Part 4 of Sri Bala Swamiji's explanation of the Universal Prayer composed by Sri Swamiji

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

 

Part 4

Shiveti shoureeti, verses 5 and 6

 

 

5. Ya eva kartaa ...

 

I seek refuge in that one God who alone is the Maker of the world, the one who

makes it disappear, and the one who protects it, who is Truth, and who is of the

form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.

 

Sage Atri performed penance wanting progeny, and wished that Paramatman who is

the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer should be born as his child. The three

Lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva appeared before him at the same time.

 

Sage Atri asked, “Among the three of you, whom did I invoke?â€

 

The three Lords replied, “The Paramatman that you contemplated upon, is of our

three forms. Hence we will be born to you as your child.â€

 

The Moon, Datta, and Durvasa were the three sons born to Atri. The Moon had the

aspect of Brahma, Datta had the aspect of Vishnu, and Durvasa had the aspect of

Siva. From this incident we can understand that the three Lords are really one.

 

In this prayer the word, “puraanaha†has been used. The same meaning for the

word “satyam†in the Vedic statement “Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma,†may

be applied here to the word “puraanahaâ€.

 

What is most ancient, and yet is ever new at all times, is called

“puraanahaâ€. God is also Puraana. For eons people have been trying to

understand Him. Even in the coming eons they will continue to do so. That is why

God is called Puraana Purusha.

 

There is absolutely no difference between the Trimurtis – the three gods.

 

Kalidasa has composed a beautiful shloka, a Sanskrit verse.

 

This is what it means: “The One divided itself into three.  It is natural for

noble souls to trade places and be superior or inferior to each other at

different times.â€

 

The puranas describe Siva to be superior to Vishnu at one time, or at another

time that Vishnu and Brahma are superior to Siva, or yet at another time that

Brahma is greater than Siva and Vishnu.

 

These circumstances should be properly understood and it should be recognized

that in truth there is absolutely no difference between the three.

 

6.   Alleti naamnaa ...

 

I seek refuge in that one God whom the muslims call Allah, the jains call Jina,

the buddhists call Buddha, and the English speaking call God.

 

Although religious conflicts have always existed, lately they have become more

rampant. As a result this prayer is very essential in modern day. Those who

think that because people and religions are different, that God is different,

will never be able to realize Paramatman.

 

To see God merely in the temple and to hate God’s children in the outside

world is very wrong.

 

This world will flourish with peace and joy if the earth is considered the

Mother, the Sky the Father, and all the beings of the Earth as one’s own

siblings, and loved as such. People of all religions proclaim that God is one,

yet no one is willing to accept the existence of the God of another religion.

 

This reflects their narrow mindedness. It is important to broaden the

perspective and become large hearted. Then God’s omnipresence will be

revealed.

 

To the one without any desire, God is everywhere. He is everything.

 

Sanatkumara was performing penance once. Siva and Parvati arrived there. They

said, “We are very happy with you. Please ask for any boon.â€

 

To that he said, “Since I have no desires at all, I am able to see you

everywhere. Hence I have no need to even see your manifested forms. Please go

away from here.â€

 

It is Sri Swamiji’s sankalpa or determination that everyone should become as

spiritually wise as Sanatkumara. That is why He has composed this Universal

Prayer.

 

Sadgurudeva is not saying that Gods are not necessary. He is telling us not to

restrict God’s presence only to the inside of a temple.

 

Sri Guru Datta