PRACTISE, WHAT IS PREACHED !

"Like a tiny drop of dew, or a bubble floating in a stream, like a flash of lightning in a summer cloud, or a flickering lamp, an illusion, a phantom, or a dream... So is all conditioned existence to be seen" 

'This is how to contemplate over conditioned existence in this fleeting world' 

--- Goutama Buddha  ( Ch 32, Vajra Sutra)

'Brahma Satyam Jagat mithya - is the basic tenet of  Indian Advaita philosophy which speaks of the One Self, the Super Conscious and the rest illusory.  A little understanding of what all this illusion about may be necessary here.  At the gross level, all the  apparent physical forms of world around us 

are manifestation of energy.  Things which one sees as existing are in reality non existing. For  every object in the ultimate analysis  can be traced back to the five elements which in  turn  are manifested form of  Sakti (Energy) called Prakriti and Prakriti from Purusha- Super Consciousness.  Since Nothing can come out of Nothingness,  there can not be such thing like Absolute Emptiness. The Creation (manifested) 'per se' implies  existence of a Creator (Un manifested) - The Ultimate Truth, the Supreme Consciousness.

Meditation is a vital channel by which one can perceive one's  'true nature '.  For this,  a good amount of exercise in calming the ever indulging  mind is necessary. The path is straight.  Simply to start relegating every thought that generates from time to time.  Seeing the meditator's steadfast will power, the mind will bow down to the seeker. As the practice advances slowly the seeker comes to shred off the body consciousness and experiences  that, the presence of the vital energy which is a driving force in him is omnipresent in each and every atom of this creation. When such wisdom is dawned , he is no more bound by or conditioned by his mind.  All dualities of attributes, contours of all physical forms vanish. He does work but without any anticipation or expectation.  His mind no longer makes unnecessary probes into the past and the future. This original mind  or the True Self without any conceptualisation of  I  or Ego (Ahamkara-I, and Mamakara-Mine) is termed by the Buddhists as Buddha Nature.  Here one point has to be clarified.  The term  'No mind' is misconstrued by some as 'zero thought' stage of mind or without mind.  But it is not so. The 'No mind' is actually the one which stops deliberating or discriminating about alternatives.  It is a mind free from deluded thoughts.  Hence the focus is on  'One  Mind  Object' at a time. This single mindfulness is also called Prajna (Wisdom).   

A small  anecdote to exemplify the above....  A disciple served a Buddhist monk for more than a decade and got vexed up for not getting any explicit  Buddhist knowledge. He decided to leave in search of another monk who could impart Buddhist teachings. When he went to take permission, his guru asked, " Didn't you find the Buddhist teachings already here?" " No, you had not taught me any".  " Don't lie!  You had already received lot of Buddhist knowledge here.  When you came to serve me tea,  I accepted and drank it.  When you served me food, I ate it. When you made salutations with your palms  and bowed down respectfully for permission to leave,  I consented in response. All these are Buddhist teachings. They stand for Prajna (wisdom) in our daily life!"  The disciple got surprised,  " Oh, This itself is Prajna !  Let me think over it ".  The guru immediately said, " Don't think, because it generates differentiation and  'thinking' ceases any more to be Prajna !"  By hearing this,  the disciple got Enlightenment !

Such is the importance of Prajna Paramita (the Perfect Wisdom) of the Diamond (Vajra) Sutra. Even the most learned ones may some times commit mistakes in practice as is seen in the following short 

story. ....A litterateur (man of letters), a highly learned monk specialised  in the 'Vajra Parichheda Prajna Paramita Sutra (Diamond Sutra of Perfect Wisdom to Cut off the Illusory, Vajra Sutra in brief) and spent most of his career in teaching the scripture in various monasteries.  Once he was travelling across the country for a far off monastery.  The journey was tiresome.  He was feeling hungry but he had no money.  On the way he found an old lady selling some biscuits, condiments  and tea by the road side.  He introduced himself as a Vajra Sutra Scholar but penny less  and requested to offer some snacks and tea in kindness. The old lady smiled and said,   "All right ! I will offer the refreshments free,  provided you answer to my simple question,  How do you eat my refreshments ?  Is it with your 'Past Mind', or 'Present Mind', or 'Future Mind' ?"  The scholar got embarrassed at the wit of the old lady, spent a lot of time contemplating on the subject seriously, finding no answer he opened the Vajra Sutra along with Explanatory Notes and started perusing page by page thoroughly.  But to his dismay he couldn't find right answer even after wasting long long hours.  Finally he conceded ignorance about the right answer.  Then the old lady smiled and told,  " Oh then, you are a foolish monk ! Don't you know this much that you eat my refreshments with your mouth ?"  

So, it's clear by now how the canny 'thoughtful mind' overshadows one's  Prajna in day to day life. 

'The minds of all disciples (seekers) should be purified of all thoughts that relate to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching and discriminating.  They should use their minds spontaneously and naturally, without being constrained by preconceived notions arising from the senses.'  (Goutama Buddha,  Ch. 10, Vajra Sutra).

Practising compassion and charity without attachment is the way to reaching the Highest Perfect Wisdom (Prajna Paramita); it's the way to becoming a living  Buddha !

Om Shanti!

SELF CONTROL - WAITING FOR A DELAYED GRATIFICATION

Atmanam rathinam viddhi Sariram rathmeva tu,

buddhim tu saradhim viddhi manah pragrahameva cha ll

Indriyani hayanahuh vishayamsteshyu gocharan,

atmendriya manoyuktam bhoktetyahur maneeshinah ll

---Kattha Upanishad  (3/3-4)

(The body is the Chariot and the Soul is it's owner (charioteer); the intellect is it's driver; the mind is it's reins; the sense organs are the horses pulling the chariot; the objects of taste, smell, touch and others are the path).   In this way, the Atma (Soul) only uses indriyas (the sense organs) and antahkaranas (inner conscience or manifest mind) as a means to enjoy worldly pleasures. 

Now if one looks at the above slokas with some insight, it is clear to perceive that well trained horses (sense organs) will reach the destination, without much anguish to the higher ups namely mind and intellect.  Here is the hitch.  What is meant by 'well trained' is well groomed, rigorously practised attribute which becomes one's innate nature namely, 'Self Control.'

When one knows what is good and what is bad and restrains from the bad and sticks to the good how much hard the ordeal might be - it's 'self control'. This becomes a 'delayed gratification' for a spiritual seeker because, the moksha (liberation) is  the ultimate goal or 'gratification'  for him and the term 'delayed ' signifies the arduous and relentless journey taken up, sacrificing all worldly pleasures zealously.

In this connection, let's have a brief recounting of the most popular "Marshmallow Experiment" by the Stanford Professor, Walter Mischel.  A few hundred children of the age group of 4-5 were chosen. Each child was individually called into a room, made to sit before a table on which a marshmallow was placed.  The child was offered a deal by the researcher, that if the child waited for a few minutes during which time the researcher would go out and come back, the child would be granted two marshmallows for waiting, otherwise only one if he didn't wish to wait. And naturally most of the children agreed to wait for a few minutes and claim two sweets as gratification. The outcome of the experiment was astonishing.  Some children took the marshmallow and gulped, the moment the researcher left the room, some waited just for a while and surrendered to temptation to eat. Only very few  were found to be able to withstand temptation with one single thought in their mind, that their patient waiting was worth for getting better deal of two marshmallows and they got it. The surprising thing about the experiment was that when those few children who waited grew up, they became highly successful in their careers. The Marshmallow Experiment brought forth two vital traits in the successful children - 1) Waiting for gratification is worth it. 2) I have the capacity to wait!

Once we understand the necessity of inculcating such an important quality that is self control, 

waiting for delayed gratification, in  our children, the following short story would impress them well.

A piece of caution by Mahatna Gandhi is worth mentioning here. "Not to have control over the senses is like sailing in a rudderless ship, bound to break into pieces or coming into contact with the very first rock."

A sage was running an ashram with his disciples by the side of a river. One day one of the disciple approached him with a doubt.  "Guruji ! The spiritual knowledge you impart is same and impartial to all our disciples.  But how is that some make remarkable progress and some others lag behind in their sadhana (rigorous practice) ? "   Guruji asked him to bring two small earthen pots. When the disciple brought them Guruji made five small holes to one of the pot. Guruji leaving for the river bath  asked the disciple to follow him with the two pots.  After entering into the river knee deep, Guruji asked the disciple to place the pot with holes on the surface of the river.  As the water entered into the pot through the fives holes it slowly sank to the bottom of the river near them. Later Guruji asked his disciple to place the second pot without holes on the surface of the river. It gradually floated off to the other bank of the river.  Guruji explained thus, "See, The pot with holes  let in water from all sides and drowned here itself.  Whereas the pot without any holes floated on  water and reached the other bank.  Similarly, those who are slaves to their (open)senses are drowned in samsara bandha (material world) and those having control over their senses, shun them from the external worldly temptations, float safely and reach their destination, namely Mukti (the ultimate Liberation)."....

Finally, the success mantra whether it be in individual career or in pursuing the spiritual path of liberation,  is opting by the Self, for the 'pain of discipline ' over the 'ease of distraction' !

Om Shanti!

MIND IS A MAHAAS(Z)ANA ( GREAT GLUTTON)

The meditative state is the highest state of existence.  So long as there is desire, no real happiness can come.  It is only the contemplative, witness like study of objects that brings to us real enjoyment and happiness --- Swamy Vivekananda.

Then what is 'desire'?  Do you know that it is that mischievous  'Impurity of Mind' that is playing illusory role of masking away our True nature of being the Brahman - The Almighty?  In the words

of the learned ones, "In spite of living in the Ocean of the Absolute and in reality being identical with It, you imagine yourself to be different from It, due to your desires."  Hence, comprehension of this vital factor - namely 'desire',  which acts as a major stumbling block on the path of Self Realisation, is a must for the seeker.  It can be described as an impulse, an ardent longing for obtaining, possessing some person, place, object or happening.  It's an urge, yearning for an enjoyment or pursuance of something.

At the time of coming on to this earth, our mind was full of purity - predominantly Satva guna based. But as the days passed by,  the impurities in the form of thought, desire, lust, greed, passion, jealousy on account of  Rajo guna  and Tamo guna started to turn the otherwise ever-blissful state of existence in to suffering one.  The havoc played by the  'desire',  in one's downfall is well described in Bhagavadgita (Chapter 2 - Slokas 62,63).

Dhyayato vishayan pumsah sangaste shupajayate

sangatsamjayate kamah kamat krodho bhijayate ll

Krodha dbhavati sammohah sammoha tsmruti vibhramah

Smruti bhramsa dbhuddhi naso biddhinasa tpranasyati ll

(Pondering over objects, one gets attached to them;  attachment breeds desire, from desire anger is born.  Anger leads to delusion, from delusion memory gets clouded, from clouding of memory the intellect gets destroyed;  when the intellect goes, one is ruined.)

Then what is the remedy? Anything for a seeker can be difficult one but certainly not impossible one to accomplish. Since the desire is of complex nature and difficult to comprehend,  conquering it may be a tough task.  Still a man with determination,  dis-passion  can conquer it by rigorous practice (sadhana).

Let's have a small story that serves as a beacon  and gives great fillip in our efforts to master our mind without difficulty....

A sage was living in an ashram with his disciples in the outskirts of  a village.  One day one of the devotees approached him and stood with folded hands.  The sage asked him what was the matter. 

The devotee expressed his problem, "Guruji!  It is said, being desire-less is indication of spiritual advancement.  But even though I have been worshipping God with much veneration and sincerity 

for many decades, I couldn't become desire-less.  If one desire is satisfied another crops up.  Is there any way to stop them?"  Upon hearing this, Guruji got up from his asana (seat) and asked his devotee to follow him.  Guruji entering into the kitchen showed the hearth with lot of firewood keeping the fire high. He gradually removed firewood sticks one by one from the hearth. The high flame started to diminish and finally quenched. The Guruji turned towards his devotee and said, " Did you observe that adding more and more firewood only makes the 'fire' to demand for more endlessly.  But if you stop the firewood  by withdrawing, the 'fire' extinguishes.  Our mind is like the 'fire.'  It is termed 

'Mahaas(z)ana' (great glutton)  with new desires cropping up every time the old ones are satisfied. Once you stop paying attention to them, they vanish one by one and our mind gradually becomes under our control with 'desire-free' condition."  With this practical demonstration by the Guruji, the devotee became more inspired 

in his sadhana towards enlightenment.

If life is problem-less it becomes insipid.  Instead  one should have the boldness to face the problems and  have satisfaction over succeeding them. As Swamy Sivananda said,  "Avidya (ignorance)

kama (desire) and karma (action) are the  'Hridaya grandhis (knots) that have tied the deluded Jiva

(individual soul) to the samsara (wheel of births and deaths).....Annihilation of desire alone is 

Moksha (liberation).  The state of 'desire-less-ness' is the highest Nirvikalpa Samadhi (Super Consciousness)."

Om Shanti!

FAITH - THAT WORKS WONDERS

God can be attained through faith alone.  He who has faith has all and he who lacks faith lacks all......It's faith that works wonders, for  faith is life and doubt is death.

---Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

'Faith'  in simple terms may be defined as 'complete trust or confidence in someone or something'.  It is the very "Force of Life" in  the words of Leo Tolstoy, famous Russian writer.  Right from one's childhood it is experienced - faith in parents, for protection  and security in bringing up;  in teachers and professors, for guiding through education; in friends,  all along for their selfless bondage through thick and thin; in  the spouse for sharing a cosy family life; in doctors, for their committed  treatment; and so on with the rest of the world encountered  in one's span of life.  It is strong belief that acts as a driving force in  spiritual path towards realisation of God. It is beyond reasoning,  for the latter ends at the limitations of our intellect.  And God is beyond those known human boundaries!  When a staunch atheist teacher summed up his argument about non- existence of God saying , ' The Sun, Moon, stars, Earth are visible, hence they exist.  But God is not visible, hence He does not exist,"  pat came the repartee from an astute theist student,  "Teacher's hands, legs,  dress,  head are visible, hence they exist, but his brain is not visible.  Hence brain does not exist."   'God cannot be realized without child-like faith.  God bestows His grace on the devotee who has the faith of a child' says Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. To quote him, 'Strong heart of the faithful does not despair in difficult situations, like rock in  water which remains hard over the years. But man of weak faith is shaken even by the most trifling cause,  just as clay soon softening into mud by coming in contact with water.' 

Faith and trust play a vital role in medical profession too.   Particularly, the doctor's soothing words give great relief and inspiration to the patient. They work like mantras to boost morally in fighting back the disease. In  the course of treatment whatever given by the doctor is regarded by the patient as life saving potion.  'Sharire jharjhara bhute, vyadhigraste kalebare ;  aushadham jahnavi toyam,  vaidyo narayano harih II' - When the body is suffering and the body is beset with disease,  medicine is like the holy water of Ganges (Ganga teertham) and the doctor is (incarnation of) Lord Narayana 

Himself.  To depict this......

Once an express bus was speeding on a highway in the night towards a far off  destination.  In the middle of the night, all of a sudden one of the passengers became  panicky with suffocation  and gasping.  He cried out for help asking if there were any doctor in the bus to come to his rescue.  Seeing his plight, the passenger sitting behind  the patient said,  'Please be cool, there is nothing to be worried about, I know the symptoms and I have proper medicine with me right now in my bag.'  So saying he pulled out a bottle from his baggage and asked the patient to swallow it.  After drinking the content of the bottle, the patient felt relieved, became composed and fell asleep. As the day dawned and seeing that his station  arrived, the patient picked up  his baggage and turning to the passenger behind said, " Doctor, I am very much thankful for the life-saving medicine  you had administered last night. If you tell the name of the drug I shall keep a bottle with me on safe side, in my future journeys." The passenger behind replied with a smile,  " To be frank, I didn't carry any medicines with me.  Seeing your plight and suffering with anguish, I had no alternative but to offer my drinking water at that moment, which you believed as life-saving medicine and swallowed.  The very faith  and trust in a doctor's treatment relieved you from suffering."  That is the Power of Faith!

'Faith is capable of achieving the impossible .  Faith is an invincible power  and it is one of the essential qualities of achieving progress in spiritual life.  One should have unwavering faith in the power of Supreme and doggedly pursue one's spiritual goal' ---Srri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. 

 Om Shanti!

IF GOD IS FORMLESS, WHY IDOL WORSHIP?

When you adore the Form you are adoring the Divine behind that  Form.  With this knowledge, the very act of worship, which is more an inner phenomenon assumes a more colourful and vibrant expression, indicating that both the Form and Formless are all Divine! 

--Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of Living Founder.

Who does not revel in 'Overdrive"?  In fact, for me too 120 plus (under Indian conditions) is a thrill on the National Highways. Of course,  being a teetotaller I am always 'mindful' at the steering - no flapping of lips, no tilting of head -that is I, a 'race horse' at heart.  In the culmination of this proficiency don't you find the roots in faltering moves of the First gear?   Those days of   'Learning Licence'  are sweet memories when pondered over now with amusement.  Once the construction of a beautiful building is accomplished do we need the 'props' any more?  So is the case with the Divinity,  about Sakara (Form) worship.

'Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya' - A veritable Truth! There is  the  'One and only one, that is the Super Consciousness', all the rest of Creation illusory. The Indian Vedanta philosophy vouchsafes the Brahma  as Gunaateeta (beyond the consciousness of any Attributes), Udaaseena (Unaffected) Akarmaka  (non-doer), Kevala (Paramatma), Madhyastha (neutral), Saakshibhoota avastha (witness state). In short it is 'Nirguna' (attribute-less) and 'Nirakara' (formless).  When such an Infinity is aimed at to meditate upon and realise, initially at least some form, some symbol is  necessary.  Thus in the post-vedic period,  the Linga (meaning a symbol) worship came into existence . It had the representation of the Holy Trinity - at the base Brahma peettha (Srishti karta- the Creator), in the middle Vishnu peettha (Sthiti karta, the  Sustainer), and at the top Siva Peettha ( Laya karta, the Destroyer).  And in  addition the Prakriti(Shakti) - Purusha(Siva)  oneness is perceived by the discerning mind of the devotee through sampurna saranagati (total surrender). This applies for the worship of other Forms too....

For the cause of uplifting the Advaita Siddhanta Sri Sankaaracharya travelled across far and wide. By his charismatic debates he subdued umpteen number of  sects, coming across his way.  Giving equal importance to 'Sakara Parabrahma' (The Almighty in Form) wherever possible he used to encourage more and more devotees to worship in temples.  When he visited a village his followers informed him that the only temple in their village, Sivalayam was in ruins. To renovate  it they needed lot of funds. There was a rich man in the village but he was not willing to donate because he believed only in Nirakara Parabrahma (the Formless Almighty). Sankaracharya went to see the rich man. At that time he was sitting under the shade of a large banyan tree in  front of his house. Waving a hand-fan with his left hand, he was reading Bhagavadgita in his right hand. Sankaracharya  approached him and asked coolly,  " O Learned One! I have two doubts. Can you please clarify?  First one is, man has the facility of enjoying the 'air' in any place under the sun.  Then why are you using the hand-fan to get it?  Secondly, so many shadows are cast in and around this place by different objects. Then why do you prefer shade of this tree only?"  The rich man tried for an answer in vain and then replied, "Sir, I didn't have any answer to your doubts.  Please clarify to me on these  by your self."  Sankaracharya explained, "Though the God is Formless, to enable those who can't understand this, to grasp through senses, He has taken 'Form'.  He becomes idol to facilitate His devotees, to see in a Form, just as the shade under a tree is thousand times cooler than other shades. Just as in a perfume factory only pleasant odours pervade, in the pious temple premises, fully charged with devotional ambiance, our minds get easily set on the God".  Realising that the man standing before him was none other than the great philosopher and theologian, Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya, who cane to reconstruct  the local Siva temple, the rich man fell on his feet and said,  " Sir, I pay my obeisance (salutation) to you for having driven out the ignorance in me.  I participate with my mite and zeal, in your efforts  to renovate the dilapidated temple."

Blossoming of our spiritual bud in to a fragrant flower is but a gradual pursuit from Sakara (Form) to the Nirakara (Formless) .  "In this play house of infinite Forms, I have had my play, and here have I caught sight of Him that is Formless".--Gitanjali verse 96 by Ravindranath Tagore.

Om Shanti!

ONE'S WEAKNESS CAN BECOME ONE'S STRENGTH

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

It is not how long one lives but how one lives that matters.  Every body on this earth is born with a purpose. Hence, the persons who are aware of this, exhibit indomitable determination and will power to achieve the pinnacles of glory.  And if one comes to know that among these some are even physically challenged is it not quite surprising?  For the fact is that they never took their disability as an hindrance. They rather counted on their abilities than  on their disabilities.  Their weakness was converted into their strength in their path of glory.

Let us take the example of  'India's Wonder Girl'.  Sudha Chandran who had lost her leg at the age of 16. Her ambition for learning Bharata natyam made her relentlessly practise with artificial Jaipur leg.

Her debut in 'Mayuri' was a super hit and opened the gates for a successful film career. She found a place (around the world)  in the 'Top Ten Extra-ordinary People With Disabilities' along with all time great Helen Keller, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Stephen Hawking and others. In her words, "Many believe that what is destined to happen  will happen but I believe that we can rewrite our own destiny. It is what we write with our actions that become our destiny... It's not how long we live but how well we live and what you pass on to others."  She cherishes her husband's advice, before passing away, "Whatever happens never give up dancing because through it you reveal God."  Her words, "I view the accident as a blessing" smack of her motivational spirit and indomitable energy.

Let's have a pick of another inspirational story from the copious anecdotes of  'weakness becoming strength.'  A boy had lost his left hand in an accident. Still he had a strong desire to learn judo.  He visited many judo masters requesting them to teach the art but in vain. When he was almost about to give up,  one Sensei (master) accepted him to be his student. The master showed  the boy  a particular move in Judo  and asked him to practice it.  One week passed, two weeks passed. The boy expected for a change in learning of moves. But the master insisted to continue the same move for months. And the boy was worried about not getting a chance of learning of other moves in judo and was so vexed up that at a certain stage he wished he left the master.  Meanwhile Judo Tournament in the town hall of the  town were announced. The boy was astonished when his master asked him to participate in the tournament as he knew that except one  and only one move, he was not taught any other moves of judo. But he obeyed his master. The tournament started. The boy won the first round. He got wonder. Second round too he won. Winning spree continued in all rounds and lo! he was declared Champion of the Tournament.  On their return journey, the boy carrying the Trophy in his right hand could not suppress his surprise any more and asked his master, "Sensei, even though I had no left arm you kindly accepted me as your disciple and taught me but only one move all along the training of judo.  How come that, I could win all the matches of the Tournament and become champion with only one move learnt?"  The sesei (master) replied, "You have won the Tournament for two reasons. First, you have almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of Judo.  For other students it being one among many throws and moves to learn, their proficiency in it  is less than yours.  Secondly, and most important one is that, the only known defence  for that move is for your opponent  to grab your left arm !  Lack of it has become your strength/ forte in making you Champion."

Each of us is special and important . So, never think you have any weakness.  Remember what Swamy Vivekananda said, " The remedy of weakness is not brooding on weakness. but thinking of Strength !"  Never think of pride or pain;  just live your life to the fullest and extract the best out of it.  For,  your weakness can become your strength !

Om Shanti!

VISITOR SANS (WITHOUT) POSSESSION

I would like people to live in the present with eternity in mind.  If there is in fact going to be rapture one day, in which we leave everything behind, shouldn't that loosen our grip on our material possessions right now? ----(Robert Jeffress)

I check in a resort.  Amuse myself about the ambiance- frescoes, chandeliers, life-size  statues, greenery, swimming pool sparkling with bikinis, exquisite drapery and upholstery  of the suite. But when I check out, can I lay my hand on a single piece of choice of my heart and take along with me?. No way! Just I am a visitor to stay for a while.  Same is true with our coming into this world too. "This world is a delusion of two days.  The present life is of five minutes" (SwamyVivekananda).  Bear-handed at the entry point and bear-handed only  at the exit point. Then why this illusory passion for possession?  From time to time  I have been sharing with open heart the gradual transformation within, stage by stage. The last vestige of remote possessive attitude was about my father's rare piece of invaluable antique - a sturdy portable Remington Typewriter (Made in England), used by him in the British Service ( may be of 1930's or 40's, that is in pre - Independence days of India) as Deputy Collector.  I had thought of a centenary celebration for it in about a decade or so. But recently on one fine morning I found the ghastly sight of termite infested piece in  rubble.  No more sense of attachment.  Great realisation!   'Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions.' (John Randolph).  My intention about the  regular anecdotes is to impress upon the necessity of understanding the spiritual succour that our younger generations too must possess. Two stories about the trivial nature of material possessions follow....

'Once a visitor wished to have an interview with a mahatma. He searched for the address of the noble one. After putting in much effort could trace his house with single room.  Entering the room the visitor saw to his surprise that there were no furniture, no comforts worth the name.  The mahatma was simply seated in a meditation posture on a mat.  The visitor asked, "Mahatma!  Hearing about your name and fame  I thought that you were of high status with all comforts. But I find you here now that you are so simple living."  The mahatma asked, "Who are you?'  Reply came from the former, "I am a visitor."  "So I too!" said the mahatma and continued," I am also a visitor. When I know that my stay here on this earth is so short and can't carry back to my eternal abode even a tiny item, how can I go on accumulating them?"   The visitor was speechless!'

'Another story is said to have happened in the time of  Guru nanak Dev. Among many of the Sri Guru nanak's devotees there was a rich business man who was a miser too.  Guru Nanak wanted to open his eyes. On one of the visits by the devotee, Guru nanak addressed him, "See, I am getting old and may leave this world any time. I wish to take a help from you.  Please keep this needle with you. When you too come to the heaven please do not forget to return back this needle to me there." Upon this the devotee felt embarrassed and said, " How can it be, Baba! You know that I cannot carry this tiny rusted needle or for that matter any other object  from this earth to heaven."  Guru nanak Dev then smiled and said, "So you accept that even a tiny rusted needle cannot be taken from here to heaven.
Then is it not wise for you to dispose of your wealth, amassed  for so many years,  to the needy ones?

Leave miserliness be charitable to remain in the hearts of the poor even after your leaving for the heaven." The miser got realisation and dispensed  with his properties on charities. '

So, let us be large hearted, Our imprints are indelible in the hearts of the people, even after our departure,  by what we part with  and not by what we possess.  Let us remember the golden words of James Cash Penney, "Men are not great or small  because of their material possessions.  They are great or small because of what they are!."

A 'Visitor on this Earth'

Om shanti!

NEVER GIVE UP

'Survival can be summed up in three words  - 'Never Give Up'.  That's the heart of it really. - Just keep trying.' ----Bear Grylls.

I opine, life is full of opportunities. Only thing that decides what we are largely depends on how we respond.  Let's assume somebody knocks at the door. You open it ajar and seeing somebody peeping into ask, 'who are you.'  'I am the Opportunity.'  You are dazed, remain motionless as a statue, spell bound. Seeing your inaction the Opportunity smiles at you pitifully and vanishes never to come again with that offer which you had sought after much.  Hence, the elderly saying,  'One must grab the opportunity by it's forelocks.' Be alert! Be responding at the opportune time! Seize the situation to your advantage.  Even in cases of endangering of life is involved, how  the  survival is made possible with the unflinching mantra of timely 'response.' - the spirit of  'Never Give Up' - is well depicted in the following two short stories. 

'In a village a fake sadhu was entrenched for quite long time.  Thanks to the gullibility of the innocent villagers, they trusted his prophecies, sweet words of succour and looking after him well about his daily needs, even though the happenings were of fifty fifty chance. One day a virtuous sage entered the village as a part of his itinerary and decided to stay for a brief period. As the sage's blessings were proving to be correct, the villagers started to gather around the sage, neglecting to look after the fake sadhu. Unable to brook this humility, the fake sadhu went to the sage and demanded that only one among the two should stay in the village. The sage was asked to take up the challenge of a test by the sadhu. If the sage won the test he could continue to stay and the sadhu would quit the place. But if the sage failed the test, he should immediately quit for the sake of the sadhu. The sage accepted the challenge. On the appointed time of the test, the sadhu kept his both hands behind his back and told the sage that there was a bird in his hands. The question was whether it was live or dead. If  the answer of the sage was correct  he would stay or else he was to quit. The clever intention of the sadhu was that if the sage told the bird was live, he would quickly smother it's neck and would say 'see, the bird is dead!' And if the sage told that the bird was dead, he would show the live bird in his hands. The sage thought for a while and declared, " The life of the bird is in your hands!" Thus won the test.'

' In a remote forest of Africa, a foreign tourist lost his bearings and was captured by the cannibals. They produced him before the Head of the clan. Rejoicing at the thought of a foreign human flesh, he told to the ill-fated tourist,  "Having become our captive, you are sure to lose your life now. But I give a chance - make a statement about any subject on the earth.  If it is True, you will be cooked into soup. If the statement is False, you will be deep-fried. But if your statement  can neither be True or False, then I promise you that you would be freed without being harmed."  Then the tourist pondered for a while and responded, "Oh The Merciful King ! Thank you very much for the chance for life given to me. My simple statement is this, 'You are going to Deep-fry me!".  The King was puzzled , consulted with his ministers and finally appreciated the thoughtful response of the tourist and said, 

"That's it! You have put us in a fix cleverly. For, if we really intend to deep-fry, your words become 'True' for which our verdict should be to make soup of you. And if we intend to make soup of you, your words  prove False, for which our verdict would be Deep-fry. So, we can do neither  of the two acts. Be happy,you are set free as per our commitment!"'

That's it! Such motivational and inspiring anecdotes as these will remind the following beautiful statement by Lou  Holtz,  "Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it!"

Om Shanti!

KARMA PHALA (FRUITS OF ACTION)

karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana

Ma karmaphala hetu rbhurma te sangostva karmani

- -Bhagavadgita (2.47)

(You have the right to work only but never to its fruits; let not the fruits of action be your motive,  nor let your attachment be to inaction)

A million dollar question,  'What was her fault? Why only she was chosen too early?'  lurked in my mind for a long time when I could not bear the sudden departure of my better half.   Leaving aside my biased assessment  about her, if one trusts my statement that friends  are better in giving a fair and impartial opinion compared to relatives,what more can I expect from a family friend, not less than a District Judge, (deemed to be reserved in giving opinions by profession) said," Uncle, in fairness I feel that such a noble, divine like , innocent, pious, selfless, compassionate lady was not fit to tread on this earth." To corroborate that this is not an eulogy, one will wonder to know that she used to carry sweet packets to the senior doctors/surgeons (who were very much impressed by her pleasing manners and respected  her), with her indelible and benign smiling face masking her feelings about the imminent !  Gradual awareness of the play of Law of Karma dawned upon me with refreshing thought of her presence with us for ever.

This reminds me of one anecdote that some times astute devotees are imprisoned for no fault of theirs, which seems to be quite unjustified. The fact is, it is on  account of the actions of their past lives carried down into this birth, in  the form of 'prarabdha karmas.' And it is by bearing those karmas, annihilating them by not doing further such karmas, they will be nearing realisation of Super Consciousness.

Karma is physical, mental or spiritual action one performs. Indian vedanta philosophy upholds the Law of Karma - The Cause and Effect Theory. What is sown has to be reaped . No escape from it. So the Phala (result) depends entirely on the karma (cause) whether virtuous or vicious. The karmas are four Samchita (accumulated actions),  Prarabda (actions you have set in motion), Kriyamana (Actions being born)  and Agami (Future actions). 

As said earlier, for a true seeker  it is better to welcome the prarabda karmas with a smile,  bear them with love and compassion, strive for their annihilation in this very birth and achieve the state of 'Super Consciousness' .  A shrewd, far-sighted one will never try to escape from bearing the karmas. We know how the two great Realised Souls of recent past namely, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi smilingly bore with their terminable diseases - cancer.  A story to depict this point further.....

Once there lived a sage in Varanasi.  He used to perform regularly  linga puja in the temple at the bank of the river Ganges.  One day he got malarial fever and started  to shiver with cold. Despite the fever he was intent on doing the regular linga puja in the temple. With his power, he transferred his disease to his shirt which started shivering to the surprise of the public present, pulled out the shirt and kept it on the floor in a corner. Peacefully he completed his linga puja,  took back the shirt lying on the ground and the disease along with it. He started shivering again with his  shirt  put on. Observing this strange phenomenon, one of the devotees present asked the sage,  "Swamiji, it's a miracle that you are able to transfer your malarial fever to your upper garment which kept shivering while you peacefully worshipped the God.  But I wonder why you take back the disease by putting on the garment after your worship.  Instead,  is it not wise to get rid of the disease permanently by transferring to the garment and throwing it away into the Ganges?"  For this the sage replied with a little smile on his face, "I am contented that at least during worship I am disease-free, by God's grace. the rest of the time I am expected to bear the Prarabda Karma Phala (results of the past actions) without hesitation.  One who escapes it is a coward."  There is no need to explain how close he was, by annihilating his karmas, to the state of Super Consciousness.

Om Shanti!

WALKING ON WATER

Walking on water -a feat to admire no doubt, as it comes across many devotional stories which I would like to narrate here with an emphatic note that in Faith lies the impossible made possible. That is, from the devotional point of view,  with pure and unflinching faith in the Almighty, as well as in the Sadguru who is the God incarnate in the heart of the astute disciple, walking on water without being sunk
is possible. Stories abound in revelation of  this rare miracle.

In addition to the devotional aspect mentioned above, we may consider the possibility of walking on water miracle - being called a siddhi (supernatural power) through Hatha yoga.  Patanjali yoga sutra
(3.40) says,  'udaanajayaajja pankakanta kaadishvasanga utkraantischa' - by bringing under control
the udhana vayu, a yogi does not sink in water ( his body becomes so light that he can walk on the surface of water with ease), he can walk on thorns unaffected, he can stay in the midst of fire without being burnt and he can cast away the physical body any day he wished (time of death is in his control). Basically, the vital life force called prana vayu  is classified into five depending  on their functions and locations in the human body. Prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana. Among these, dwelling on the subject matter, udhana  literally means 'that which rises upward'.  It's region is throat - Visuddha chakra -  and head.  It controls the vital energy that goes out of the body in the form of speech, sound, thoughts, ideas.  It also controls food.  The energy and movement  of Udhana is stimulated by Jalandhara Bandha.  Ether  or Space is the element associated with this Udhana vayu.  Patanjali yoga sutras detail how to meditate upon by synchronizing (samyamana) of three aspects Dharana, Dhyana  and Samadhi on particular location  of the human body depending on the power - siddhi- which one wishes to derive, from yoga. So, it is clear that meditating on Udhana vayu, devotedly on the specified lines, one can get the power of walking on water along with other powers.  In the recent past  of modern age, we have live example of Hathayoga specialist, the miracle man during the British period in India, Trilanga Swami (Original name  Sivarama from Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh) settled in Varanasi (Kasi). He lived  for 280 years (1607 - 1887). He had the title of 'Walking Siva of Varanasi' by the Bengalis.  Though pot-bellied weighing 300 pounds (140 kgs) he could be so light that he used to lay on the surface of the Ganges for long hours.  Whenever being jailed for walking naked, he used to disappear from the cell and again appear on the roof of the jail, so that the British police had to give up arresting him in vain. He was also a mind reader. Swamy Sivananda said about Trailinga Swamy that he mastered the  siddhi called  Bhootajaya ( control of all the five elements, namely, space, air, fire, water and earth). Hence he was able to perform various miracles - they were gazetted by the British.  Any how as of now we do not come across such miracle men except hearing now and then some tricky attempts of placing invisible glass sheets just beneath the surface of water and perform 'walk on water.'

By the way,  I shall exhort to our co-seekers that one must not lose sight  of the warning by the sage Patanjali that a genuine seeker on the path of realisation of the Super Consciousness, must not fall into the trap of the Siddhis (powers) which are transitory and detrimental in the ultimate.  Even if they come across of their own, a seeker should be careful and brush them aside by ignoring.

Now let's have a come back to devotional aspect - the power of Faith in achieving miracles...
A milkmaid had to cross a small river on her way to supply milk to a brahmin pandit  on the other side of the river. One day as she made inordinate delay in fetching milk, the pandit asked reason for delay.  The milkmaid replied that she had to wait for the boatman who was too late on that day. The pandit laughed and said, ' when the householders are able to cross the vast samsara sagara ( ocean of wordly things) with ease, by chanting the powerful name of Rama, can't you cross this small river by
chanting the God's name?'  Upon getting this hint, the milkmaid assured him that she would follow his advice from the next day. The brahmin pandit was astonished to see her come quite early the next morning. He asked about the reason suggesting if the boatman turned up quite early on that day. The
milkmaid replied, 'no panditji, I am not at the mercy of the boatman any more. Without waiting for him I devotedly started chanting the name of Rama and easily walked on the river.'  The flabbergasted pandit asked the milkmaid  to show the feat again and followed her to the river.  As usual she started chanting the God's name and moved on the surface of the river thinking that the learned pandit too was walking on the water behind her. After a few paces she turned back and saw to her surprise that the pandit was holding his lower garment with one hand and struggling to walk in the water with his feet sunk. The milkmaid remarked, ' Panditji, you taught me about Faith in the name of the God and yourself don't have it?'...

 That is about faith in God and about faith in Sadguru,  another small story....One day Sri Sankaracharya  went along with his disciples to the Ganges for bath. His disciples went to the other side of the river for drying clothes. After a while he called out  for them to return back urgently. The disciples were in quandary as no boat was ready for them at that time to cross the river. But one disciple by name Sananda, who had unflinching  Guru bhakti, without hesitation started off with quick pace towards his guru on the other side of the river without minding the gushing waters. The Goddess Ganges was so much amused with his devotion towards his guru  that she floated lotuses each time Sananda placed his foot on the water to rest. Thus he walked on the lotuses without his knowledge because he didn't turn back in  his hastiness to reach for his guru. Upon reaching to him, guruji asked Sananda, 'how did you cross Ganges?' He replied,"By merely chanting about you, the vast ocean of Samsara(worldly matters) is reduced to knee deep water.  When you had called me to do some thing what was so remarkable about my crossing the Ganges?" Sankaracharya hugged him with affection and gave the title "Padma Pada" on account of his feet on lotuses...

Just as the  Sananda was unmindful about the miracle, so is our lesson to be learnt about being cautious and unmindful about any siddhis, mahimas, shaktis ( the powers ) that might come in our way to allure and distract from the main sadhana. Swami Vivekananda said in his commentary on Patanjali yoga sutra that even devatas, yakshinis (goddessses of higher realms) try to disturb the serious seeker on the path of salvation , by offering powers, because of their envy for not getting salvation for themselves!

Om Shanti!

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Knowledge  leads to unity but ignorance leads to diversity.  So long as God seems to be outside and far away there is ignorance.  But when God is realised within, that is the knowledge.

                                                                                                             - Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Once a householder-devotee requested his guru to grace his house and accept performance of  'pada puja'  (worship of the lotus feet of a god, guru, parents with veneration). The guru accepted and was received by the householder with  garlanding and sprinkling of flowers on the path outside his house.
Upon entering into the main hall,  the guruji was offered  seat in a special  sofa.  A large plate was brought in  and the guruj's feet were gently placed in the plate on the floor. First the feet were washed by pure water, then by milk and again by pure water,  feet wiped by a towel, anointment of feet by sandal paste, dotting by turmeric and kumkum followed. Lastly the feet were decorated with flowers, lighting of incense sticks and performance of Aarati completed the ritual.  All the devotees beginning
with the householder's family including neighbourhood prostrated one after another  before the guruji's feet and had his blessings.   Guruji started off with a spiritual discourse about gruhastha ashrama dharma (rights and respomsibilites  of a house holder).   At the end, he welcomed the audience to clear their doubts if any. For this the householder came out with a question , "guruji, we here in this apartment have as many as twenty families with different faiths and castes. We never had any problem what so ever in  our social relations and even exchanged special food items with each other on festive days. But I am unable to comprehend what makes some on this globe to think on extreme lines and go on intimidating people  of other faiths and making them restless.?"

Guruji paused for a while and started, "Every thing depends how one takes about his religion. You know that, when  you  enter a garden what would you expect?  From end to end only one type of plants with a single coloured flowers?  If such is the case, you get bored and immediately cone out of the garden. But if you see different flowers like roses, lilies, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, dahlia, jasmine, china rose - then you enjoy the garden as a feast to your eyes. Every flower has its own charm. Your magnanimity lies in respecting different flowers  equally. Same is the case with all faiths  on this globe. Each has its own way of enlightening its followers towards that Supreme Being which is One  and only One. The problem lies in interpretation of what their religious scriptures exhort. But over period of time one can expect awakening with proper pursuing by their religious elite."

Guruji stopped for a while and asked the house holder to fetch a cloth about 4'x6'  in dimension. Then he took it into his hands, folded lengthwise, twisted and wrapped around his head and asked, what was it called now.  People answered  instantly, 'turban'.  Then he took it into his hands and folded it in to shorter length and placed on his  left shoulder and asked again  what was it called now.  People attending replied, 'angavastram or uttariyam ( a shoulder piece)'.  Again the guruji took it into his hands  and spread out this time and wrapped around his waist. Without waiting for his question, the public shouted ' Lungi'.  He then spread it on the floor asked some to lie down on it . Pat came the answer,'bed  sheet'.  He turned to the house holder and said, " Is it not wonderful that a single piece of cloth manifested diversity of functions and attributed with multiple names?   That is the beauty of diversity.  When we come to understand the basic nature of one  plain cloth in many forms, we can live happily and harmoniously with diverse faiths like a 'kadanba mala' - a garland of variegated flowers; with a single thread passing through and binding them all, called 'unity'!

Om Shanti!

A PILGRIM'S PROGRESS - (part 2 of WHY RIDE A BICYCLE? )

Wednesday, 09/09/2015 - What a wonderful day! A sudden streak of knowledge flashed amidst mindful spiritual yoga sadhana (practice) revealing the inner meaning of the story -  'Why Ride A Bicycle?'   Yes, I strongly believe that  there is some thing 'holy' about the place in the park where the spiritual yoga is practised, with reverberations of OM  by practitioner-cum-seeker multitude, for years.  The prospective seeker, following these scribblings regularly,  is hereby requested to go through the just previous blog of Tuesday, 08/09/2015 titled  'Why Ride A Bicycle? - On Being Mindful', for comprehending the present one meaningfully. This story is an intricate description of one's  progressive spiritual journey from rock bottom level of a selfish earthling to the selfless  'no-mind' enlightened one!

The Zen Master in the story put a common question to his five disciples, returning from the neighbouring village market on their bicycles, "Why are you riding your bicycle?".  To this,  the first disciple answered, " The  bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes.  I am glad I don't have to carry them on my back."  People at large in this world have this type of attitude. Before embarking on any action, they first weigh the possible benefits that accrue to them in return - a sort of quid pro quo ! Their load is conveniently shifted to the other objects/persons  and feel happy. This depicts the mind  of a novice entering into the spiritual path for the first time.

The second disciple answered, "I love to watch the trees, fields pass by as I roll down the path."  This second stage depicts a junior seeker's continued obsession with his vision preoccupied externally on the worldly things.  By regular and continued practice only he has to become  introvert.

The third disciple answered, "When I ride my bicycle I am content with chanting the Vajra Sutra,
'Nam Myoho Renge Kyo' ".  By simply chanting sutras/mantras one does not attain buddhahood just as a brick cannot shine like a mirror, no matter how many times it undergoes rubbing and rubbing.  One should start understanding how to live a life in natural way.

The fourth disciple answered, "Riding my bicycle I live in harmony with all beings".  Lo, this is the penultimate stage of the seeker who has become selfless.   He exudes compassion and loving nature as he experiences the omnipresence of the Supreme Power in all the living ones -  human beings, animals, birds,  trees..Still the final realisation is at a stone's throw for him because, he has to jettison
his supreme quality/attribute  'satvaguna' too - since, a most precious golden or platinum shackle is still a bondage after all - to achieve that gunatita (beyond the consciousness of qualities) stage ultimately.

Finally coming to the fifth disciple, his answer, " I ride my bicycle to ride the bicycle" is the quintessence of buddhist philosophy.  one sole mind object, 'to ride the bicycle'.  'Work you do, but you will not be in it.'  It is the end of all suffering. The state of nitya-suddha-buddha- sat-chit-brahma-ananda ! This made the Zen Master drop down to his feet and declare, " I am your disciple!" . For, the fifth disciple had already attained 'Super Consciousness' state !

Padmapani Bodhisatva (7.11.'09)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                               

WHY RIDE A BICYCLE? - ON BEING MINDFUL

"The best way to capture moments is to pay attention.  This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake.  It means knowing what you are doing ."

- Jon Kabat Zinn.

Mindful action! It is simply the other way of telling 'one should have one mind - object in the task just on hand.  To elaborate it further, suppose a person sets out on a long tour with his family.  After coming out of the front door with other members and luggage, he secures the main door with a padlock.  After making a few paces he gets doubt and retreats back to the main door and pulls the padlock with a little  pressure and after ensuring about the security of the door he leaves the place. 

Now the question arises - why the gentleman was not mindful enough in the first instance of locking the main door on which depended the safety of his valuable belongings in his house?  Let us realise the fact that on being not mindful can lead to serious material losses just as happened in the case of my tenant.   One day I went on a casual visit to my house given for rent.  Observing that the inner walls were exhibiting ugly marks of water dampening in  all rooms, I asked the tenant what happened exactly.  He brushed off with a sorry, and replied that a few weeks back he had gone out of station forgetting to close the taps and the water released by the authorities next day inundated the house thus not  only damaging the walls but also causing termite problem eating away the wooden door frames. The result, a few thousands spent on  otherwise avoidable repairs - if my tenant would have been mindful about the taps before going out of station.

The concept of one mind object, the mainstay of the zen teachings, is vividly reflected in this story. Once a  zen monk sent his five disciples to the village market to fetch vegetables for the monastery. They went on their bicycles. While they returned  from the market and about to enter the premises he stopped them and started asking one single question one by one individually.  He asked ,"Why are you  riding your bicycle?' The first one answered, "The bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad I don't have to carry them on my back."  The monk remarked,"You are smart. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched as I do now," and turned to the second and repeated the same question.  He replied,"I love to watch nature, the trees, fields pass by as I roll down the path." The monk remarked,"Your eyes are open. You see the world." and turned to the third one.  He replied,"When I ride my bicycle, I am content with chanting the Vajra Manta." The monk remarked,"Your mind is set on spiritual path," and then turned to the fourth.  He replied, "Riding my bicycle, I live in  harmony with all beings." The monk remarked,"You are riding on the golden path of Ahimsa - non harming," and turned to the fifth one.  He replied,"I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle!'  Immediately the monk knelt down before the last one and declared, "from now I am your disciple!".....

'The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.  When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers' - Thieh Nhah Hanh.  And this very 'mindfulness' becomes a sine qua non for the spiritual seekers too! 

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                                 

Post Script :- Wednesday,  09/09/2015.  Again a day of wonderful flash of revelation! That too when deeply absorbed in spiritual yoga in the early morn. For the last few years I had regarded the above- mentioned 'Why ride a bicycle?' story just as an ordinary one. While I was following the Yoga master with closed eyes as ever before on the lush green velvety lawns of  Krishna Kanth Park today, like a flash the inner meaning of the story dawned in a jiffy which I shared with my yoga group in the post-yoga session of spiritual discourse.  In a short while from now you shall also enjoy the matter of revelation under the  title "A PILGRIMS'  PROGRESS" - ( 'WHY RIDE A BICYCLE?"- Part II)

Om shanti!

STARVING FOR SALVATION - ABOUT AN UPAGURU...

Gacchan pipilako yaati   yojanaanam satairapi,

agacchan vainate yopi  padamekam na gacchati

(By making  serious effort, even a tiny ant can reach a hundred yojanas;  whereas an eagle as mighty as mythical Garutmanta, if remains unmoved, cannot progress even one foot)

The path of salvation is not a cake walk for any seeker.  For, the  aspiration for liberation should come through by the Almighty's blessings.  Very few have the opportunity of a chance occurrence of being initiated by a benevolent sadguru.  Then the grit and determination for achieving liberation 

involves many sacrifices of worldly things by the seeker.  As the bound remain entangled in samsara bandhas (worldly bondages) going through the vicious circle of births and deaths, the aspirant of liberation will strive relentlessly, foregoing all the earthly comforts even though available at hand (being detached from them willingly), till the actual attainment of salvation.  If a small bird, in the story to follow, is able to attain freedom even through starvation, what about the mortals,  placed on the top most rung of the ladder of Lord's creation?  Hope that this tiny bird might become our upaguru (any one who teaches us something) for spiritual motivation, just as Lord Dattatreya had - not one or two but -as many as twenty four such upagurus!....

A fowler (bird catcher) went into the nearby forest and laid his net for catching birds and returned home. Next day he went  into the forest and found to his fulfilment four beautiful birds of rare variety. He thought of retaining them with him at home in a separate cage with special feeding for a few weeks and after their becoming more fatty, dispose them off for a fabulous price.  Accordingly, he put the four birds in a separate cage started on special care for them.  Out of the four birds only three were regularly taking the food but the fourth one was abstaining from the feed, hanging to the wall of the cage, it was always gazing at the blue sky. After a few days the three birds curiously asked the fourth one, "My friend! why are you starving yourself and constantly gazing at the sky?

You are becoming very lean and skinny.  Whereas, we are becoming fatty by eating your share of food also."  But the fourth one remained silent and didn't respond. However it continued to go without food and gaze at the sky. After a few days, the fowler thinking that all the four birds might have become fatty enough to fetch him a good price, went near the cage. Noticing the fourth one he wondered  about how it became so lean and skinny. To  take the bird into his hands and check it personally, he opened the door. Waiting for that very moment of opportunity, instantly the lean bird 

pushed out of the cage and started to fly towards the blue sky.  The three birds that remained in the cage yelled out towards the freed one,  "Can we do this too?  But we are fatty!"  The liberated one replied with all humility in her voice, "You ate the man's food and you will be captive until you die.  

I refused his food and I am free!".........

The spirit of such soul - tiny lean skinny but committed to the core till fruition of its relentless effort - shall be one's motivational force.  Yes, our humbleness lies in accepting this noble bird as our upaguru!

Om Shanti!

SERVICE BEFORE SELF - ON HUMANITARIANISM

"Whenever on earth you see an extra-ordinary holy man trying to 

uplift humanity, know that He is in him"     - Swami Vivekananda.

'Common, Oh Man! Be awake, Do not close your eyes....You have to live and lead a purposeful life.

God Is Great! '....Whenever I pass through these lines,  I can't stop my heart melting and tears rolling down my cheeks at these motivational golden mantra- like exhortations, filling hopes of life  in a hapless mortal being, exhibiting a glimpse of the way the noble souls tread on earth, exuding humanity from their core. They are the glowing torches to brighten hopes of faith, encouragement to the seekers in their spiritual growth following the path of those noble souls.  A touching story that awakens the feelings of humanity even in a dormant soul....

Once a monk  embarked on a pilgrimage to the far off  Lake Manasa Sarovar  and Mount Kailash in the Tibetan region. He took the help of a Tibetan familiar with the path.  As they reached higher altitudes,  the weather became rough and challenging, with incessant snowfall.  The Tibetan suggested to keep on dragging their feet in the snow till they reached a village not much far away from them and stay for the night.  Otherwise if they stay there only succumbing to exhaustion, they would certainly be buried live under the snow without doubt.  As they kept on moving with much difficulty, they heard  low moaning sounds by the side of the narrow path and saw a traveller almost buried under the snow, but still gasping for life. The heart of the monk melted and decided to stay for a while and save the traveller.  He turned to the Tibetan and said, "Dear friend, this gentleman seems to be still alive.   If we leave him here he would certainly be frozen to death in this snowfall.  Let us stop for a while and try to save his life."  Pat came reply from the Tibetan, "I am sorry, if we stop here for this gentleman,  we too would be frozen to death.  I will continue the journey.  I will wait for you in  the next village."  So saying, he proceeded on his way without turning back. 

The monk went near the traveller, started making sounds to him, knelt down, removed snow over the body, started rubbing with his palms and push in hot breath of  his own into the traveller.  At the same time started inspiring him, "Common, Oh Man! Be awake! Don't close your eyes  You will be all right very soon.  The warmth you are receiving makes you active again.  You have to live and lead a purposeful life.  God Is Great!  You will get up soon."   With these motivational words supported by physical efforts of monk, the traveller recovered and stood up. Both started off to the neighbouring village.  As they reached the outskirts,  they found with dismay the Tibetan lying dead on the ground.

The monk felt sorry for him and said, "Oh my God,  my friend breathed his last even before reaching this village.  May his soul rest in peace!"........

Every great soul on this earth is well aware of the dictum, "Service to the Mankind  is Service to the

God!"  It is not enough.  For, only those who steadfastly and in a humble way put in to practice, ' a small noble deed is far better than a hundred grandiose  ideals in creed,'  become , like the monk in the story, a truly veritable Noble Soul !

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                                 

VIDEHA - A TRAIT OF THE LIBERATED

The one who is on the path of realisation is called mumukshuvu (seeker).  Becoming aware of the ephemeral nature of the world around,  he starts detaching himself with all activities related to his body senses.  He becomes unaffected by the dualities of pleasure and pain, hot and cold, sense of good and bad, right  or wrong, likes and dislikes, tastes and fragrances, without any feelings for any thing  that comes across.  Acts he does, but he will not be in them ! His incessant preoccupation is with that of identifying himself with the Supreme Consciousness.  Once liberated he comes to be known as Jivanmukta.  He continues to be in  this world only for getting his prarabdha karmas annihilated without remanants.  He does karma as per his swadharma ( actions behoved of  him as per his vocation in  this world), When Karmas to be cleared off are zeroed, then he becomes videhamukta.and merges into  the Super Consciousness.

In Mahabharata we hear about a character by name Vyadha, a realised soul (jnani)  eking out  his livelihood as a butcher !   King Janaka  too,  being liberated, continued to rule his kingdom  dis-
passionately, even endowed with the title, Videha ( beyond body consciousness).  It is said that, when certain information came to him that his capital Mithila was ablaze, he maintained his cool and responded saying that every thing was God's creation and thus His property only.  Hence  He was  at liberty in dealing with His property as He liked.  A story about king Janaka's Videha title.......

A celibate brahmin  who heard about the title Videha of Janaka got puzzled how one could be without  body consciousness.  He went straight to the king Janaka and requestedsumtlavishfication about him being called Videha. The king invited the brahmin  for lunch next day afternoon at the royal palace saying that the brahmin would  get clarification about his doubt after finishing his lunch. The brahmin turned up promptly at the royal palace the next day afternoon.  The king's men took him to the royal dining hall, offered the brahmin an ornate floor mat for having his lunch. Serving the food they told him that since the king was busy  in deliberations with his council of ministers, he could continue with his lunch.  The brahmin took a look at  the beauties of his surroundings - the gorgeous oil paintings on the walls, exquisite sculptures, flower pots decorated  in vibrant colours and hues. At last he turned his head towards the ceiling, saw the floral designs and chandeliers.  But  he also noticed to his astonishment  and sudden fear a sharp sword hanging on a slender thread  right over his head. The sword looked as if it was about to fall on him  any time cutting his head into two pieces. As the king's men were watching him for finishing his meal, he gulped hurriedly into his mouth whatever items his hands could lay upon but with his eyes constantly gazing at the dangling sword with the threat of death any moment. Within minutes he completed  his meals, got up  and washed his hands. Just by then king Janaka entered the room and asked  the brahmin how he enjoyed the sumptuous meal with lavish royal dishes naming them one by one.  The brahmin however lamented before the king disclosing that due to fear of imminent death right on his head, he could not relish any of the royal menu. Then the king revealed that the fear of death  experienced by the brahmin just for a few minutes before was experienced by him long ago which made him realise the transitory nature of this worldly existence and  that made him detached from the dualities and liberated, thus making him Videha !

Om Shanti !                                                                                                                                              

KNOWLEDGE FOR ASKING?

Knowledge is to understand, to become aware of something either by experience or by education.  It requires one’s interest and inclination to know about the subject.   One’s mind should be open to understand, to grasp.  If it is crammed with hustle and bustle of daily problems, thoughts traits and plans of egoistic nature, like a dust bin brimful with garbage, knowledge afresh cannot be received without the proper effort to cleanse and purify the mind particularly when one is intent on receiving spiritual knowledge. The following story is a lesson for the easy going who presume divine knowledge (brahma jnana) is an item that can be acquired as easily as an item available in a provision store!

A house wife used to offer alms to a jnani (a realized sage) on regular basis in the village. With that familiarity on one day after offering the alms she requested the sage to tell her brahma jnana (the divine knowledge) then and there.  The sage replied her that he would impart her the divine knowledge on the next day.  With a gleam in her face, she made a proposal to the sage to visit her house first on the next day morning for which he accepted.  With much enthusiasm she woke up in the early morning next day, gone through special head bath, prepared special food items like payasam (a viscose sweet preparation with lot of aromatic ghee and topping of cashew nuts). After food preparation was over, she wore a luxurious silk saree for the special occasion and stood at the entrance to welcome the sage.

The sage as promised set out for the house of the house wife.   On the way he picked up some garbage like rags, cow dung and placed in his begging bowl.   With a smile on her face she greeted him and asked for the bowl. When she was about to place the food items, saw the filth in the bowl and with astonishment remarked, ‘Guruji! If I place the lavish food items in this filthy bowl, the food too becomes unwholesome for your consumption. Please give the bowl to me.  I will clean it thoroughly and make it useful again for the food offered by me.’  The sage with a smile replied, ‘So is the case with your mind also madam.  At present it is preoccupied with all worldly thoughts, worries,  problems without peace of mind.  First you have to undergo through cleansing and purifying process of your mind.  Then only it becomes a good receptacle for the Divine Knowledge.’

Om Shanti!