TRANSCENDING CLASS AND CREED

Rampant social evils of the times were denounced vociferously by the great humanitarian poet savant Annamacharya in many of his sankeertanas.  One among them is, "E Kulaju Daina Nemi Evva Daina Nemi".  For him, Caste and Religion and such things are all conceived by the society into which one is born.  When a 'Being' comes into this world by the grace of the Almighty, how can one be ascribed any Caste?  If one realises that he is creation of the Almighty, that is enough; what does it matter to which Caste or Creed one does belong?  If one has self-restraint and commitment to actions with righteous mind, there is no botheration about Castes or Creeds.

'Oh My Men! Why bother about Caste of a Jnani who has realised the Ultimate Truth about the Almighty Within? He is the 'best of all' without any doubt.

'One who is austere in talking Truth only; who does not show any interest in  talking slightly or rebuking of others; who has compassion towards all beings without discretion; who feels and treats other beings at par with him; is the 'best of all'.  Caste, whatever it may be, does not matter for him.

'One who has clean heart and self-restraint; who discriminates between righteous, non-righteous actions and resorts to righteous deeds only; who discharges, within his ambit, daily chores behoved of the class, stratum of the society into which he is born; who, being fully aware of the Almighty Within, never dis-associates from Him; (is the 'best of all').  What does it matter about his Caste or Birth?

'One who behaves as the well-wisher of other beings in this world; who does not nurture any aversion or hate even in his mind; who grasps everything  by his spiritual knowledge; who is the unswerving believer in the Almighty Within; (is the 'best of all').  What does it matter about his Caste or Birth?.....

After going through the above lines I felt that the regular followers must have recollected about my hundredth post of 19.02.2016, "Sanctum of Divine Revelation". Being fully aware of the entrenched social stigmas of his times, Annamcharya acknowledged their existence but wished for enlightenment  among people towards playing down the stigmas and becoming conscious about the True Knowledge of presence of the Almighty Within. In my article mentioned above however, I earnestly wished about realisation in near future, of my Utopian Dream of  'One Human Race' throughout the globe, melting away barriers of all social stigmas of castes and creeds, with gradual awareness of our True Self by one and all beings trotting on this globe! It is not the question of 'Whether' but only 'When' our Earth becomes 'Paradise of the Enlightened'!

"E Kulaju Daina Nemi Evva Daina Nemi"

Om Shanti!

PARAM GURU WITHIN

Elderly say, one keen on 'divine knowledge' can get it only in the proper hands of a Sadguru. Otherwise one will be lost in groping through the labyrinthine studious scriptures and discerning discourses, thus missing the divine source of salvation in this very precious life span.

Annamacharya dwells on this aspect in his sankeertana, "Sakalamu Chadivina Sastramu Lerigina".

''Oh My Men! Whatever be the voracious readings one has undertaken; whatever be the magnitude of the scriptures studied, it ultimately boils down to 'One Single Truth'.  It is the same which sage Suka had taught in the ages back and later Dhruva attained by the grace of Lord Vishnu.

'Creation is the manifestation of diversity of One Supreme Consciousness.  Hence, the created do not match each other in any way. Every being in this world, by way of diversity, has individual name and form.  And, they are carried away by the play of 'Illusion' of the Almighty, thus resulting in multiplicity of cycles of births and deaths.  One can put an end to this vicious cycle of Illusion only by awareness and seeking refuge in  the Almighty Within.

'Each religion in this world propounded its own method to reach the Almighty. And in their creed of the spiritual path itself there are many uncleared doubts in their approaches. Whatever may be different propositions about 'realisation' of the Almighty, there is one last solution for the mankind, and that is 'seeking within'.

'There are variety of races in this world.  But the ultimate goal of all these races is only one, that is, Salvation - That is the state of breaking of the chains of births and deaths; and obtaining Eternal Bliss. Oh Almighty! This is the Ultimate Truth, I was imparted through my Great Guru!'

 As clear as writing on the wall about the Jewel, The Parama Guru Within veiled from search in the play of Maya. Bid adieu to bulky scriptures and discourses; Once sought and unveiled within, His Grace itself is Salvation. What is needed? 'Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya '! From Ignorance to Awareness ! That is how we are blessed with pathfinders such as above in the form of spiritual sankeertanas. Let us benefit from them with due reverence to the seers of yore!

"Sakalamu Chadivina Sastramu Lerigina"

'Antarmukha'

Om Shanti!

STATE OF A REALISED SOUL

Shrewdness of a devotee lies in the way he eulogises the Almighty by praising that when he is under His protection  and good looks, what if certain daily chores, behoved of him, are not adhered to or complied with.

Thus we find an element of unconditional free mind of a yogi, a Jnani, a Realised Soul, who experiences all-pervading Consciousness.  His actions, done without any desire or passion, are not questionable about their appropriateness.

The amusing shrewdness of the devotee, Annmacharya we now relish in his sankeertana, "Chittana Bettaku Mimata Sriramana"........

'Oh My Almighty! Please keep this word of mine in Your mind without forgetting.  You too know that I am Ignorant! How can I identify You after all?  Even then, please pay attention to my words of request.

'It is true that You are 'within', as all-pervading Almighty. Even if I may not remind You it is tantamount to have reminded you.  You are the Lord of all beings!  Even though I may not serve You it is tantamount to having served You.

'You have encompassed the whole Cosmos.  So even if I may not salute You in particular, it is tantamount to having saluted You, if I just look up in to the sky.  All the syllables emanated from and belong to You only.  Hence, even I may not spell a particular name of Yours, just a syllable from me is tantamount to have addressed You only.

'You are the 'Yoga Purusha!', presiding over all the 'power points' of life.  Since those are within us, even if I have not worshipped You explicitly, it is tantamount to have worshipped You 'within'.

'Oh My Almighty! Even if I am of quite forgettable nature, I am Your staunch faithful servant and refuge. (Hence, always keep in Your mind the above words of mine)'........

Thus all the 'excuses' about non-compliance (performance) of explicit daily chores of the ardent devotee in the above sankeertana, in fact, depict the state of a 'realised soul' in this world.  The seeker-followers can practise 'Nishkama Karma' as a way of life and realise that blissful state within a short period!

"Chittana Bettaku Mimata Sriramana"

Om Shanti!

DAWNS AND DUSKS OF LIFE

The Infallibility of Creation! The Eternal Cycle of Births and Deaths! To contemplate, to understand and to extricate from these manifest bondages to realise the Self. This is the true awareness and search for 'Within'.

In the sankeertana, "Mapule Maranamulu, Repule Puttuvulu" the poet savant Annamacharya describes the vanity of this cycle of births and deaths and necessity of Self Realisation, by seeking Within....

'Oh My Mind! Births and deaths are indispensable for the beings in this world. For the beings, dusks are deaths and dawns are births.  Like day and night, births and deaths are unavoidable for the being. Hence, it is wise to stop being precarious and vacillating and turn to the Almighty within.

'One should call for a halt and make an effort to break this chain of births and deaths by being satiated with this human birth.The feeling of satisfaction of this birth should be felt ardently. Otherwise, even if the whole world is offered to him still he remains unsatisfied.  The endless yearning for possessions is detrimental.  Because it is like a stone in the hands of a lunatic.  Who knows on whom would he pelt the stone  in his hand? Who would be injured? Hence, Oh Man! It is wise to leave the countless desires and turn to the Almighty within.

'One's mind is such that, as long as it does not move much (run after worldly matters) like an infant child within four walls, it is not tired.  But once attaining the age of youth, it is very difficult to control it's  mercurial run. One must be aware  that even if the water level increases very high then one has no escape from suffocation without breath.  Hence, Oh Man! It is wise to leave this engulfing unsteady mind and turn towards the Almighty.

'Oh Man! If you renounce from 'kamya karma', actions with anticipation, and perform only deeds related to your duties and responsibilities behoved of your birth in to the society in  this world, it is 'being  with the Almighty'.  Otherwise, if you keep indulging in worldly actions with expectations of praise, at the most they may draw applause from the public benefited by your acts. But it leads to more and more entanglement of births and deaths cycles, being away from the Almighty. Just as after spitting away of wasteful pulp the real taste of chewing enjoyed,  after casting away of vainful worldly  things real Grace  of the Divinity experienced. Hence, Oh Man! It is wise for you to turn inwards for the Almighty for Salvation.'....

When touching upon the point, 'suffocation to death in high water level', an incident of the last gigantic Tsunami in the pacific, flashed. A naval officer ( who is by profession deemed to be expert in swimming and retention of breath) on duty in the Andaman Island had no escape  from death in the high level waters of Tsunami. Such things should be clear eye openers about the devastating nature of ocean of desires and passions engulfing the mind relentlessly. Hence, knowledge of wisdom by the great seers like Annamacharya  are beacon lights for us to have determined will power  to get disentangled and realise our goal of liberation with concerted efforts by turning more and more frequently within!

"Mapule Maranamulu, Repule Puttuvulu"

Dawn and Dusk of Life

Om Shanti! 

SUJNANA AND AJNANA

The concept of 'Papa-Punya' is imparted in one's childhood by parents and mentors thus; Manusha Karmas (deeds  in this world) are of two categories; One, Punya Karmas (noble and pious deeds) which earn name and respect in  this world as well as Swarga Loka Sukhas ( Pleasures in Heaven) in the other. And Two, Papa Karmas (Bad, evil deeds) which bring ignominy in this world and Naraka Loka Yatana, Siksha (Chastisement and tortures in Hell) in the other. So, one shall resort to 'good deeds'. But in general no body is taught in that buddy stage that,  Punya Phala and Papa Phala (results of pious or sinful deeds) are cyclic in nature in that, after completion of term in heaven or hell, one has to take rebirth again on this earth. And that there is one thing called Liberation! Emancipation from worldly bondages; from cycles of births and deaths.

Contemplation about the Eternal Liberation is termed 'Sujnana' and itch for deeds of desire,anticipation - performance of acts with expectations of pleasures and treasures in mind - is termed 'Ajnana' by Annamacharya. Dwelling on these aspects of life, he points out at the Liberator of all in  this world, in his sankeertana, "Okati Sujnanamu, Okati Ajnanamu"....

'Oh Wise Ones ! Of the two things I am going to dwell on, one is about 'sujnana' and the other is about 'Ajnana'. Weigh them with your discretion and take up either of the two as per your choice.

'All the pleasures and pains experienced in this human birth are outcome of 'pravritti', that is, indulgence in acts related to the external world. They are not sublime but of quenching of thirst nature; fleeting, transitory without permanent happiness. At the most they breed egoism in one resulting in ignorance of benevolence to other fellow beings. Only selfishness prevails in the being.

'Sujnana is that wisdom which reveals the Almighty. One who is aware of this knowledge, is not bound by the 'kamya karmas' (acts with anticipation). He indulges in all worldly actions, but with complete awareness that those actions are a must for him to discharge  his duties and responsibilities in this mortal existence. His mind is free of any anticipations or expectations out of those actions. Otherwise, if he is bound in  his actions, the Almighty's grace on him would be lost.  Being 'Independent' in nature, the Almighty can not be bound by any body.

'Those who  take refuge in  the Almighty seek only Salvation and nothing else. A wise one would not settle for the lower benefits.  Since the offering of Heavenly pleasures is only a way of distraction from the main goal, finally one has to be above the concepts of both Sujnana and Ajnana and become refuge of the Almighty, for Liberation.'......

Thus having known about what is Sujnana and Ajnana it is worthwhile knowing something about the concepts of Pravritti and Nivrutti.  Discharging acts of duties and responsibilities in this external wosrld is Pravritti which is a must for taking this human birth with obligations towards one's family, society, and mother land. But it is not enough. One has to realise the true knowledge of the purpose of his mission of his birth for ultimate Liberation.  This is possible by spiritual path of Nivritti, turning inwards for the Almighty within for Salvation. Thus starting one's journey in Pravritti marga initially, one has to gradually switch over to Nivritti marga for Moksha !

"Okati Sujnanamu Okati Ajnanamu"

Destination Salvation; 

Not Hell or Heaven !

Om Shanti!

.

ONE IN TRILLIONS

Manushyanam sahasreshu kaschidyatati siddhaye |

Yatata mapi siddhanam kaschinyam vetti tattvatah ||

(Bhagavad Gita 7.3)

(Out of one crore human beings only one strives for Yoga Siddhi.

And out of them only one succeeds in knowing Me in Truth)

---Thus Spake Krishna !

'Divinity' is much easier topic to talk about.  Otherwise how can one explain for the plethoric mushroom growth swamijis delivering spiritual discourses magnanimously with great oratory skills, all over the globe today taking advantage of the high speed proliferation  by media coverages.  In fact way back, Swami Vivekananda had described about the millions of audience who seek newer and newer sensational 'para' knowledge every day as 'Opium Addicts' ending up no where on the spiritual path.

Voracious perusal of books on ' Art of Swimming' and exposure to relevant audio visual material on that subject may not save the novice from 'drowning', without practical training in water under proper guidance of an authorised  and experienced Instructor.  So much so, about the Sishya (Disciple) - Sadhana (Practice) -  under Guru Siksha (Guidance) ; The best path for Divine Realisation.  A genuine seeker has to persevere with steadfast commitment in and out. Purity of Thought, Speech, Action in every day life, in every breath, is quintessential for him.

The poet savant Annamacharya  describes about this subject in his sankeertana "Andari Vasama Hari Neruga".

'Is it possible for all to know about the Almighty?  Out of many millions hardly one succeeds in his sustained efforts to realise the divinity.  There are people who struggle and succeed in their goals of mundane interests.  But having the sole commitment to realise divinity only and nothing else is not seen among them.

'Even though born into high caste Hindu Brahmin family, many do not show interest in learning Vedas. (Please remember this was written well nigh seven hundred years back).  Even if some are diligent in reciting Vedas, hardly one of them ardently prays for the benevolence of the Almighty. 

Thus ultimately only one noble soul turns out as successful in steadfast contemplation and accomplishment of the Divinity.

'With all hurdles overcome at last only one  among trillions succeeds in becoming the Jivan Mukta, The Liberated Soul  or Nitya Mukta, Ever Free Realised Soul. For him the very existence is Consciousness Nothing Else. Thus identification, surrender and merger with Hari Consciousness is complete !'

A Successful Person does 'Not' have a 'Word' in his Dictionary. And that Word is  'IMPOSSIBLE ! For him, in any field, there is  only one clear approach -  Never Say Die;  Try and Try Till You Succeed !  Ramakrishna Paramahansa said, each and every devotee standing in queue for Prasadam of the Deity in a temple will certainly get it. For some who are early to the temple and be  front in queue, it may be early and for some others at a distance it may be a little late.  But all devotees will be served with Prasadam. (By the by you too enjoy recently sung beautiful sankeertana in Arenar Songs blog, "Devuni Prasadamu Terala Nandukoro") .  In the same way he said, every human being is deemed to get the salvation ultimately. For some it may be within this birth and for some others it may take a few more rebirths.

Having got the 'tip off' from Paramahansa, why not we enthusiastically strive to make this birth our last one!

"Andari Vasama Hari Neruga"

Every Devotee  Deserves Prasadam ;

Every Being Deserves Paramapadam !

Om  Shanti!

'BEING IN IT' !

Brahma Jnana, Tatva Jnana - Spiritual Knowledge , The Ultimate Truth, after knowing about which nothing else remains to be known; It is open for all and discernible through the Vedas for a steadfast mind. Being aware of the Ultimate Truth and 'Being in  It' itself  is the end of the human quest for knowledge about Brahma.

Annamavharya says that Vedas have proclaimed by tom tom the nature of 'Brahma' - The Almighty - to be known to one and all.  In the sankeertana , "O Ho Dem Dem" , he explains various words of spiritual jargon mentioned in  Bhagawad Gita like Para, Apara, Prakruti, Jnana, Jneya, Jnana Gamua, Dehatma, Sakshi Purusha etcetera.

'Oh My Men! Let it be made public by this tom tom that the 'Brahmam' is this.

"Know what is 'Viveka' - it is knowing about the 'Para', 'Apara', and 'Prakruti' with shrewdness.  The Almighty is 'Para'; the Individual Self is 'Apara'; Both have no destruction. The stable 'Prakruti' is manifesting as Forms of the beings.  This is the basic awareness expected to be known by all.

'Knowing about 'Jnana', 'Jneya' and Jnana Gamya is called 'Yoga'.  The soul in  the Individual Body is embodiment of True Knowledge.  And it is commonly manifest even in  the body of a fool (Samam Sarveshu Bhteshu Tishtamtam....- Gita). 'Jneya' is that knowledge knowing after which nothing else remains to be known.  It is the Almighty. It is the 'Jneya'.  One who pursues this knowledge with steadfast mind is deemed to have  attained the goal - 'Jnana Gamya'.

'Now let us understand what is 'Satwika'.  Knowing about the three, namely, 'Kshara', 'Akshara' and 'Sakshi Purusha' is Satwika.  The temporal material world lying before our eyes is 'Kshara', it is ephemeral, transitory in nature.  'Akshara' is the eternal, the 'Kutastha'.  Being in the mortal bodies, He (Dehatma) is Immortal.  And finally, the 'Sakshi Purusha' is the one with Witness Role.  It is the Formless, Attributeless, All-Pervading Almighty.'

Just as told at the outset about the state of "Being In It", we may recollect here an incident in the life of Swamy Vivekananda. When Ramakrishna Paramahansa explained about the Truth, the Suddha Chaitanya - the vibrant Consciousness pervading in all beings of creation, Naren (Swamy Vivekananda) took lightly and made fun of it when met with colleague, Hajra. " See Hajra! Master says that the whole Universe is pervaded by the Suddha Chaitanya. In all of us, in the pot, in the jar same Chaitanya  (Conscioiusness). What a ridiculous matter it is !" And both started to laugh. But at the same time the Master happened to pass by and enquired about the cause of their laugh. He touched Naren. Naren instantly experienced the all pervading Chaitanya, in every thing, surrounding him, including the vehicles passing by. Even at home he experienced it in the meals plate, in the person serving meals, and the meals itself. Though his extraordinary mental obsession of Realisation calmed down to normalcy after a few days, it left firm belief in Naren about the Master's Revelation about Chaitanya.

It is Faith and faith alone can realise deliverance from this temporal Illusory existence. No more vacillations, No more half-hearted approaches. Let us Dive in Faith! Let us ' Be in It' !

"O Ho Dem Dem Vogi Brahma Midiyani"

'The All Pervading'

Om Shanti!

FOOT STEPS OF A YOGI

Foot steps of an accomplisher are to be emulated by any body who has an ardent wish and capacity to persevere in cherishing one's goal - be it 'worldly', like becoming topper in civil exams or a business magnate or an industrial tycoon; or be it 'spiritual', in  realization  of the Absolute Knowledge about
the Supreme Consciousness.

In this context, the poet savant Annamacharya has provided us valuable information about the ways of a Yogi which serve as guiding lights to  march ahead with unfaltering pace towards Self Realization, in his sankeertana, "Parama Yogiswarula Paddhati Yidi".

'In this world, yogis (ascetics with Supreme Knowledge)) have a particular method.  They are wise and knowledgeable. After making discreet quest about the Eternal Truth and after understanding the Universal Cosmic Consciousness, they lead a peaceful unperturbed life.

'Initially, they learn about Atma Jnana (Fundamental Spiritual Knowledge).  They make 'Atma Anatma Vivechana'. That is, they analyse and discriminate between the subjects; 'Atma' as only One Truth in existence and all else in this cosmos as illusory objects of  'Anatma'.  After realizing that the Almighty is 'within', they abandon their quest and remain in contemplation on Him. They subdue their unruly sense organs and annihilate their desires which otherwise would pester as stumbling blocks in their spiritual progress.

'Being Nishkama Karma Yogi (performer of actions without expectations), they offer (surrender) all 'fruits' (results) of their actions to the Almighty Within.  They remain devoted to the Almighty in  every 'act'.  Their minds are engrossed with Almighty only and nothing else. Though their physical beings are present in this temporal world, their minds are detached from the illusory creation and always enjoy  the presence of the Almighty.

'Since they have to complete their god-gifted span of life in the human form on this earth, they utilize this time in  hearing stories about the Almighty as and when permitted and they unswervingly perform services to their Gurus.  Thus out of realization about the Almighty, they lead a complacent life.'

I have a vague remembrance of a saying that 'If a person with an Ideal commits one thousand mistakes, one who acts without any Ideal commits ten thousand mistakes'. That is the importance of having an Ideal and cherishing it through thick and thin till accomplishment. Thus following the foot steps of the accomplishers like yogis, is the idealistic way in one's spiritual mission.

"Parama Yogiswarula Paddhati Yidi"

Foot Steps of a Yogi

Om shanti!

UNDERSTANDING THE MIND !

Your mind is your instrument; learn to be it's master and not it's slave.

'Rule your mind or it will  rule you' - Horace

The incomprehensible mind is always a riddle to solve and the mindful one succeeds at the end. It's the diligence of mastery over slavery that decides one's victory. 

So in understanding the attributes of the mind, in order to be able to master over it diligently, we may peep into the lyrical flow of Annamacharya in the sankeerana, ' Kanchu Gadu Penchu Gadu, Kadu Beluchu Manasu'.

'Oh My Men! Look at the strange attributes of this Mind. It is hard but not a metal like bronze; It is fragile (brittle) but it is not earthen tile. In fact, it can  not be assessed in proper perspective. nor can it be shared with others.  In the ultimate analysis, It is incomprehensible for the human being. But for those who are bent on subduing it, there is no way other than taking refuge in the Almighty within.

'It is not possible to hold in one's hands because it is not outside. Nor is it water current flowing around us. It is with us but it is not our relative. Being with us still it is uncontrollable.  How strange is this Mind?

'There is no specific 'form' , shape and size,  for this Mind.  But desires (likes and dislikes) are endless. It prompts countless aspirations in one. It can not be compared to the precious gold.  It is hard like a stone to get melted (softened); but this is not a stone. In this world as well as in the other world this is the one  which exercises authority.

'Wonder is, it's within me; but certainly it's not the Almighty Within as mistaken by many. Even if one desires to bundle out; it can not be bound.  It is invisible ; but it is not air.  Even such a tricky stuff meriting for getting ridden off,  at the same time, this Mind 'comes out with flying colours' in its divine mission of Self Realisation by taking refuge in the Almighty Within.'

With this clarity about the attributes of the mind, it is now for us to find the ways to harness it to our advantage in fulfilling our mission in this world.

'A quiet mind is all you need.  All else will happen rightly.  Once your mind is quiet, as the sun once rising makes the world active, so does Self-awareness affect changes in the mind.  In the light of calm and steady awareness, inner energies wake up and work miracles, without effort on your part ' - (Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj).

If the Mind dwells on 'Reason' and 'Logic',  Heart is the seat for 'Love' and 'Compassion'. A judicious combination of both, striking an equilibrium between the two, spells one's personality and progress in this world and into the other !

"Kanchu Gadu Penchu Gadu Kadu Beluchu Manasu"

Equilibrium of Mind and Heart

Om Shanti!

THE MERCHANT AT SEA

Allegorical literature is a  sumptuous feast to relish upon. When one thinks about the sea voyage, 'The Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is the classical spiritual allegory one can certainly amuse on.  And here is our own allegorical hymn about sea voyage in the rich Indian cultural backdrop.  In the Sankeertana "Panchendriyamu Lanedi Pattana Swamulala",  Annamacharya's alluding the Human Being to a Merchant Sailor at Sea is quite interesting.

In this sankeertana, the 'human body' is compared to a 'ship' and the 'human being' to a restless, wandering 'merchant' at sea.  And the 'merchandise' for sale is 'Papa Punyas' (acts of piety and sin). The merchant is paying taxes at various ports of call for sale of  his goods.The 'oars' he steers with are 'Trigunas' - Satva, Rajo and Tamo (Three basic attributes of the being).  He unfurls the 'Sail' of 'Desires' in the vibrant gusty winds, disposing off  his goods enriched with Illusion, for whatever price haggled at.  The 'town mayors' called the 'five senses organs' - sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing - are however taken care of, in their reaching to safe shore by the Almighty.

'O Town Mayors of  Five Senses ! Try to unload your weight of merchandise for whatever price settled at.

'O Merchant! You are doing business of goods called 'Papa Punyas'. You are anchoring at various ill-reputed harbours.  By paying relevant entry taxes at the ports of call you are indulging in the mercantile activity restlessly.

'O Merchant! You have used the 'oars ' of  'Trigunas' for steering the ship of your body in the 'waters' of 'worldly life' And you have spread the great 'Sail' of 'Desires', in the gusty high winds. After all, the goods you are dealing in,  are fraught with Illusion.  Some how, dispose off the goods and continue your voyage.

'If there is need of anchoring the ship in any of the ports touched, the Antaratma (Individual Soul) is protecting the beings in this ship (Soul) The protector of this is none other than the Almighty.  He is the initiator of all actions.

'O Almighty! Please spare us from any vicissitudes at least from now and bestow on us noble attributes!

When the long adventurous voyage is fulfilled at sea, it is time to be nostalgic about reaching back at our native port with rich experiences of lifetime to reminisce! The Complacency of Realisation on Hand at last, The Missiion Accomplishsed!

"Panchendriyamu Lanedi Pattana Swamulala"

The Merchant At Sea

Om Shanti!

REQUISITE FOR REALISATION

Requisite for realisation of The Almighty, The Eternal Truth, The Consciousness is basically Faith. One must have faith about oneself.  One should not be carried away by various propositions suggesting different methods like Japa, Tapa, austere rites, expensive rituals, Yagnas, Yagas, Homas, pompous worships, scriptural in depth studies, extensive visits to Pilgrim centres, to realise God.

This path of pure and faithful surrender to the Almighty within is well described in the Sankeertana , "Achara Vichara Laviyu Ne Neraga", by Annamacharya.

'The Almighty Within - The Indescribable and Invisible !  On the other hand what about me?  I am neither well groomed in good customs and practices of the society I live in, nor have I any formal education of various scriptures to realise you, The Almighty.

'The tapas which I am capable of performing in this world for realising you, is only my total surrender and refuge in you.  The possible Japa I can perform is only chanting of your name.  The known way for me to realise You is my eulogising You in hymns.  Apart from these I am not aware of any other wiser methods of spiritual knowledge to seek and obtain You.

'O Lord! I do not know any of the rites and rituals laid down in the Vedas (scriptural).  I know only about my service to you.  So many speak of so much of  Dharma (righteousness).  But I know only one dharma, that of serving Your devotees.  I do not know any clandestine methods to reach you except that of memorising You in my heart.  Nothing else.

'I am not physically strong but all my forte is my  unflinching devotion to You.  And my prosperity is only the Confidence that You are with me.  O Lord! I do not know about any of the plurality of Gods except my sole devotion to You, the only One Almighty!'

Simple living without any desires and expectations and devout faith in the Almighty within leads to peaceful living  and realisation of Self in this very birth.

"Achara Vichara Laviyu Ne Neraga"

Expensive Yagna

Om Shanti!

SYMBOLS OF THE ALMIGHTY !

The Sansara (worldly life) begins with 'moha' (sensual and other desires like infatuation) and ends with 'moksha' (liberation).  But overcoming the illusion of Moha is a long drawn ordeal.  After all, who is behind this play of Illusion in one's life; it is no one else but the Almighty only. Hence the appropriate escape is nothing else than  refuge in the Almighty.

The poet savant Annamacharya describes about the 'Symbols' of the Almighty in his sankeertana, "Srihari Sesina Chihnalivi".  Naturally one will be curious enough to know  about what these 'symbols' might be.

'All Karmas (acts of the being) arise out of Illusion only.  The whole gamut of illusion encompasses 'The Generation, Sustenance and Destruction processes, the perpetual cycles of births and deaths of the beings.  These are construed as the symbols of the Almighty.

'What is filth? What is feces? Are they not deposits in the physical body? Setting this aside, What is in 'Existence' ? What is not in 'Existence'?  This very birth is replete with ever changing acts emanating from illusion.  Hence we are said to be bound in the illusion.

'What is that stays within us and feels 'satiated' ? What is that which is restless with 'insatiability'? Why is that 'hunger' for food is not quenched once for all and pesters repetitively? Being bound in the Karmas we are forced to continue in further indulgence of Karmas.  In this , where is the beginning and where is the end ? No such thing in the perpetual contraption of Creation of the Almighty.'

Now and then I used to share with you about strange coincidence of my utterances in the past. Another incident again ! Today morning only an elderly colleague at yoga asked me to explain 'Nirvana Shatkam' of Adisankaracharya. I started with the origin of the Universe - Creator - Creation - Emptiness through Chaitanya -Consciousness - Primordial Sound - solidification into systems- life from elements - Our sages' capability of inter plane travels ) - basically, communication among inter planetary beings.- Mutual help among  our kings and Devas of other planes;.. Finally concluding how we are Deathless in this Eternal Consciousness.  And as I reached home my son was browsing through 'Alien Mona Lisa lives Again' ! - the giant ship - the colonies of the aliens on the far side of the moon - Super Intelligence quite ahead of ours by millions of years!  Keeping aside the controversies about their veracity, Apollo  Mission visuals and Chinese Space Missions' revelations corroborate with the enlisted achievements of the ancient world!

Thus realising the manifestation of  civilisations in the universe as a whole as the symbols of the One Almighty, It is matter of a great relief and rejoice for the seeker to be associated with that Consciousness !

"Srihari Sesina Chihnalivi"

Alien Ship on the Far Side of Moon!

Om Shanti!

HOPELESS TO BLISSFUL

The moods of the human being, like a spectrum of colours rotating, change one after another with the passage of time by gaining knowledge about life in various stages of growth And more particularly once youth passes away, much of vigour is lost bringing  on to surface the vanity of struggles encountered. From such a situation  of despair and despondency one has to buck up  and direct one self towards the spiritual path that assures him ever lasting bliss and liberation.

First describing the pessimistic environment in which the human beings are bound in, Annamacharya nevertheless suggests the ray of hope for those people through taking refuge in the Almighty within, for a crucial and happier turn around in their life. The sankeertana is "Emi Gala Dindu Nenta Penagina Vrudha".

'It is perhaps natural as the prime of the youth melts away, it dawns into a question mark about the purpose of life.  What is left in this life?  All the struggles turn out to be fruitless.  There is no origin and  no end for the 'Mind' that harbours lustful desires and aspirations. And this process continues not only in this but in umpteen future births.

'Just as the wick glows only till the oil supply to it is exhausted, so is the life that depends on the 'prana' (life force) circulating in it. Once prana leaves, the body perishes. The mortal body's span is as much as that of the husk sheathing a seed, withering away within no time.  No amount of laborious grooming of the body for the sake of sensual pleasures would prevent it from decay.

'Can the sky be expected of to meet with another sky? It's a remote possibility.  People's nature is to believe whatever seems good  and acceptable for them is acceptable for others also.  How long will the ironing with neat creases of the clothes, done by a washer man, remain wrinkle free like that when donned on the body? - short lived. In the same way wealth is  also unstable in one's hands.

'All the worldly engagements, like the grain measured and stocked in a granary, deplete over a period of time.  Just as the stale food can not be thrown away but has to be invariably consumed by the poor, even the mean life has to be led invariably till the end.  All the woeful living on this earth will have respite and rejuvenation only by the grace of the Almighty within.  And only after gaining the (spiritual) bliss one can become liberated.'

Such is the metaphorical lyrical beauty of Annamacharya in  imparting the most vital spiritual awakening in the human beings.  For the seekers, this divine knowledge is like beacon lights  in the pursuit of spiritual progress towards Salvation.

"Emi Gala Dindu Enta Penagina Vrudha"

Taila in Deepa - Prana in Deha

Om Shanti!