Month: July 2012

Unity of Religions Part-V: Respect all Religions-Never criticize any Religion

Unity of Religions Part-V: Respect all Religions-Never criticize any Religion

 

Religion is said to be a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Religion is the royal highway that leads us to God. All great Masters and Prophets established several pathways to enable human beings to make a connection with and eventually realize their true Divine Self.
Be it Shaivites or Vaishnavites among the Hindus; be it Shias or Sunnis of Islam; or be it the Catholics or Protestants in Christianity; no sect extols violence and falsehood. All of them unanimously urge man to engage in spiritual Sadhanato cleanse the body and the mind and make communion with the supreme soul. Zoroastrianism preaches the threefold message of Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta, which mean: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. Buddha taught that Nirvana can be attained only by cultivating Samyak Drishti (sacred vision), Samyak Vaak (sacred speech), Samyak Shravanam (sacred listening), Samyak Bhaavam (sacred feeling) and Samyak Kriya (sacred action). Bhagawan Baba says, See no evil – See what is good, Hear no evil – Hear what is good, Talk no evil – Talk what is good, Think no evil – Think what is good, Do no evil – Do what is good – This is the way to God. Therefore, to have a correct understanding of religion and an appreciation of the underlying unity in all religions is critical for the world today.
This theme of “Unity of Religions” is presented in 5 parts. Part-I is an introduction to Religion. In Part-II Bhagawan explains the reason for diversity in religions. Part-III deliberates on the principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. In Part-IV, Bhagawan expounds on the unique statement made by Him, ‘There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. In Part-V, Bhagawan appeals to all people not to criticize any religion and to respect all religions.
Part-V of this theme focuses on the fact that one must never criticize any religion but one must always respect all religions. The six audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourses delivered by Bhagawan in the years 1975, 1985, 1989 and 1990. 
Clip-1 highlights the fact that when the essence of all the religions is one and the same, where is the need for any differences at all. In Clip-2 Bhagawan appeals to people to look upon all religions with Samadrishti (equal respect). In Clip-3 Bhagawan comes down heavily on those who profess to be religious but do not respect all religions. He says if one does not like to respect other religions, better to be silent but never criticize. Clip-4 explicitly states that any religion which denounces any other religion can never be called a religion at all. In Clip-5 Bhagawan explains how religions are never the cause for conflict and violence as is commonly believed, but it is the selfish minds of people that are the root cause. Part-I of this theme of “Unity of Religions” started with a Telugu poem by Bhagawan communicating the unity of all religions. Therefore, very aptly, the final Clip-6 of Part-V concludes with another Telugu poem which states that if the human mind (Mathi) is good, no religion (Mathamu) can be bad.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Where is the need for differences when all Religions preach the same Truth-1.28-1990 December 25
All Religions preach the same Truth
Image Source

All religions have preached only sacredness. All religions called upon people to adhere to the path of Truth. They also taught that good qualities or virtues are very essential for man. Thus, when the essence of all the religions, the basis of all the scriptures and the goal of all human efforts is one and the same, where is the need for any such differences? The paths are varied, but the destination is one and the same. It is a sign of man’s bad quality that in spite of these truths, he indulges in conflicts and agitations on account of religious differences.

02-All Religions should be looked upon as One-1.38-1990 December 25
Look upon all Religions with equal respect

Although all religions have preached the principle of samathvam (equality), selfish persons, for their own ends, without understanding this broad principle, are promoting conflict and discord with narrow minded feelings. One who is merely well-versed in the scriptures cannot be called a Pandit (a person with knowledge and wisdom). Even a master of the Vedas, Sastras, Puranas and History cannot be regarded as a Pandit. Scholarship alone does not make a man a Pandit. Mastery of language does not confer this title. “Panditaa Samadarsinah”.A true Pandit (scholar) is the one who sees all with an equal eye (who is equal minded). Hence, we should look upon all religions with Samadrishti (equal respect). No religion should be criticised or reviled. One should imbibe the essence of bliss in all the religions.

03-Respect your own Religion-Do not criticize other Religions-2.41-1989 July 23
Respect all Religions
Never Criticize any Religion
Image Source

Let there be many different names. But, students should be completely free from such differences. They should respect all religions because what you cherish in your religion is found in other religions also. If you adhere and respect your own religion, you need not get into any conflict with others (belonging to other religions).

Today, you call yourself as a Hindu, but you do not respect your own religion. Today, some call their religion as Islam, but they do not respect their religion. Others call themselves as Christians, but they do not respect their religion. There are many differences in individual beliefs.
Islam preaches, treat every other being as your brother and conduct yourself accordingly. But do they walk along that path? No. Christianity teaches forbearance, stating that if anyone slaps you once, offer yourself to receive the second slap also. They claim to belong to a particular religion, but they do not practice the same. It is best that each one should respect his own religion. It is good to respect other religions also. If you do not like to respect other religions, be silent, but do not criticize them.
It is most necessary for students to develop such a broad-minded mentality today. Today’s students are responsible for the progress of Bharath. Do not observe any difference or any hatred against any religion. Remember that the essence of all religions is one and the same. Do not criticize other religions. Criticism is dangerous. When you criticize another religion, you are really guilty of assailing your own religion. Therefore, show your reverence to everyone. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaaram Keshavam Pratigachhati.  The prostrations you offer to everyone will ultimately reach Keshava(God) alone.

04-Any Religion that denounces any other Religion is no Religion at all-It is madness-2.50-1985 December 25
Any Religion that denounces
any other Religion is no Religion at all

Whether in Hinduism or Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism, Christianity or Islam, Divinity is One and One only. Today people of different faiths profess great belief in their religion. But this is merely acting and not the truth. The Hindus consider that Hindu religion is the greatest. If this is so great, then what is its greatness? It is the teaching that the God in all the religions is one and the same. To claim that my religion of Hinduism is the greatest and to criticize other religions – does it amount to belief in Hindu religion?  

This applies to Christianity also. They argue, “We are Christians. Jesus is the only God. There is no other God”. Yes, one may claim that Jesus alone is God. But they should not criticize others’ religions. To have faith in Jesus but to violate His teaching; can this be a proper way of establishing religion? No religion should have the thoughts of criticizing any other religion. It is not a religion at all that cavils at other religions. It is a form of madness.     

05-Conflicts and Violence are not caused by Religions (Mathamu)-But by Selfish Minds (Mathulu)-2.11-1990 December 25
Conflicts are caused not by Religion
but by Selfish Minds

The essence of all religions is Oneness and that is the principle of Love. If we nurture that principle of love there will be no scope for any hatred. Today religion is regarded as the cause for all the conflict, violence and bitterness in the world. But, matham (religion) is not the cause. Svaartha Mathulu (Selfish minds) are responsible for all the conflict. Are there not conflicts among people of the same religion on account of diverse viewpoints? People in Iran and Iraq profess the same Islamic faith. What is the reason for the conflict between them? 3/4thof the nations in the western world are Christians; but what is the reason for conflicts among them?

In Bharat also, all are Bharatiyasand they profess the Bharathiya religion. But why is there discord amongst them? When we examine this question deeply, we find that religions are not the real reason for these conflicts. Only selfish minds are the cause. Wearing the garb of religion, to fulfil individual selfish motives, conflicts are being incited among the people.

06-If the Mind is good which Religion is bad-1.21-1975 November 21
If the Mind is Good
which Religion can be Bad?

Matamulanniyucheri Manchine Bodhinche

Telesimelugavalayu Telivitoda
Manasu Manchidaina Matamedi Cheddadi
Unnamaata Telupuchunnamaata
All religions put together teach us only good things,
Understanding this, one should conduct himself with intelligence;
If one’s mind is good, how can any religion be bad at all,
This is the plain and simple Truth that I am communicating to you.

A Short Quiz
01-Who according to Bhagawan is a true Pandit or Scholar?
02-What message does Bhagawan communicate through the verse, “Sarva Jeeva Namaskaaram Keshavam Pratigachhati” ?
03-What according to Bhagawan is the true reason for all the conflicts and violence in the world?
04-What is the link between religion (mathamu) and the human mind (mathi)?
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Unity of Religions Part-IV:  There is only One Religion, the Religion of Love;  There is only One God and He is Omnipresent

Unity of Religions Part-IV: There is only One Religion, the Religion of Love; There is only One God and He is Omnipresent

 

Religion is said to be a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Religion is the royal highway that leads us to God. All great Masters and Prophets established several pathways to enable human beings to make a connection with and eventually realize their true Divine Self.
The only religion that Bhagawan preaches is that of Love. And He stresses again and again that Love is the essence of all the religions. No religion ever preaches violence. The medium that Bhagawan uses to teach us this religion is also Love. The subject is Love, the object is Love and the process is one of Love. That is why Bhagawan says, God is Love, Live in Love. Jesus declared, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. Love in Jainism is expressed through the four forms of public conduct: Kind acts without reward, Rejoice at the well being of others, Relieve suffering of others and Compassion for criminals.
Bhagawan Baba came amidst us in the physical form as an Avataar, not to establish any new religion; but to establish the unity of all religions. He preaches Love and Oneness as the basis of all religions and urges the Hindu to become a better Hindu, the Christian to become a better Christian, the Muslim to become a better Muslim, the Sikh to become a better Sikh and the Jew to become a better Jew. The need of the hour today is to have a correct understanding of religion and an appreciation of the underlying unity in all religions.
This theme of “Unity of Religions” is presented in 5 parts. Part-I is an introduction to Religion. In Part-II Bhagawan explains the reason for diversity in religions. Part-III deliberates on the principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. In Part-IV, Bhagawan expounds on the unique statement made by Him, ‘There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. In Part-V, Bhagawan appeals to all people not to criticize any religion and to respect all religions.
Part-IV of this theme focuses on the One Religion – The Religion of Love and on One God who is Omnipresent. The six audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourses delivered by Bhagawan in the years 1989, 1990, 1999 and 2001. 
Clip-1 talks about how all the religions of the world advocate only peace. No religion preaches violence. Clip-2 reiterates that religions were meant only for the welfare of the society. In Clip-3 Bhagawan describes through various examples, how Love is the undercurrent of all religions. In Clip-4 Bhagawan expounds on the true Religion of Love. Clip-5 elaborates on the aspect of God being the very embodiment of Love and Omnipresence. Finally in Clip-6, Bhagawan explains how the same God pervades all names and forms.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-All Religions advocate Peace and not Violence-4.04-1989 July 23
Help Ever Hurt Never – Sage Vyasa
Image Source

The ancient Bharatiya religion, based on the Vedic culture, also referred to as the Hindu traditions, always prayed for universal peace “Lokaa Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu”.  The objective of Islam religion is also the same. In Persian, the word “Islam” has many sacred meanings. One meaning of the word “Islam” is “surrender” and another meaning is “peace”. The inner meaning of this term is that man should surrender to God and live in peace with his fellow men. The holy book of Islam, the Quran, contains many sacred precepts. “Salaath” is one such precept. It enjoins one to worship God with steady faith. Another precept is “Zakaath”, which enjoins the believer to practise charity for relieving and protecting fellow-beings in need or in distress.

In the scriptures of the Bharatiyas, a similar duty has been laid down in the saying, given by Sage Vyasa, as the essence of all the eighteen Puranas. “Paropakaaraaya Punyaaya Paapaaya Parapeedanam” (It is meritorious to help others and it is sinful to cause harm to others). Help ever, Hurt never. It is by practising such sacred precepts that people professing different faiths lived in harmony. Truth, peace, love, forbearance and compassion were regarded as the five life-breaths of religion.“Hin” means “Himsa” (violence) and “Du” means “Distant”. Therefore the Hindu Nation means the ones who stay away from violence. Hin-Du – staying away from violence. Therefore we should not entertain any differences related to the religions of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, or Parsis.

02-All Religions have propagated only the Welfare of Society-1.20-1990 December 25
All Religions preached for the welfare of society

It is evident that all religions preached keeping in mind the well-being and safety of society. The well-being of society leads to the welfare of the world. The immortal drop of Truth-realisation (Self-realization) can be got only through society. But, unfortunately, society today is riddled with the poison of strife, chaos and conflict.

03-Love is the Undercurrent of all Religions-4.00-1999 February 14
Love is the undercurrent of every Religion

He is a true Christian who cultivates the harvest of love in the field of his heart. A Christian should become an ideal Christian. That is, he must cultivate the harvest of love in the field of his heart. Only then can he be a true Christian. Next, who is a Sikh? A Sikh is not the one who wears a turban and carries a sword. One can be a true Sikh only if he cultivates the harvest of love in (the field of) his heart. Therefore, a true Sikh is the one who is full of love, who is the very form of love. Being a Sikh does not mean killing others and causing pain to others. Who are Hindus? It is the same with Hindus too. He is a true Hindu who cultivates the crop of love in (the field of) his heart. But this crop of love is not to be found anywhere. Even the seeds of love are not sown, then how can you get the crop of love? How can you call such a person devoid of love as a Hindu?

I told you then; ‘H’ stands for “Humanity”; ‘I’ stands for “Individuality”; ‘N’ for “Nationality”; ‘D’ for “Divinity” and ‘U’ for “Unity”. The one with these five qualities is a true Hindu. However, these five qualities are not seen in us. Then how can we call ourselves Hindus? The undercurrent of all these is Love. Without harvesting the crop of love, how can you call yourself a Hindu? A true Hindu must also be an embodiment of love.
Next is the Muslim. The Muslim too is one who has been able to harvest the crop of love. Muslim has another meaning. They call out, “Allah”. Allah means God. “Allah Ho Akbar”. Akbar means great. Therefore, God is Great! He is the greatest of all. What is the meaning of Islam? The one who leads a peaceful life can be said to belong to Islam. When can you get this peace? Only when the heart is full of love, can you be peaceful. Without love, you can never get peace.
Therefore, in every caste, in every religion, in every person, the heart must be full of Love.  

04-There is only one Religion-The Religion of Love-1.37-2001 November 21
There is only One Religion
The Religion of Love

Leave religion aside. (Understand the) Religion of Love. Because of religious differences there are conflicts. Wherever there are differences, there are fights. Therefore, if you want to enjoy happiness as one united group, without any conflicts, then you must set aside all differences. When once we know the language of the heart, the religion of love and the caste of humanity, there will be no scope for any conflicts. The entire humanity is one. Once you understand humanity, you will not find religion as something different.

Religions are many, but the path is one. Once we know the right path, all religions will be unified. If the minds are good, which religion is bad? Listen O heroic sons of Bharath, “Keeping all the differences in our mind, to think that there are differences in religions is very wrong”.

05-There is only One God-He is Omnipresent-3.16-1999 November 19
There is only One God
He is Omnipresent
Image Source

This world is Viswa Maatha (Universal Mother). All are the children of Viswa Maatha. All are brothers and sisters. You should not have any differences whatsoever. Our qualities may be different but essentially we are one. “Ekatvam Sarvam”. Everything is One. There is water in the river, there is water in the sea, there is water in the tank, there is water in the vessel, there is water in the pit – there is water everywhere. But the same sun gets reflected in all the water. The water may be different but the sun is One. The same sun cannot appear as different suns for all the parts of the world. In the same way, the Divinity gets reflected in the water of love in your heart. The Divinity may get reflected in any heart but you should not show any differences that it is “This God” or “That God”.

Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanti (Truth is one, but scholars refer to it by different names). The God who resides in each one of us is the same One. It is narrow mindedness to say that you like only Rama or Krishna or Siva or Vishnu or Sai Baba. There is only one God, and He is omnipresent. We have to understand this Truth. Do not hate any name whatsoever. A Christian should become a better Christian, a Hindu a better Hindu, and a Muslim a better Muslim. But it is very wrong to say one thing and practice something else. The one without love cannot be called a Christian or a Sikh or a Hindu or a Muslim. In fact, he is verily a demon on this earth. Without love in the heart, if one claims to be a Christian or a Muslim or a Hindu, he is actually a demon. But with love in the heart, everybody becomes one. Only those without love and with a narrow mind give scope to differences based on religion – such as I am a Muslim, I am a Christian, I am a Zoroastrian, I am a Hindu, or I am a Buddhist. We must unite with only One Love.

06-God pervades all Forms and Names-2.57-2001 December 25
God is all Names
God is all Forms
Image Source

The Romans addressed Jesus as ‘Persona’. ‘Persona’ means sacredness. The English word person has been derived from the word ‘Persona’. It means that since there is Divinity in everyone, they started calling everybody as ‘Person’. Every human being is the embodiment of Divinity. I and you are one. Therefore, all are Divine. There is Divine Atma (Spirit) in everybody. This very Atma or Self was termed as ‘Persona’. Thus in every human being, there is Divinity. There is no human without Divinity. There is no life principle without Divinity. There is no living being without Divinity. In every being there is Divinity.

Sarvathah Paanipaadam
Tat Sarvatokshi Siromukham
Sarvathah Sruthimalloke
Sarvamaavruthya Thisthathi
With His hands, feet, eyes heads, mouth and ears pervading everything; He permeates the entire universe
Divinity pervades all forms. The Bible and the Quran contain many such sacred meanings. But foolish people, who do not understand the meaning, take wrong interpretations and go along wrong ways. Be it Allah or Jesus or any other Master, nobody preached anything bad.
He who is known as Allah by Muslims, as Jehovah by Christian aspirants, as Pullabjaksha (the Lotus-eyed Lord) by the worshippers of Vishnu, as Sambho, by those who revere Siva; He is only One who protects you and grants the grace of bliss, health, life, fame and fortune. He is only One for everybody. (Telugu Poem)
Therefore, the names of Allah, Jesus, Rama and Krishna are given only for our satisfaction; but in reality God is One. To say that Allah has said this, Jesus has said this, Rama has said this – is all our own delusion. All (these Masters) have preached the sacred path only for the emancipation of mankind. 

A Short Quiz
01-What is the meaning of the word “Islam” in Persian language?
02-What is the meaning of the sacred precepts of “Salaath” and “Zakaath” in Islam ?
03-What is the essence of the eighteen Puranas according to the sage Veda Vyasa?
04-How does Bhagawan pun on the word “Hindu” to show that Hinduism always propagated non-violence?
05-Who is a true Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim according to Bhagawan?
06-Give the full form of the word “HINDU”, used as an acronym by Bhagawan.
07-What is the meaning of the phrase, “Allah Ho Akbar”?
08-Complete the quote, “There is only one Religion, the Religion of Love; There is only one Caste…”.
09-How does Bhagawan illustrate the Truth that God is One, through the example of water in the river, sea, tank and vessel?
10-What does the Roman word “Persona” mean? What English word did it eventually lead to?
After going through the last four parts of this posting, it becomes amply clear that all religions have only one common goal. They are like different paths leading to the same destination. The differences that we perceive are only in the practices and rituals and these were meant to cater to certain contexts and mindsets, but underlying all this diversity is unity. The final Part-V of this posting thus appeals to all people to respect all religions and never criticize any religion. To read the final Part-V please click here:
http://hismessagehisvoice.blogspot.in/2012/07/unity-of-religions-part-v-respect-all.html
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Unity of Religions Part-III: Principle of Oneness – Common to all Religions

Unity of Religions Part-III: Principle of Oneness – Common to all Religions

 

Religion is said to be a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Religion is the royal highway that leads us to God. All great Masters and Prophets established several pathways to enable human beings to make a connection with and eventually realize their true Divine Self.
The basic truth of spiritual oneness is the anchor point of every religion. Jesus declared: “All are one, be alike to everyone.” He preached the “brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God”. Bhagawan says that in the term Allah, “A” stands for “Atma” and “La” for “Layam” or mergence. Therefore, invoking Allah signifies merging in the Atma which is the One God. The Upanishads emphasizing the oneness of humanity declare “Sahasraaksha Sahasrapaad” – All eyes are God’s; all feet are His; all hands are His. The ancients declared, “Ekam Eva Adveeteeya Brahma” – Brahma is Not two, Only One.
Bharathiya Philosophy explains this principle of Oneness with the example of the ocean, wave and the foam. What can be seen, observed and measured clearly is the foam that forms on the sea wave. This is what one refers to as empirical reality or in Vedantic parlance, Vyaavahaarika. The waves are seen apparently, but they do not have any permanent reality. One can never catch a single wave, as it keeps changing its form and shape and eventually crashes against the shore assuming its true form of water. Therefore the wave is only an apparent reality. This is called Praatibhaasika. The foam has its existence only so long as the wave has its existence. The empirical is based on the apparent. Further, both the foam and the wave are actually temporary manifestations of water that is the ultimate reality. Water transcends both the wave and the foam. Even when the wave and foam lose their form, shape and name, thus losing their very existence, the water remains. Water is referred to as Paaramaardhika or the transcendental reality. Drawing a parallel with our human existence, our physical body is like the foam, the mind is like the wave and the Atman or consciousness is the transcendental reality like the water. Therefore, religion is the process of discovering that the physical body is only an empirical reality that is accessible to our sensory perceptions, the mind on the basis of which the body exists, is only an apparent reality; but ultimately the Atman or the Soul is the transcendental reality. The foam has to merge and become the wave; the wave has to merge and become the water. One has to realize the eternal Self as one’s true source and make one’s journey back unto it. This journey is what religion is all about. Therefore, it is imperative to have a correct understanding of religion and an appreciation of the underlying unity in all religions.
This theme of “Unity of Religions” is presented in 5 parts. Part-I is an introduction to Religion. In Part-II Bhagawan explains the reason for diversity in religions. Part-III deliberates on the principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. In Part-IV, Bhagawan expounds on the unique statement made by Him, ‘There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. In Part-V, Bhagawan appeals to all people not to criticize any religion and to respect all religions.
Part-III of this theme focuses on the Principle of Oneness that is propagated in all religions. The four audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourses delivered by Bhagawan in the years 1985 and 1991. 
Clip-1 explains how all great Masters have propagated only broad and all-inclusive feelings, focusing on the Oneness of the Divine Principle. In Clip-2 Bhagawan describes with examples, how various religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism preach the principle of Divine Oneness. Clip-3 reiterates the same message as in Clip-2. Finally in Clip-4, Bhagawan highlights the message of Christianity, “All are One, be alike to Everyone” and also the message of Vedanta that the Human Body is a like a moving temple of God.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-All Spiritual Masters propagated broad feelings with no differences-But followers do not follow them-2.21-1985 December 25
All Masters preached noble and broad feelings

Truly speaking, be it Jesus or Rama, or Krishna or Govinda, or Zoroaster or Allah, all these noble Masters preached very broad and expansive feelings. But no religious people are following their good teachings. If the teachings of the Founder of a religion are not followed, can it be called a religion? Those who, in the name of religion, further their selfish interests, are bringing discredit to the very founder of the religion.

Therefore, the first thing to be learnt is that there is only One God. Men may be different in form and name. The impact of the geographical region, time and circumstances may vary. There may be differences in colour (of the skin). But, God has no such differences. Hence, you should not hate any religion, you should not criticize any religion, and you should not look down upon any religious principle. You may profess whatever faith you like. Devotion that criticizes another’s religion is no devotion at all.

02-All Religions teach the same Principle of Oneness-7.06-1991 December 25
All Religions teach the same Principle of Oneness

Although in terms of physical form and action, human beings appear different, in terms of the Spirit they are all one – this is the truth propagated by Christianity. It declared that all are the children of one Lord and it appealed to humans to develop the feeling of Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God.

Eko Vasi Sarvam” – this basic truth of the spiritual oneness of all creation is emphasised at every stage in Bharatiya culture. “Ekam Sath Vipraa Bahudhaa Vadanthi” – The Reality is One; the wise call it by different names. The Ultimate Reality is One only. Your mental reactions give rise to multiplicity. What you have to offer to the Lord is Ekaatma Bhaavaa (the feeling of spiritual oneness). Bharatiyas have the practice of folding the two palms together and offering Namaskar(salutation). What is the inner significance of this form of greeting? It is an expression of the Unity in Diversity.
In Islam, the expression “Salaam” is used as a form of greeting. “Sa” in this term signifies the combined expression of Saalokyam, Saaroopyam, Saameepyam and Saayujyam(Seeing the Divine, having the vision of the form of the Divine, proximity to the Divine and merging in the Divine). When these four expressions of “Sat” are combined and merged into one “La” signifying merger; you have Salaam(the merging of the many in the One).
In Christianity, the term “Yesu” (Jesus) is used (to describe Christ). “Ye” means oneness. “Sa” means Divinity. God is One. There are not many. Therefore, the inner meaning of “Yesu” is to merge the mind principle in the Oneness of God. In Jainism also, the same principle was taught by Lord Mahavira. When the senses are allowed to have their way, all kinds of reactions and changes occur. It is only when the senses are brought under unified control that the nature of Divinity can be comprehended.
All are one. Bodies are different. Jewels are many, but gold is one. This is how all religions propagated the Divine principle of Oneness. The Buddhist religion has also propagated this same principle of Oneness. It is Love that must manifest in every human being. Even without anything, life can go on; but if there is no love, life will come to a standstill. For every being, love is the very life force. Only when such love arises in man, he will not give in to violence. He (Lord Buddha) taught that to manifest Divinity in us, we need to first develop love in us.   
Therefore, if we understand the teachings of every religion correctly, we will be able to recognize only unity therein. Thus, differences in religion pollute the mind of man. No one should entertain any differences in religion. We must firmly believe that though human beings may appear different (physically), the God residing within is one and the same. In such circumstances, to blossom, manifest and nurture humanity, time and again, Avataars, Spiritual Masters and Prophets, descend on the earth.

03-All Faiths emphasize the Oneness of God-Namaskaar-Salaam-Yesu-4.45-1985 December 25
Unity in Diversity
Image Source

There is only one God, one goal, and one Divinity residing in every human being. Therefore, there are no differences between Hindus, Muslims and Christians on this basic concept. The essence of all the religions, the basis of all the scriptures, the goal of all the paths, is the Divine Principle alone. But unfortunately without going by this Truth and without walking along the path of Truth, based on their feelings, people are getting on to the wrong path.

In the country of Bharath, when one individual greets the other, with the simple gesture of joining and folding the hands, one uses the word “Namaskaaram”. What is the inner significance of this gesture? The coming together of the two palms and the demonstration of the unity therein, teaches that the Unity in Diversity itself is God. It also represents the offering of the five sense organs (Karmendriyaas) and the five organs of perception (Jnaanendriyaas) i.e. the ten senses to the Lord, as an act of surrender. The Muslims use the term Salaam as a form of greeting. What does this word mean? “Sa” refers to “Sat”, the Lord who is the embodiment of Truth; the embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda(Truth-Awareness-Bliss); the form of the syllable “Sa”. “La” means “Layam”” (mergence). Salaam means merging in the Supreme Divine which represents the form of “Sa”.
Christianity also has similar expressions. All the religions have preached the Truth of Oneness of Divinity. “Yesu” consists of two letters. “Ye” means One. “Su” means God. “Yesu” points out that God is One.   

04-All Faiths emphasize the Oneness of God-Message of Christianity-2.36-1985 December 25
All are One, My dear Son
Be Alike to Everyone

No founder of any religion has ever preached hatred towards other religions. All religions have preached the Oneness of God. Lord Jesus declared that the being (Jiva) or the life principle in all the human bodies is one and the same. When Jesus was being harassed by the Jews, an ethereal voice declared, “All lives are one, my dear Son. Be alike to everyone.” When Jesus was being crucified, the same ethereal voice declared that “Death is the dress of life”. The human body is only vesture for the Spirit. The dress of the human body can be changed regularly, and there is no suffering on account of this. This was the truth proclaimed by the Bharathiya Vedanta, “Deho Devaalaya Prokto, Jeevo Deva Sanaatanaah” (the human body is a temple of God in which the Eternal Spirit resides as the Indweller). The ancient Lord dwells in this relatively new body since time immemorial.

A Short Quiz
01-What are the various aphorisms in Bharathiya culture that highlight the principle of Divine Oneness?
02-How does the mode of greeting each other among the Bharathiyas communicate the principle of Oneness? Give both the interpretations given by Bhagawan.
03- What does the term “Salaam” in Islam, signify? Give both the interpretations given by Bhagawan.
04- How does the term “Yesu” represent Oneness of God?
05- What is the meaning of the statement, “Deho Devaalaya Prokto, Jeevo Deva Sanaatanaah”?.
Part-III delved deep into the underlying Principle of Oneness inherent in all religions. Now it would become much easier for us to understand why Bhagawan says that there is only one Religion, the Religion of Love and there is only One God and He is Omnipresent. Much more on this aspect in Part-IV of the posting. To read Part-IV please click here:
http://hismessagehisvoice.blogspot.in/2012/07/unity-of-religions-part-iv-there-is.html
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Unity of Religions Part-II: Diversity in Religions

 

Religion is said to be a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Religion is the royal highway that leads us to God. All great Masters and Prophets established several pathways to enable human beings to make a connection with and eventually realize their true Divine Self.
Though the essence of all religions is the same, it is the practice of these religions that brought in immense diversity; which unfortunately became the cause for confusion and misunderstanding. Diversity was truly meant for relating to the context; to the place, time and circumstances; and to provide a customized approach to suit to man’s mindsets. Religions prescribed a number of rituals and practices to enable man to make this journey from his empirical reality to his eternal reality. Unfortunately, we get so enamoured by these rites and rituals that we mistake the trees for the forest. We lose sight of the content and get lost in the form. It is very rightly said that Ritual + Spirit = Spiritual; whereas Spiritual – Spirit = Mere Ritual.
Today, thanks to our narrow minded approach, distorted viewpoints and polluted thinking; all that is left of religions are these mechanical rituals, performed with no understanding of the true meaning or significance. One of the most common examples given by Bhagawan is of sacrifices prescribed in the Hindu religion. These religious sacrifices had as their true purpose, not the killing of animals or humans for that matter, but the sacrifice of one’s vices and animal qualities. Only by killing the vices and evil qualities in us can we overcome and transcend the ego, so as to realize our Cosmic Oneness. This is what Bhagawan says, is the true meaning of the Cross in Christianity. The Cross consists of a long vertical ‘i’ which represents the human ego and the horizontal line indicates the “crossing of the ‘i’ or the vanquishing of the ego. Similarly, Jihad” in Islam means waging a war against enemies and killing them. But it does not refer to war against external enemies or a Crusade, as it is often unfortunately misinterpreted. Jihad refers to fighting and over­coming one’s own carnal desires and evil inclinations. It is a war against one’s inner enemies. Jihad is an Arabic word from the root Jee Ha Da. It literally means to struggle or strive. Jihadis struggling or striving in the way of Allah, for seeking Allah. Bharathiya philosophy refers to this process as spiritual Sadhana. Sadhanais a spiritual exercise aimed at fighting and putting a check on our inner enemies known as the Arishad VargaasKama (Desire), Krodha(Anger), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Attachment), Mada (Pride) and Matsarya (Jealousy). Thus, truly all religions are the doorways to spirituality. Paths are many but the goal is one. All religious practices have as their purpose the vanquishing of the animal qualities in man, nurturing of the human qualities and eventually manifestation of the Divine qualities from within. Therefore, the need of the hour is to have a correct understanding of religion and an appreciation of the underlying unity in all religions.
This posting on “Unity of Religions” is presented in 5 parts. Part-I is an introduction to Religion. In Part-II Bhagawan explains the reason for diversity in religions. Part-III deliberates on the principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. In Part-IV, Bhagawan expounds on the unique statement made by Him, ‘There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. In Part-V, Bhagawan appeals to all people not to criticize any religion and to respect all religions.
Part-II of this theme focuses on Diversity in Religions. The three audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourses delivered by Bhagawan in the years 1975, 1990 and 1991.
Clip-1 explains how different religions propagated different forms of the Divine Principle to suit to different tastes. In Clip-2 Bhagawan uses the analogy of the rain water that passes through different terrains taking up different forms and names, to drive home the reason for diversity in religions. Clip-3 highlights the truth that religions are like many paths that lead to the same goal.
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Different religions propagated different forms of God-2.29-1975 November 21
Different religions propagated different forms of God

The sacred Vedas propagated the Truth in many ways such as “Satyannaasti Paro Dharmah” – there is no higher Dharma than Truth itself; “Satyasya Satyam” – The Truth of Truths. Such a Divine entity which is the very form of Truth, has been propagated by the religious founders, to various nations, in many different ways and with many different feelings. The Chaarvaakaas (people following a system of Indian philosophy that is characterized as a materialistic and atheistic school of thought), without paying any heed to the Truth, decided that such a God who is the embodiment of Truth does not exist at all. The Jains and the Buddhists also do not believe in the existence of such a God. However, it was Adi Shankara who preached that this (Truth) is an eternal, pure, formless and supreme principle. Such a whole and powerfully manifest principle of Brahma is known as the Atma by many. Others called it Rama, Krishna, Christ, Allah. The one God with different forms was worshipped by people with different feelings. However, we must give primary importance to the attributes in these various forms.     

02-Reason for Diversity in Religious Practices-Context-Needs- Circumstances-2.15-1990 December 25
Never consider any one religion to be
superior or inferior to the other

When there is a downpour, the water that comes down is pure. The rain falls on mountains, hillocks, plains, rivers, oceans and so on. According to the situation and impact of the region through which the rain water passes, its name and form undergoes change. Because of these variations, it should not be thought that the water itself is different.

Based on the impressions of the founders of different faiths, with regard to the requirements of the place, time and circumstances of particular countries, and keeping in view the welfare of the people concerned, certain rules and regulations were laid down. On this account, one faith should not be considered superior and another inferior. The nature of religion is that it does not entertain any such differences. Man’s primary duty is to collectively experience these sacred religious traditions and preach and propagate this Divine Godhood.

03-Paths are Many but the Goal is One-3.50-1991 December 25
Paths are Many but the Goal is One!

When rain pours down from the sky, pure water falls on the rivers, seas, mountains and different regions of the earth. The pure water acquires the colour and taste based on the nature of the region or spot where it falls. Likewise, Prophets and Messiahs imparted their message in terms appropriate to the time, the place, the conditions and the feelings of the people concerned. Religions cannot be considered different from each other for this reason.

All religions have taught
only what is good for humanity.
Religion should be practised
with this awareness.
If the minds are pure,
how can religion be bad?
Listen to this
O heroic children of Bharath! (Telugu poem)
It is a mark of ignorance to consider one religion as superior and another as inferior and develop religious differences on this basis. The teachings of all religions are sacred. The basic doctrines are founded on truth. Atma Tatva, the very form of Truth, is the essence of all religions, the message of all the scriptures and the basis of all Dharma. The primary duty of human beings is to recognise that the paths indicated by different religions may vary but the goal is one.

A Short Quiz
01-What is the belief system of the Chaarvaakaas?
02-What is the belief system of the Jains and the Buddhists?
03- How did Adi Sankara describe the Divine Principle?
04-What is the analogy that Bhagawan uses to explain the reason for diversity in religions?
05- How can we explain the statement, “Paths are many but the Goal is one”, with respect to religion?
Part-II of this posting gave us an understanding of why there is diversity in religious practices and how the diversity is only on the surface whereas, underlying all this Diversity is Unity, a commonness and uniformity. In Part-III of this posting Bhagawan elaborates on the underlying Principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. To read Part-III please click here: 
http://hismessagehisvoice.blogspot.in/2012/07/unity-of-religions-part-iii-principle.html
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Unity of Religions Part-I: Introduction to Religion

 

Religion is a said to be a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes, to moral values. Religion is the royal highway that leads us to God. All great Masters and Prophets established several pathways to enable human beings to make a connection with and eventually realize their true Divine Self.
But religion is perhaps one of the most misunderstood concepts today. Unfortunately, on account of the distorted interpretations presented by narrow minded and confused minds, over a period of time, many so called religious people have hooked on to false ideologies and meaningless practices. A fundamentalist approach to religion has led to religious intolerance and lack of respect and sensitivity to human feelings. The outcome, as we have been witnessing, is avoidable violence and bloodshed. It is ironical that religion that was supposed to help man connect to his higher Self and enable him to live in peace and harmony with his fellow beings, is now tending to become the very antithesis of it.
Therefore, the need to have a correct understanding of religion and an appreciation of the underlying unity in all religions cannot be overstressed. Bhagawan Baba has simplified this most complex concept. Unlike many other spiritual masters and scholars who write volumes and volumes about religion and various religious practices, Bhagawan Baba demystifies religion and gives a most simple and practical meaning to it. He says, “There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. Love is the beginning and the end of every religion.
Bhagawan Baba says, ‘Religion is realisation’. Only when we realize the truth about ourselves, will we understand what religion truly is. The English word ‘religion’ has a Latin Origin, from the word ‘religare’. Religare means ‘reunion’, or to “return to the source”, “to merge with the source”. The word for religion in Arabic is “Mazhab”, which is from the root word ‘zahaba’, which means “to go”, i.e. to go back to the source. What is our Truth? What is our Source? Where have we all come from?  This and much more will be available in this posting on “Unity of Religions”.
This theme of “Unity of Religions” is presented in 5 parts. Part-I is an introduction to Religion. In Part-II Bhagawan explains the reason for diversity in religions. Part-III deliberates on the principle of Oneness that is common to all religions. In Part-IV, Bhagawan expounds on the unique statement made by Him, ‘There is only one Religion; the Religion of Love”. In Part-V, Bhagawan appeals to all people not to criticize any religion and to respect all religions.
Part-I of this theme focuses on an introduction to Religion. The four audio extracts in this posting are taken from the Discourses delivered by Bhagawan in the years 1990 and 2001. 
Clip-1 very aptly begins with a Telugu poem sung by Bhagawan that communicates the oneness of the Divine Principle inherent in all the religions. In Clip-2 Bhagawan elaborates on the origin of the concept of religion and the meaning of this term. In Clip-3, Bhagawan goes on to explain the meaning of religion and also establishes its relationship with spirituality. The post concludes with Clip-4 that presents a few common teachings of different religions focusing on the principle of oneness of God.    
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-The same One God is known by different Names in different Faiths-Telugu Poem-2.16-1990 December 25
The same God is called by different names in different Religions
Image Source

Adored by Muslims as Allah,

As Jehovah by Christians,
As the Lotus-eyed Lord by Vaishnavites,
As Sambho by Saivites,
The One who confers health and wealth,
Revere Him as the one Supreme Omni-Self (Telugu poem)
He who is known as Allah by Muslims, as Jehovah by Christian aspirants, as Pullabjaksha (the Lotus-eyed Lord) by the worshippers of Vishnu, as Sambho, by those who revere Siva; He is only One who protects you and grants you the grace of bliss, health, long life, fame and fortune. Believe that He is only One God.

02-Origin and Meaning of Religion-4.19-1990 December 25
Religion provides the bond between Individual and Divine

Unity, fellow-feeling and devotion are essential for every human being. To promote these three sacred qualities in mankind, some great souls sought to establish different religions. Religion is not a restrictive concept. Religion shows the pathway for human development and goal of life. Religion brings out the humanness in man and enables him to live in harmony and happiness with his fellow-men. It provides the bond and relationship between the individual and the Divine. It demonstrates the unity that underlies the diversity.

Love, Sacrifice, Service and Righteousness are the main limbs of Religion. Religion brings out the Divine and sublime feelings in man and makes him serve society. It evokes all that is great, blissful and good in men and demonstrates the unity of mankind to the world.
Religion is like an undercurrent for the whole of humanity. The founders of religions, with a view to spreading the subtle secrets of religious faith, laid down certain rules of conduct and conveyed their message to the people.

03-Religion is Realization-Spirituality is to know Oneself-Love is the key-3.35-2001 November 21
Religion is Realization.
Spirituality is to know Thyself

In the very first instance we have to understand what religion is. Religion means Realization. What has got to be realized? Once you recognize who you are, you will be able to understand religion correctly. True spirituality is to recognize the Unity and know that the Self in you is the same Self present in everyone else. Spirituality is to know Unity in Diversity.

Realization is religion and to know Thy Self is spirituality. A small example: This is my kerchief, this is my tumbler and plate, this is my body, this is my hand. For everything you say, “my”, “my”.  But then, who are you? Only because you exist, you claim that everything belongs to you. This is my kerchief. Kerchief is separate from me. This is my body. Body is separate from me. I am not the body. But who am I? When you enquire into this truth you will realise that you are separate from all these put together. In fact, first of all, you are the master of all these. That master is the Atma. The same Atma (Self) is present in all.
This is a ring. This is a chain. This is an earring. You see all these as separate forms (of jewels). But if you recognize that the gold in all these is one and the same, why would you have any differences? Therefore, Divinity is only One. You may see many names and forms in this Divinity. But the basis of all these names and forms is Love alone.

04-Common Teachings from various Religions-3.55-1990 December 25
Image Source

Buddhism declared that Truth and Non-violence are the basic requisites to manifest non-attachment, sacredness and Divinity in life.

Christianity proclaimed that all are children of God. As such, they should have fraternal feelings towards each other. They must pray to God and experience happiness. Jesus declared, “All are one, be alike to everyone.”
According to Islam, all are members of one family in spiritual terms. It regarded prayer as the best means for furthering this brotherhood and ensuring peace and security in society.
The Upanishads declare, “Sahasraaksha Sahasrapaad”. All heads are the heads of God. All Feet are the feet of God and all hands are the hands of God. “Sahasrasheerusha Purushaha Sahasraaksha Sahasrapaad”. The Upanishads preached the societal principle of oneness. For humans, it is the collective concept that is fundamental and not individualism. No one can live in this world all by himself. He has to cultivate the sense of community if he wishes to live in peace and happiness. “Sahanaa Vavathu; Sahanau Bhunakthu; Sahaviryam Karavaavahai” – Let us live together; let us struggle together; let us grow together in joy and harmony. This is the teaching of the Vedas.

A Short Quiz
01-What is religion according to Bhagawan?
02-How did religion originate?
03-What are the four limbs of religion?
04-What are the examples that Bhagawan gives to illustrate the Truth that the same Divine Self (Atma) is present in all beings?
05- List one or more important teachings from different religions that communicate the Oneness of the Divine Principle.
Having got some idea about what religion is and what the true purpose of religion is, we next move on to understand the reason for diversity in religions. If the purpose of all religions is one; why then are there so many differences in religious practices? This question is answered in Part-II of this posting. To read Part-II please click here:
http://hismessagehisvoice.blogspot.in/2012/07/unity-of-religions-part-ii-diversity-in.html
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Four Defects of the Antahkarana (Inner Instruments) Braanthi, Pramaadam, Karanaapaataanaa and Vipralipsa

 

Mano Moolam Idam Jagath. The mind is the basis for all creation. Therefore, the mind is the key for getting either bound to or liberated from this world. Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho. Turning the mind towards the world gets us bound to it whereas turning the mind towards God liberates us and takes us to eternal freedom. However, this is easier said than done. Controlling the mind is an uphill task. Bhagawan often refers to the human mind as a monkey mind. To add it further, He says, it is like a monkey that is drunk and also bitten by a scorpion! How then can we put a check to the vagaries of this mind and turn it inwards towards our true Self (God)? For this, just like any doctor would do, we need to conduct a diagnostic check and identify what the disease is, in the very first place. Our dear Lord as the Divine Doctor comes to our rescue here. Being the very creator of the mind and the world, He is the only one who could give us a detailed explanation of the anatomy of our mind, and that is precisely what He does in this posting.
In the previous posting Bhagawan explained to us three critical vagaries of the human mind that are responsible for the illusion that it creates and for subjecting us to Self-forgetfulness, thus binding us to this illusory world. These three vagaries of the mind being Mala, Vikshepa, and Aavaranaa. In this posting Bhagawan delves further into the various aspects of the mind itself, called the inner instruments or the Antahkarana. In Vedantic literature, the Antahkarana is organised into four parts: Manas (mind), the part that controls sankalpa (will or resolution) or the thinking mind; Buddhi (intellect), the part that controls discrimination and decision making; Chitta (memory), the part that deals with remembering and forgetting; and Ahamkara (ego), the part that identifies the Atman (the Self) with the body as ‘I’. Having introduced the four inner instruments, Bhagawan elaborates on the four defects associated with these inner instruments. The four defects being: Braanthi (delusion), Pramaadi (danger), Karanaapaatana (weakness of the senses) and Vipralipsa (jealousy). All the 14 audio extracts in this posting have been taken from the Discourse delivered by Bhagawan on the 25thMay 1990, during the Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality, held at Brindavan Ashram, Whitefield, Bangalore. 

Clip-1 introduces the four inner instruments of the mind called the AntahkaranaManas(mind), the Buddhi (intellect), the Chitta (memory / awareness), and the Ahankaara (ego). Bhagawan then makes a reference to the four defects associated with the AntahkaranaBraanthi (delusion), Pramaadi(danger), Karanaapaatana (weakness of the senses) and Vipralipsa(jealousy). In Clip-2, Bhagawan elaborates on the first two defects of Braanthi(delusion), and Pramaadi (danger). Clip-3 and Clip-4 talk about how sense organs have no life of their own and how the human body can be compared to a big torch light. In Clip-5, highlighting the aspect of Braanthi(delusion), Bhagawan talks about the ephemeral nature of worldly relationships. In Clip-6, He makes a special reference to the students of modern times and their nature. Clip-7 elaborates on the third defect Karanaapaatana(weakness of the senses). In Clip-8, Bhagawan narrates the story of the Landlord, the middle class farmer and their bulls to illustrate how sense organs behave in a very relative way based on the context and situation. Clip-9 elaborates on the disease that affects the senses, through the example of ailments like Malaria and Jaundice. Clip-10 focuses on the fourth defect of the Antahkarana called Vipralipsa (jealousy). In Clip-11, Bhagawan explains how selfishness manifests in students, giving very simple, yet profound examples of students travelling in a bus and students checking for their examination results in a newspaper. In Clip-12, Swami appeals to the students to give up the bad quality of jealousy. Clip-13 highlights the key to cleanse the mind and remove the defects of the Antahkarana. Finally, in Clip-14 Bhagawan stresses on the fact that youth is the right time and age for engaging in the process of cleansing the mind and getting rid of the defects in the Antahkarana.  
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Antahkaranas and their Four Defects-2.19-1990 May 25
The Four Inner Instruments (Antahkarana) of the Human Mind
Image Source

Students, the Manas (mind), the Buddhi (intellect), the Chitta (memory / awareness), and the Ahankaara(ego), constitute the Anthahkarana of the mind. What is the meaning of Antahkarana? Karana means instruments. Therefore, Antahkarana means inner instruments. Many describe these in so many complex ways like Vedanta (but it is very simple). The eyes see outside, the ears hear outside, the tongue speaks outside, the hands perform activities outside, the nose detects smells outside. All these have a certain form. But mind has no form. The intellect has no form. The memory or awareness has no form and even the ego has no form. The collective formlessness of these four instruments constitutes their true form. These (inner instruments) have four kinds of defects. The first is Braanthi(delusion), the second is Pramaadi (danger), the third is Karanaapaatana(weakness of the senses) and the fourth is Vipralipsa (jealousy). It is these four defects that pollute the Antahkarana.

    
02-Braanthi and Pramaadam-First two defects of the Antahkarana-1.44-1990 May 25
Braanthi (Delusion) is what makes us see the unreal as real
Image Source

The first defect is Braanthi. It is delusion. What type of delusion is this? It refers to a state of mind in which a person mistakes, for instance, a rope for a snake and a snake for a rope. In other words, he regards the unreal (temporary) as real (permanent) and the real (permanent) as unreal (temporary). Such delusions invariably lead to accidents or dangerous situations (pramaadam). If you hold a snake thinking it is a rope, you are certainly in for trouble. Man today regards the body as real. No. No. The body is like a water bubble. We never know when, where and in what way it will burst. This is not real. The body is just a cage of bones (skeleton). It is full of faeces, urine, bad odour and flesh; and does not emanate any good fragrance (Bhagawan here uses a phrase “Punugu Javadi Puttabodu” Punugu is a civet cat, a nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, which historically has been the main species from which was obtained a musky scent used in perfumery; Javadi refers to a perfume like Pomatum. Therefore, Bhagawan says that the human body does not emanate any such fragrances). Assuming such a body to be real, we are losing the strength that is needed to put this body into proper use.

03-Braanthi and Pramaadam-Sense Organs have no life of their own-0.57-1990 May 25
Sense Organs have no life of their own
Image Source

Students understand one thing clearly. Eyes, ears, mouth and nose all do exist. If we consider that it is the eyes which see, ears which hear, tongue which speaks (and nose which smells); then after death, we have the same eyes, same ears, same nose, and same tongue. Why does it not speak, why does it not see, why does it not hear? If you are the body verily, then why can you not see then (after death)? Because, the power that enables the eyes to see is absent.   

04-Braanthi and Pramaadam-Human Body is like a Big Torch Light-1.17-1990 May 25
Human Body is like a Big Torch Light
Image Source

The human body is like a big torch light. The eyes are like the bulb of the torch. Buddhi (intellect) is like the switch. A big torch, a big bulb, and the switch is also on, but there is no light. Why? What is the reason? There are no cells in the torch. Because there are no cells in the torch, we do not get light. Our blood cells are like these cells and each blood cell is embedded with Divine energy. Sometimes, the cells may be there but their power would have been exhausted. That power is the Divine power. So long as this Divine Power is in the body, the body performs various functions.    

05-Braanthi and Pramaadam-Ephemeral Nature of Relationships-2.23-1990 May 25
Who belongs to whom? Who is related to whom?

Considering this (human body) as real, we subject ourselves to danger. We do not repose our faith in those whom we ought to, but we place our faith in things in which we ought not to. How long can you have people whom you consider as “mine” and “belonging to me”. Who belongs to whom? Can you consider your parents who have brought you up all along and nurtured you in so many ways, as yours? Yes, so long as they are alive, you must respect them, you must serve them and you must satisfy them. This is your duty, your dharma. Everybody have their own respective duties. While coming into this world, nobody gets even a piece of cloth and while leaving the world, nobody even gives their address. Who is related to whom?

However, we consider this as Truth (real). This is not Truth (Sathyam). It is Mithyam. A Vedantin (philosopher) once came to Me. “Swami, Shankaracharya has said, Brahma Sathyam, Jagath Mithya. But, I see this world literally, I even experience this world empirically, I exist in the waking, dream and deep sleep state (Jaagrath, Swapna and Sushupthi states). How then can this be Mithya(delusion)?” He so questioned Me. Son, leave the fact that the world is Mithyato the world. Let it judge for itself. First of all find out whether you are True (Sathya) or Mithya (Delusion). If each one can discover whether he is True or Mithya, then he will be able to understand the same about the world too.             

06-Braanthi and Pramaadam-Nature of Students today-1.04-1990 May 25
You are not thinking about the nuisance
coming from within you

Students of today are also like this. They are not making an attempt to understand their true nature. They aspire to know everything that is going on in foreign countries. What is going on in that country, what is going on in this country, you are trying to know everything that is going on in foreign regions; but are you putting in an effort to know what is going on in your own body? You are only receiving the news that is coming from outside, but you are not thinking about the nuisance that is coming from within you. Therefore, first of all realize your own Self (who you truly are). Try to rectify and correct yourself. Then you can try to mend others. This is the primary aspect that students must recognize first. Therefore, on account of delusion, danger sets in.   

07-Karanaapaatanaa-Third defect of the Antahkarana-1.04-1990 May 25
Karanaapaatana is the weakness of the senses
Image Source

The third defect is Karanaapaatanaa. What is Karanaapaatanaa? Karana means the sense organs (instruments). Apaatana means weakness. Therefore, the third defect is the weakness of the senses. The senses get affected by a disease. The mind experiences through these senses that are affected by the disease. Consequently, the mind also becomes diseased. What is this disease that affects the senses? Senses never represent to you things as they are. They always behave in accordance to the time (context).   

08-Karanaapaatanaa-Story of the Landlord-Farmer and the Bull-4.13-1990 May 25
Your Bull killed my Bull or my Bull killed your Bull?
Image Source

A small example: There was a great landlord who stayed in a village. He was the most senior person in all aspects in that village. In the same village, there was a farmer who came from the middle class of the society. One day, in a field on the outskirts of the village, the bull of the landlord (by name Reddy) and the bull of the middle class farmer were grazing. On account of some reason, the two bulls started fighting with each other. Due to this fight, there were some injuries in some parts of the body and the bull of the landlord fell down and died. The middle class farmer was terrified. The landlord is the head of the village, a very wealthy person, having a very great name. My bull has killed his bull. I wonder what punishment he will give me, thought the middle class farmer. Very frightened, he came running to the house of the Landlord.

On account of the fear, he was very nervous. The nervousness is indeed a weakness. He said exactly opposite to what he was supposed to say! He said, “O landlord, your bull has beaten my bull and killed it”. Reddy garu (respectful way of referring to a great person) heard everything very peacefully. “O son, human beings themselves, being well educated and very intelligent, kill each other at times. After all, these animals are dumb. They have no Sujnaana, Prajnaana and Vijnaana (3 types of intelligence). If they fight among themselves and kill each other, what can anyone do? You do not need to worry about this at all, my son. This is very natural in the world. Thus the landlord replied in a very peaceful state of mind. 
However, the farmer realized the mistake he had made in his communication. He said, “O Master, I have committed a big mistake. It is my bull that has actually killed your bull”. Reddy garu was furious with anger. “What! Have you become so arrogant? Who do you think I am? If your bull has killed the bull that belongs to me – the head of this village, this is a great disaster. Your ego has gone up. Thus abusing him with great pride, the landlord said, “you have to pay a fine of Rs. 500”.
Do you see; when he was told that his bull killed the other bull, he (the landlord) said that this was but natural. When he came to know that the other bull killed his bull, he said that this was a big mistake. Thus, since the senses behaving in this manner according to the context and circumstances, is on the rise in this world; the good becomes bad and the bad becomes good.

09-Karanaapaatanaa-Diseases of the Sense Organs-1.31-1990 May 25
When you get Jaundice, you see everything as yellow
Image Source

Thus senses suffer from a type of disease. Let us say you get malaria fever. Prior to this fever, whatever food you ate, spicy tasted as spicy, salty as salty, bitter as bitter, and sweet as sweet. But once you caught the Malaria fever, even when you ate a Laddu (sweet ball), it tasted bitter. Now, is this the defect of the object? No, it is the defect of the senses? When you are good and healthy, you see white as white, red as red and black as black. But once you get Jaundice, everything appears yellow to you. Thus, as the mind follows the senses that are affected by this disease, the mind also becomes diseased. Karanaapaatana implies that on account of the defects of the senses, humanity is deteriorating.

10-Vipralipsa-Jealousy-Fourth defect of the Antahkarana-1.50-1990 May 25
There is no medicine  in this whole world  for jealousy
Image Source

Vipralipsa means jealousy. Jealousy is a very bad quality in humans. One can never tolerate seeing someone else happy. When one sees someone else happy, one is not able to bear with it. There may be a medicine for any other disease in any nation, but for curing the disease of jealousy, there is no medicine in this entire world. Not being able to accept and bear with somebody else being happy, is a very bad quality in humans. Be happy when you see goodness / happiness (in others). Be happy when you see others giving happiness. But never develop jealousy towards this or that person.

Do not feel jealous about the other student who gets more marks than you. Instead, feel happy that if not you, at least your brother secured good marks. (Have the feeling that) All are my brothers; Brotherhood of man, Fatherhood of God. These are the types of sacred feelings that one needs to develop. What is the reason for developing this quality of jealousy? Selfishness, selfishness, selfishness.     

11-Vipralipsa-Manifestation of Selfishness in Students-2.53-1990 May 25
Image Source

How is this selfishness present in students? When you get into any bus while travelling, there would be many old people, women, children and even sick people in the queue. Do you have a broad mind to think thus: “I am a student with a strong physique. Oh poor people, let them get a seat.” No. No. You feel that I alone must get a seat in the bus. Let anything happen to others. Because of such extreme selfishness, jealousy sets in. Give first priority to weak people, children and women. If you get a seat, fine. If not, walk a little distance. By walking you will get two types of conveniences and benefits. By walking, the body will have a good exercise. And also, if you walk for a mile, you will save the money that you would have been otherwise charged (had you taken the bus). This is the type of broadmindedness that you must develop.

After the Examinations, the results are published in the paper. Lakhs of results (numbers) are printed across 2 to 3 pages in the paper. You are also waiting to see your result. When you open the newspaper, be it The Indian Express or The Hindu, you will find so many numbers there. Truly, you must feel so happy to see so many numbers over there. You must be happy thinking that “Oh, so many have passed!” But selfish ones will never experience such happiness. Among the lakhs of numbers, you will be focusing on finding only your number. “Is my number there? Is my number there?” First you must experience happiness, then you may proceed to find your number; nothing wrong. But such broad mindedness is not to be found at all.           

12-Vipralipsa-Students give up Jealousy-0.55-1990 May 25
Image Source

Students, in the very first instance, destroy the jealousy in you. You are the very embodiment of sacredness. The Vedas declare as such – Shrinwantu Vishwe Amritasya Putrah (Hark yea on the earth, the children of immortality). It declares – Son, you are the child of immortality. Therefore, develop Vishaal Buddhi(broad mindedness). Reduce the unsteadiness of your senses. Thereby, you will achieve purity of the mind. Then alone you will be a man with Trikarna Shuddhi (purity of three instruments – purity and unity of thought, word and deed). 

13-Removing the defects of the Mind and the Antahkaranas-1.25-1990 May 25
See good, Hear good, Think good, Talk good, Do good

Thus we can purify the mind and the Antahkarana and remove the dirt therein by Satkarma (good actions), Sadbhuddhi(good intellect), Sadaalochana (good thoughts) and Satchintana (good feelings). Thus it is said that you must see only good and should not see bad, you must hear only good and should not hear bad. So, first of all develop such feelings. There is only one requirement for Chitta Shuddhi (purity of the mind):

See no evil, see what is good
Hear no evil, hear what is good
Think no evil, think what is good
Talk no evil, talk what is good,
Do no evil, do what is good
This is the Prasadam(gift) of the five elements, five life forces and the five senses. If we enhance this gift, then we will acquire Chitta Shuddhi (purity of the mind), Jnaana Siddhi (gift of wisdom), and we will be able to experience Divine Bliss.    

14-Removing the defects of the Mind and the Antahkaranas-Youth is the right age-1.29-1990 May 25
Youth is the right age to undertake cleansing of the Mind

Therefore, students, mind by itself cannot see. It can see only through the senses. It cannot talk on its own. It can speak only through the senses. Thus, if we keep the senses in good shape, the mind will also remain pure and sacred. Therefore, you youth, when you have Deha Shakti (physical strength), Mana Shakti (mental strength), Adhyaatmika Shakti (spiritual strength) and Indriya Shakti (strength of the senses) all intact in this age; if you do not control your senses, how then can you control them in your old age? This is the time when you must earn God’s Grace to the maximum extent possible. When the tank is filled with rain water in Monsoon, the water can be used during the Summer. This is the best season for you. In this age you must increase God’s Grace on you and you must fill your heart with it. Only if you develop this now, you will have the opportunity to put it to good use in the future.     

A Short Quiz
01-What are the four Antahkarana(inner instruments) associated with the Human Mind?
02-What are the four defects associated with the Antahkarana?
03-What the meaning of the first defect of the Antahkarana called Braanthi? What is the analogy Bhagawan uses to illustrate this defect?
04-The example of the rope and the snake given by Bhagawan to illustrate Braanthi, is elaborated upon by Sri Adi Shankaracharya and explained by Bhagawan several times in His Discourses. Can you explain this analogy with all its nuances?
05-What is the Pramaadam(danger) that one gets into by getting caught in Braanthi (delusion)?
06-Bhagawan says – Body is like a water bubble……..Can you complete this quote of Swami?
07- How does Bhagawan illustrate that the sense organs have no life of their own? Do you recall the Chinna Katha of the mother who passed away- the young hermit son crying over her body inconsolably and the wise sage who advises the young hermit; that communicates the same message?  
08-Explain the analogy drawn by Bhagawan between the human body and a torch light.
09-What is the answer that Bhagawan gives to people like the Vedantin, who are unable to believe the truth that this world is a delusion?
10-What is the nature of the students of today according to Bhagawan, and what is the news and nuisance that Swami talks about in this regard?
11- What is the meaning of the third defect of the Antahkaranacalled Karanaapaatana?
12-What is the message that Bhagawan communicates through the story of the Landlord, the middle class farmer and their bulls?
13-How does Bhagawan further explain the limitations of the sense organs using the examples of diseases like Malaria and Jaundice?
14-What is the meaning of the fourth defect of the Antahkarana called Vipralipsa?
15-Talking about how selfishness manifests itself in students, Bhagawan gives the example of students travelling in a bus. Explain.
16-How according to Bhagawan must a student demonstrate selflessness while checking for her/his examination results in a newspaper?
17-What is the one major requirement for Chitta Shuddhi (cleansing of the mind)?
18-How does Bhagawan explain the fact that youth is the right age for one to exercise control over the mind and the senses and earn God’s Grace?
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Three Vagaries of the Mind – Mala, Vikshepa and Aavarana

 

Mano Moolam Idam Jagath. The mind is the basis for all creation. Therefore, the mind is the key for getting either bound to or liberated from this world. Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho. Turning the mind towards the world gets us bound to it whereas turning the mind towards God liberates us and takes us to eternal freedom. However, this is easier said than done. Controlling the mind is an uphill task. Bhagawan often refers to the human mind as a monkey mind. To add it further, He says, it is like a monkey that is drunk and also bitten by a scorpion! How then can we put a check to the vagaries of this mind and turn it inwards towards our true Self (God)? For this, just like any doctor would do, we need to conduct a diagnostic check and identify what the disease is, in the very first place. Our dear Lord as the Divine Doctor comes to our rescue here. Being the very creator of the mind and the world, He is the only one who could give us a detailed explanation of the anatomy of our mind, and that is precisely what He does in this posting. Bhagawan explains to us three critical vagaries of the human mind that are responsible for the illusion that it creates and for subjecting us to Self-forgetfulness, thus binding us to this illusory world. These three vagaries of the mind are Mala, Vikshepa, and Aavaranaa. Bhagawan explains each of these in detail, and also gives the solution, the road map to overcome these vagaries and realize our True Eternal Self (God).      
In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the vagaries of the mind, audio clips from different discourses on the explanations for Mala, Vikshepa and Aavaranaa have been included. At times, there may be slight repetitions of some points. Hope it would help in reinforcing the point further. There are 17 excerpts from Bhagawan’s Discourses on the five values of Yama, in this posting. These excerpts have been selected from Discourses given by Bhagawan Baba in the years 1990 and 1991. 
  
Clip-1 explains how, though all that we see is God, we fail to acknowledge the same. It goes on to elaborate the cause for this delusion as the three vagaries associated with the mind – Mala, Vikshepa and Aavarana.  In Clip-2, Bhagawan explains the mechanics of the mind. He explains how mind is the basis for all creation, how mind is responsible for both bondage and liberation, and finally focuses on the three defects associated with the mind. Clip-3A and Clip-3B describe the first defect of the mind called Mala. Clip-4 and Clip-5 provide a roadmap for removing the defect of Mala. In Clip-6A and Clip-6B, Bhagawan describes the second defect of the mind called Vikshepa. Clip-7, Clip-8 and Clip-9 give the solution to overcome and get freedom from Vikshepa. In Clip-10A and Clip-10B, Aavarana, the third defect of the mind is explained in detail. Clip-11, Clip-12, Clip-13 and Clip-14 all focus on the solution for overcoming Aavarana.  
Each audio clip has a name that adopts the following code: Serial number, Title appropriate to the key content, Duration of the clip, Year-Month-Date of the Clip. Below the title is the translation in English of the select excerpt of the Discourse, followed by the audio player. The post ends with a short quiz that would help you evaluate your assimilation of Bhagawan’s Message from these extracts.  
Note: Those receiving this blog by email may see words bunched together due to a technical glitch. That is beyond my control. Please click on link at the top of the email to read the blog directly. Sorry about this. If anyone has a solution to this please help me out.
01-Pashyanapicha Na Pashyati Moodho-Three Reasons-Mala-Vikshepa-Aavarana-1.51-1991 March 17
Seeing and yet, Not Seeing

Likewise, it has been said: “Pasyannapicha Na Pasyathi Moodho” (Even while seeing, the fool does not see). That is, even while seeing God, experiencing God and enjoying God, he deludes himself saying, “I want to see God”. Such a person is a Moodho – a fool. Everything that man sees – is it not a manifestation of God? Everything that man experiences – is it not an expression of the Divine? All that man enjoys – is it not a form of the Divine? Is God to be found in any distinct place? Bliss is the very form of God. Everything that is seen is Divine. The world itself is God. Therefore, “Pasyannapicha Na Pasyathi Moodho”. Thus, man performs actions, but is under the delusion that he is not doing any action. He sees God, but is under the delusion that he is not seeing God. There are three reasons for this aberration. Mala, Vikshepa and Aavarana.

02-Three Defects of the Mind-Mala-Vikshepa-Aavarana-3.11-1990 May 25
Mind is the basis for all this Creation

Mano Moolam Idam Jagath – The entire creation is based on the mind. Whether it is happiness or sorrow, merit or sin, truth or untruth, injustice or violence; all these take place inside the mind of man. The mind is the cause for everything. Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho – The mind is the cause for both bondage and liberation. The mind is like a clean mirror. But it does not have a self-luminous capacity. It takes shelter under the sense organs. The mind sees through the eyes. It cannot see on its own. It hears through the ears, but has no capacity to hear on its own. In this manner, the mind carries out its work and functions through all the sense organs. Consequently, the offences committed by the senses are reflected in the mirror of mind. These sense organs are associated with the thought processes. Then, who is to be blamed and held responsible? The sense organs or the mind? No blame attaches to the mind per se. It is only the association with the senses that pollutes the mind. According to the Scriptures, the mind is subject to three kinds of defects: Mala, Vikshepa, and Aavarana.

03A-Mala-The First Defect of the Mind-1.14-1991 March 17
Mala is dust on the mirror of the mind

Mala refers to a mental state comparable to a dust-covered mirror. One can see one’s reflection clearly only when the dust on the mirror is wiped away. The heart that is naturally pure is covered by impurities created by the three gunas related to our life (Satva, Rajas and Tamas). These impurities can be removed only when we put in an effort. However, instead of removing these impurities, we are adding on more impurities to them. Consequently we are unable to perceive the unsullied, eternal Spirit (Atman) within us.

03B-Mala-The First Defect of the Mind-2.37-1990 May 25
Mala is the dirt accumulated in the mind over births

What is Mala? In life, man commits many offences, knowingly or unknowingly. Not only in this life but also in previous lives, birth after birth, many mistakes are committed. The dirt associated with these defects is imprinted on the chitta (memory), life after life, birth after birth. When dirt /dust gets accumulated on the surface of the mirror (of the mind), we cannot get a true reflection of ourselves in the mirror. On account of this, man is unable to see clearly the reflection of his real identity, recognize his true Self, in the mirror of his mind. Hence, it is necessary to put in efforts to cleanse the mirror of the impurities covering it. How can we clean this mirror? What is the methodology? What is the approach to be followed to clean the (mirror of the) mind? This cleansing is done by regulating one’s food and other living habits. Past is past. What is gone is gone. At least in the present we must follow the right path and make an effort to cleanse the mind.

04-Removing Mala through Purity of Food-Paatra-Paaka-Padhaartha-Shuddhi-5.50-1990 May 25
Mala can be removed gradually by consuming pure food

Students who are youth should consume pure food that is free from all defects. Under any circumstances, we must not partake of food that is associated with defects. Bhiksham Deharakshaartham, Vastram Sheetarakshanam (Food is for the purpose of nurturing the body and clothing is for protection from the cold). Food is given to protect the body. However, food that causes diseases in the body is not the right type of food. This is what the Bhagavad Gita preaches as an important dictum – Paatra Shuddhi (purity of the vessel), Paaka Shuddhi (purity of the cooking process, which includes purity of the cook), Padaartha Shuddhi (purity of the materials used).

How have we procured the material that we use for cooking food today? We must enquire whether these materials have been bought by fair means or by unfair means. Food procured by unfair means is the main cause for ailments in the body and lack of peace in man today. We are not acquiring food in a proper, fair and just manner. Carried away by temporary worldly and physical satisfaction, without thinking and without exercising our discriminatory power, we are taking to the wrong path and acquiring food in unfair ways.
First of all, to clean the Mala (impurity of the mind), we need to partake of pure food. However, the power to discriminate as to what is fair and what is unfair is very less in ordinary people. They would not know whether the cooking vessel is pure or not (Paatra Shuddhi). Purity of the material (Padaartha Shuddhi) is even more difficult to determine. What are the feelings of the cook (Paaka Shuddhi– feelings of the cook influence the process of cooking) is totally unknown to us. If we have to wait to determine the purity of all these three aspects, our stomachs will disintegrate! Therefore, if we offer the food to God while partaking of it, the food will become pure.
If anyone asks the question as to where God is, a reply comes from within them.
Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutvaa, Praaninaam Dehamaashritaha
Praanaapaana Samaayuktaha, Pachaamyannam Chaturvidham
Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutvaa – The reply comes – I am in the form of Vaishvaanara in your stomach and am digesting the food eaten by you. But then, when does He digest the food? Only after eating, the food is digested. Therefore, if we partake of food without offering it to God, many defects, many pollutants and many sins enter into the food. That is why,
Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir
Brahmaagnou Brahmanaa Hutham
Brahmaarpitam – As we eat the food considering it as an offering to God, it no more remains as food, but becomes Prasaadam, and all the defects are removed from the food. By this, the dirt that is accumulated on the mirror of our mind (Mala) can be removed slowly and gradually. Once again the mirror of the mind will become clean and pure.          

05-Removing Mala-Importance of Constant Practice-2.09-1990 May 25
A Diamond has to be cut a number of times to make it valuable

By the above method (of consuming pure food that is free from defects), the dirt sticking on to the (mirror of the) mind can be removed gradually. Once again the mirror of the mind will become clean and pure. However, this cannot be achieved in one day, in one year or in just one trial.

Sreyo Hi Jnaanam Abhyaasaat
Jnaanaad Dhyaanam Vishishyate
Dhyaanaat Karma-Phala-Tyaaga
Tyaaga Shantir Anantaram
ll 12 – 12 ll
(If you cannot take to practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action; for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind)
One has to practice. Every human who is born is able to learn the art of walking, talking, reading, writing and eating only through practice. Therefore, practice is essential even for this purpose (i.e. for removing the dirt from the mirror of the mind).
Anaga nanaga raga mathisayinchu chundu
Thinaga thinaga vepa thiyyanundu
Sana rapidi chetha sagamayai povunu
Apaina varmetlu Anubhavinthuru
As you keep hearing the Raga (tune) you will feel happier
As you keep eating neem leaves you will feel it sweeter
As you keep rubbing (refining) your bad thoughts, they will be reduced to half
Otherwise how can you enjoy the boon?
Even for a diamond to get value, it has to be cut a number of times. For gold to be made pure, it has to be burnt in the furnace and purified again and again. In the same manner, the human mind also has to be refined or cultured. By this process, the dirt sticking on to the mind can be removed to some extent.

06A-Vikshepa-The Second Defect of the Mind-1.05-1990 May 25
Vikshepa is the unsteadiness of the mind

The second defect (of the mind) is Vikshepa. The mind is like a mirror. So long as the mirror is wavering, the reflection in it also keeps wavering. Therefore, as the wavering mind keeps oscillating here and there, your reflection in it also keeps wavering. That is why Arjuna told Lord Krishna, “Chanchalam Hi Manah Krishna Pramaadi Balavadrudam”. He prayed to Lord Krishna, “I am unable to live with this wavering mind Krishna. It is highly dangerous and overpowering”.

06B-Vikshepa-The Second Defect of the Mind-3.15-1991 March 17
If one has total faith doubts can never arise

What do we mean by Vikshepa? Vikshepa refers to the phenomenon of constantly moving or wavering. What do we mean by this movement or wavering? The nature of the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas and Tamas) and the impact of the likes and dislikes of man, influence the mind and result in constant doubt in all aspects of life. Man’s entire life is filled with doubts. Whatever we undertake to do, the doubts as to “whether this will happen or not”, “whether I will be able to accomplish or not”, cause the mind to waver constantly. What is the reason for this? Lack of total faith is the cause for this doubt. If one has total faith, such doubts can never arise.

Man has been making an effort to free himself from such doubts. However, he is deteriorating to a point wherein he is unable to have belief in his own self. Unable to have faith in the safety of the money in his own pocket and with the fear that it may get lost, he asks somebody else to keep the money in his pocket. Even if he hands over the money to someone else to keep in his pocket, does he remain free from fear with the confidence that the money will be safe? No. He is now haunted by the doubt whether that person will give back the money or not.
Thus man’s entire life is getting transformed into an anthill (mound) of doubts. In this anthill of doubts, the snakes of attachment and hatred (Raaga and Dvesha) make their entry. Therefore, man’s life has become an anthill. One never knows when the snakes of attachment and hatred will spring forth from this anthill. Man is bound by this attachment and hatred. And the cause for this attachment and hatred is doubt.

07-Removing Vikshepa-Navavidha Bhakti-2.57-1990 May 25
The nine types of devotion are prescribed to steady the mind

What is the method to make this unsteady mind into a steady one? The nine forms of devotion (Navavidha Bhakti) have been prescribed for meditation, prayer and contemplation, so as to gradually steady the wavering mind.

Sravanam, Keertanam, Vishnu Smaranam, Paada Sevanam, Vandanam, Archanam, Daasyam, Sneham, Atma Nivedanam.
When man prays with a pure heart along the path of the Navavidha Bhakti, he will be able to gradually steady the wavering mind. However, the youth of today are further polluting their already polluted minds. When a mossy object covered with moss, is washed with moss itself, can it ever become clean? A mossy object has to be washed with clean water. But, unfortunately such wisdom is absent in the youth today. In the current education system, the aspect of discrimination and wisdom is missing. Therefore, selfishness and self-centeredness is on the rise. Students are clamouring for worldly and materialistic comforts and pleasures. Students are the leaders of the future. If the hearts of the students who are going to be responsible for the progress of Bharath is polluted, the administration and governance of Bharath will also be polluted.  

08-Removing Vikshepa-Bend the body-Mend the senses-End the mind-5.02-1990 May 25
We have right only on our actions
Bend the body, Mend the senses, End the mind

We need to make an effort to gradually reduce the wavering nature of the mind. That is concentration. What should we do in order to develop this concentration? We need to bend the body, mend the senses and end the mind. This is the process of attaining immortality. Therefore we need to bend the body, put in effort and perform our actions. Mend the senses – we need to earn the strength to keep the sense on the right track. We need to keep the mind under our control. Only when we keep the body, the senses and the mind under our control, will we be Masters. Else, we will be slaves.

Students are referred to as Masters. Master is the one who has his senses under control. If one exceeds and transgresses the status of the Master, he will then become a Mister. You are now in the stage of Master. Having the name of a Master and leading the life of a slave becomes a black mark in our life. Students, yielding to the dictates of our senses, for the sake of the senses, we must never take to the wrong path. We should learn education, but should never divert our mind towards anything else – be it worldly, material, or political. Then only will you be a student – Vidyaarthi. If not, you will become a Vishayaarthi (seeker of sensual pleasures). Only if you maintain the mind in the right manner, you are a student; if you take it along the wrong path, you are a stupid.
Dear students, you all must transform yourselves into true students. To get such an accomplished stature, we need to develop Chitta Shuddhi – purity of mind. We must develop steadiness. Spirituality is the right path to develop such steadiness.
Karmanyevaa Adhikaaraste – We have right only on our actions. We must perform actions. We must bend our body. We must purify our heart. It is not in accordance with our duty to merely eat and laze around. Laziness is rust and dust. Realization is best and rest. Therefore we must realize – Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Am I an animal or a human being? This must be investigated thoroughly. In the same manner, we have religion. To realize is religion. With this sort of enquiry, the dirt that has got into us can be cleaned to some extent.

09-Removing Vikshepa-Develop firm Faith-Discover who you are-3.14-1991 March 17
Find out “Who am I?”

Man must develop firm faith. Even if he does not have faith in God, it is fine; let him at least develop faith in himself. Faith in oneself is faith in God. There is no God separate from him. Whether one is an old man, a youth, a young child, a woman, a king, a farmer or a beggar; each one while referring to oneself will say, “I”, “I”. “I am a beggar”, “I am a king”, “I am a woman”, “I am a man”, “I am an old man”, “I am a youth”, “I am a young child”. In all these, we find the common principle of “I”. This principle of “I” is the Atma. Man is using this word “I” from dawn to dusk without understanding its true significance. The word is being used in a futile manner and thus life is getting wasted. We say, “My body”. That means the body exists separate from you, is it not? Then, who are you? Man is not making an effort to enquire into this Truth. Vikshepa means having doubts. This makes man’s life unstable. Unsteadiness can never result in peace. Peace runs away from an unsteady heart (mind). We should therefore put in an effort to develop steadiness (of the mind).      

10A-Aavarana-The Third Defect of the Mind-1.01-1991 March 17
Aavarana is the desire that has engulfed the mind

The third defect is Aavarana. What is it that has engulfed us? Our desires have engulfed us. Man is bound by his desires. He is engulfed by desires in front of him, behind him, above him and below him. In whatever state man is; in whatever he talks, hears, does or thinks; his desires do not leave him. Man is bound by the rope of desires. Dhana vancha (desire for wealth), Adhikara vancha (desire for power), Aarogya vancha (desire for good health), Keerti vancha (desire for fame and repute), and many more desires engulf him.   

10B-Aavarana-The Third Defect of the Mind-1.42-1990 May 25
Aavarana is the thick cloth that covers the mirror of the mind

What is Aavarana? If you cover the mirror with a thick cloth, will you be able to see your reflection in it? Certainly not. On account of the Mala, we are seeing our reflection as a dirty one; on account of Vikshepa, we are seeing our reflection as a wavering one. We consider this wavering as our nature. We defend ourselves saying that all this is natural as I have this human body. On account of Aavarana, we think that we have no true form at all. We start considering this body itself as our true form.

Students whatever we see, experience and enjoy are all reaction, reflection and resound. But there is one reality, which we are forgetting. We are going by the reaction, we are hearing to the resound and we are seeing the reflection; but it essential to recognize that there is a basis for all this.    

11-Removing Aavarana-Reduce your Desires-1.04-1991 March 17
Offer all your actions to God
Sarva Karma Bhagavat Prityaartham

Desires are not wrong. One needs to have desires, but there must be a limit to it. Man is getting bound on account of limitless desires. We have to make an effort to gradually reduce our desires. Perform all your actions, experience all the worldly joy and comforts, but recognize the truth that the results of all your actions are in the hands of God. Whatever actions you do, do it with the feeling that you should please God (Bhagavat Prityaartham). Such a sacrifice alone will enable the blossoming of man’s nature.   

12-Aavarana-The Cloth of Six Vices cover the Mind-0.20-1990 May 25
The six vices cover the mind as Aavarana

What is the thick cloth that covers the mirror (of the mind)? It is the cloth of six vices – Kaama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha(greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (pride), Maatsarya (jealousy). 

13-Aavarana-The Cloth of Eight Forms of Pride cover the Mind-3.50-1990 May 25
Eight forms of pride cover the mind as Aavarana

Dhana madam (pride of wealth), Vidya madam (pride of scholarship), Kula madam (pride of lineage), Aishwarya madam (pride of prosperity), Saundarya madam (pride of beauty), Yauvana madam (pride of youth), Tapa madam (pride of penance) [the eight one is most likely Pada madam – pride of position or status based on Discourse given on 07-07-1990] – these are the eight forms of pride that are covering the mirror (of the mind). For how long does this wealth last? It will slip away. Just like the water slips away below your feet, so too one can never say when wealth will slip away. How long does youth last? Just like a flash of lightning, youth comes and goes away. What is Vidya madam – pride of scholarship? Are there not people far more scholarly than you in this world? Compared to them, what is your level of scholarship after all? If we enquire in this manner there is no scope for us to feel any pride at all. This is just an illusion or delusion. 

Chaduvulanniyu Chadhivi Chaalaa Vivekiayi
Madini Thannerungadu Manda Mathudu
Enta Chaduvu Chadivi Ye Neethi Unnanu
Heenudava Gunambu Manaledu
Tarachi Chaduvu Chaduva Tharka Vaadame Kaani
Poorna Jnaanambu Epudu Pondaledu
Chaduvu Chaduvu Chadhivi Chaavanganetiki
Chaavu Leni Chaduvu Chaduvavelenu
After studying all the types of education, the foolish person does not know who he really is. Whatever education one may acquire, with any kind of principles; if a person is mean, he will never give up his mean qualities. While discriminating all kinds of education, it only leads to argumentation but never gives you complete wisdom. Why keep on studying such education and dying? It is far better to study that education which confers immortality on you.
Do not be proud that you are educated. What is the type of education you have acquired? Vidyaku Vinayame Satya Roopam. Humility is the true form of education. Humility must be cultivated in students. As there is no humility and obedience, pride enters into the head. Because of the pride of wealth, scholarship and youth, man is forgetting his very human nature. All these are qualities that make man forget his human nature gradually. They are not sacred qualities that promote human nature.
Dhanamechhina Madamechhunu
Madamechhina Durgunambu Maanaka Hechhunu
Dhanamudigini Madamudugunu
Madamudigina Durgunamulavi Maanunayya
When wealth increases, arrogance will increase,
When arrogance increases, bad qualities in man increases;
When wealth is depleted, arrogance will diminish
When arrogance diminishes, all bad qualities will come to an end
When there is increase in wealth, it leads to increase in pride. When there is increase in pride, it leads to various bad qualities. For the bad qualities to go, the pride has to go. It is these forms of pride that have covered the mirror of the mind.

14-Removing Aavarana-Love is the only way-Analogy of the Light and Pot and the Human Body-3.31-1990 May 25
   
Love is the only way to remove Aavarana

Therefore, to remove the thick cloth (that has covered the mirror of our mind), we need to develop love. This love is primary. It is the manifest form of God. Thus, Love is God, live in Love. With this sacred love, we would be able to conquer anything. Other than the rope of love, there is no other way to unite all the people and enable their progress.

Here is a small example. You think there is multiplicity. Take a lighted candle and place it on the floor. Cover it with a pot that has many holes. Now though the light is one, on account of the multiple holes, it will appear that there are many lights. Now cover this pot with a thick cloth. Then you will not be able to see any light at all. Therefore, first we need to remove the thick turkey towel covering the pot. Then you will be able to see many lights. Next, if you break the pot having the multiple holes, you will be able to see just one light. That one light is the Atma Jyoti (light of the Soul). This Atma Jyoti is covered with the pot of the physical body having nine holes in it and hence it appears as though there are many lights. You see one light through every hole. But truly there are no multiple lights. There is only one light, but through the holes of the physical body, you see many lights. This body is covered with the thick cloth of Mamatvam (mineness). The two thick coverings are the ego of “I” (Nenu) and the possessiveness of “Mine” (Naadi). If we can remove these two coverings and if we can control our identification with the body, then we will be able to see that the One has actually become the many – Ekoham Bahusyaam.         

A Short Quiz
01-What is the meaning of the phrase, Pasyannapicha Na Pasyathi Moodho?
02-What is the meaning of the declaration, Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayo? Can you explain the analogy of the lock and the key that Bhagawan gives in relation to this declaration.
03-What is Mala? What are the different descriptions given by Bhagawan for Mala?
04-What are the three defects that are associated with the food which we eat?
05-What solution does Bhagawan give to remove the three defects that are associated with the food which we eat?
06- What are the examples that Bhagawan gives to emphasize the importance of constant practice that is necessary for eliminating Mala in the mind?
07- What is Vikshepa? What are the different descriptions given by Bhagawan for Vikshepa?
08-What complaint does Arjuna make to Lord Krishna regarding his mind?
09-What does Bhagawan communicate to us through the analogy of the anthill and the snakes?
10-What are the nine types of devotion that can help us remove Vikshepa?
11- In what context does Bhagawan use the phrase: Bend the body-Mend the senses-End the mind? What does he wish to communicate through this?
12-What lesson does Bhagawan drive home through the use of the two terms – Master and Mister?
13-What is the difference between a Vidyaarthi and a Vishayaarthi?
14-How does enquiry into Truth help to remove Vikshepa?
15-What are the four types of desires that engulf the mind of man as Aavarana?
16-What is the way to get over the desires that engulf the mind of man as Aavarana?
17-What are the eight forms of pride that cover the mind of man as Aavarana?
18-In the poem on education, what defects does Bhagawan point out in the current mode of education and what type of education does Bhagawan actually want students to acquire?
19-What is the hallmark of a truly educated person?
20-How does Bhagawan explain the concept of Aavarana through the example of a candle light and a pot full of holes?
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