Recollections of Swami’s Shivarathri Divine messages-11 and 12

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Recollections of Swami’s Shivarathri Divine messages-11

THE POWER OF THE LORD'S NAME

Maha Shivarathri day – 25th February 1998 – Prashanthi Nilayam

Whether He is described as Cosmic Consciousness (Chaithanya)Or the Indwelling

Knower (Kshetrajna)Or the Supreme Wisdom (Jnana)Or the Ego or the Supreme Lord

(Easwara)Or as Vishnu or BrahmaOr the Primordial EnergyOr the Bliss Divine

(Ananda)Or the Abode of the Divine (Parmapadam)Or as the Atma or as

Sath-Chith-AnandaAll are various names and formsof the Supreme Self which is

namelessThe Cosmos is permeated by HariNothing can be found in the

UniverseWithout the Divine in it.

Embodiments of Love!

Every human being seeks to enjoy bliss. He aspires for a blissful life. Whether

he is a scholar or an artist, a wielder of power or a man of status, he yearns

for bliss. Every man strives from dawn to dusk for acquiring bliss.

Bharatiya culture and tradition have proclaimed the greatness of this bliss

(Ananda). But man is enveloped in two screens - the phenomenal and the

spiritual. The material outlook and the spiritual outlook affect his vision.

Unable to harmonize the two, man regards them as distinct from each other. The

unity of these two represents the true Atmic principle.

Considering the material world of physical objects as the only, reality, man

loses himself in the pursuit of material objects. But, if the truth about these

material objects is fully explored, it will be found that they have no reality

at all. They have only momentary and temporal reality. They do not have the

stamp of permanent reality. They do not confer enduring bliss. To realize

lasting bliss, man has to make the requisite effort.

THE QUEST FOR BLISS

"Sath-Chith-Ananda' (Being-Awareness-Bliss) pervades the entire universe. Every

living being, from the ant onwards, is seeking this bliss, not man alone. For

all living creatures, this bliss is the life-breath.

The scriptures have dealt with this problem of bliss in various ways. They have

proclaimed "Sath-Chith-Ananda' as the primary principle. Numerous persons

affirm the existence of the Universe as a fact. But a blind man is not aware of

its existence. However, hearing what others say about the world, he also

believes in its existence. He is not aware of its existence from his own

personal experience.

People today speak about "Sath-Chith-Ananda" as a reality after hearing about

the statements in the Vedas, Puranas and other scriptural texts. Such persons

have no personal experience of "Sath-Chith-Ananda' ' Even the scholars who

expound this concept are merely relating what they have learnt from books, but

have no direct experience of this bliss.

Every man should seek to know what Sath-Chith-Ananda means. Only then he will

realize his own true self. Because of the delusion caused by the phenomenal

world, man regards "Sath-Chith-Ananda as distinct from himself. This feeling

arises from his attachment to the body. Everyone should find out "Who am I?"

When he has found the answer to this question, there will be no need for him to

understand what is "Sath-Chith-Ananda".

As long as man identities himself with the body and his physical attributes, he

will be in quest of "Sath-Chith-Ananda". When a man has discovered the true

nature of the "I", he will not go after any other thing. He will realize that

he is the embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda.

Every individual is an embodiment of Sath-Chith-Ananda. "Sath" - God; "Chith" -

the Jiva (individual self). The unity of "Sath" and "Chith" is ‘Ananda’

(Bliss).

MENTAL AFFLICTIONS

The human body is a prey to many ailments. Man regards all of them as bodily

ailments. But not all of them are entirely related to the body. Purely bodily

ailments can be treated by medicines. But most ailments in the world today have

their origin in the mind. The aberrations of the mind set up reactions in the

body and cause various diseases. The main cause of many human ailments is

rooted in the mind.

The mind and the body are interrelated. The influence of the mind on the body is

of a negative character. This negativity is antagonistic to the experience of

bliss.

Bad thoughts and bad feelings arise in the mind. At the same time, there are

also good thoughts and good feelings. It is only when bad thoughts and feelings

are weeded out that man can have good health. Many diseases have their origin in

the thoughts that fill the mind. Bad thoughts cause indigestion, affect the

heart, bring about variations in the blood pressure; worries are the cause of

many mental diseases. Diabetes and pulmonary diseases are traceable to mental

causes.

ASPECTS OF LIBERATION

Every man is in search of liberation (mukti). For whom is this liberation

sought? Is it for the body? Is it for the mind or the intellect or the senses?

When these questions are examined, the answer is that at the outset, liberation

has to be secured for the mind, the intellect and the senses. Man has to

liberate himself first from the vagaries of the mind. Freedom from illness is

one kind of liberation. Man loses peace of mind on account of various troubles.

To get rid of this condition and secure peace of mind is another kind of

liberation (mukti). Consuming food to get rid of the pangs of hunger is another

kind of liberation. To be rid of the trials and tribulations of daily life is

another aspect of liberation. All these types of liberation have to be secured

while one is still alive. It is wrong to imagine

that liberation is a state that is to be attained after death.

The various kinds of liberation to be secured today relate to the physical.

These troubles are bound to exist as long as one is attached to the body. All

of them arise from the "negative" thoughts in man.

The liberation men should seek is peace of mind. If peace is got, all else can

be got easily. How is peace to be got? By leading a godly life.

POWER OF LOVE

All forms of worship are of no avail if one's heart is full of "negative"

feelings and one's mind is filled with "negative" thoughts. All actions

performed by the different sense organs - the eyes, the ears, the tongue etc.

get polluted when the mind is filled with "negative" thoughts. The six evil

qualities in man - lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride and envy - are his

well-entrenched enemies. To get rid of these wicked elements and to install

good qualities in their place, the only means is the fostering of the love

principle (Prema-Thathwa). When man's heart is filled with love, all that he

does will be "positive". All good deeds come out of love. Sath-Chith-Ananda

arises from love. Compassion and kindness are born out of love. All the sublime

human values have their origin in love. When one is filled with

love, he needs no other spiritual or ritualistic practices.

The Atmic principle is the basis for the body. All activities in life should be

linked to the Atmic principle. Man should discard attachment to transient

worldly pleasures and pursue what is eternal and everlasting.

THE FIVE SHEATHS

When man constantly remembers that he is the embodiment of Sath-Chith- Ananda,

in due course he will experience that bliss (Ananda). Five sheaths the

Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Kosas cover man, the

first is a gross sheath and each following sheath is subtler than the preceding

one. Man has to proceed from the gross to the subtlest sheath of bliss. The

Annamaya sheath is the body. It is perishable, but as long as one lives, the

body should be kept in good health. The duties relating to the physical have to

be carried out. What keeps the body going are the vibrations from the vital

sheath (Pranamaya kosa). These vibrations are controlled by radiation from the

mind (Manomaya kosa). Beyond the mind is the Vijnanamaya kosa, which accounts

for "constant integrated awareness" in man. When

this state is reached, man can proceed next to Ananda without much effort.

Experience of bliss will be automatic.

It should be evident from this that humanness has been conferred on man so that

he may ascend towards his divine destiny instead of wallowing in mundane

pleasures and miseries. Thereby he will demonstrate his superiority over beasts

and birds.

HOLINESS OF FESTIVALS

All Bharatiya festivals are designed to lead man towards God. They are intended

to make people meditate on God. Unfortunately, today, instead of thinking about

God, people indulge in feasts on holy days. Festivals should be devoted to

contemplating on God and experiencing the Divine.

Today we are celebrating Shivarathri. "Shivarathri" means "Auspicious darkness".

At least on this day one should chant Siva's name all through the night. At

least on one day in a year chant the name of the Lord. Devotees are expected to

keep awake this night by chanting the sacred name of Siva. Keeping awake in any

other way is purposeless. Spending the night reciting the Lord's name

sanctifies one's life.

In the Gita, the "Sthithaprajna" is described as one who keeps awake when others

sleep and for whom the daytime when others are awake serves as night. The inner

meaning of this is that the Sthithaprajna (the realized person who is in a

state of constant integrated awareness) contemplates on God when others are

oblivious to God.

The main thing about which all should be concerned today is how to get rid of

the negative thoughts in their minds. The six cardinal enemies of man - the six

basic vices - have found their abode in the hearts of human beings. There is no

room in their hearts for love or kindness. The foremost task is to fill the

hearts with love. Then their entire life will be transformed and every act will

be suffused with love. This love is "positive" and man should strive to foster

the positive qualities. Being human, men should develop positive qualities like

compassion and forbearance.

Today human life is wasted in the pursuit of sensuous desires. All of them are

negative in nature. Instead, men should entertain positive desires, which are

natural to human beings. Divinise every desire and every action.

Mundane pursuits, which have been with men over many lives, have to give way to

divine pursuits at least in this life. Many do not realize the divine potencies

that are in them. They have the capacity to do good or bad actions. By doing

good acts they will experience bliss. Help ever, hurt never.

BHAGAWAN’S EXAMPLE

Everyone should strive to manifest the bliss that is natural to him by fostering

his loving nature. Peace lies in that bliss. All of you should know one thing.

Although I am now seventy-two years in the present body, I have never had any

negative thoughts. Consequently I have had no ailments of any kind. I am always

in a state of bliss. But, sometimes, to correct others I use harsh words. They

are not "negative" words. They are filled with love. If you examine my heart,

you will find it resemble a ball of iron. But from the worldly point of view,

it will be soft as butter. No illness can affect my heart. I am engaged

continuously in work from the moment of waking, to the time of rest at night. I

meet devotees, collect letters from them, give them interviews and confer joy in

one way or other on one and all.

Every official anywhere has a weekly holiday. But I have no holidays at all. I

am always active, whether I am here or elsewhere. Can you point out anyone who

has been continuously active for seventy-two years?. I have not desired a day

of rest at any time. I am always restful. How is this possible? Because I have

no negative thoughts. I have no attachment to the body. This body exists for

your sake. When you are attached to the body you need rest. Whatever I do or

say, it is all for your sake, not for my sake.

THE LORD SEEKS DEVOTEES' LOVE

People have to lead their lives based on recognition of this truth.

There is only one thing I seek from all of you. Fill your hearts with love.

Offer that love to me. I don't ask anything from anyone. It is enough if you

develop love and share it with others. It is only when you are happy that you

can make others happy. What is happiness? It is union with God. By chanting the

name of God you will experience happiness.

Good and sacred acts like worship, Japa, meditation are useful for sanctifying

time. But they are not ends in themselves. They are tinged with worldliness.

But what is needed is "positive" action, dedicated to the Divine. Then you will

be free from disease. Only by having pure thoughts you can be hale and hearty.

Have no ill will towards anybody. I have no hatred for anyone. Hence no one

hates me. All are love-filled beings for me. I desire that all should be

blissful. It is because of this universal feeling in me that all are coming to

me. If, on the contrary, I had been self- centered, would people from all parts

of the world come here? I am utterly selfless from head to foot. There is no

trace of selfishness in me. Any such feeling you may notice in me is only on

your account and not for my sake. I have no desires except that everyone in all

the worlds should be happy. All should become good. All should be loving and

blissful. What more do I need?

LOVE AND FAITH

Man deserves to enjoy peace and bliss, but does not make the necessary effort to

get them. If he cultivates love and faith, he will acquire peace and bliss.

Without these two, his effort is as fruitless as a letter that has neither a

stamp nor the proper address.

With love and faith in Swami, you can accomplish any task you undertake. Observe

three maxims: Love of God; Fear of Sin; Morality in Society. To develop love of

God you have to see whether every act of yours pleases God or not. When you

please God, you will have no fear of sin. When these two are present, morality

in society will follow naturally.

All the ills of the world today are due to absence of fear of sin and decline in

love for God. Decline in respect for human values has undermined world peace.

When the Lord's name is chanted from the depths of the heart, it turns into the

nectarine music of Krishna's flute, which charmed even the cows of Brindavan.

The melody that flows from the devotee's heart confers ineffable bliss.

BHAGAWAN’S LOVE FOR ALL

Love and faith are the cardinal principles for redeeming human life. My life is

my message. I have love for all. I have affection even for those who commit

wrongs and for those who dislike me. I have no ill will towards anyone because

of my love for all. And therefore the whole world loves me. The root cause of

my love is my esteem for all (Visvaasam). The basis for the esteem is adherence

to the path of Truth. Divinity is the basis for adherence to Truth. Thus this

Divinity is the primal source of universal love. All should practice universal

brother-hood. Out of fraternity will be born Divinity. Then, humanity will

manifest its glory. Men will behave like ideal human beings.

Embodiments of Love! Try to understand my doctrine of Love. I often address you

as "embodiments of the Divine Self". You will be true embodiments of the Divine

only when you develop divine love. The only being worthy of love in this world

is God. All others are only objects of transient attachment. On this sacred

Shivarathri day, develop love for the Divine and redeem your lives. Manifest

the Divine within you. Continuously chant the Divine name. Do every act with

love. That is the highest spiritual Sadhana. The way of love will transform the

world. Love is God. Truth is God; Peace is God. This is the message of

Shivarathri. Understanding this, dedicate all actions to God and render

selfless service to the people to redeem your lives.

[bhagawan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan: "Siva, Siva, Siva anaraada"

*****

Recollections of Swami’s Shivarathri Divine messages-12

THE MESSAGE OF SAKKUBAI'S DEVOTION

Maha Shivarathri day – 26th February 1998 – Prashanthi Nilayam

God created the Cosmos out of Truth;The Cosmos is sustained by Truth;Without the

glory of Truth what can flourish?This is the cardinal truth, behold all ye!

Truth is valid for all times - past, present and future. This truth protects life and sustains it.

The inner significance of Truth (Sathyam) has to be properly understood.

Sath+e+yam=Sathyam. "Sath" means life. "E" means food (annam). "Yam" means

Surya (the Sun). Food is derived from the Sun. Food sustains life. For the

preservation of life food is essential. "Bhikshaannam deharakshanaartham". "The

Lord offers the gift of food to protect the body." When this basic truth is

forgotten, food becomes scarce for the people. When food is scarce, life begins

to decay. Hence, the entire survival of the world depends on the Sun.

The significance of the term "Sathya can be sought from another angle. "Sa",

"tha, ya are three syllables in it. When the word is read in the reverse order

we have "Ya "tha, "sa". This would mean that through the disciplines of "yama",

"niyama and others, when "thapas" is performed, one can experience the

manifestation of "Sathya" (the embodiment of truth). This means that by the

control of me senses (yama, niyama etc.) thapas (penance) has to be performed

to realize Truth.

"Thapas" means the unity of the three gunas (Sathva, Rajas, Thamas). The absence

of harmony among the three qualities results in 'Thamas" (the dullness of

ignorance).

The integral unity of feelings in the heart, the words spoken by the mouth and

the actions done by the hands represents the unity of the three active

principles in man.

Feelings are related to thoughts. Only when the thoughts are good can the

feelings be pure and sacred. Pure results are the outcome of pure thoughts.

Here is a story to illustrate this:

SAKKUBAI AND NAMADEVA

Once Sakkubai complained to the Saint Namadev that somebody was stealing the

cow-dung cakes she was making everyday. Namadev asked Sakkubai: "How do you

identify the cow-dung cakes made by you?" She replied: "I always recite the

name of the Lord whatever action I may be doing. The cow-dung cakes I prepare

bear the trait of the name I chant". She ran up to her home and brought a

dung-cake made by her. She placed it close to the ear of Namadeva. The

dung-cake was chanting the name of God: "Ranga! Ranga! Panduranga! ". Namadeva

heard these words coming out continuously from the cake.

Namadeva wondered whether this was real. Even the great men of those days could

develop doubts of this kind. Sakkubai was asked to prepare another dung-cake.

She brought some dung and made it into a cake, while chanting the words:

"Ranga! Ranga! Panduranga!. Namadeva tested that cake by keeping it close to

his ear. Once again he heard the words, "Ranga! Ranga! Panduranga! issuing from

the dung-cake.

He realized that the power of the Lord's name was beyond all reckoning. Man's

thoughts remain forever, outlasting his human existence.

Prior to this episode, Namadeva used to be known as Vamadeva. From that day, he

started chanting the name of the Lord. Namadeva was the younger brother of

Jnanadeva. Namadeva was ever blissful chanting the Lord's name.

By reciting the Lord's name any difficult task can be accomplished. One becomes

what one thinks. (Yad bhaavam thad bhavathi). Hence people should see that

their thoughts are pure and good. Human life is the expression of one's

thoughts. When an inquiry is made into what is most important for man, the

general answer is: life is most important. Some others may declare wealth is

most important. But Sakkubai was not of this view. She declared that the most

important thing for anyone is the name of the Lord. It is God's name that

promotes the fame of a person.

THOUGHT WAVES

In this context, the importance of thoughts should be properly understood.

Thoughts arising in the mind fill the atmosphere with waves of energy. Like

radio waves, they are present everywhere. We are able to listen in Puttaparthi

to a broadcast from Delhi. How did the radio waves reach here from Delhi? By

entering the ether in space.

Likewise, thought waves are equally powerful and sacred. Hence our thoughts

should be sublime and sacred. No evil ideas should affect our thoughts. Evil

thoughts inevitably lead to evil actions. When cruel thoughts enter the mind,

men behave like cruel animals. When, instead, there are good and loving

thoughts in a man, they divinise the man and make him do good and sacred acts.

Hence, every man's heart should be filled with love, compassion and kindness.

When bad thoughts fill the mind, even ostensibly good acts result in bad

consequences. Hence, the primary requisite is to make one's thoughts good and

holy. Unfortunately, today, because of the influence of the Kali Age, men's

thoughts go astray and men lead a bad life. People should realize that there is

no greater blessing than leading a pure life. By chanting the Lord's name men

can cross an ocean of troubles. God's name is the boat for crossing the ocean

of mundane existence.

In the term, "Sathyam", the Yam" refers to Surya. Surya, the sun, is the

sustainer of life on earth. The sun is also the deity presiding over the

vision. If your vision is sacred, your life will be sacred.

Among other meanings of "Sathyam, one is "Brahmam". Truth is God. There is

nothing in the world where Truth is not present. Today people are oblivious to

the greatness of Truth. People lead a life based on falsehood. The result is

that there is widespread starvation.

In ancient times, people led their lives based on the constant repetition of the

Lord's name. The power of the Lord's name could be seen in the fact that even

the cow-dung cakes made by Sakkubai, while reciting the Lord's name, chanted

the name of Ranga.

CHANT THE LORD'S NAME

Every person should remember and recite the Lord's name whatever action he may

be engaged in. The Divine pervades the cosmos. Hence whatever you may see or

say or do, the Divine is present in it. But the Divine is subtle - not

perceivable or graspable. You should not conclude from this that there is no

God. Air is not visible or cannot be held. But can its existence be denied?

Without air one cannot live for a moment. Air is only one of the five elements.

All the five elements are essential for life. They constitute the basic stuff of

the universe. Their very existence proclaims the power of the Divine. How can

the existence of God be denied by anyone? God does not mean any particular

form. All forms are His.

"Sath-Chith-Ananda" is manifest in man as supreme bliss - the bliss Divine. This

bliss is present in man as his spiritual essence. Man has no need to go after

trivial pleasures when he has this eternal bliss within himself. He will

experience this bliss when he gets rid of the attachment to the body born out

of delusion and ignorance.

KRISHNA'S RESPONSE TO SAKKUBAI’S DEVOTION

Sakkubai was one who had realized this truth and was in continuous contemplation

of the Lord's name. Recognizing the intensity of her devotion, Krishna assumed

her form and sent her to Pandaripur. You can see the greatness of Bhagawan’s

love for the devotee. Assuming the devotee's form, the Lord performed all her

domestic chores and enabled her to go to Pandaripur. God sees to it that the

devotee is not exposed to calumny. He saw to it that no one pointed the finger

of criticism at Sakkubai for her absence from the house. He himself assumed the

form of Sakkubai and did all the household work.

Sakkubai went to Pandaripur and merged in the Lord there.

The power of faith is incalculable. With faith any difficult task can be carried

out. This truth cannot be understood in worldly affairs.

It must be recognized that chanting the name of the Lord is highly sacred and

efficacious. It serves to remove the impurities in a person. It promotes good

and sacred thoughts. When the heart is filled with truth and love, only

"positive" thoughts will arise. There is no meaning in reciting the name of

Rama or Krishna once in a year. How often do you take your meals for the sake

of the body? Does not the mind require to be fed equally? Contemplation of God

is the food for the mind. To feed the belly and starve the mind is like

decorating the chariot but starving the horse. To keep the chariot of the body

moving, it is necessary to feed the horse of the mind.

The body is taken care of openly in innumerable ways. The mind needs to be fed

in private. No one can notice the chanting of the Lord's name. No one can rob

one of the benefits it confers. Possessing this valuable capacity, man should

not fail to make full use of it. You strive so much to earn wealth. Do you take

the same trouble to experience God? Should you not spare sometime for thoughts

of God?

Walking on the road, a man may see a temple and make formal signs of worship.

What are they worth? Worship should stem from the heart. Think of God in your

mind and offer your worship in silence. Sakkubai had set an example to the

world by her intense devotion to God. Even Namadeva became her disciple after

seeing her exemplary devotion. He began chanting the Lord's name continually.

He taught the people that reciting the Lord’s name are the means to experience

God.

JNANA AND NAMASMARANA

Once Namadeva and Jnanadeva were going through a forest. For Jnanadeva

everything was a manifestation of Divine Wisdom (Jnana Mayam). He believed that

through knowledge anything could be achieved. As they were going along they felt

thirsty. They saw a derelict well. There was some water deep at the bottom of

the well. Jnanadeva took the form of a bird, flew down to the bottom and drank

the water to quench his thirst. Jnanadeva could assume any form because of his

spiritual powers. Namadeva said: "I don't need to assume any form. My God is

within me. I can secure His nearness without my going to Him." So saying he sat

under a tree and started reciting the Lord's name. The water in the well rose

and overflowed so that Namadeva could quench his thirst easily.

The true devotee should be able to bring God near him, without his having to go

in search of God. if he is filled with love for God, that love will attract God

towards him.

COSMIC MAGNETISM

The world is full of magnetic power. A flower that attracts you has that

magnetic power. The attachment between husband and wife is a sign of magnetic

power. Magnetic attraction is the basis of all human relationships. The honey

in a flower is the magnet that attracts a bee to the flower.

Everything has some magnetic power that endows it with the power of attraction.

Divine love is the most powerful magnet in the universe. The Gopikas were

intensely attracted to Krishna by the power of this love. They declared that

they would be attracted to Krishna in whatever form He might choose to manifest

Himself - as a flower or a tree or a mountain, or the ocean. To merge in the

Divine you may assume any form or resort to any means. God assumes many forms

according to the needs of the situation. He cannot be confined to any

particular place. All forms and names are His. Hence, by whatever name or form

the Lord may be worshipped, His reality is one and the same. Some refer to God

as Easwara, who smears Himself with vibhuti (the sacred ash). But vibhuti does

not mean ash alone. It applies to every glorious

attribute of the Divine. It refers to every potency of God. Easwara means one

who is the treasure house of all that is precious. Therefore, it is impossible

to measure or define His attributes.

This infinite Divine can be realized only through love, which is all-powerful.

The devotee's love for the Lord is like the love of a child for its mother.

This love-bond is inextricable.

The lesson of Shivarathri is that devotees should foster good and sacred

thoughts. They should be filled with godly thoughts. They should seek to become

one with the Divine by reflecting on their inherent divinity. If you constantly

chant the name of God, God realization will come in due course.

Whatever other things they may possess, men suffer from lack of peace and bliss.

These two can be got only from God. It is for these two that men should pray to

God and not for anything else, because God alone can give them. When these are

secured, all other things will come of their own accord by the grace of God.

People should yearn for God. All other desires are worthless.

[bhagawan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan: "Prema muditha manase kaho: Rama! Rama! Ram!']

Sent with Sai love,

Sai brothers – ‘’

 

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