there is no practice. We just study / read / chant these texts. We say, “Oh! From so many years we are doing Paaraayanam of the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita. We are regularly chanting the Vishnu Sahasranaama. But what is the use of doing all these Paaraayanas? All these Paaraayanaas are leaving us and running away! Why then should we undertake these Paaraayanaas? Take up at least one Paaraayanam (in the true spirit). Practice at least one teaching. That is enough. Why? Because, one spoonful of cow’s milk is enough, why barrels and barrels of donkey’s milk? A teaspoon of cow’s milk is useful. Therefore, put into practice.

Lingodbhavam

There are nine Discourse excerpts presented in this posting. These have been selected from the Discourses given by Bhagawan Baba over a number of years – 1977, 1987, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2004. 

Shivaratri is the night of auspiciousness

We call this night as Shivaratri. In fact we spend so many nights. But why do we specially call this night as Shivaratri? Shivaratri means the night of auspiciousness. Therefore, this auspicious night has to be spent chanting the auspicious name of the Lord. Shivaratri does not mean just keeping awake the whole night. Many people wish to keep a night long vigil, and so what do they do? Telugu poem – Merely by playing cards the whole night you cannot claim to have done Jaagaranaa (night long vigil). Keeping awake by watching 3 to 4 cinemas (movies) cannot amount to Jaagaranaa. Shivaratri means, the night has to be spent chanting the name of the Lord only. This chanting has to come from within. That is why it is called “reflection of the inner being”. The holy name that comes from within is called the principle of Shiva.

Source and not force

Whatever we do, we must do it whole heartedly, with love. It must be Prema source (love from the source) and not Prema force (love through force). These days we do everything out of force. This is not correct. You must do things (chanting the name of God) wholeheartedly, even if it may be for just half a minute. One teaspoon of sugar is enough, one teaspoon of cow’s milk is adequate, why barrels of donkey’s milk?

Focus on the 12th entity – The Paramaatmaa

The message of Shivaratri is this. The ten senses of man are the ones responsible for drawing him on the wrong path. There are four syllables in the word Shivaratri: Shi, Va, Raa, Tri. There is a close relationship between numerology and the meaning of these four letters. ‘Shi’ symbolizes the number 5, ‘Va’ represents the number 4, ‘Raa’ indicates the number 2. Adding 5+4+2, we get the number 11. Five Karmendriyaas(sensory organs of action), five Jnaanendriyaas(sensory organs of perception) and the mind make a total of 11. These 11 are the Rudraas – the Ekaadasha Rudraas. What do these Ekaadasha Rudraas do? They drown man in the world of sensory objects, enhance their mean desires, and get them lost in worldly life. Beyond these 11 there is one entity and that is the Paramaatmaa (supreme Self). Only when we catch hold of the 12^th, we will be able to control our sense organs. Therefore, we must take great care of this 12^th entity – the Paramaatmaa. (You would need to increase the master volume for this clip)

On Shivaratri night, the mind has to conquer one aspect  alone

Shivaratri means the night of auspiciousness. Night basically symbolizes darkness. Chandramaa Manaso Jaataha Chaksho Suryoajaayataa. There is a close relationship between the mind and the moon. Today is Chaturdashi– the 14^th day of the waning phase of the moon. The moon has 16 aspects and the mind of man also has 16 aspects. Tonight 15 aspects of the moon and therefore the mind have been overcome and just one aspect alone is left. Therefore, we are very close to our true goal. Hence, humanity being so close to God today, whosoever chants the name of the Lord today, with a pure heart, will be benefited greatly. It is very necessary to spend the time today thinking only about God and not allowing our mind to be diverted towards anything else. Not even a fraction of a second must be wasted during this most valuable period. Time reduces every second just like a block of ice! Our life span reduces continuously just like water diminishes in a pot with a hole. Thus we must not make every effort not to postpone the worship by thinking that we can do all this sometime later. Such great good fortune that we have got now must be experienced with all happiness and must be made purposeful.

All wrong understanding…

Unfortunately, this most auspicious festival of Shivatri, on account of not being able to understand its true significance, is being misused by people of the world. If by playing cards, one keeps awake the whole night, can it amount to Jaagaranaa? If one concentrates on the water in the tank so as to catch some fish, will such concentration lead one to liberation? If one gets heavily drunk, can it take him to a state of super-consciousness? If one gets angry with his wife and does not partake food, can it be called fasting (upavaasaa)? However, the youth of today watch 3 cinemas, 4 cinemas, thinking that it is just enough if one keeps awake the whole night, in whatever way; and thus misuse the opportunity. All these are not sacred means at all. If the same money that one would spend on the 3-4 cinemas, if one would use that for feeding 3 to 4 beggars starving on account of hunger, how much merit one would get, how much peace one would get, what a noble task one would have accomplished. Thus we must participate in such noble endeavours and to the extent possible, spiritual aspirants must engage in service to the nation, service to humanity, service to society, service to the individual and consider all this as service to the Lord. This is Bhagawan’s wish. 

Pray for the welfare of the whole world

Embodiments of Love! Today is the great and sacred festival of Shivaratri. This is a special kind of night among all the nights. Nights are always associated with darkness, but this particular night is not associated with darkness. You must consider this night as a night of sacred auspiciousness – one of Prajnaana, Vignaana and Sugnaana, one of brightness. Therefore we must spend this night with a pure mind, with sacred feelings, with a prayer that the whole world must be happy – Lokaa Samastaa Sukhino Bhavantu, all beings must have a sacred heart, all must have a sacred intellect – Dhiyoyonah Prachodayaat. Gandhi also said, “Sabako Sanmati De Bhagawaan”. Gandhi was a great devotee of Rama who prayed for a noble mind to be bestowed on all. Therefore you must always pray for all beings to have a good mind. This sacred night if you pray with a sacred heart, on account of you – the Bharathodaarakaas, I wish that Bharath will shine eternally with continuous auspiciousness and celebrity – Nitya Kalyanam Pachha Toranam.  

Turning the mind towards God is true devotion

Last night (19^th February 2004, Shivaratri night), at 1.00 am I came here. I saw. All devotees and students are singing happily. But who among the devotees were the real devotees? Those with a steady mind, chanting the name of God with detachment, are the real devotees. All are seated here. In the hall there are thousands seated, but all are not devotees. The body is seated here but the mind is not focused on God. Therefore directing mind towards God is true devotion. You may sit anywhere, but the mind must feel the proximity of the Lord. You can experience Divinity there itself. If you feel sleepy, you may go to sleep. But even in your sleep, keep the principle of Divinity in your mind. Therefore, true wisdom, true awareness lies in the experience of oneness in the three states of existence – waking, dream and deep sleep. At any point of time, keep the principle of Divinity in mind. It is only because of love for God, that you have stayed awake and come and sat here at that hour (midnight). If you did not have love, you would have as well slept in your home. But sacrificing that sleep, coming over here, sitting below a tree, resting the back against the tree, they consider this as a Divine experience. This is true devotion. You do not need any convenience, any happiness, any food. At such time only, you can experience the principle of Swami, the oneness. You may go anywhere, but have total control over your mind.       

Every night is the night of Shivatri

Do not consider that Shivaratri comes only once in a year. We must consider every night as the night of Shivaratri. Where we think about God, where noble thoughts come to our mind, there manifests Shivaratri. Shivam Mangalam. Shivam is auspiciousness, meaning giving up one’s ego is Shivam. The people who know Telugu can understand this very well. In the Telugu script, when the mark (horn) on the letter ‘Sha’ is removed, it reads as ‘Shi’. Then it becomes Shivam (auspicious). But if we do not remove that horn, it remains as Shavam(dead body). What is the difference between Shivamand Shavam. With the horn of ego, it is Shavam (dead body), without the horn of ego it is Shivam(auspicious). So everyone must kill this ego.

In this posting, we have Bhagawan Baba revealing the secret of creation, the mystery of His “Cosmic Operating System” to us. He reminds us of the “Cosmic Contract” (CC) that we all souls wilfully entered into, when we chose to separate ourselves from Him, to enjoy this beautiful, wonderful, thrilling experience of the manifest world! There are five Discourse excerpts presented in this posting. These have been selected from the Discourses given by Bhagawan Baba in the year 1996. 

This world is so beautiful, modern, invaluable and unique. Nature is beauty! Human life has all the faculties and power of the five elements, five life forces, five life sheaths, and the five senses. All material happiness required from dawn to dusk has been provided for mankind. There is nothing lacking in this creation. You can get anything – right from mud to gems! God has gifted everything that man needs and desires, so that he can be happy. God gave full freedom and independence to man. He allowed man to take charge of the entire creation. Man is free to experience and enjoy any material happiness in this manifest world. He needs to have no fear. He can act as he wants – as per his likes and dislikes, whims and fancies and seek any results he wants. Everything is God’s creation. Right from the ant to Brahman, the right to everything was handed over to man. No one needs to wait for the command of God. This is the law of Nature. Each one can follow the path he wants, fulfil his desires and experience happiness.

BUT…God laid down just one stipulation! You can enjoy whatever you want, but whatever it maybe – good or bad, sacred or unsacred, eternal or transient – you are bound to face the consequences of your action. Keeping this in view, man should decide what actions he should undertake, what path he should follow and what tasks he should engage in. As is the seed – so is the fruit. As is the action – so is the reward.

Every action will be accounted for, without fail…

Telugu poem – Do not imagine that you can achieve this or that at your will. You will get the fruits of your actions – come what may. You are here because of your past actions and you will reap the appropriate fruits. You can never get fruits contrary to your actions. Whatever you may do, everything will be counted, one by one, be it good or bad, without missing anything, Brahma will send you with a Heavy garland – a Kanta garland – a necklace made with the fruits of our past actions. God never commands you to do this or that. You are empowered to decide what is good and what is not.

You can never escape the consequences of your actions!

God will never come in the way of your actions. If you do bad, He will say, fine – go ahead, it is your wish. If you do good also, He will say – good, go ahead. BUT you can never escape the consequences of your actions. This is the only stipulation. The one who understands this essential truth will be able to experience true bliss.

Eventually man blames God….

Telugu poem – You sow poisonous seeds and expect good and sweet fruits out of it. When you are unable to eat the bitter fruits and do not get what you want, you blame God and accuse Him. Is this the mistake of God? He gave you complete freedom to experience what you want. But you should be able to exercise your intellect while experiencing this freedom.

This posting is about reflecting on the presence of God! The debate about God being there and not being there has taken place since ages. As Mahtama Gandhi says, “…but He is no God who merely satisfies the intellect, if He ever does. God to be God must rule the heart and transform it.”

The defect is in one’s vision (Drushti) and not in creation (Srushti)

Since ancient times, some say God exists. Others deny God’s existence. In this manner, the debate goes on and people waste their precious time. The blind individual cannot see the bright shining sun. An individual who closes his eyes cannot see the world. Just on account of this, can we say that there is no sun or there exists no world? No. No. The sun is there, but there is no vision. The world is there, but the individual has closed his eyes. Thus the truth emerges that the defect lies in one’s vision (Drushti) and not in the creation (Srushti).

2. That which is not seen is the basis of that which is seen-3.06-1996 July 07

That which is unseen is the basis of all the seen

If God truly exists, why is one not able to see Him? Are we able to believe all that we see or are we unable to believe it? Ano Raneeyan Mahato Maheeyan. He is in the smallest of the small and in the biggest of the big. You may not be able to see Him, but you can experience Him. This is a flower. We are able to see the flower. If asked what it is, we say that it is a rose flower. But you cannot see its smell. You can only experience the smell of the rose flower. Smell has no form, but the flower that gives the smell has a form. Love. What is the form of Love? Love has no form. But the mother who loves you has a form! Therefore, whatever it may be, be it love, joy or fragrance; these have no smell, but the one that gives these has a form. The one with the form is able to give that which has no form. Therefore it is foolishness on the part of humanity to be so obsessed with Pratyaksha Pramana – direct evidence or empirical evidence.

God is Now Here!

Here is a small example. Now on this stage, is Sai Baba there or not? Yes, he is there. But on what basis do we say so? We say so on the basis of His Form. After the Discourse, Sai Baba retires. Then, is Sai Baba there on the stage or not? No. Thus, we are able to negate that which was present before. If Sai Baba Himself did not exist, then the question of “being there’ or “not being there” would not arise at all. Likewise, because God exists, the debate as to “He is there” or “He is not there” arises. Because there is God, the word “not there” arises, else the word “not there” would not arise at all. Anil Kumar (the translator) says, “There is God”. This means, the Truth comes first. “There is….”. That means “exists”. Who exists? God. “Who exists” is the second part. “There is” is the first part. There is. Who? God. Only then, one can say, “There is no God”. “There is” comes first and “no God” comes second. Therefore, Truth always comes first.

Why are we not able to see God?

Iswara exists in all in the form of conscience. Isavaasyam Idam Jagath. The whole world is the manifestation of God. Iswara Sarva Bhootaanaam. God is present in all. Therefore, if we ask in whom does God exist? The answer is that He exists in all. But why can we not see Him? Students, you know there are different varieties of Japa Mala (prayer beads). We have the Tulasi Japa Mala, Lotus seed Japa Mala, Rudraksha (utrasum beads) Japa Mala, and the Sphatika (crystal) Japa Mala. In all these there is one thread binding them (beads). We cannot see the thread in a Rudraksha Japa Mala, nor can wee the thread in a Lotus seed Japa Mala. We cannot see the thread even in a Tulasi Japa Mala. However, we can see the binding thread only in a Sphatika Japa Mala.

Pashyannapicha Na Pashyati Moodho Moodho Moodho

God is not somewhere far. He is everywhere. Wherever you see, He is there. Sarvatra Paanipaaadam, Tatsarvatochi Shiromukhma, Sarvatra Shrutimanloke, Sarvamaam Prathisthati. When He is there wherever we see, why should we search for Him? You do not need to search for Him, you do not need to see Him. All that is seen is with the physical eyes. The physical eyes see only the external world. The external world too is the very form of God. Pashyannapicha Na Pashyati Moodho Moodho Moodho. O Fool, all that you are seeing is verily God. All the heads symbolize the Cosmic Form. You go by the transient name and form and consider all as humans, but if you really keep God in your sight, everything will appear as God only.

Personal Reflections

Bhagawan says, “Tell me your company and I shall tell you what you are”. It is our company that decides our destiny! In this posting, Bhagawan highlights the importance of maintaining a good company. He describes at length the negative consequences of getting into bad company. He draws a number of analogies to drive home the impact of thoughts on our mind, body and consequent behaviour.

Going up or coming down depends on one’s company

Though human life is sacred, good and bad get into one’s life based on one’s company. When iron is in the company of dust it gets rusted. However, the same iron when put into fire, the rust is got rid off and it becomes red hot and soft. The dust in the company of air goes up into the sky, but the very same dust in the company of water goes down. The dust has no wings to fly high nor does it have legs to go down. Going up or coming down depends on the company.

Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are

In bad company, man develops bad feelings and bad actions. For all this thought is the main cause. Thoughts should be pure and sacred. But man entertains bad feelings and thoughts at a tender age and wastes his life thereafter. Iron in the company of rust becomes dust. It then bursts and it has to be subject to test. Only then it gets rest! This is the goal. So first the rust should be wiped out. Bad company and bad feelings are the rust. All these are the result of bad company. Tell me your company and I shall tell you what you are.

Bad thoughts will put you to great misery

Bad thoughts are the main cause for our misery. Therefore, we need to discriminate – are these good thoughts or bad thoughts. Bad thoughts put you into difficulties. Hurting others, causing harm to others is very bad. But eventually it will rebound in a still worse way on you. Bad thoughts are not natural to mankind. When a stone is thrown into a well, the ripples spread across the water. Similarly when a thought is pelted into the lake of the human mind, it will spread all across the body. It will enter the eyes and make the looks bad. So too with the ears, mouth, hands, legs and all parts of the body. These bad thoughts will make all the sense organs act badly. So you will be put to great misery.

Saints and animals live peacefully and harmoniously

Sages and saints meditate in thick forests in the midst of wild animals. Many cruel and wild animals move around. However, these saints have no pistols or rifles or any other weapons. These saints and animals live peacefully and harmoniously. Looking at these animals the saints are not afraid nor are the animals frightened of the saints. This is because of the pure love in the saints. This makes an impact on the animals. Therefore, as is the company so is the effect. If we develop good company we will have good qualities.

Man can attain Divine qualities only though good company

Therefore influence of the company depends upon what actions one engages in.

Bhagawan says that worldly friendship is like a ship that may sink at any time in the ocean. God alone is our true friend, for He is interested in our true welfare. He is absolutely selfless and goes to any extent to ensure our well being. In this posting Bhagawan speaks about true friendship. He first defines true friendship, goes on to explain how to make good friends, and finally in a very logical way, makes His point that God alone can fit into the category of a true friend of man.

There are six Discourse excerpts presented in this posting. These are taken from Divine Discourses given by Bhagawan in the years 1996 and 2004. 

A True Friend should be with us at all times

What is friendship? A true friend is one who is with you at times of difficulties, in times of sorrows, worries, and problems, without ever leaving you and follows you just like your shadow. When the tank is full of water, frogs gather there in thousands. But when the tank is dry, not even one frog is seen there. So too, when we are in good position and authority, and our times are favourable, all people gather around us. But when situations worsen and reach a nadir, when circumstances are adverse and negative, people turn away from us. This is not true friendship. A true friend should be with us at all times – in times of both joy and sorrow, profit and loss. That is why, “Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are”. Based on our company we shape ourselves accordingly. Therefore, even if we have to take some time, we need to enquire and join good company.

Hello Hello – Goodbye Goodbye

Therefore, we have to take time, recognize a good friend and then make friendship with them. It is a mistake to take someone as a friend merely by they saying hello and you saying hello. Before making a friend, we need to know their background correctly. How are their habits, their behaviour and their discipline? What type of people are they mixing with, what type of company are they moving with? If they are mixing with bad company, do not even look at their face. If they say hello, say goodbye and leave them. Such friendship will put us into danger. However, the today’s students on account of modern education consider everybody as their friend. This is not true friendship. These are all passing clouds, and one never knows when they will leave us. Such friendship should be limited to “hello, hello, how are you, how are you and goodbye and goodbye”.

Unity of Thought, Word and Deed

It is important to have the right type of relationships. You do not need to hate anyone. But you need to choose a friend very carefully. Rather than having a fool as a friend, it is better not to have any friend at all. Who is the right friend to choose? The one having Trikarna Shuddhi – purity and unity of thought, word and deed – Manas Ekam, Vachas Ekam Karmanyekam. Choose such a friend. Never allow a person having one thought, speaking a different word and doing something else altogether, to even come close to you. In Vedantic language, Manas Anyat, Vachas Anyat, Karmananyat Duratmanam – the one without purity and unity of thought, word and deed is a wicked person. The one with unity of thought word and deed is a true man. The proper study of mankind is man.

God alone is your true friend

What do we mean by friendship? It is not merely greeting each other by saying hello-hello. It is a preparedness to work unitedly in any situation and circumstance and in any scenario. If we enquire correctly, this type of friendship is not to be found anywhere in the world. Suhrut Bhavamu – good friend – who is the good friend in this world? God alone is the true friend! Be it your mother, father, wife, husband, or son – all of them love you, but there is some trace of selfishness and self-interest. God alone loves you with no iota of selfishness or self-interest. He does not expect anything in return for His friendship. He does not receive anything from anyone. He only gives and gives but never takes.