THE DUTIES OF LIFE...BABA...PREMA VAHINI...16-17

November 29, 2007

16 Prema VahiniThe Duties of Life The blemishes of the heart have to be washed by the moral life and the doing of one’s duty. A time may come when man becomes tired and weak but he should then pray thus: Lord, things have gone beyond my capacity. I feel further effort is too great a strain. Give me strength, O Lord! At first, God stands at a distance watching man’s efforts, like the teacher who stands apart when the student writes out answers to his questions. Then when man sheds his attachment to Bhoga (enjoyment) and takes to good deeds, and Seva (service), God comes encouragingly near. For He is like Surya Narayana, who stands waiting outside the closed door; like the servant who knows the rights of the master and his own limitations. He does not announce his presence or bang the door. He simply waits. And when the Master does but just open the door a little, the sun rushes in and promptly drives out darkness from within. When His help is asked for, He is present by the side of man, with hands extended to render assistance. So,

what is wanted from man is only the viveka (discrimination) to pray. 18 Prema Vahini Sadguna Is Jnana Jnana means understanding, but it is not just an intellectual feat. “Eating” does not mean the placing of food on the tongue. Eating is worthwhile only when the food is chewed and swallowed and digested and assimilated in the blood stream and transformed into muscle and bone, into strength and vigour. So too, understanding or Jnana, must permeate and invigorate all the moments of life. It must be expressed through all the organs and senses, through all the Karmendriyas (five senses of action) and all the Jnanendriyas (senses of perception). To this high stage man must reach. Mere accumulation of learning

is not Jnana. Only Sadguna (virtue) is Jnana. In order that one might do seva, a little Bhoga (festivity) too has to be gone through. Such Bhoga is a part of yajna (spiritual exercise, sacrifice). To make this body-machine function, the fuel of Anna (food) has to be used. Anna is not yajna, but it makes yajna possible. Therefore, eating food is not to be laughed at as catering to greed, as udaraposhana. It is part of worship. Puja is not merely the plucking of a flower and placing it on top of the image. The gardener who toiled to nurse the plant that gave the flower is also a worshipper. It is only when food is given that the body can function. Even the means for a sacrifice is yajna. All Karma done for the sake of three entities is sacrifice, viz., to utilise the world for the worship of the Lord, to establish peace and justice in society and to control and coordinate the functions of the body. The first is called Yagna, the second, Dana

(charity) and the third, Thapas (penance). All human acts must subserve these three needs.ord, the Jnana (wisdom) to remember Him.Ram ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp

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