Parthi Update 19-10-2004

[Guest guest]

Parthi Update

 

19-10-2004

 

This morning, Grama Seva continued in villages along the Parthi –

Bangalore road – like Super Hospital surroundings, Mamilakunta Cross,

Kappalabanda, etc. In the evening, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at

3.30 p.m. or so. There were talks by three speakers. The first by Sri

Shashank Shah an MBA alumnus now pursuing his M.Phil., second by Sri

Ruchir Desai – faculty member of Brindavan Campus and finally by

Prof. Anantaraman – a visiting faculty from Harvard Business School

in our faculty of Business Management. After talks by students and

staff, Bhagawan began His Divine Discourse at 4.30 p.m. The

highlights of the Discourse are given below:

 

Students, it is not possible for anybody to disobey the Divine

Command. One has to face one's destiny. Fate or Destiny comes as it

is, irrespective of your invitation or denial. The world is full of

mystery!

 

The world is made of five elements. The body too is made up of five

elements and is bound to perish one day. But the indweller is

permanent. The actions of God are incomprehensible. Who can retain

this body forever? It will survive till is destined to and not

according to one's whims and fancies. The final moment is decided at

the time of birth itself!

 

Man cannot comprehend the design of the Universe. Each one has his

own unique experiences. We see bats flying onto the trees and

clinging onto them upside down and resting. Why do they do so? Who

can understand the reason? Each one's action is preordained. It is

not in the hands of man. Everything happens by God's Will! Man's

responsibility is to implicitly obey God's command. You have to obey

God's command in toto, no comma, no full stop.

 

Markandeya was born by Iswara's Will. He was to live only for 16

years. This was informed to his parents. As the 16th year approached,

his mother started shedding tears. The son could not understand the

reason for his mother's sorrow. His father too was very sad.

Markandeya asked them, "Father, Mother, why do you cry? Is there any

danger to me?" The Mother replied, "Son, you will live only unto 16

years. This was stated by the Lord Himself." Hearing this, from that

day onwards, Markandeya lived a very pious life. He would have an

early bath, go to the temple of Lord Shiva and chant His name – Om

Nama Sivaya.

 

Finally, there was just one day left for the 16th year to be

completed. Markandeya did not return home. Parents were crying

wondering what would happen any moment. The moment Markandeya

completed the 16th year, he dropped dead. His soul went to Iswara.

There a discussion went on. The Lord told him, "You have completed 16

years of your life and have happily come to me. You have acted as per

My Will. Therefore, you can return to the world once again." Hearing

this, Markandeya pleaded that the Lord too must come down with him.

 

That instant, Markandeya's body came back to life. Markandeya told

his mother that Iswara and Parvati had brought him back to the world.

He could now live his life as long as he wanted. He assured that he

would spend his life always doing good, without causing pain or

suffering to anybody.

 

This is how God helps man!! It is not just the prayers but also the

feelings in the heart that matters. Markandeya never asked the Lord

for anything. Therefore a devotee should have rightful thoughts and

actions. Markandeya became a Chiranjeevi!

 

God's Will can never be changed. However, fervent prayers of a

devotee can bring about a change in His Will and Divine Design!!

Bhakti is not merely a vocal exercise but it must be filled with

feelings.

 

Sankara was born in Kerala. He lived only for 32 years. Then Ramanuja

was born followed by Madhavacharya. All of them propogated Bhakti

among the masses.

 

Rama and Krishna both had a form. But what is Iswaratvamu – the

phenomenon of Iswara? (At this point Swami materialized a Lingam – a

silver base with a small Lingam – much to everybody's surprise! He

kept the Lingam on the table and continued His Discourse.) Lingam

signifies the Formless. The same Divinity is in all. Since the time

of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhavacharya, Bhakti started rising in the

people. The Lingam is a direct manifestation of the Divine.

Markandeya worshipped this form of the Lingam.

 

Without clay there is no pot, without thread there is no cloth,

without subtle there can be no gross and without a Creator there can

be no Creation!! Threads alone cannot make a cloth. They must be

interwoven in order to form a cloth. This is equivalent to the

efforts of man.

 

Today people chant the Vedas. But they are Dongas. Who is a Donga?

One who keeps one thing within and acts another way outside is a

Donga (Hypocrite). Swami keeps watching all the students. Some of

them know the Vedas but they do not chant. That is nothing but theft

and betrayal of knowledge. Those who declare what they know, alone

deserve the realization of God. There are many (including ladies and

young boys who do not know but still chant. The sound within

spontaneously comes out). But there are others who know but do not

chant.

 

One must necessarily learn and chant the Vedas. You may chant even

within if you wish. Merely learning is of no use. Do not become

betrayers of God – Daiva Drohis – by not chanting. Students make such

mistakes out of innocence but do not repeat it. All must chant Vedas

together. One must repeat God's Name!! Once you start chanting, you

will not even need to learn. Some learn Vedam chanting here but leave

the habit once they go out. Vedam chanting is not for ostentation or

exhibition. It must be practiced for delight, for Bliss. It starts

with Karma – Upasana – Aacharana – Chanting – and ends with

Experiencing Bliss. One must start with Karma, move on to Jnana and

leading to Bliss! Thus everything begins with Action!

 

Those who want to be recipients of God must chant the Vedas. It is

not enough if you just repeat. You must digest it too. Why is food

eaten? Is it just to store it in the stomach? No. It must be digested

and assimilated and nourishment must be provided to all the parts of

the body.

 

We say God is everywhere. How? He is in the form of the five

elements! Each element is Divine! Together it is Atma Swarupa. Share

your learning with others. When guests visit your house, you serve

them food but you keep some share for you too. In the same way, you

must also repeat, chant and enjoy. Everything has emanated from the

Vedic Knowledge. Chant to the extent you know. Do not forget.

Certainly, you will experience the Reality. Digest it and share it

with others. Then alone, will you find fulfillment in life!!

 

At this point Bhagawan sat down on the chair. Bhajans began and after

three Bhajans, Swami took Aarti and retired for the day.

 

Sairam.