SriGuru Charitra-some musings--Part 1-Reply

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Dear Sridhar Garu,

Thankyou for the blessings and the kind words.Oflate the track of this group had been deviant from the main topic of discussions so I wanted to post something informative.Swaprakashanadaji is no more in the mortal frame sir.Sri Gurugaru attained Maha Samadhi on Gurupoornima day year 2003.

(Swaprakashananda Athivarna Avadhutha Theertha--fondly called as Guruvugaaru or Anakapalli Guruvugaaru)

I will answer your questions presently:

1. Many of the rituals mentioned in Guru Charithra cannot be practised nowadays, though they are very scientific. Even to explain certain things to my children becomes difficult, as it is embodied in the Guru Charithra.

Reply: True, I wont blame you. Some of the things explaine din Gurucharitra are even difficult to follow. For example the original text gives around 35 odd rules for even drinking water!!

So what is the proper way of approach?

This is simple. Read the text not in the context of that era but in our era and try to practice as much as possible from the text, especially those that are feasible. There are some universalities which can be followed by anyone at anytime. Follow those.

 

Second, Always try to understand when reading a sacred text the following

1. The inner-artha--why is Sri Guru saying thus? Think deeply. Dont imitate feminists who cringe when the word Sathi come sin Guru Charitra. Think deeply how is it relevant in our modern day context? How is the love between a husband and wife these days? What was the original sathi was it mere pushing a widow into the funeral pyre or was it the inner dahana of a lover? Was it an externality? What are the pranic angles to it? How is the prana of two souls wedded connected and what happens if one soul leavs the physical embodiment?

2. The inner-artha of the person involved--why did sri guru say thus? why did the charecter say thus?

3. The context--which period and to whom was it said? which place was it said

4. The circumstance--what made the following to occur?

5 Secretive aspects--Some sacred texts say certain things in a nonsensical fashion to hide certain things.

 

 

2. When the mind is disturbed, and when circumstances around the devotee do not permit the focussed reading of Guru Charithra, then what he or she should do?

This is all the more the reason to read the text.

Now reading a sacred text can be of four types

1. Reading it in a parayana or saapthahika fashion as a sadhana.

2. Reading it for reference or as an oracle.

3. Reading the text for lesiurely purposes.

4. Reading it in a mechanical fashion for the purpose of some vow.

I have given the order of importance in the same sequence.

So you may choose how to read it when you are troubled. I said Sri Guru Charitra(or for that matter any text) is a living embodiment of the divnity in the form of a book. If a friend coems to offer you succour when you are troubled, wont you accept it or feel relieved? Will you shut the doors and say "Please come later, Iam troubled and disturbed?" Your attitude toward SriGurucharitra must be in a construed in a similar fashion. Open your heart woes out to the book and you will find some words leaping out offering you solutions for your maladies.

Read with a prayerful attitude

Read with shraddha

Read with Bhakthi

Read with tears

Then you gain just answers and all questions dissolve in those tears of yours. Datta loves you my friend!

3.I certainly believe that the reading of Guru Charithra cleanses the mind, if not dramatically, slowly (but to some sadhakaas it may happen very fast) and as you mentioned in your musings the "thrikarana shuddhi" dawns upon the person. But again if the circumstances change and he/she goes back to the old state of mind, what should one do?

True. Very true.

Even if you see Lord Dattatreya it does not mean you are saved. Saving comes from a physical Guru. One may become a Pathitha(fallen one) anytime. Shiva's dcvotees in kailasha have become pathithas and took birth as Nayanmars here(on earth as mortals) then were are we sir?

The following can be done to prevent falling back to the original negative stupour:

1. Repetition--Make Sri Guru Charitra your friend,philosopher and guide atleast till you get your sadguru who will then prevent you form falling.

2. Constant chanting of the name of Datta, when in office or in kitchen, when in a board meeting or in bathroom.

3. Satsangham-meeting of likeminded spiritual people.

4. Shravana of other stories of Dattatreya and reading them form time to time.These are not a 41 day or a mandala affairs.Each time you read a sacred text you get(or rather should get)a new meaning, new horizon opened before you, a newness you feel when you read it for the first time.Try experiementing on the steps I told you before like what is the artha,paramaartha,the context, situation,timeframe,gupthaartha(secretive meaning),etc and do small researches on the same.

When we fall in love with a woman we do so much of research to the point of knowing which places she frequents, who her friends are, some even go to the extent of even knowing what brand lipstick she smears on those ephemeral lips.

Sri Guru Charitra is even more divine than a mere infatuation for a woman. It is your Mother and Father. The true One, the nitya and the nityaalankara, The parimaana and the Parabrahmam, the shabdha and the shabdha brahmam. It means the very breath of Sri guru put on paper.It is the niraakaara given an aakaara, so do some research be involved.Collect books(you dont even need to read them, just their presence makes you divine-some sankhya and tarkawaadins might argue with me but they dont know sir of the vibrations which holy books emnate).

A mere touch of Sriguru charitra with faith will solve your problems.

Ah! ...But faith is the key word.

Remember this much

Faith and the Brahmam always

and weal will follow you wherever you go, clouds will surround you with gentle showers even if you walk on the desert, for in it lies benediction for in it lies the source of all things!

 

Yours yogically,

Shreeram Balijepalli

(Para_anuloma)

(Group Owner)

 

 

Smarthrugaami-Dattavaibhavam , Sridhar S <tanmoy_ananda wrote:>> Dear Shree Ram Gaaru> Jaya Guru Deva Datta> > My heartfelt congratulations on running a great group in . A group without spam, a group of holy thoughts, a group where Datta devotees are interacting with each other.> > I had been a member of of different nature (from HR to Investments). The communications in any of these groups were not as interesting, as exciting and as blissful as the postings in the Smarthrugaami-Dattavaibhavam. As you have rightly pointed out, even the name chosen is so significant.> > I had the opportunity of reading Guru Charithra (of Pithapuram Samsthanam), Sri Shirdi Sai Charithra (published by Shirdi Sai Samsthan and the one written by Sri Ekkiraala Bharadwaj), Sri Paada Shree Vallabha Charithra (Pithapuram Samsthanam) and the life story of Sri Ganapathi Sacchidananda Swami (of Mysore). > > When you spoke about reading and listening to Guru Charithra repeatedly, to get the blessings of Lord Datta, certain questions arose in my mind:> 1. Many of the rituals mentioned in Guru Charithra cannot be practised nowadays, though they are very scientific. Even to explain certain things to my children becomes difficult, as it is embodied in the Guru Charithra. > > 2. When the mind is disturbed, and when circumstances around the devotee do not permit the focussed reading of Guru Charithra, then what he or she should do?> > 3.I certainly believe that the reading of Guru Charithra cleanses the mind, if not dramatically, slowly (but to some sadhakaas it may happen very fast) and as you mentioned in your musings the "thrikarana shuddhi" dawns upon the person. But again if the circumstances change and he/she goes back to the old state of mind, what should one do? In kali yuga, the forces (favourable and unfavourable and distracting) are many. Some individuals are burdened with many problems - domestic (health, disharmony), financial and career-related. Such persons feel lack of achievement in life and if this state continues for long, they become bitter to the people around and either they go into a depressed state of mind or isolate themselves. I have practically come across some people, in spite of reading many holy books, doing paraayanas, japa of namaas (Vishnu, Lalitha sahasranaamas), chanting stothras like Rama Raksha manthra for 41 days or more, are yet to get any respite to their problems.> The question arises whether, their life is designed that way, no prayer will change the circumstances of their lives. The proportion of such people is slowly increasing. Blessed are those, who have problems in one or two dimensions and can rebounce faster. Lord Datta has to bestow his benevolence (even one millionth part) on such devotees as well. If by Datta's grace there are positive events in such families, the amount of joy and the amount of gratitude shown to Datta would be immeasurable. It so happens, that the rich man gets richer and the poor man becomes poorer. From the view point of a devotee, a poor man should also get rid of his problems, atleast to some extent, and now and then he should feel the grace of the Lord, so that the faith is revived and he sings and prays. Of course, Shirdi Sai, had clearly mentioned that he would first redress the material desires of his devotees, then he would elevate them spiritually.> > Just wanted to share with you, some of the thoughts that were welling up within me. > I am very happy that I am a member of this Group and would like to say millions of thanks for running this Group.> > Where currently Sri Swaprakashanandaji is staying? Yes, you are really lucky to be his off-spring and at the same time get spiritual guidance.> > With regards> s.sridhar> nitk., surathkal> > > para_anuloma para_anuloma wrote: > Dear R,> Jayagurudeva Datta!> Shree Gurudeva Datta! > > Last night was spent in some animated conversations with my friend in Dallas regarding the significance of Sri Guru Charitra.Though my soul has been worshipping Srividya Devi, I have found significant spirituality and spent my young days in the glory of Dattatreya and in the lap of Sri Swaprakashanandaji.> (Swaprakashananda Garu of Anakapalli)> He was a true Upasaka of Dattatreya. He hated ostentation in the most vehement terms and was quite rude when his disciples crossed their limits.> "Dattuduni taluchuko ra Ramaaa!"(Think of Datta, Ram!)> Still rings in my ears as a mellifluous tune reminding me of the ephemeral nature of this world.> His precepts were simple.> 1. Secrecy--Maintain secrecy in your spiritual dealings. I run this and the other group(Rajarajeshwari Kalpataru) but meet very rarely any group member.> 2. Serve--Both deity and the devotee(not to forget one's deshika).> 3. Smarana--Of the nama of the Lord.> 4. Satsangha--Conversing with spiritually minded folks.> 5. Sadachara--Good behavior.> 6. Shravana--Hearing the stories of Lord Dattatreya.> Of these the last is very important, he used to say.> Why? Most of the people in Kaliyuga(why most almost 100%) are blabbermouths beause of their inherent ego. They either think they are great or think others are inferior.Both ways ego predominates their flush of thinking.So the first one is difficult.Even if a person shows just agarbatthi to the lord he proudly says "Iam just showing agarbatthi thats all I dont read any Gurucharitra or do any japa." This is a show-off of his/her simplicity. Why even say this? Better to keep quiet. But alas, the toungue wags...> Serving,smarana,satsangha and sadachara are equally difficult, then what is the marga for us when we are in super-kaliyuga with declining morals?> I asked the enlightened Guru of Anakapalli(Swaprakashananda Garu)> > "Akharina cheppindhi marachipoku. Shravanamuraa dattu!(dattu was my pet name). Guru Charitralo unna kathalu vinu. Dattudu prasannam avuthaadu. Nuvvu daanni chadavakkarledhu, vinte chaalu. Nuvvu nijaayithigaa undu. Evvarru ninnu kopaginchinaa paravaaledhu...khere jhaat!!(that was his expression--for-' give a damn!').> Nee vaipu Sriguru unte' chaalu. Emi Arthamyyindhaa?"> (What I told you in the end ie., Shravana, dont forget. Listen to the stories of Guru Charitra, that is enough, you dont even need to read it. Lord Dattatreya becomes most happy with that. And you be honest in your dealings with everyone even if they get angry with you. Give a damn to this worldly people. When you have Sriguru on your side, it should suffice. Do you get me?)> I nodded my head and pestered my father to buy one Gurucharitra for me but unfortunately the telugu was hig-level for me for that small age. But with great difficulty I used to read one chapter per day(Iam talking of my days in 3rd standard) and ask every small word I did not understand my father for clarifications.He used to be patient and explain things to me beyond Gurucharittra too sometimes quoting from books like Dharmasindhu and Munibhavabodhini. I used to listen to Him in awe and wished I were born in that period.> Dattatreya marga is a yoga marga, Mr. R. It is not just something to do with bhajans and eating tasty prasadam! Yes, Bhajans bolster one's faith but one must delve deep into the ocean of yoga with the support of the chord called Datta-bhakthi.> Then Vasanakshayam happens(The elimination of sinful tendencies) and which leads to antar-chitta-shuddhi(Purity inside).> "Trikarana Shuddhi lenidhi e' pani cheyyakoodadhani shaastraalu ghoshithunnaayi"(Without purity of three kinds one should never do anything as promulgated by shaastras).> These days many people read stories of Avadhuthas like Shirdi Sai Baba and think that they know it all and laugh at pious people who follow shastras laying claim to the wisdom of Baba.> > Baba did everything as per the Shastras, which surprises many when I say that.Though of a Fakiri lineage He is the greatest Yogi samraat of our times.He Himself used to encourage people to follow shastras.And even said to Sri Das Gunaji that what is said in Shastras are not stories but that they were true.> This being so the tendency of the people is to 'throw the baby out with the bath water'.> Essence is lost and spirituality is suited to their convinience. You might be surprised why I talk like this when sometimes I give an opinion that Iam a libertine when it comes to the topic of shaastraas.> > Shaastras are like the weight placed on the papers when the papers fly according to the frailities of the wind. Mind is ever-fragile and wavering than the wind and Shaastras give the necessary discipline.> Shaastras have some drawbacks though as the practicality of it being implemented in Kaliyuga diminishes to a great extent. You see pollution all around you. Air,water,minds,spirituality,politics...everything is polluted.> So what is the solution?---Shravana--Shravana(or pathana -reading) of Sri Guru Charitra. Sri Guru Charitra will yield results when considered as a living entity and embodiment of Sri Guru Himself.> > (To be continued...)> Yours yogically,> Shreeram Balijepalli> (para_anuloma Group Owner)> > > > > > > > > > 5, 50, 500, 5000. Store N number of mails in your inbox. >

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Dear Shreeram gaaruThanks for the prompt and very enlightening reply to some of my queries. I totally accept that God realization can happen only when there is intensity of desire to realize and each and every moment is filled with the smaran of Datta. Still there could be some doubts in the minds of many of the devotees, which as you rightly pointed out, can be clarified by a sadguru or through enlightened souls like you. 1. Naama smarana when you are on the job, or in the kitchen or while walking or travelling: is there any taboo, that one should not wear shoes or slippers, while doing these chores and reciting the names of Datta. 2. Whether a mantra, like "Om dram Om Guru Dattaya namah", can be recited silently walking on the road or travelling (with shoes or chappals on the feet). 3. For females, is the naama smarana, forbidden during the monthly periods? Should they stop reading even Sai Charithra??4. How to instill and

propagate Datta Bhakthi among youngsters, particularly college students? The culture prevalent, as you might know well, is to join a prestigious professional college after 10+2. To get into such college, a student has to work hard, join coaching institutions, forget about entertainment etc., Then they join the college, initially they feel like relaxing after the struggle for getting admission. A new place, new set of friends, freedom from parents (no monitoring, financial freedom) and the flexibility in education system, which allows freaking out and studying one week or day before the exams - all these events throw the student's disciplined style of life out of gear. After the 3rd year, the scramble for placements, aptitude tests, Group discussions and interviews. After getting placement, again a chain of parties. Then comes the struggle for writing GRE or GMAT or CAT . After the scores arrive, the application process and landing in the USA. After getting adjusted to the

new environs, then proving themselves that they are good or better than other students. Extra inputs from the students' side in the US Graduate schools and then job etc., During this continued struggle, intermittently laced with freaking out in Indian colleges, the bhakthi seed sprouts, if it is sown in their home (through parents) or through peer groups or if they join groups like this. They believe in results manifested through achievements in life. If they are able to connect achievement and bhakthi towards Datta or Sai, then it is great. But if they fail to achieve or get frustrated, the unmoving faith towards Datta has to be inculcated.I see some young members in this Group. I wish they could speak up about their expectations, their connectivities and their experiences.Jaya Guru Deva Dattas.sridhar

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