Posts Tagged ‘Sadguru’

Jyoti of Peace

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

The first darshan of the Divine Mother is still fresh in my memory.  The bewitching smile, those soul probing eyes, the understanding look!  How is one to put into words the beautiful form that met the wistful eyes?  The very atmosphere seemed to ring with peaceful notes.  The past was forgotten.  It was a solemn occasion in the inspiring atmosphere charged with spirituality.  Here was a presence which was totally different from any other human being. Here was a magnetic force which at once seemed to kindle free and true understanding.  A feeling of peace and assurance takes possession of the heart.  A longing to frequent the inspiring presence, an enthusiasm in life, unknown before comes of its own.

After having many darshans of Mother one is equally able to emerge from a broken down life to one of real living.  Entangled as man is in the wrap and weft of life, he longs for and exerts himself to get happiness.  It is said that he is a happy man who is happy in the mind in the midst of troubles and sufferings; whose mind is calm and free from desires.  This state of mind cannot be achieved all by himself.  The Sadguru alone can bring a man to it.  It is difficult to explain here how those purifying darshans of Mother act on one.  The very outlook on life, changes.  Charcoal is jet black, yet it changes its colour into brilliant red in fire.  So also does the very nature of one who has had Mother’s darshan change.  The fire of pure knowledge that Mother imparts to Her devotees burns the impurities away.  One is able to keep the mind filled with noble thoughts. The undesirable qualities, like a forgotten fire dies out for lack of fueling.  By Her very presence She rids the hearts of people of their base and unbridled instincts.  She imparts Her advice to persons according as they are able to receive them.  To those burdened with household duties, or to those who are burdened by a large family, Mother has the fitting advice to give, so that parents no more feel that children are a burden to them, but they thenceforth understand that children are also a means of salvation to them.  Mother’s brilliant and masterly discourses work miraculous changes in Her devotees. Mother has awakened the sleeping soul to its true, immortal and blissful nature.  What inspiring and encouraging words pour forth from those divine lips !  With what love and patience Mother leads those who come to Her, out of the labyrinth of their own frailties, and point out to them the way to God!  No one but Mother could evince such large-heartedness; there is none as magnanimous as She is. She is so gentle and benign, yet so regal and majestic, forceful and dynamic. She has lit the jyoti of peace and love in so many homes, and by Her unceasing love and efforts is leading us along the path of righteousness, to that goal of everlasting   peace!

Mother’s love is the greatest security.  One finds a safe refuge in that genuine love, a love which is beyond comparison.  She is our saviour, guide and Mother all in one.  It is a perpetual inspiration to be with Mother and one cannot be long in Her presence without feeling that the greatest peace is not to be found in evanescent fleeting things of the world, but in something more precious, the realization of the Atma or Self. A determination to achieve this end, a sakthi to follow the right path is to be got by that holy darshan.  An incentive to work for the right ideal establishes itself in one’s heart.  One is hardly able to suppress the exuberant heavenly happiness that surges up in Her presence.

Mother’s mercy is illimitable. Her favour is immeasurable; instilling hope in many a depressed minds, bringing comfort to many a suffering soul, and above all transforming one’s very outlook on life, to one of hope, joy and bliss.  The holy Mother’s greatness is difficult to comprehend.  In misfortune and adversity, in times of want, Mother reveals Herself to Her devotees and guide them along the true path.  The Divine Mother’s Face shines like the full moon; but it does not wane.  It illumines the devotee’s hearts – where there was despair, desolation and dejection, newborn hope, joy and peace abide after the holy darshan.

Blessed indeed is the place hallowed by Mother’s holy feet, sacred are the words falling from those divine lips, and yet more blessed are they who are recipients of Her grace, they who sit at those lotus feet accepting eagerly those brilliant flashes of profoundest wisdom. Surely they lead an invigorated life, an entirely new life after the holy darshan.

Smt. H. Ramani, B.A.

The Quest Of The Unknown

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

The search for the Unknown has existed from time immemorial in our ancient land Ajanabha–varaha; which later came to be known as Bharatha–varsha, and in our own times as India.  It has been the usual practice of such aspirants in search of the Unknown to assemble together in retreats far away from the maddening crowds at the feet of a Sadguru.  With his help, as well as constant discussions amongst themselves they tried to reach their goal.  The Guru usually was a Dharma–megha, a Shrotriya, and a Brahma–nishta.  He imparted his experience, gave the necessary guidance and watched their progress.  In such good company and environment of Satsangha, the group developed spiritual consciousness.

Shravana was followed by the practice of Manana, and Nidhidhyasana.  The aspirants after many years of sadhana eventually attained the goal which is Brahma–hood.  For, it is stated, Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi.

The aspirants used to address the Guru “O Venerated one, the Vedas declare Brahman is this Universe as well as its cause.  Who is this Brahman?  How did we come into this existence?  What is the foundation of life on earth?  How can we attain the fullness in life?  Who planned this universe which functions with precision and perfect regularity?  Who really maintains the balanced condition which we witness?  What is the substratum in which we live, move and have our being? O Master, we have searched all shastras and the Vedas but get no convincing answer.  Diverse accounts are given therein.  Some say that what we see as creation is governed by time and space.  Others say that the seed determines the tree and the fruit. That is the swabhavashakthi in the seed that determines its development and dissolution.  Some talk of karma as the root cause of the existence of different species as well as individuals.  Others again attribute creation to the five great elements.  Some others declare that the Jivatma is the cause of the universe.  So we are confused and really wish to learn through your grace the knowledge that removes our ignorance (Avidya)  O’ kindness personified, teach us, we prostrate before you in all sincerity.”

The Sadguru, an ocean of kindness, told them “Mounam is Brahman” i.e., in the depth of silence they would find the answer for their queries.  Everything emanates from Brahman.  One should seek him in meditation.”  He very graciously instructed them according to each person’s capacity and level of understanding through proper initiation.  For, initiation is the light that lights the wick in an unlighted lamp.  Even though it may be full of excellent oil or ghee, with a good wick alone it cannot light itself to illuminate everything else around and itself either.  So the need for another lit lamp to give it the necessary life–start.  Thereafter with concentrated effort they steadily turned their minds from the outward to the inward.  The extroverts became introverts.  By sustained meditation and with the Guru’s grace they eventually succeeded in reaching the goal.  Says the Shruti…

‘Te Dhyana–Yoganugatha Apashyana Devatma – Shakthim Swa–Gunairnighoodam”

Seated firmly in meditation they saw the Deva – Atma – Shakthi, which had so long remained within them hidden by the ‘gunas’.  They realized then that it was the one who was the root cause of all that they were intensely searching and querying about.  They contacted Divinity only after rising above gunas which kept the truth hidden from their view.  Silence and Meditation formed important aspects of Sadhana.  Much more than this was the grace of their Guru at whose lotus feet they had surrendered themselves.

Times have changed.  The time and conveniences for solitary pursuit of Reality in the forest retreats are not available to the man of the modern age.  But, the Supreme Parashakti, has incarnated Herself in the person of our beloved Divine Mother Sree Rama Devi, taking the role of a world Teacher.  It is an extremely fortunate event for rejoicing that we meet together at the lotus feet of the Vishwamatha and Sadguru who is in Her illimitable mercy guiding us on the right path, by initiating us into the hidden mysteries.  Her methods are unique.  There has been no instance in the recorded history of the past and present, of the great Parashakthi having come down to this planet of ours.  Nor is there another instance of a personage, however great he may be, of having imparted Brahma Vidya on such mass scale as she has done.  The greatest of teachers in the past at the best, gave it to the selected few after great consideration.

It is to such a power that on bended knees all aspirants pray and invoke though it is invisible. Who but She and She alone has the power to do so.  The treasure She gives is priceless, yet unhesitatingly She bestowes it on us and on everyone who asks for it, and what is more She is again ready with Her gift for the next person who will come for it.  Remember in this context, Mantra is herself.  Does She not by this action fully illustrate the meaning of the Shanthi Mantra “Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornath Poornamudaschyathe Poornasya Poornamadaya Poornameva – avashishyathe;”?  This we chant in our weekly Bhajan gatherings.  Only one with infinite capacity can gift Infinity and yet the remainder will be Infinite.  What a grand situation and opportunity for those who perceive this presence of the Infinite before them!!!

By dint of sadhana, and the kind good graces of Divine Mother, the Parashakthi, may we fit ourselves to deserve to know the secret and the highest knowledge.

– Sri. B. V. RAO.

The search for the Unknown has existed from time immemorial in our ancient land Ajanabha–varaha; which later came to be known as Bharatha–varsha, and in our own times as India. It has been the usual practice of such aspirants in search of the Unknown to assemble together in retreats far away from the maddening crowds at the feet of a Sadguru. With his help, as well as constant discussions amongst themselves they tried to reach their goal. The Guru usually was a Dharma–megha, a Shrotriya, and a Brahma–nishta. He imparted his experience, gave the necessary guidance and watched their progress. In such good company and environment of Satsangha, the group developed spiritual consciousness.

Shravana was followed by the practice of Manana, and Nidhidhyasana. The aspirants after many years of sadhana eventually attained the goal which is Brahma–hood. For, it is stated, Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi.

The aspirants used to address the Guru “O Venerated one, the Vedas declare Brahman is this Universe as well as its cause. Who is this Brahman? How did we come into this existence? What is the foundation of life on earth? How can we attain the fullness in life? Who planned this universe which functions with precision and perfect regularity? Who really maintains the balanced condition which we witness? What is the substratum in which we live, move and have our being? O Master, we have searched all shastras and the Vedas but get no convincing answer. Diverse accounts are given therein. Some say that what we see as creation is governed by time and space. Others say that the seed determines the tree and the fruit. That is the swabhavashakthi in the seed that determines its development and dissolution. Some talk of karma as the root cause of the existence of different species as well as individuals. Others again attribute creation to the five great elements. Some others declare that the Jivatma is the cause of the universe. So we are confused and really wish to learn through your grace the knowledge that removes our ignorance (Avidya) O’ kindness personified, teach us, we prostrate before you in all sincerity.”

The Sadguru, an ocean of kindness, told them “Mounam is Brahman” i.e., in the depth of silence they would find the answer for their queries. Everything emanates from Brahman. One should seek him in meditation.” He very graciously instructed them according to each person’s capacity and level of understanding through proper initiation. For, initiation is the light that lights the wick in an unlighted lamp. Even though it may be full of excellent oil or ghee, with a good wick alone it cannot light itself to illuminate everything else around and itself either. So the need for another lit lamp to give it the necessary life–start. Thereafter with concentrated effort they steadily turned their minds from the outward to the inward. The extroverts became introverts. By sustained meditation and with the Guru’s grace they eventually succeeded in reaching the goal. Says the Shruti…

‘Te Dhyana–Yoganugatha Apashyana Devatma – Shakthim

Swa–Gunairnighoodam”

Seated firmly in meditation they saw the Deva – Atma – Shakthi, which had so long remained within them hidden by the ‘gunas’. They realized then that it was the one who was the root cause of all that they were intensely searching and querying about. They contacted Divinity only after rising above gunas which kept the truth hidden from their view. Silence and Meditation formed important aspects of Sadhana. Much more than this was the grace of their Guru at whose lotus feet they had surrendered themselves.

Times have changed. The time and conveniences for solitary pursuit of Reality in the forest retreats are not available to the man of the modern age. But, the Supreme Parashakti, has incarnated Herself in the person of our beloved Divine Mother Sree Rama Devi, taking the role of a world Teacher. It is an extremely fortunate event for rejoicing that we meet together at the lotus feet of the Vishwamatha and Sadguru who is in Her illimitable mercy guiding us on the right path, by initiating us into the hidden mysteries. Her methods are unique. There has been no instance in the recorded history of the past and present, of the great Parashakthi having come down to this planet of ours. Nor is there another instance of a personage, however great he may be, of having imparted Brahma Vidya on such mass scale as she has done. The greatest of teachers in the past at the best, gave it to the selected few after great consideration.

It is to such a power that on bended knees all aspirants pray and invoke though it is invisible. Who but She and She alone has the power to do so. The treasure She gives is priceless, yet unhesitatingly She bestowes it on us and on everyone who asks for it, and what is more She is again ready with Her gift for the next person who will come for it. Remember in this context, Mantra is herself. Does She not by this action fully illustrate the meaning of the Shanthi Mantra “Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornath Poornamudaschyathe Poornasya Poornamadaya Poornameva – avashishyathe;”? This we chant in our weekly Bhajan gatherings. Only one with infinite capacity can gift Infinity and yet the remainder will be Infinite. What a grand situation and opportunity for those who perceive this presence of the Infinite before them!!!

By dint of sadhana, and the kind good graces of Divine Mother, the Parashakthi, may we fit ourselves to deserve to know the secret and the highest knowledge.

The easiest path to attain our Aspiration

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

For us Hindus, Moksha deliverance from Ajnana, (ignorance) has been the only highest aspiration for millennium.  Thinkers past and present have held that as the supreme goal one should aspire to reach in this very life itself.  The prescribed path is to approach a truly Brahmanishta Shrothriya Guru, with the age–old practice of holding ‘samidhas’ in both hands as an offering and to obtain his kind grace for being initiated by him on the path to attain the goal.  Every one of the Rishis and shastras affirm that the goal is reached when the initiate himself becomes Brahman.  For Brahma-vid Brahmaiva Bhavathi’ says shruthi.

It is our good fortune that our Guru is Parashakthi incarnate.  There is none higher than Parashakthi.  For these two reasons quite much more is expected of us.  Firstly our life has to be set to a key of the Model Grihastha, so that those who see us and our mode of living would be spreading the most high principle taught us by the Divine Mother Sree Rama Devi and be spreading among mankind Her Glory on the Universal basis.

The mode of life prescribed is simple living and high thinking practiced intensely in the service of Divine Mother which is true service to humanity that will bring ideal Peace all around.  So long as our faith is firm this is easy enough.  Yet it becomes necessary to very carefully examine every action we perform meticulously, to get to the roots by the process of intelligent logical enquiry without allowing the faith to become credulity.  Scripture declares the Truth and Philosophy argues out the same.  Even then God is not comprehended easily at all times, though he is so closely hidden in the darkest caves of our own hearts in everyone of us, because he is not apparent unless we seek him deep down in ourselves.  The fact that our Divine Mother Herself is the manifestation of Parabrahma is forgotten because of the Avidya Avarana.  Therefore it is that the holy upadesha that we got from Her has to be constantly reflected and meditated upon before the God-vision becomes permanent.  Deep reflection has to be followed by meditation and contemplation until we grasp the reality within us and life is recreated.

Worship is an aid to contemplation.  In worship there is the worshipper and the worshipped also.  The worshipped is the Divine Mother, the Parabrahman in form.  This form in the course of worship is transcended into the Formless, when the trio worshipped, worshipper, and worship merge into the one and there is no separateness experienced.  At such times one feels the stillness, a calmness without ripples of mind waves or any kind of thoughts.

Meditation is not an argument; it is just holding oneself steadily face to face with truth.  All our energies are focused on the goal and every other thought excluded.  The idea meditated upon is allowed to expand and grow; all distracting ideas, disturbing influences retire to the background and one continuous thought alone flows viz:- the thought of the Guru.  This is called ‘Nidhi Dhyasana’ and is described as Ekaartha Vritti Pravaaham’.  Every aspirant therefore must have his Guru.

The Guru teaches about the Truth upto a certain point after which the individual should assimilate the Truth conveyed by his own personal effort through self-discipline, which makes the union with the Parabrahman permanent and everlasting.  The self-discipline, meditation, and self-effort are called by the name yoga.

It is stated in the Shvetashwataara Upanishad and elsewhere that when the awakening takes place scripture no longer is necessary for the awakened person and therefore may be discarded, just as when after the threshing the grain is collected and the chaff discarded, or after eating dinner the leaf on which the dinner was served is thrown away, meaning thereby that once ‘Anubhavam’ is got, scriptures which were necessary as the preparing ground for obtaining that experience are no longer wanted by the person.  This no doubt is true but is a partial fact.  For one does not throw away the baby from the wash basin along with the water that bathed it clean, a lurking danger that exists when thinking ceases and action is likely to become routine liable to error creep and thus land one into  a dangerous situation unwillingly.  Therefore almost all the great and wise teachers have cautioned and laid stress on worship even after one has become a Muktha.  For the sake of himself as well as for lokasangraha even after the final Beatitude is obtained one should continue Upasana i.e. worship, and Swaadhyaya i.e. study of the holy scriptures.  Otherwise there is always a possible danger of one slipping into the abysmal depths of ignorance as many unfortunates have in the past.  That is why the great Achaaryaas of yore, who have spoken highly of Atma Pooja have themselves composed stotraas and worshipped images of deities in different forms not withstanding their firm belief in the Adwaitha which they preached in all its serious aspects to their own immediate disciples.  They have stated that gods like Indra become very jealous of mankind that try to obtain Brahma knowledge and throw in the path of such aspirants obstacles to divert them from their aspirations.  The case of Vishwamitra’s tapas being rendered useless is a well-known instance.  Thus it is that Upasana should not be given up even after final Beatitude has been attained lest in the maayic world one slides down into Avidya, and Vismriti caves into him enveloping him into deep forgetfulness.  It is at such a juncture that the all-kind and gracious Sadguru comes to the aid of the disciple to save him.  It is precisely for this reason one should have a Sadguru and not depend on his own capabilities, for learning by trial and error is a costly affair when one can get easily all the care from the teacher.  As far as we are concerned we are fortunate in as much as our Divine Mother looks after us every second wherever we are.  She has advised us to perform Bhajan, read scripture, practice meditation, to worship daily, contemplate at all times so that the continuous flow of Ekaagratha is not lost sight off.  By these everyone who has come to the sacred feet of Divine Mother must reap the richest reward viz:-attain Poornathwa.

The whole process by which Atma Saakshaatkaara is got is somewhat like that of seeing the expressions on one’s own face by watching the image in a plane mirror. One cannot get the idea of the face he possesses unless he looks in good light into a reflecting surface like water which is still or a plain mirror which is clean.  The source of bright light may be the Sun or a lamp.  When he is at a correct distance from the mirror one gets the best glimpse of his face though it is laterally inverted i.e. a reversed image is what one sees.  The impression is good enough but not exact, yet that is how others see him.  The Guru is the source of light, the sun.  the mirror is the mind of the aspirant that has to be calmed or stilled and kept free from ripples or violent, turbulences, or agitations, which is achieved by the practice of the methods prescribed by the Guru outlined earlier, i.e.Bhajan, worship, reading of scriptures, meditation etc.  For us the object of worship is the Divine Mother or Her images or Pictures taken on different momentous occasions. Her declarations and letters to devotees as well as disciples are our scriptures that should be studied assiduously, and meditation prescribed is the rule.  Her leelas which are manifold have besides a normal simple meaning, a profound adwaitic significance that needs to be discovered and explained to our fellow travelers.  The recent messages and declarations of Divine Mother published in Dharmadesam, and the letters that have appeared in print in the publication  — ‘Path to Beatific Peace’ need the most careful study for such of those who cannot follow English easily proper renderings in our own languages like Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam etc., are the immediate need.  Group study and discussions in mandalies on topics contained therein would be extremely profitable, for they contain the cream of Her declarations and pronouncements full of lofty enriching enlightenment. Are they not shruti, for they are words emanating from the ‘mukha-padma’ of our Divine Mother, the Parashakthi Herself?  In these days when Dharma has to be salvaged not only in Bharat but the whole world has to be saved from the chaos, it is our first duty to master Her techniques which she has given us and be ‘best equipped to be the instruments that can carry Her advice to those who are groping for light and guidance in the vast world around us.  We should lead them to the sacred feet of Divine Mother.  Let the whole of humanity look up and come to Her sacred presence and get their shares of the ever flowing boundless Grace is my fervent prayer.

– Basroor Venugopal Rao

Incarnations of God

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

According to Advaitha Philosophy nothing exists except the Supreme Brahman.  It is actionless and without modifications.  But when we see actions such as creation, preservation and dissolution we have the manifestation of Shakthi and it also becomes manifold because of Shakthi.  Thus Brahman is also the primal energy.  They are identical just as the Gem and its lustre.  Consequently the absolute and the relative are the two aspects of God.  The Primordial power in Brahman is always at play, creating, preserving and destroying.  The entire universe and everything in it exists under the authority of this Shakthi or Mahamaya the Divine Mother.  It is with the help of this Mahamaya the God sports as an Incarnation.  Hence we find in the Puranas several episodes describing the incarnations worshipping the Divine Mother (Shakthi) to enable them to fulfill their mission on earth.  Sometimes, the Divine Mother Herself descends on earth in response to the prayer of Her devotees for re-establishing Dharma.

God is immanent in everything, but He manifests more through man and in these incarnations there is a greater manifestation of God than in other men.  He descends to earth in human form because through a human body one can hear His words.  In order to understand clearly what actually an incarnation is, we have to imagine Brahman as a shoreless ocean in which visible blocks of ice are formed here and there by intense cold.  Though the cooling influence of the Bhaktas’ love for God, the all-prevading Brahman now and then assumes various forms for His Lovers and reveals Himself to them as a person.  The Infinite reduces itself to the finite and appears before the worshipper as God with form.  God can thus be a finite human being and also the all-pervading soul of the universe.  In the Adhyatma Ramayana Sri Rama is described as both the pervading spirit and everything pervaded.  In the light of Vedantic reasoning Brahman has no attributes and is indescribable.  The Saguna Brahman is meant for the Bhakthas who believe that God has attributes and that He listens to our prayers.  It is therefore possible for a devotee to see the forms of God or to think of Him as a person.  To a devotee his individuality and the world are real, so also the different forms of God and the feeling that God is a person.  God’s love for His devotees is without limit and he reveals himself to his devotees in the form which he loves most.  God assumed the forms of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna for his devotees Hanuman and the Gopies respectively.

A divine Incarnation is necessary to transform the Divine truth into human truth so as to enable us to appreciate it fully.  Man’s longing to see God who is Absolute is not satisfied unless he sees God in a human form.  A special manifestation of God’s power in anyone is sufficient indication that God has incarnated Himself in that individual.  He will then be capable of liberating others.  The scriptures speak of ten, of twenty four and also of innumerable incarnations.  The universe is infinite and naturally the incarnations must also be infinite.  The generality of Incarnations is for the purpose of reestablishment of Dharma by the destruction of the wicked and the protection of the righteous.  But there are also other Incarnations for the purpose of destroying the evil passions which dominate the minds of jeevas and giving them spiritual, ethical, and psychic illumination.

The advent of Incarnations is mainly for the purpose of teaching love and devotion to God.  He lives in the company of devotees cherishing the attitude of love to God for the sake of the Bhakthas and not of the Jnanis, though he is at the same time “the sun of knowledge and the moon of love.”

For ordinary people it is impossible to recognize an Incarnation.  He comes in secret and only a few of His intimate disciples could recognize Him.  Only those who have practiced spiritual discipline could know God and His Incarnations.  Some may even regard him only as an ordinary man, while some others take him for a holy person.

They behave exactly like ordinary people and fall victims to disease, grief, hunger and all such things like ordinary mortals.  But they are above sin and are never entangled by the things of the world.  They have an uninterrupted vision of God and are always united with Him even though they are conscious of their embodiment.  They can transmit divine Knowledge to fellow beings by a mere look, touch or wish.

It is true that all Brahma-jnanis directly perceive Brahman when they go to Samadhi by raising their mind to the Samsara.  In that state they remain unconscious of the outer world for twenty one days and give up their body dwelling in the plane of consciousness.  But in the case of Incarnations they can again descent to the plane of consciousness though established in Samadhi.  The ego of the Incarnations returns to them when they come down from the plane of Samadhi but then it is the ego of knowledge or the ego of devotion in order to bring spiritual light to others.  Through the ego of knowledge Sankaracharia was able to teach the world and through the ego of devotion Chaithanya instilled spiritual bliss among his devotees.

In Jagatguru Sree Rama Devi we have the Incarnation of that Divine Mother, the primordial Power.  Though she attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi at the early age of 26, She came down from that plane to teach us both knowledge and devotion.  Let us pray to Her.  She being an Incarnation of PARA SAKTHI and is with attributes She will give us full knowledge of that Brahman which is without attributes.

–          V. Narayana Pillai