Influence of Pictures and Images on our stages in life

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Dear Devotees,

Sai Ram

I quote below an excerpt from Swamis' Prashnotra Vihini - Teachings in Question Answer form:

Q. Well, Swami! Among these who are theists and who adore God, are there special

types?A. Of course! There are four types among them too.

Q. Their names?A. Dwijas, Munis, Alpabudhdis and Vidithatmas: the Twice-born,

the Ascetics, the Dull-witted, and the Knowers of the Atma.

Q. Why are they called so? What is the special feature of each type?A. The

twice-born recognise God as in the Fire they revere; and with that conviction

they worship Him.

Q. The Munis?A. They recognise God in their hearts.

Q. What about the Dull-witted?A. They require images, pictures or some other

visible representation of His Beauty and Glory. They worship such.

Q. And the knowers of the Atma?A. They recognise God as immanent in the Universe

and see only Him wherever they turn.

Q. May I ask who among these are the greatest?A. Each is great in the stage he

may have reached; but naturally, those who can experience the Lord everywhere

at all times are the greatest.

In the above excerpt Swami has given out the special categories of men, in those

who revere, who worship and who adore God.

To be noted here is that in all those who revere and worship God, there exists a

special category. There may be others also who revere God, but may not fall in

this special category of adorers defined by Swami.

Swami explains ~ There are the Dwijas - the twice borns (twice in Human form)

who revere fire - which has an inherant quality to burn - anything and

everthing can be burnt to a pile of ash. Only the soul (Aatman) is free from

fire. It cannot be cut or burnt or destroyed.Then there are 'Munis' who

recoganise God in their hearts.

Swami says - that the Alpabuddhies or Dull Witted need pictures or such other

visual representation of God to worship. Firstly 'Dull' has to be understood in

the positive adaption of the word - dull witted are one of the special category

of adorers and worshippers. So pictures, images, idols and such things that

visually represent HIM are worshipped to achieve salvation.

Lastly are the 'Knowers of the aatman' - who see only Him wherever they turn

their eyes. In any category - this is the highest ideal - over coming the

influence of maya and seeing only aatman everywhere.

In visual representations of our Beloved Baba there are millions of printed

pictures and photographs. Do you know Swami is leading among the most

photographed people in the world. Still, in all these photographs, there are

some that stand out and are made into prints. Photographs are base for every

reproduction - whether it is the cheap prints on one side of the spectrum or

foil embossed pictures on the other side. However, it is my belief, that there

is no gain for us spiritually if we have a huge printed picture which does not

catch our attention after a few days.

As a qualifying requirement - any picture that is like having His darshan

physically is suitable for display in our work place of home. In all pictures

that I have seen - the embossed foil pictures (EFP) scores very high over

prints and photographs. The secret lies in the construction of EFPs. The foil

on which these are printed are mirror like. After printing the pictures - a

special die with very fine microscopic work, that converts the effect area into

waves. The waves have crests (upper end) and troughs (bottom end) and the effect

in 360 degree is so immense that the minutest light source is relected back.

The effect of this mechanism is that once the EFP are hanged in the room and you

go about your chores - suddenly you catch a reflection - "What was that" your

mind races. Your investigation does not reveal anything. You get back to work -

again there is a reflection - again your mind goes racing - "What is this" .

This happens every day as you go about the house. EFP make their own presence

felt by all around them.

The spiritual connotation of this effect is that we start revering the EFP as a

living entity. Morning and evening we stand in front of it and we talk to it

and our eyes do catch that smile or frown on His lips.

Swami has often said in His discources that - Man has reduced God to a picture -

now, redoubled effort is required to raise that picture to God.

In raising a picture to God - the EFP are the most satisfying medium available to mankind.

Sai Ram - Be Happy

JP