DO CONSTANT NAMASMARANA FOR MENTAL PEACE - Swami's discourse on 23-8-2004

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"K.R.PARAMAHAMSA" <krphamsa1 (AT) sancharnet (DOT) in>

DO CONSTANT NAMASMARANA FOR MENTAL PEACEBhagawan’s Discourse on August 23, 2004 at

Prashanthi Nilayam

Oh man! You struggle hard in life merely for the sake of filling your belly. You

acquire myriad types of knowledge from various fields. Examine and enquire for

yourself what great happiness you have achieved by spending all the time from

dawn to dusk in acquiring worldly knowledge and earning wealth, while

forgetting God. (Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!

Whether a pauper or a millionaire, one has to eat. But, having attained the

sacred human birth, it is unseemly of man to spend his entire like merely for

the sake of filling his belly. Why don't you spend a few minutes in the

contemplation of God, instead of spending your entire life just to earn a

living? There are of course a few people in this land of

New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Bharat, who are sanctifying their time and their

environment in the contemplation of God, but the vast majority are wasting

their births in vain pursuits.

Embodiments of Love!

It is not only in Srikakulam District, but also in many other places all over

India, there are people who are struggling and straining to eke out their

livelihood. In spite of all the effort, they are unable to attain peace,

happiness and comfort. Only those who are spending their time tin the

contemplation of god are able to experience peace and happiness. Those who

forget God and spend all their time and energy in mundane pursuits are bound

to suffer. Till this day, nobody has been able to enjoy mental peace and

physical comfort in full measure.

The body is like a water bubble. It is nothing but a bag full of bones. Mind is

like a mad monkey. It is a mistake to strive for the happiness of such a

physical body and wavering mind. So long as one is alive, one should make

efforts to keep the body healthy, so that one may not cause inconvenience to

others. There are many who spend their entire life for the sake of physical

comforts and pleasures. It is only a few who are not concerned with their mind

and body, but are centered on eternal peace and happiness.

Human birth is meant to experience divinity and not to crave for fleeting

pleasures. Human body is a divine gift, which is being put to improper use,

instead of its proper purpose of adoring God. Do not be under the mistaken

notion that body is meant for eating and enjoying physical pleasures only.

Certain duties have been assigned to man by performing which he will be able to

experience happiness at the level of the body, mind, senses and the spirit.

One should enquire what the purpose of human birth is. The goal of human birth

is to work for release from the cycle of birth and death. This body is a den of

dirt, and prone to diseases; it is subject to change from time to time; it

cannot cross the ocean of Samsara the body should be used as an instrument to

rise from the level of humanness to divinity. Human life is sanctified only

when we experience divinity. There are many people who are making efforts in

this direction. But only a few are able to realize the truth and achieve the

goal. One may undertake any type of activities, but one should always aspire to

attain peace of mind. Without peace of mind whatever enterprise man undertakes

will only add to his restlessness.

Embodiments of Love!

You are really fortunate to have come here all the way from Srikakulam in spite

of your financial constraints and various other difficulties. Swami is very

well aware of your aspirations. You have come here to experience divine bliss.

You were feeling sad that Swami has not spoken to you a word even after two

days of your stay here. In fact, last night you were all praying intensely. In

response to your sincere prayers, I have decided to address you this morning.

It is not My intention to satisfy you with just a discourse. I am ready to

extend all the help required to fulfill your aspirations.

Many of you are facing problems due to shortage of water. Some of you do not

have even proper food to eat. Food and water are very essential for everyone.

Do not give room to worry and anxiety. God is not stonehearted. He will

certainly take care of your needs. His heart is filled with compassion. Swami's

concern for your is hundred times more intense than the concern you have for

yourselves. You need not be worried at all. Develop the feeling that

difficulties and suffering are for your own good. Even insurmountable

difficulties will vanish like thin mist when you have firm conviction. Hence,

do not be unduly perturbed about your problems. Difficulties come and go. Not

only the poor, can’t even a millionaire escape from difficulties. Swami confers

His

blessings on you so that you will be relieved of you suffering soon.

You may consult the elders of your villages and take the help of those who are

willing to cooperate with you. I will see to it that there is plenty of water

available in your mountainous area. Do not be depressed or bogged down by

difficulties. Having put on the vesture or the human body, one cannot escape

from difficulties. The physical body may undergo suffering, but you should make

efforts to attain peace of mind. Mind is the basis for happiness for everyone.

All physical comforts will be of little use without peace of mind.

Only through contemplation of God can you attain peace of mind and not by any

other means. Hence, chant the Name of God incessantly unmindful of the

difficulties that come in your way. It is because of contemplation of God's

Name that you have been able to experience peace in spite of the innumerable

difficulties you faced. God is the refuge for the poor and the forlorn. He is

always with them through all the vicissitudes of life. Do not think that God is

in some distant land. God is by your side always. In fact, He is present in the

inner recesses of your heart. Never think that God is away from you at any

point of time. Neither friends nor relatives can come to your rescue. God is

your sole refuge. He will protect you under all circumstances. In spite

of numerous difficulties, Bharathiyas never swerved from the God ward path. If

Bharat occupies a pivotal position among all nations, it is only because of

Bharathiyas' one pointed devotion to God.

There are many affluent countries where people lead a luxurious life, but they

are unable to attain peace of mind. It is the good fortune of Bharathiyas that

they are able to enjoy peace of mind. Their devotion to God is responsible for

this. Since ancient times, the culture of Bharat has been protecting the

Bharathiyas in all respects. Its glory and grandeur defy all description. One

who has peace of mind will have moral strength. Hence, chant the Divine Name

constantly.

Yesterday you went round the entire village singing the glory of God and entered

the portals of Prashanthi Nilayam; you experienced peace of mind. It is not

possible to experience peace by any other means. Hence, never forget God.

Sanctify your time by chanting His Name. Contemplation of God should be man's

constant endeavor.

There may be some jealous people who will try to dissuade you from chanting

God's Name. They say, 'what is the use of chanting God's Name? It will not help

us to eke out our livelihood. We have to work hard for our survival. So, stop

chanting God's Name.' Do not pay heed to such narrow-minded people. Never

forget God's Name. You may not be aware; people all over the world in all

villages are facing hardships. They are suffering from physical ailments and

mental agitations. Only Bharathiyas are able to enjoy peace of mind because of

their devotion to God. There is no happiness greater than experiencing peace of

mind.

Mental peace can be obtained only by constant contemplation of God. This cannot

be purchased from the market. It is only by constant contemplation of God that

mental worries can be overcome. This is the experience of people all over the

world. Contemplation of God alone can bring about mental peace and happiness.

No other means can achieve this.

To be born is a worry, to be on the earth is a worry; world is a cause of worry

and death too; entire childhood is a worry and so is the old age; life is a

worry, failure is a worry; all actions and difficulties cause worry; even

happiness too is a mysterious worry. (Telugu Poem)

Contemplation of God is the right royal path that would remove all types of

worries. Therefore, do not try other means for achieving mental peace and get

into trouble and worry. March on the divine and glorious path! All the karmas

in the spiritual field are meant to bring peace and happiness to us. They are

not intended to trouble us. Mental peace can be achieved only by performing

one's own duty, not by any other means. Karma brings about a result; and that

result brings happiness and peace. Even when you are undergoing difficulties,

always think that they are meant to bring your happiness. Every human being

undergoes difficulties, only to enjoy happiness later. However, he does not

realize this during the period of suffering. But, in course of time,

when suffering ends and happy days arrive, he would realize the truth. Hence,

always remember the truth that sorrows and difficulties are prelude to happy

days ahead. In fact, real happiness comes out of suffering only.

Embodiments of Love!

Love is the only property that always grows - the more you spend, the more it

grows; it never diminishes. Supposing you go up a hill and sing the glory of

God; the Divine vibrations will reach to a large area and the people hearing

the Namasmarana even from a distance will fell very happy. Divine music can

confer solace even to children and animals. By hearing Namasankirtana, even the

heart of a stonehearted person will melt. We have heard of several instances in

Indian history where great devotees of God, by their Namasankirtana, could

bring about complete transformation in die-hard criminals.

Suppose you are digging a pit, the soil in that is taken out and stacked by its

side becomes a mound. You need no9t feel anxious that the pit is becoming

deeper and deeper. The soil that is dug out of the pit and the soil that is

piled up next to the pit are the same. Similarly, along with the difficulties

you undergo, you will experience happiness also in abundant measure. When you

fill in the soil that is piled up (namely happiness) in the pit of sorrows and

difficulties, you will attain a state of equanimity. This is what you have to

realize today. You need not feel sorry, 'oh! I have fallen into this pit of

sorrows and difficulties. How can I come out of this? How am I to bear this?'

The soil of happiness stacked next the pit of suffering may be

filled into the pit. You will attain a state of equanimity. You have to do this Sadhana.

Embodiments of Love!

You have come here with love-filled hearts, undergoing lot of difficulties and

physical strain. It is your love and devotion to Swami that brought you here.

Go back to your places with the same intensity of love and devotion. Continue

to enjoy the moments of joy and happiness you experienced in the presence of

Swami.

Pleasure and pain, good and bad co-exist; none can separate them. You cannot

find pleasure or pain, good or bad to the exclusion of the other. Pleasure

results when difficulties fructify. (Telugu Poem)

Thus, happiness and sorrow come to teach us equanimity.

Embodiments of Love!

Love is the only wealth that can never diminish. That is the property of God.

Therefore, cultivate pure and selfless love. God's love will always follow you

wherever you are and will protect you at all times. Do not ever consider that

money alone is your property. In fact, love is your real wealth. The wealth of

Love always grows, never diminishes. Those who realize the Paramatma will be

able to understand this truth better. My heart is overflowing with love and joy

on account of the Namasankirtana you have done yesterday in the streets of

Puttaparthi. Continue this Namasankirtana wherever you are throughout your

life. Especially, when your spirits are down with sorrow, sing the glory of God

full-throated. Never feel diffident to sing the glory of God,

thinking that others may make fun of you. Irrespective of what others may think

or say against you, continue this sacred activity of Namasankirtana. Only then

will you be charged with Divine power.

Embodiments of Love!

I am very happy that you are all gathered here. I always wish joy, happiness,

comfort and peace for all of you. Today, 8000 devotees from your place have

come here to share the happiness of swami's Divine Presence. All of you, please

go to the canteen and partake of Swami's Prasadam happily. Swami's Prasadam will

become Akshayam (never diminishing) and will remove all your sorrows and

difficulties. Everything that is granted by Swami is suffused with love.

Whatever Bhagawan grants is always free. God will never succumb to monetary

considerations. Wherever any service activity is associated with money, it is

tainted. The entire property of Swami consists of Love only. Such Divine love

must become your very life-breath. All your past karmas will become

extinct, if only you cultivate that pure love.

All of you go to the canteen and have food, as Swami's Prasadam. Thereafter, you

can go to your respective villages, happily.

Embodiments of Love!

Having come here from such a long distance, fill your hearts with love. Sometime

ago, there was a singer by name Saluru Rajeswara Rao. He used to visit Swami,

regularly. He remained absorbed so much in music that he would sing while

walking in the streets, unmindful of what others thought of him. Today, his son

has come here to sing some devotional songs in the Divine presence of Swami.

These devotional songs fill the hearts of people with overwhelming joy.

Late Rajeswara Rao used to sing a particular song on Sri Krishna melodiously

'Challagaalilo Yamunathatipai Shyama Sundaruni Murali….' (Shyama Sundara is

melodiously playing His flute on the banks of the Yamuna, while the cool breeze

is blowing) His voice as well as his feelings was sweet. Both Rajeswara Rao and

another devotee Adinarayana used to come here regularly. They were the people

who composed the 'Sai Charita' and sang those songs melodiously. They may be

anywhere; the lives of such pure-hearted devotees are sanctified. Those, who

sell their God-given talents and make a wholly living out of it, can never be

truly happy. Rajeswara Rao and Adinarayana never made business out of their

musical talents. They always sang to their heart's content, with

love and devotion. The glory of such devotees, whether dead or alive, will remain forever.

There was another well-known devotee by name Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao. He

also underwent many difficulties. But, he was always devoted to God. Whenever

he was in difficult situation, he used to sing, 'oh! God! Won't You pull me out

of these difficulties?' Even when he was sick and was hospitalized, he used to

sing lying in the hospital bed, 'oh! Lord! How long have I to suffer this

agony! Won't you relieve me of this pain? 'Once I went to the hospital to see

him. I consoled him saying, 'my dear Ghantasala! Never think of these

difficulties and suffering.

These things happen to test your faith in God. You will come out successful in

this test, by constant Namasmarana.' A devotee like him, who is constantly

engaged in Namasmarana under all circumstances, will become immortal.

Namasmarana is the only property that lasts forever. Therefore, you also

undertake this Sadhana, as a lifelong activity. Whether your voice is good or

not, continue to sing the glory of God by constant Namasmarana at least in your

heart. Thereby, you will acquire merit that will protect you throughout your

life. If you do this Sadhana, God will always be with you, in you, around you.

Whenever you take food, do Namasmarana before partaking of the food. By doing

so, the food will be sanctified and will become Prasadam of God. Your heart

also will be purified. That is why, our ancestors prayed thus before partaking of food:

Brahmarpanam Brahma havir

Brahmagnou Brahmanahutam

Brahmaiva Tana Ganthavyam

Brahma Karma Samdhina.

When you pray in this manner before you partake of your food, God immediately responds thus:

Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva

Praninam Dehamasrita

Pranapana Samayukta

Pachamyannam Chaturvidham.

(My dear! I am present in you in the form of Vaishvanara digesting the food that you partake of)

The prayer thus made invokes an immediate response from God. That is reaction,

reflection and resounds. Therefore, constantly engage yourself in Namasmarana,

which will confer Bliss on you.

(Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, 'Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha

Shanthi Nahin Hari Naama Bina Ananda Nahin…)

 

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