Guest guest Posted October 19, 2004 Report Share Posted October 19, 2004 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. 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