ACCEPTANCE WITH AWARENESS - 'HARI MAYA"

Hari Maya, Almighty's Illusory Play of his Creation, if understood properly with enlightened view, this journey of life is passed off in blissful state of a jnani, the liberated;  on the other hand, if the  'baddha jeevi' - the 'bound' beings, are unable to make any effort for disentanglement from ignorance about Eternal Almighty, the  vicious circle of births and deaths is bound to continue for ever.

The sankeertana, "Chellubadi Kallalata Chetalivi Nivi Yata", (treated part of the compendium of Annamacharya Sankeertirtanas, though written by PeddaTirumalaiah) depicts how this Vishnu Maya tends to misguide the beings from the Eternal Truth. Of course, for the enlightened souls, all these worldly happenings with contrasts are,  a matter of acceptance with a smile.

"Oh Omnipotent Almighty! What shall we say about your glorious deeds of contrasts in this world. You turn the matters of falsehood in to truth overnight and  make believe the lies as reality. We being  in your unflinching servitude with total surrender, let us transcend all your acts of contrasts rising out of your Maya, Illusory Play.

'A farm raises bountiful crop on one hand and on the other exist millions of hills (barren). One cow gives sweet milk aplenty on one hand and on the other, lots of animals remain dry without milk. The dairy cows available are capable of  catering  to the needs of all the beings? How to believe this fallacious truth ?

'We feel hungry take food, satisfy appetite for a while; After lapse of some time again feel hungry and reach for food! So long so forth repetitive? We feel tired, close our eyes, fall asleep and after some time wake up, open our eyes again. Wakeful state - Sleeping state; which is false, which is true; how to understand this deceitful world of your making.

'Even more awesome is the provision of physical bodies with urges blooming from puberty, passions for intimacy ablaze irrespective of being male or female. Even your astute devotees are not exempt from going through this maze; However, they are blessed by your Enlightenment, hence remain unaffected by your delusions."

The inference is like a writing on the wall. 'Know'ledge Spiritual is everything.  There is no alternative to this one fundamental 'vidya', 'Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya'. The realization of the one and only Existence that is the Almighty and the rest that is his playful Illusory creation with worlds exhibiting acts of contrasts; is the true knowledge that keeps us afloat in this "Bhava Sagara", sailing in the ocean, called Mundane Life!

"Chellubadi Kalla Lata Cheta Livi Nivi Yata" (own tune)

"Dawn of Knowledge"!

Om Shanti !

MADNESS FROM MOTHER'S MILK STAGE !

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness 

(Aristotle)

It's an elderly saying in telugu that "verri vepa ginja antayina vuntundi" ! That means as a matter of fact everybody on this earth has atleast a neem seed (margosa) size of madness, born out of innocence of course, in their childhood. The veracity of this statement need not be disputed once we recollect our child hood adventurism. Any doubt? Once I observed my grandson tying a thin thread (fit to be inserted in a needle) to iron rod in the front balcony of second floor and letting it loose downwards. I curiously inquired about his intention. He smartly replied in case all the members of watchman family in the ground floor are to be saved from any accident, they can climb up this thread and escape from danger. His thought of 'saving' clearly surpassed all the knowledge about physical proportions of the tools required.

Of course I too am no exception to this state of being mad which is not of recent origin but persisting congenitally right from  my mother's breast feeding. It even took control of  me in all facets of my living. It doesn't leave me on it's own accord. Nor is there any one to come to my help to drive away this madness from  me.

Now let us grapple with what sort of 'madness' we, the earthly human beings, are all suffering from, in common ! It is the egoistic attitude dominating in this Name and Form, "Dehatma Bhavana", belittling the existence of Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient Almighty who is our real Protector and Savior ! It is in this madness only we regard our achievements as our own abilities without any intervention of Supreme Head ! 

Annamacharya deals with this congenital madness and its remedy in his sankeeertana, "Verri Manupa Revvaru, Veduru Na Yanta Viduvadu". This sankeertana is one of very few highly emotionally charged, in singing with own tune.

'No body is there to help in driving away the madness in me; nor does it leave from me on it's own accord. This madness is with me right from my mother's breast feeding days. It overwhelmingly possessed of me.

'When there is the Almighty who is determined to take care of his creation of all worlds, I belittled and ignored his uncountable might and in all stupidity,  embarked on looking after my family's welfare and became laughing stock in the eyes of the fellow beings. What shall I say about this madness.

'Almighty is there residing within me looking after ever pleasure and pain of mine. On the other hand, I ascribed all these happenings to the actions of my own fellow human beings and pursued after them. Thus going about them I got more and more entangled in the all sorts of Karmas- Prarabdha , Sanchita, Vaidika. What shall I say about this madness.

'Even though the Lord himself is right before me granting all my wishes, being blind to realize  his presence, I foolishly ran after other human beings begging for favours. How ever now that my mentor has apprised me  of the Almighty, I have discovered the path of enlightenment. It is being exposed now to me that all my earlier part of this life as well as my earlier births were fraught with madness only - 'madness' of ignorance about Almighty's presence!

This sankeertana is a pointer common to all the human being on this earth. In clear terms it regards our ignorance about the omnipresent Almighty as 'madness' that is subsisting with us right from mother's breast feeding days. Let us come out of this 'madness'  of 'blissful ignorance' with awakening of our consciousness  about the Almighty!

"Verri Manupa Revvaru, Veduru Na Yanta Viduvadu" (own tune)

Murru Balu (Mother's Milk) !

Om Shanti !

WHAT COMES ALONG ; WHAT LEFT BEHIND !

"Vodi Gattu Kone Dedi, Volla Nane Dedi"! 

(What's carried along, what's left behind)

Divine knowledge par excellence ! How much thankful shall we be for being blessed with the wealth of information imparted by our great predecessors in the form of rishis, yogis, poet savants, guiding us towards realization of the Almighty, The Eternal Truth! "Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya" ! These Mithya Jagats are but the Almighty's own making. Once the  illusory nature of all the creation, the multiverses, the beings that inhabit both animate, inanimate, is comprehended, our perspective  in this world becomes clear and unambiguous !

In his sankeertana, "Ainattayi Gaka Hari Kalpitamu Livi", the poet savant Annamacharya depicts the initial dilemma of what to do and what not to do, what to follow what not to follow, what to possess what not to possess; and gradually leads us to the ultimate reality of Illusion of this worldly farce, as there is nothing to carry or to leave behind!

'When all the happenings in this Creation are but the Illusory play of the Almighty, and happen as ordained by the Almighty, then what is there to judge what is to be followed and what not to be followed.

'Among the beings, one does not have thoughts like those of another person. The opinions among the beings are with vast divergence. Oh, the root is one but the branches, creepers are diverse. Whereto come closer and where to abstain!

'One's deeds are not lauded by his neighbour. And the actions of the beings are diverse and multi dimensional in nature. Food one relishes might be the same yet  appetites differ from person to person. Which actions are to be supported and which are not!

'The words of the poor and down trodden are not pleasant to the wealthy one. The relations among the beings take diverse forms. Almighty is One but his created worlds are diverse. In realization of this, what is that  to be carried along with and what is that to be left behind here in this (illusory) world !'

Such sankeertanas like these are a clear eye opener for us in understanding the illusory nature of all our deeds in this mundane existence which are ordained by the Almighty! In this context, we may recollect the message, Alexander The Great, had passed down to the posterity, " See my Empty Hands. In spite of vast empire with riches  I possessed, I am not taking anything from this world"! It's a way leading towards enlightenment about our identity not with the 'form and name'  in this world but with the Eternal !

"Ainattayi Gaka Hari Kalpitamu Livi"

"Leaving This World Empty Handed"!

(Alexander The Great)

Om Shanti !

TRANSCENDING DUALITY

Day and night; big and small; thick and thin; good and bad; happiness and sorrow; so on so forth, all the duality of contrasts are the perceptions of the mind interacting with this creation. Divine knowledge is that one which when awakened sees through these contrasts, one common source, a well thought out  executed pattern of 'Maya' (illusory play) cast by the Almighty. Total surrender with devotion to the Almighty elevates the seeker to a level of silent spectator, an unbiased witness to all happenings in this mortal existence on earth as identification of Self  with the Eternal is realized!

Transcending the contrasting duality in this Creation  is deftly dealt with by Annamacharya in his sankeertana  "Melu Ledu Tilu Ledu Minchi Nide Hari Maya".....

'There is no good and there is no bad, no salubrious and no harmful, but for they being the part of the grand play of Illusion - Hari Maya; Realized now here itself, in this very birth, about the liberated  Self!

'All the 'devatas' - deities, gods are the beings of this creation; and in the same manner, all the 'danavas' - demons too are the beings of the creation only. The difference between them being that of  their characteristic attributes. The devatas' abode ordained to be 'heaven' and the abode of 'danavas' ordained to be 'hell' on account of their respective Papa Punyas - karmic deeds of piety and sin.

'All women are the beings of this creation and in the same way all men too are beings of this creation; the difference among them mainly  being consciousness of feelings.  The masculine robustness giving sense of freedom in one and feminine tenderness giving feeling of dependence in the other. Accordingly one enjoys supremacy and the other submissiveness.

'All kings are beings of this creation only and all the myriads of  servants too are beings of this creation verily. The difference is possession of might, wealth, power in the former and dearth of it in the latter.
The way out to overcome all this duality of contrasts is taking refuge in the Almighty which frees one from all  Karmas that are responsible for 'bondage' as well as  'liberation' !'

Thus the seeker's attainment of this state of 'witness' makes him to accept things and happenings as they are, with the stance of "It's Alright", as he is awakened to the reality of illusory duality and permanence of the Eternal Self!

"Melu Ledu Tilu Ledu Minchi Nide Hari Maya" (own tune)

 The King and the Servants

Om Shanti !

WAYS AND MEANS OF HAPPY LIFE

Happy life  is an accomplished life that doesn't end with death but with eternal life !

(Angelo Scola)

The roots of Indian culture are in Sanatana Dharma, Eternal Faith or Righteousness. It is the original rather a natural yet logical and satisfying spiritual, personal and scientific way of living a life. Sanatana Dharma is not a religion; it is a culture, a way of life impregnated with vedic wisdom inherited through rushis and jnanis.

Iha para sadhana, which is quintessential way of life in the  Indian culture lends the thought of leading happy righteous life through this mundane sojourn and finally attaining the Ultimate Reality, the Eternal Life.

Here we have the knowledge about the ways and means of leading a happy life in this world described by Annamacharya in his sankeertana, "Vatti Lampatala Badi Boraluta Kante, Vottina Virati Nura Kundute Sukhamu" !

'Instead of this mortal body being carried away by the bondage and entanglements, to be still in quietude with detachment leads to happiness.

'Discarding of  all sinful deeds in this world fetches happiness.Possessing the attribute of maintaining peace by leaving anger results in happiness in life.By implementing steadfastly the instructions of wisdom received from one's guru keeps one happy.The day, on which one does not fumble into attractions desires and infatuations, is the happy one.

'In this world, the mind which relaxes, with all fickleness subsided, dwells in happiness. This birth is worthy of happiness when  the being is indulged in righteous chores passed down from the ancestors. Judicious selection and regular following one appropriate course of practice for deliverance in this world as well as for realization of the Eternal Existence, gives happiness.Being self contented rather than entertaining countless desires and expectations fetches happiness.

'Wealth acquired by fair means without squeezing fellow beings keeps one happy. Plain and truthful talk only gives one happiness. In this world, happiness lies in serving the Almighty with astute devotion and leading a well defined peaceful course of life in quietude'.

The words by William Law that "He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life", fortify the last line of the above text of sankeertana. Thus total surrender with devotion to the Almighty is the panacea for a holy, pious, happy life in this world and the other, the Eternal !

"Vatti Lampatala Badi Vada Boraluta Kante"(own tune)

Source of My Happy Life !

Om Shanti !

HELP THE NEEDY, NOT THE WELL OFF !

"Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya" ! From darkness (Ajnana) to light (Jnana), Oh Almighty, lead us !

Devotion towards Sakara Brahman (Almighty with Name and Form) to Total Surrender to Realization of Truth, the Nirakara Brahman (Formless Supreme Consciousness); It's a devotee's journey, a Pilgrim's Progress,  from dualistic vision to nondualistic reality about the Almighty. In the earlier part of dualistic vision, an astute devotee expresses  about the appropriateness of the Almighty in coming to the rescue of the needy instead of the well placed ones.

Annamacharya has ventilated his suggestions to the Almighty in unequivocal terms, in his sankeertana, "Teliya Chikatiki Dipa Mettaka, Velugu Lopalilki Velugela" !

'For the people who have lost their bearings and are groping in darkness (Ajnana), a lamp is needed for proper guidance towards destination; What is the necessity of a lamp for those who are already in bright light !

'One who is in difficulties or dangers, needs a word of solace, a word of encouragement and timely help. For the one who is already safe, secure and comfortable, no help is necessary. One who is caught up in floods direly needs to be rescued by whatever means possible. For the one who is in a safe and secure place on the banks, why one should think of rescuing? No help is necessary.

'Almighty has to  come to the help of and save those who are entangled by 'karma bandhas', all deeds of commission and omission in the past births and present birth. On the other hand, the liberated souls like yogis, do not require any  help from Him. One who is hungry with empty stomach needs to be fed with food. But the one who is satiated stomach full doesn't need any feeding.

'Almighty's help is needed for the one who is neck deep in committing sinful deeds. Why He should think of helping the pious one. So, O Lord ! What are you there for unless to come to our help and rescue us in time when we are losing courage and bewildered in entanglements !'

Thus, this sankeeertana brings forth our sincere thrust to look towards the "helping hand' which is none other than the "driving force" within this earthly name and form !

                      "Teliya Chikatiki Dipa Mettaka Pedda, Velugu Lopaliki Velugela"

Om Shanti !

TRANSIENT AND 'THE' INTRANSIENT !

"Men may come, men may go; But I go on forever " !

(Alfred Lord Tennyson) 

These Immortal lines of the nineteenth century poet laureate that bring forth the comparison and contrast between the immortality and permanence of the brook with the impermanence of the mortal human lives, are cherished in my mind as sweet memories of the bygone school days. And it would be even more amazing to find such lines of similar theme from the great poet savant, Annamacharya of  fifteenth century, four centuries ahead. It's all  about the transient beings under the spell of 'Vishnu Maya' vis a vis the Eternal Almighty! And the sankeertana is, "Aha, Emi Cheppedi Hari Ni Maya"!

'Ah! What shall I say about your Play of Illusion, Oh My Lord! What a bloom of passions right from the nascent youth!

'When taken into account, the earth is same  but the myriads of kings and emperors that ruled came and built their vast kingdoms and empires vanished in time; this earth, however didn't follow them but remained still in unchanging eternity.  As the sun and moon,  measuring days and nights pass for ages, the time ahead reminds it's nature of eternity.

' The abode of deities, 'Deva Loka' is same but many an incumbent donned the title of 'Devendra', sat on the throne, commanded over the deities and left with time; but Deva Loka didn't belong to any one individual 'Indra'. The Pancha Bhutas, Akasha (space),  Vayuh (air), Agni (fire), Apah (water) and Prithvi (earth) formed by Prakriti are same but make a profuse ramifications of branches of 'Sansara Vruksha', mundane existence of the beings.

'Oh my Lord! Here you are the one and the only one but your devotees are countless; how much intently we serve you, it remains insatiable. Oh my Lord! My devotion graced by you is a treasure trove; the intent and purpose of this human birth of mine is fulfilled!'

Thus, the discreet awareness of what is permanent and what is not, what is transitory and what is Eternal, in this mundane existence, enlightens us towards realization of the Intransient Eternal Existence!

                                                "Aha Emi Cheppedi Hari Ni Maya" (own tune)

                           

Om Shanti!

ALL BEINGS BORN EQUAL....BUT !

"Samam sarveshu bhuteshu tishtamtam parameswaram"- The Almighty is present in all beings, in all forms of His creation, in equal measure. All beings come into this world  with equal honour and dignity in their own placement accorded by the Almighty in His creation. However, the karmic patterns of  pious and sinful deeds in the life's journey of each individual beings,  influence their destinies. The  wise one who by discreet quest seeks the  Truth, comes to understand about the real 'manipulating hand' behind all the variegated patterns of lives of the beings as the play of the Almighty and thus becomes disillusioned !

The unveiled vision of 'Vishnu Maya' is well depicted in the sankeertana, "Puttugulu nokkate punya
papamule veru" by Sri Annamacharya. His benevolent passing of this divine wisdom makes the voice emotional.

'Births of all beings are same, neither less important nor more important, since it is the creation of the Divine with name and form. However, as the life's journey on this earth starts, with karma, actions whether of pious or sinful decide the destinies of the beings. Can any one interfere or influence with the course on which the being is ordained to pace through with  related pleasures and pains entwining the being?

'Day becomes night for certain beings and night becomes day for certain other beings. The beings which are active during day time rest at night and the beings which are active during night - nocturnal like bats, owls- become restful during day time. (Apart from the above apparent literal meaning for the  lines 'pagalE rEyi yI baDi konni jIvulaku, vogi nA rEyi pagalou nokarikini', we can infer implicit deeper spiritual meaning. While this precious and rare opportunity of human birth is wasted away in transitoy mundane pleasures with blissful ignorance and folly by some, the wise ones like Jnani-s are awake pursuing deeds befitting Enlightenment, when the former are asleep in bondages). In the same contrast, though Almighty is only one among all the beings,  the approach paths for His Realization are many making scope for sprouting of multiple religious faiths and practices. After all, this is a part of His illusory play and nothing else!

'Certain plants and trees, like neem (margosa) and bitter gourd, are bitter throughout, from root to leaf tip; at the same time, certain other plants like sugar cane grow with sweetness spread all over. Subtlety of Intellect is same in all, but creeds, postulates differ from person to person. After all, these are the clever entanglements as part of the illusory play of the Almighty and nothing else!

'The worldly existence itself is 'be all end all' of the Almighty's presence itself, for those who are enlightened.  Hence  they rejoice in this journey of earthly life. they see ocean (Almighty) in the drop (individual self). While,  for some others the deluding earthly pleasures are  as if the heaven itself has descended upon them. They are doomed for more and more entanglement of miserable quagmire  ruining their lives ultimately. How ever, when one renders service to Lord Venkateswara, intently with devotion, all the Vishnu Maya, illusory play of the Almighty, melts and slips away; leading to the realization of the Eternal Truth, all pervading 'Self'  !'....

This makes us understand more easily what the Almighty had said in Bhagavad Gita 7:7,
'Mayi sarvam idam protein sutre mani gana iva'; ' I am the string holding all the pearls' ! We are all in realization of that String Eternal !
                                               
                                          "Puttugulu Nokkate, Punya Papamule Veru"

                                                                 

Om Shanti !

REFLECTIONS OF A REALIzED ONE

Yastvatmaratireva syadatmatruptascha manavah

atmanyeva cha santushtastasya karyam na vidyate
(Gita 3:17)

(For those who rejoice in the Self, who are illumined and fully satisfied in the Self, 

for  them there is no duty) 

"Om Shanti" ! It's a word that is associated, in all these spiritual posts,  to a Form with a genuine effort to impart some thing good in this world before disappearance of the Form and the Name. It is true that no specified qualification of Scriptures or Gurus are necessary for the great and Ultimate Realization. And, Om Shanti has truly realized that there is NO such term as 'DEATH' which in this mundane world is construed to all created ones. All the forms and  names are only illusory  manifestations of the one single existence, that is the Supreme Consciousness, Suddha Chaitanya. There is only 'transformation' in between the un-manifest Eternal Energy, Suddha Chaitanya and  it's illusory manifestations (matter) in to various forms and names in cyclic pattern. Hence there is no particular 'point' called 'death' in this cycle. For example, every body knows that when heated solid ice transforms into liquid water, water into vapour; again when cooled, vapour becomes water and water transforms into solid ice once again. No one would say that ice met with 'Death' or water and vapour met with 'Death'. They transform from one form to another; And the innate Energy in all these three 'forms and names' is always same and indestructible, that is, Constant and Eternal!

Now, after this great realization that we are all 'deathless' the real eternal bliss cropped up which is undeterred and unaffected by the pains and pleasures afflicting this mundane body with Name and Form. On the other hand the happiness one feels he or she deriving from possessing an article, person, or occurrence of an event is subject to diminish gradually.

About this point of realization, I have come across a beautiful sankeertana by the great savant and poet laureate, Sri Anamacharya, "Mundara Galadani Mosa Poti Nide, Indune Tudi Pada Mekkitina"!

'I have been under the wrong deception that the much cherished after spiritual goal of liberation, Mukti, is still far away ahead; But Lo, now I realize that I have already climbed up and reached the final niche, the Realization.

'(As ordained by the Almighty) I bore this physical mundane body, passing through all stages of growth I remitted the necessary dues expected of me for my existence on this earth, Hope I have done enough pious deeds. I have seen the peak of youth with all its flirtations  and multiple relations and tastes. Being fed up cast off all filthy wanderings.

'I woke up from my slumber and realized the ultimate and Eternal Truth, knowledge of the Soul,  Pondered over various scriptures  and did holy chanting, performed various austerities laid down in the society, Now I attained the calming down of my flirting mind with peace.

'In this process, all along I had gone after worshiping multiple deities, traveled a lot and plunged in various teerthas (holy waters), of course without cherishing the Truth. Ultimately, It is You, Oh My Lord, who came to  my help for Salvation.  Now I am relieved, with peace and self satisfaction; I realized,  I am that Universal "ONE"!'

This is the much cherished keeertana because it reflects the springing bliss within always - as told in the opening quote, 'Rejoicing in the Self' !

'Mundara Gala Dani Mosa Poti NIde'
(own tune)

Jnana Deepa

         
Om Shanti !                               

DOUBLE MISTAKE THAT IS......

Blossoming of knowledge is in the gradual Awareness of the Eternal Truth. Right  from child hood we are introduced to the concept of seeking the Almighty in particular prominent  things and places like statues, photo frames, holy shrines etc. As we grow up with spiritual bent of mind and sense of inquiry through the scriptures, discourses of holy men, service of 'Bodha Gurus', we come to a stage of realizing the The Eternal Truth, The Almighty, in all pervading state of the creation  and beyond.

The humble way in which the poet savant Annamacharya seeks pardon from the Almighty for his mind's limited grasp about His Presence, is dealt in the sankeertana, "Adi Na Yaparadha Midi Na Yaparadhamu" (I committed double mistake)..............

'O Lord! I committed double mistake ! It is my first fault, of having not realizing You as the Omnipresent. It is my second fault of restricting Your Being to a particular place, time, name and form.

'It is my  fault that I haven't realized that all forms subsisting in this entire universe are Your Form only. It is also my mistake that I tried to visualize You as divisible multi form against the Truth that You are the One Indivisible Entity.

'It is my fault that I thought of you as the restricted Individual Soul in  me.  It is also my fault that I haven't tried to realize You as the Universal Soul transcending this creation and contemplate You as such in my mind.

'O Lord! It is my fault that from childhood I visualized You as being present only in  temples and holy shrines ans worshiped You as such accordingly.  and I searched for You hear and there. The Truth is You are all pervading and even present and realizable within me!'.................

The truth is that this is the real situation about all of us. Mostly,  our parents and teachers initiated us in to devotional path of worshiping the God in shrines. And as a matter of fact they are absolutely right! Because our acquaintance and intimacy  by way of regular worship of the Sakara  Para Brahma (God with Name and Form) purges away all our mistakes of omission and commission in this life and opens up the devotional path into the spiritual awareness  and realization of the omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent Nirakara Para Brahma !

"Adi Na Yaparadha Midi Na Yaparadhamu"

Branches (Forms) Are Many;  But....

Om Shanti!

"VIJNANA MAHA DHWARA"

'What is the best of all faculties of knowledge available to the human being?';  if one has got a question, the best answer is, It is that knowledge which leads to 'Self Realization'. It is a point of no return once again into the cycle of births and deaths, by becoming one with the 'Consciousness' !

People desirous of achieving salvation resort to various rites and rituals among which performance of Yagna is one which is rather expensive  from the point of items to be procured and payments to the conducting pandits. Annamacharya compares the best of all,  'Jnana Yajna' with the procedure followed in a regular 'yaga' in his sankeertana, "Adigaka Nijamatam Badigaka Yajakam".....

'Apart from the pure spiritual knowledge is there any better religion? Is there better Yajna? Is there better happiness in heart (hrudayananda)? Is there any other better realization?

'Vijnana Maha Dhwara' - The Yajna of pure spiritual knowledge may be compared thus.  Initially the sacrificial cow called 'sankalpa' (determined resolution - for Atma Jnana) is arranged for. It is sacrificed on the altar of 'Jnana Ananda' (spiritual bliss). Then all the 'purified senses' are offered into the 'Jnana Agni' (the sacrificial fire).

'Dispassion' acts as the majestic performer of yaga; 'Righteousness' plays the role of Brahma; All the noble traits and conduct of obeisance like 'sama', 'dama','daana', 'dhairya' are the performing (chanting vedic mantras) brahmins;

'Meditating on the Almighty is the holy water 'Soma Rasa' to the Yajna performing beings. Drenching oneself in the ocean of 'divine grace', is the required conclusive holy bath at the end of yaga - 'avabrutha snana' !'........

The striking point in this comparative performances of physical yajna and spiritual yajna is the 'Expense' involved! Is it not clear by now that it requires absolutely nothing cost wise to perform this 'Vijnana Maha Dhwara' ! Being righteous at heart, one can comprehend all the noble traits leading to  Self Realization!

"Adi Gaka Nija Matam Badi Gaka Yajakam"

Performance of Yajna !

Om Shanti !

OPTIONS FOR REALIZATION !

'Jantunam Manava Janma Durlabham' ! Realizing the advantage in the form of 'Intellect' the human being has over other living beings, he should cherish the mission of his life - acquirement of True Knowledge. The academic education and other faculty learning are not called the True Knowledge, for they are in any way to be acquired for the sake of eking out one's livelihood invariably. One must be able to discriminate between what is truth, what is false; what is knowledge,what is ignorance. All this becomes possible by proper study of holy scriptures and benevolence of bodha gurus.

The various options to select from, for realization of the True Knowledge of Salvation is detailed by the poet savant Annamacharya in his sankeertana, " Ediyu Leni Deti Janmamu".....

'What for is that life if it doesn't have some purpose to fulfill? One who has taken this human birth shall become wise by acquiring the True Knowledge about "Self" !

'One should meditate upon the Almighty. Or he should be blessed with riches of eternal bliss.  Atma is the ultimate goal to achieve by all.  It is the only Truth embodiment associated with divinity. He has to realize in the ultimate analysis that himself is that all pervading Atman (Supreme Consciousness).

'He has to learn with proper understanding  the spiritual scriptures and become pundit. Or at least serve the learned scholars.  Or he shall become a 'Karmishti' that is, performer of only noble deeds for the welfare of all in general. Or he shall happily become an ardent devotee of the Almighty and perform all laid down 'deekshas', austere measures expected of a devotee.

'He should always be compassionate towards all living beings.  Or he should bring all his senses under his control and become poised. Or he should live with veneration for the ardent devotees of the Almighty.'........

Being blessed with this beautiful human birth with invaluable attribute of  'Intellect', let us  pick up one of the options furnished above and justify our mission on this earth; that of acquiring the knowledge of 'Self'' and become one with the Ultimate !

"Ediyunu Leni Deti Janmamu"

A Bunch of Multiple Options !

Om Shanti!

WHY PRETENTIOUS ABOUT THE 'ONE BEYOND COMPREHENSION' !

Honesty is the basic trait of the true seeker who keeps away from the pretentious knowledge of the so called pandits of high erudition particularly in spiritual matters. The scholarly depths in the ultimate probe fail to realize the Divine Truth. Simple acceptance of the right path of total surrender in all humility will certainly lead us to deliverance from bondage.

In the snkeertana, "Bhavincha Le Revvarunu Bayalu Vakeru Gani", the great poet savant Annamacharya describes this theme of honest acceptance of our ignorance of scholastic vanity and need to surrender to the Almighty...........

'O Lord! In spite of talking in public of so many things by the multitude in pretension of having understood for sure, in essence nobody can ever ponder about the Truth. We know only one thing. That is about Your Existence and unconditional surrender to You for deliverance.

'It can not be thought of and comprehend by us about, how the Salvation would be; how the True Knowledge (Awareness) would be and how the Act of God (Fate) would be. What is in store for us in future and in which directions our mind drags us every time, that too we can not ever be able to guess.

'We are ignorant of what the holy scriptures,Vedas are about; what does 'detachment' actually mean, what is the genesis and what is the culmination of this creation. No matter how much deeply probed, we can not understand what is 'Atma' and what is 'Paramatma'; we do not know either, what is 'duality' and what is 'non duality'.

'We are in the dark about, and difficult to realize, what is the outcome of  'Karma Phala' (results of actions), what is the devotional approach towards Almighty, what is intellectual awareness about discriminating between,what is good and what is bad.  But despite these shortcomings in our life, O Lord! We know only one thing in certain about You. Hence we stand quietly before You surrendering unconditionally. Please show mercy on us by showering Your grace!'.......

My practical experience to share in all honesty, when I tried to go through some contents circulating in face book and whatsapp, the plethoric versions  propagated by individual spiritual masters in their own vein, started to boggle my mind. When I found they are only distracting my internal peace, I simply retreated from them. Paradise Regained !

"Bhavincha Le Revvarunu Bayalu Vakeru Gani"

 

As Many Spiritual Strains !

Om Shanti !

WHAT THE SAVIOR DOES TO US !

A Pilgrim's Progress, spiritual journey,  is embarked from 'avidya', total ignorance. through 'vidya', the right knowledge.  In this process lies our awakening and becoming aware about the Only One who can deliver us through thick and thin of this mire of earthly bondage, to the safe shores of Salvation!

Thus the beacon light of our safe passage  is described by Annamacharya, in the sankeertana, "Atade Sakala Vyapaku Datade Yatura Bandhuvu"........

'The Almighty is the all pervading. He is the companion to all those afflicted with various ills in this worldly existence. When could it be possible to have Him in our constant  attention!

'Who is there, if not He, to steer us to safe shores when being tired of swimming through the ocean of earthly bondage. Who is there, if not He, to show us the passage like beacon lights, when groping in the darkness of ignorance.

'Who is there, if not He, to show us right direction when lost in the wilderness of papa-s ( all wrongful deeds). Who is there, if not He, to disentangle us with a word of encouragement when  we are entangled tightly in bondage of desires and passions.

'Who is there, if not He, to boost up our sagging morale with a word of support  and extricate us out safely by extinguishing the wild fire of difficulties and vicissitudes, engulfing us from all sides. There is only one  who can uninhibitedly come to our rescue with gracing of countless divine benefactions, Let us surrender to Him !'.........

When we come to know that we are under the protection of the proper authority, we have great relief setting aside all fears and doubts about the passage through the mighty ocean - 'Sansara Sagara'. It is simple and pure gesture of unconditional total surrender to the Almighty!

"Atade Sakala Vyapaku Datade Yatura Bandhuvu"

Almighty Shows  Safe Abode For All !

Om Shanti !

SEEKING THE LODESTAR !

When the  Chaitanya - driving force within, is the 'cause' of all our actions generated in reckoning this worldly existence, it is but proper for us to seek remedy  from the same Chaitanya for deliverance from the actions of illusory existence with name and form.

Resorting to the Almighty only, ultimately, for the deliverance is being dealt in the sankeertana, 'Edi Maku Gati Ika Niswaresvara', by  the poet savant Annamacharya.........

'Oh My Almighty! Where is the way out for us?  Please show mercy with your grace and lead us to our destination, liberation!

'Our actions are repeated time and again without loss of any interest or being vexed up. We continue to ponder over the past pleasures experienced without any exhaustion, in a repeated manner. We  pay constant  attention  on our family relations, wife and children and our thoughts repeatedly hover around them.  The food served in our plates is relished time and again day after day without any loss of interest.  But Oh Lord! we do not ponder over  You and  Your guidance towards liberation!

'We gaze repeatedly at the same persons and happenings without any frustration or fatigue. We listen with pleasant attitude, matters liked by us  again and again, without getting bored. Our mind revolves around the  amusing pleasures experienced in the past and wish them to be repeated once again in our lives. But on no account we ever contemplate on the highly exalted You!

'We are engrossed with the earthly belongings of  family, shelter, fields and getting deeply attached with them.  But  we do not ever think about the Almighty! O Lord, having known about all our misdirected leading of life, please shower Your mercy on us nevertheless and grace us towards liberation !'.......

We go on experiencing  in our entire life,  the path of pleasure hunt chosen as always right, despite the fact that we actually lose our bearings in the process. Ultimately wisdom dawns on us to wake up from our ignorance and seek  our destination, liberation with the help of the lodestar, Almighty!

"Edi Maku Gati Ika Niswaresvara"

The Lodestar !

Om Shanti!

'

COUNTENANCE OF EQUANIMITY !

"In the Kaliyuga, man being totally dependent on food for life, can not altogether shake off the idea that he is the body. In this state of Mind it is not proper for him to say, 'I Am He'.  When a man does all sorts of worldly things, he should not say, 'I Am Brahman'.  Those who can not give up attachment to worldly things, and who find no means to shake off the feeling of  'I', should rather cherish the idea, 'I am God's servant; I am His devotee !' "

- Ramakrishna Paramahansa

'Tapas' (penance) in general is construed as deep meditation with austerity in seclusion with an aim of either seeking appearance of a chosen deity or  for sheer salvation.

However Annamacharya provides us a broadened connotation of of 'Tapas'.  For realization of 'Self', one's becoming ardent seeker of the Almighty  is the only proper 'Tapas' in this age, as against going to ascetic life for penance in solitude in a deep forest or a  dark cave or in the snow clad mountains.

This theme is to dealt in his sankeertana, "Haridasu Dagute Yadi Tapamu"......

'Becoming devout seeker of the Almighty is the real Tapas and all other attempts  are only fruitless.

'In this world, some people bless us and some others denounce us.  In being balanced in mind by treating both situations equally is the true Tapas. All the acts of rites and rituals as per the customs, traditions and scriptures, performed with austerity and pomp is only vanity exhibited, which is fruitless  in the ultimate.

'When we approach people for some necessity, some may concede in favour immediately and some others may show empty hands.  The trait of being cheerful in both the situations in equal measure is the real Tapas.  Performance of all pious acts in public is only a pretension which is fruitless.

'When we seek help from others, some may readily come to our rescue and some may slip away with a murmur (of disgust).  If one maintains has pleasant disposal (without slightest consternation) even in the latter case, it is the real Tapas. Instead of wandering in far of places for 'Realization' and getting exasperated in vain, it is wise to become austere devotee of the Almighty with unconditional total surrender.  That is the real Tapas !'.........

In this context, we may consider hear the saying quoted at the outset from  Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who venerated both Form and Formless Almighty equally.

Thus, we find with rather a note of surprise that many many centuries back itself  Annamacharya had professed, 'Self Realization' through the 'Devotional Surrender to the Almighty' approach - the most practicable way for the common man !

"Hari Dasu Dagute Yadi Tapamu"

A devotee's contentment is that of a simple flower !

Om Shanti !

BODY A FORTRESS !

Every manifest form in this creation has its own fortes and vulnerabilities. And the human body too is no exception.  Almighty conceived  it  as a mighty 'citadel' of power and knowledge yet with some mischievous villains on constant lookout for a chance to subjugate the  fortress into their control. When the trust is in the Almighty's surveillance, is it not a matter of great relief with contentment?

Profuse interlacing of similes is the deft artwork of Annamcharya which is once again flamboyant in the sankeeertana, "Padilamu Kota Pagavaru"...........

'This fortress called the human body is verily secure without doubt.  Nevertheless there are six enemies waiting for an opportunity to siege and bring this fortress under their control.  They are 'Arishadvargas' ! That is, six emotions namely, Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (miserly, selfish), Moha (passion), Mada (lust) and Matsara (jealousy).

'In artistic expression, it takes nine laborious months for building this fortress and nobody ever knows by how many persons and for how many times it was brought forth on previous occasions (how many mothers conceived and delivered in previous births).  It is flourishing with majestic central tower of control.  Five robbers are waiting for an opportunity to pillage this virtuous structure.  They are five sense organs; namely Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue and Skin.

'In this mighty fortress, the King (Atma) is almost alone but for the constant interference by two ministers for their deliberations; namely, Intellect and Mind. Enjoying the prop of these two, seven robust soldiers are boldly moving about in this fortress as per their whims (all the senses).

'The fortress is not sealed one from outside world.  It has nine apertures namely, Two Eyes, Two Ears, Two nostrils, Mouth, excretory and genital organs. Besides there is an excellent communications (nervous) system.  All these are well trained experts in guarding the fortress.  However if one jumps to hasty conclusion that the fortification of this structure is on account of these  only, it is misguided conception. For, it is the Almighty who is the Real Protector of this 'Fortress'.  Then why one shall have any doubts about the fruitful deliverance (liberation) of  this strong and magnificent Fortress?'.......

Banking only on fortes in our personality will generate positive attitude towards  the life living and constant preference for association only with  knowledgeable spiritual elite will purge away all our weaknesses and boost our morale towards everlasting blissful state !

"Padilamu Koa Pagavaru"

Body A Fortress !

Om Shanti !

DIVINE GRACE, THE QUENCHER !

When in utter ignorance what happens?  It is a situation of indulging in things which are not expected of to do and abstaining from things which are expected of to be performed.  Resorting to even heinous acts, is seen particularly in times of drought and famine.  Almighty is let off from the mind. In such a condition, the way out is only by seeking the refuge of the Almighty for gracing the comfort of spring by driving away the scorching famine times.

This theme about the acts of ignorance is dealt in the sankeertana, "Kadu Najnanapu Karavu Kala Mide" of Annamacharya......

'O My Lord!  we are in the thick of acute drought, namely 'Utter Ignorance'.  Please grace us by driving away our ignorance and alleviating our fears.

'Whatever little produce, 'Punya Karma-s' (pious deeds) we harvested with hardship, has been illegally grazed away by the beast, 'Papa Karma-s' (sinful  deeds), thus dwindling our heap of 'Punya-s' in to nothing worthwhile.  O Lord! We have no way left except praying You to guide us in reaching safe shores.

'On account of the scorching sunshine, namely Kaliyuga, our magnificent pond, 'Dharma' (righteousness) parched up and its bed got cracked.  We have been wandering and wandering for quenching our thirst with Your grace.  Hence, please shower mercy by providing us the much sought after quencher; Your Benevolence.

'O My Lord! The gusty winds, namely play of 'Manmadha'  (Cupid, driving us into sensual pleasures) have blown away whatever little hard-earned 'wisdom' we possessed.  I surrender to Thee O Lord! Please grace me with Your benevolence without delay any more!'.......

Parched soul's pleading for the 'quencher' is artfully described here keeping in view about the plight of the multitude sailing in the same boat of Papa Punya-s.  So let us awaken and enjoin ourselves to the mellifluous exhortations of Annamacharya reverberating in the air, for the 'Quencher'!

"Kadu Najnanapu Karavu Kala Mide"

Parched For Divine Grace!

Om Shanti !

LIFE OF RENUNCIATION !

A 'Life of Renunciation' is far better than that of 'Hollow Relationships', the former of which can be vested in those who daringly embark on Life of Wisdom.  Otherwise the entanglements engulf into deeper and deeper unending bondage extending in to future births.

This theme about the vanity of earthly relations is dealt by Annamacharya in the sankeertana, "Vatti Joli Enta Ledu Vairagyame Sukhamu"......

'What is the use of having 'hollow relationships' which are mere waste.  Compared to that life, 'renunciation' is far better.. This is to be comprehended by one with devout effort in wisdom.

'The involvements in the worldly matters enlarge as many as one shows interest in them.  If one wishes to perform tasks for the sake of other beings, then they are innumerable to do. If one starts seeking acquaintances in the society, then there is no dearth of relationships that crop up. But if one seeks salvation, the realization of it is  not that easy. That is, accomplishing  activities in the ever expanding earthly acquaintances might be easier when compared to getting salvation.

'If one does wish for indulging in any sort of tasks they turn out to be aplenty. Willful involvements in indiscreet relations can easily result in landing into deeper entanglements. So is, with the bundle of copious passions and desires that keep on multiplying by leaps and bounds.  Only when one gets vexed up with them and intently seeks peace of mind, he becomes relaxed and blissful.

'If one wantonly indulges in, he is subjugated by the play of the powerful sense organs. Only by determined abstinence from them brings contentment and happiness. And it is the realization of surrender by taking refuge in the Almighty, one attains the highest position of relaxation with satisfaction and happiness!'....

On many a previous occasion we had dwelt about the noble qualities of the wise ones seriously seeking salvation in this very existence.  Being detached; Unaffected by the dualities of pains and pleasures, happiness and sorrow, wealth and poverty et cetera; Being in the witness role without reacting to circumstances taking place around (only responding in absolute necessity). And these are traits in a seeker too which keeps him always in a blissful state! Renunciation is the highest noble mental attitude maintainable  coolly amidst the mundane relations, like 'a lotus in the mud' !

"Vatti Joli Enta Ledu Vairagyame Sukhamu"

Lotus in Mud!

Om Shanti!

THOUGHT IS DESTINY

Watch  your  thoughts, they become your words;

Watch  your  words,  they  become  your actions;

Watch  your  actions, they  become your  habits; 

Watch  your habits,  they become your character;

Watch  your character,   it becomes your destiny!

-Lao Tzu

'Thought' - essence of the mind and intellect gifted by the Almighty for the human beings, elevating their status from the other beings in this world. It is for the intellect to consider how best this gift could be utilized for realization of the 'intent and purpose' of the lives of the beings.  Is it not worth to ponder over the 'Self'?  The thought process is to be for unification of the Individual Self with the Universal Self, by being in constant  awareness of the Almighty. For a few wise ones this awareness is associated with them naturally.  But in case of other beings it has to be a conscious persistent effort.

This theme of persistent effort for delivering of one's life through this mundane plane as well as in the paraloka-s (other planes), is dealt by the poet savant Annamcharya in his sankeertana, "Iha Para Sadhana Mi Talapu".....

'The contemplation (about the Almighty) brings us peace of mind with contentment in this world as well as in other worlds. For a wise one by nature this awareness is ever present.

'The wealth and riches possessed, makes one normally intoxicated and fumbling.  Even in such condition having the thought of the Almighty is the worthy thought.  The thought of Him by one who is unyielding  with determination even amidst glamorous lusty women, is the worthy thought.

'The thought of the Almighty which keeps one unperturbed and maintains cool even in the provocative youthful age, is the real thought. The thought of Him which enables one to maintain balance even in the vagaries of pleasures and pains, is the true thought.

'The thought of the Almighty which enables one to steer through the passage of worldly living  without any passions and desires, is the worthy thought.  This is the thought that enables one safely surrender to the Almighty for salvation!'.......

Mind is the carrier. Destination is your choice. Let there be clear vision of steering through, with full alertness, amidst all side-tracking lures ! Your Forte? Thoughts of 'out and out' Divinity only in every breath to become one with the Supreme!

"Iha Para Sadhana Mi Talapu"

Root Is Shoot;

Thought Is Destiny!

Om Shanti!