SATSANGAM 7

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7.SATSANGAM

(Read, Understand, Appreciate, Internalise and Assimilate to reach

the Ultimate)

 

Inspiring Verses from Srimad Bhagavatam

 

Lord in his incarnation as Kapila gave these spiritual instructions

to His mother Devahuti at her request (Srimad Bhagavatam - 3.29.21-

27).

 

" I am always present in all beings as their Self; disregarding them,

the mortal human being performs elaborate worship of Me (only) in

images. Forsaking Me, the supreme Lord, existing in all beings as

their Self, whoever worships Me in the image through utter

foolishness, their worship is like offering sacrificial ghee into

the ashes (and not into fire).

 

Hating Me, existing in another person's body, the proud one who sees

separateness (and not unity) and who practices firm enmity towards

other beings, will never attain peace of mind.

 

I am not pleased, O sinless one, with the extravagant ritual worship

of Me in an image by those who use very costly and ordinary ritual

materials, but who insult Me in all beings.

 

Let a person worship Me (the Lord existing in all beings) in an

image, discharging his or her family and social duties and

responsibilities, so long as he or she does not realize Me existing

in one's own heart.

 

Whoever makes the slightest difference between oneself and others,

such a one, who entertains the wrong idea of separateness, will

experience great fear in the form of death.

 

Therefore worship Me in all beings - for I am the self of all beings

and have already made temples for Myself in them - by dana (offering

of money or goods to remove their felt wants) and mana (showing due

respect to the recipient while doing so), and in an attitude of

friendliness and in a vision of non-separateness. "

 

(Taken from the book, 'Practical Vedanta and the Science of Values'

by Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj)

 

A Good Story

 

There is an amusing story concerning Alexander, the Great. When he

came to India, he found that the Indians were a race of brave,

fearless people. He made friends with them.

 

When he was about to return to his country, he remembered that his

people had asked him to bring to them an Indian yogi. They had heard

a lot about yogis and were very desirous of seeing one, meeting him,

hearing him speak and receiving his blessings. Alexander was told

that the yogis dwelt in the forest.

 

In quest of a yogi he went to a forest. Sure enough, he found one

sitting underneath a tree, in deep meditation. He waited patiently

until the yogi opened his eyes. They shone with a strange, mystic

light.

 

Reverently, Alexander requested the yogi to accompany him to Greece,

saying. " I will give you everything you need or ask for. But, pray,

do come with me. My people would love to meet you! "

 

The yogi quietly answered, " I need nothing, I am happy where I am! "

 

This was the first time that anyone had turned down Alexander's

request. He could not control himself. He flew into a rage.

 

And unsheathing his sword, he thundered, " Do you know who is

speaking to you? I am the great king Alexander. If you will not

listen to me. I shall kill you- cut you into pieces! "

 

Unperturbed, the yogi answered. " You cannot kill me! You can only

kill my body. And the body is but a garment I have worn. I am not

the body. I am that which dwells within the body! I am not the deh.

I am the dehin - the in dwelling one! "

 

The yogi continued, " You say you are a king. May I tell you, who you

are? You are a slave of my slave! "

 

Stunned. Alexander asked. " How am I a slave of your slave? "

 

In a voice tender with compassion, the yogi explained. " I have

mastered anger. Anger is my slave. See, how easily you gave way to

anger. You are a slave of anger, and, therefore, a slave of my slave!

 

Clearness like that of the Unclouded Sky

 

Because the quality of purity (sattva) is the real nature of the

mind, clearness like that of the unclouded sky is the characteristic

of the mind-expanse. Being stirred up by the quality of activity

(rajas) the mind becomes restless and, influenced by darkness

(tamas), manifests as the physical world. The mind thus becoming

restless on the one hand and appearing as solid matter on the other,

the Real is not discerned.

 

Just as fine silk threads cannot be woven with the use of a heavy

iron shuttle, or the delicate shades of a work of art be

distinguished in the light of a lamp flickering in the wind, so is

the Realization of Truth impossible with the mind rendered gross by

darkness (tamas) and restless by activity (rajas).

.... Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

Love Everyone at any Cost - Bhagawan Buddha

 

" Do not deceive, do not despise

Each other, anywhere.

Do not be angry, and do not

Secret resentment bear;

For as a mother risks her life

And watches over her child,

So boundless be your love to all,

So tender, kind and mild.

 

" Yea cherish good-will right and left,

For all, both soon and late,

And with no hindrance, with no stint,

From envy free and hate;

While standing, walking, sitting down,

Forever keep in mind:

The rule of life that's always best

Is to be loving-kind.

 

 

Prayer

 

Prayer is not a substitute for work; it is a desperate effort to

work further and to be efficient beyond the range of one's powers.

It is not the lazy who are most inclined to prayer; those pray most

who care most, and who, having worked hard, find it intolerable to

be defeated.

 

.... George Santayana (The Vendanta Kesari)