PLEASANT FULL MOON WITHIN

'Sense objects are more powerful than sense organs';  My mentor says every day in yoga. Why the 'Illusory' world is taken for Reality by the beings and what keeps them  on chasing after the mirages, throughout their existence on this earth, has the answer in the  afore said dictum.  A shrewd man of wisdom realises what is the Ultimate Truth by proper identity of himself. For all the acts done by him is he responsible? The learned one understands with right perspective about the play of Illusion  by the Almighty within. Knowing this he joyfully seeks  becoming one with 'That  Source', by the ennobling act of 'total surrender'. He will take refuge in  the Almighty within by merging his ephemeral body consciousness into the eternal Supreme Consciousness!

My dear seekers. I whole heartedly share with you  the fact that, there will be  really a 'pleasant coolness of the Full moon' in your 'being', as you too are on the path of 'total surrender'.  I never contemplated in my past life  that  I could have a turning point of 'total surrender' and the divine revelations were so much impelling within me that, they are well received by the noble souls world over. Just you will feel queer about my instant revelation while I am still on the computer...

A few hours back it happened. My grandson (age 2 plus) saw a tiny fly - probably 2 to 3 mm - was sticking to the room wall by my side. As he went near out of curiosity, it flew away in to the open balcony.  He started  crying for it.   "Pipilikadi brahma paryantam" - that is,  the Supreme Consciousness is present in,  right from the micro level  tiny ant to the macro level boundless cosmos. Hence I asked him to repeat my devote words of exhortation  to the Almighty in the fly "O tiny fly! Please come back for my sake. I don't disturb you this time". Lo, honouring the lad's prayer, the fly came  back to the same spot on the wall. My  grandson shared the joy of 'return of fly' with his parents. The contrast between the 'tiny fly' and 'immense 
happiness' in the spotless lad's heart is that matters most.  

That is the belief in the all pervading  Almighty one should have in every breath on this earth. This lesson as told by Annamacharya for our liberation after being disillusioned from the ephemeral worldly objects, is in the keertana, "Edi Tuda, Dini Kedi Modalu" ( where is the beginning  and where is the end for this Almighty's Illusion)....

'No beginning and no end  for the lamentations of this existence.  Various vocations undertaken, various masters served, pride, woe, pity, passion, bondages as if owned  exclusively by him only, by passing through various pleasures and pains of this world.  But he is not aware of the fact that he is unattached Individual Soul and no material world happenings would affect the Eternal that is himself. This is the work of Illusion cast by the Almighty. So, it is difficult  for one to come out the maze unless becoming aware of what is Eternal Truth and one takes refuge in the Almighty in total surrender....

'The Almighty's Illusion is all encompassing of the  'Being' sprawling out its roots ensnaring the individual with bondages. Where is the beginning and where is the end to this Illusion ? Is it in one's comprehension at all?

'How many woes, worries, pleasures and pains, contemplations to the 'being'.  The wailing is not limited to one but seizes all the beings, pervading through ages.

'Various jobs, posts , followers, desires, passions, some boosting up one's spirits, some others sagging down, all are unending throughout this existence. They are countless and beyond one's comprehension.

'For how many woes shall one lament? For how many pleasures one shall feel elated.  For how many one shall aspire about ?  All these are the part of Illusion of the Almighty. Only proper  knowledge about this shall give respite to one and get liberated  from the Illusion by way of becoming refuge in the Almighty and exist with the sense of 'Total Surrender".

My message is very very clear like writing on the wall. Enjoy the fruits of Total Surrender like the 'pleasant coolness of the Full Moon' within you !

 Edi Tuda, Dini Kedi Modalu

'Return of the Fly'

Om Shanti!

A SILVER LINING FOR DIE HARDS

Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayah.

bandhaya vishaya sango, muktya nirvishayam manah ||

(Mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation.  Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation)

The human mind is like a knife serving in two ways, to cut vegetables in kitchen, or to cut throats by the malevolent elements in the society. How to realise the true purpose for which it is being enshrined in the human body by the Almighty?  Here one has to consider how one's mind is being conditioned from the childhood. The parental care, their interest in the child in inculcating good thoughts, good habits, moral and ethical based story-telling, taking to places of worship and satsangs are all healthy 

gestures, sowing the seeds of a noble character that sees flowering of a venerable personality in later life.

I am thankful to my parents for providing me such idealistic environment in my childhood.  My father, (pencil sketch in 'arenart'), was a public servant of the rank of Deputy Collector. He was versant in Urdu, as of official necessity, to read land documents. None the less  he was very much spiritual. We had regular magazines from Divine Life Society, Rishikesh.  He was such an admirer that, I have faint remembrance of some yogies from north India being invited by my father as guests. It seems their blessings latent in me then - like a bamboo seed - are on the path of fruition now.

My thoughts shared above have specific purpose of understanding the less fortunate ones in this world who could not be brought up in  an healthy environment with proper monitoring by the parents

and gurus from the childhood.  Such people become slaves of their own mind, which leads them astray to many vices in this society.  How much difficult  it is to extricate ourselves from such entanglements in  the worldly matters, is narrated as a matter of caution  by the savant Annamayya 

in the language of metaphors. The keertana is, "Bharamaina Vepamanu Palu Posi Penchinanu".

'Bitterness' is the natural attribute of the neem (margosa) tree.  Even if it is nourished by (sweet) milk regularly, can it change its quality?  Can it transform from bitterness to sweetness?  If a dog's tail is straightened and tied to a stick, does it change it's quality? Does the curved tail become straight?

'The mortal body tends towards flesh pleasures. What is the use of better advice given to them, when they turn deaf ear. They revel in being entangled in the lurch. Let alone with any piece of good counselling to them.

'If a sharp-edged axe is immersed in water and left in a corner, does it become softened (flexible) and lose its sharp cutting down qualities, over a period of time?

'Mind is accustomed to indulging in 'Pancha Maha Patakas' (The five great sins are, killing of a brahmin, intoxicants, theft of gold, adultery with guru's wife, lastly befriending with those, indulging in the said four) and became entrapped in them. How much relentlessly persuaded, the mind is not coming on to the right path.

'If a scorpion is brought, wrapped in a cloth and kept in our lap  with affection, does it stop stinging thus cause untold pain and misery?

'The best way is to awaken and surrender our egos to the Almighty within, the path to mukti, liberation!'

'A silver lining in the dark cloud' ! Such  is the magnanimity of messages from noble souls like Annamacharya passed down to us with concern for our betterment and realisation !

"Bharamaina Vepa Manu Palu Posi Penchi Nanu"

The NeemTree

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                               

WADING THROUGH 'MUD'

Can we avoid 'mud' ?  Yes, a million dollar question certainly for a serious spiritual seeker, if not for others.  Before venturing to answer, one seeks some more details about the conditions prevailing. As we know;  for a potter, brick maker, farmer in the field, miners and men of some such vocations, the coexistence with mud is inevitable. They accept it as their daily bread earning environment. Their stance towards 'mud'  as a 'part and parcel of their life', shall be our enlightening knowledge.

We, the mortals, being composed of Five Elements, came in to this world with pure mind.  Our journey begins with the slow creeping in of 'trigunas' (three attributes namely, Satvaguna, Rajoguna and Tamoguna) affecting and polluting the otherwise prestine pure mind.  Our virtues  and vices are imbibed from the environment we grow in. If our virtues lead to pleasant and peaceful living, our vice drag down into 'muddy' conditions which offer semblance of paradise, to the Fallen. 

We owe  much for our seers who gave knowledge about this 'mud' - The entanglement of bondages

arising from hopes, desires, aspirations fraught with resultant untold grief. Trace it to get the roots ! It is after all the tricky mind, which in its turn being ordained (manipulated) by the Almighty residing within.  Thus we have knowledge about root cause of our role play and  we shall get benefited from

the savant, Annmacharya for the 'remedy' for safe play in our stage show. He has shown how to break the seemingly perpetual vicious cycle of births.

The  tatva jnana (spiritual knowledge) loaded keertana by Annamacharya "Kadu Nadusu Chora Nela. Kallu Kaduga Nela" amply exemplifies about the prelude passages above.  The content  of his message is explained in the following paras.

‘The Almighty Himself is residing in the form of Soul (Consciousness) in all of us.  Being encompassed by the attachments of the worldly bondages, we are carried away in the ocean of recycling births and deaths. We are stuck up in the ‘mud’.  As the attachments are growing one after another, the mind is being engrossed with acts of sin thus forgetting about the Almighty residing within.  Fallen we are though, we ourselves only- by individual efforts, have to search for Him and realise. Till then no respite from these difficulties, indulgences and woes.  Noble souls like our sages and savants have shown the path to Supreme Knowledge. And if we are still not benefiting from them, that must be a pity!

‘Being well aware of the place, why one should walk in to the mud. And waste lot of time and energy in washing away to get rid of the stuck up mud on the legs. Similarly, is it wise to commit unwarranted actions which are throwing us into vast ocean of births.

‘The main reason for committing sins is one’s attachments only.  The reason for these attachments is aspirations cropping up from the unending desires.  And for all these, the root cause is entanglement on account of maligned bondages.

‘Endless bondages are resulting in untold grief. The grief and woes are turning out in to arrogance. For all these happenings the root cause again is, no one else but the tricky Mind.

‘Who is behind all the divergences of the Mind?   It is the Doer, the Almighty within. It is by one’s own individual efforts only He can be known.  It is only possible by meditating on Him and taking refuge in Him. Again for such happening in our lives His Grace is essential.  Else the vast ocean of births becomes inevitable'......

A great relief indeed in coming to know about such remedy passed on to us by noble souls.  Let us become enthusiastic about implementing the steps suggested for our liberation.

"Kadu Nadusu Chora Nela, Kalu Kaduga Nela"

'Wading Through Mud' (26.11.2015)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                           

SANCTITY OF FOOD, THE PARABRAHMA

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih,   Brahmagnou Brahmana hutam;

Brahmaiva tena gantavyam, Brahma karma samadhina ||

---Bhagavadgita (4-24)

(The Act of offering is God, The oblation is God, By God it is offered in to the Fire God, God is that which is to be realised by him who performs Actions pertaining to the God).

Realising the sublime nature of the Food, Indian culture has given place of 'prayer' to the sloka before taking  daily food.  And here we try to know some thing about our noble practices, regarding 'Annam' bequeathed from the sages of yore.

The 7 to 10 in Bhruguvalli of Taittiriya Upanishad mention about four vows to be observed in regard to Annam (Food), since Brahma Jnana is materialized through the gateway of 'Anna Brahmopasana' (austere practices  for realizing Brahman). They are,

7  Annam na nindyat tad vratam - Food is not to be blamed/abused/nor scorned at, it is the vow...
8  Annam na parirakshita tad vratam - Food  is never to be rejected scornfully/slightingly. 

9  Annam bahu kurveet tad vratam - Food should be gathered/ collected as much as possible....
10  Na kanchana vasatou pratyaachaksha tad vratam - Never turn back without Food, a guest came for shelter.

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna about The Omnipotent nature of the Almighty, His presence in the life-sustaining Food, in Vedas;  in the slokas 12 to 15 in Chapter 15. Purushotttana Yoga.

15-12  'Yadaditya.'...Understand that the radiance, the effulgence which emanates from the sun illuminating the entire universe and which is in the moon and in Fire is from Me.

15-13  'Gama visya cha'....Permeating through the planetary systems I maintain all moving and stationery beings by my strength, potency and having become the essence of the moon I sustain all plant life.

15-14  'Aham Vaiswanaro'......Being the Fire of Digestion I am entering in to the  body of  all living beings and digesting the food, with the help of prana, life force - in four ways (Bhakshya-cutting hard items with incise and canine teeth, Bhojya-chewing soft  items with pre molar and molar teeth, Lehya-very soft items like ice cream, payasam taken in by tongue, and Choshya-liquid food like juices, beverages for drinking)

15-15  'Sarvasya Chaham'....keep surveillance in the hearts of all beings, I cause the power of remembrance, forgetfulness in the beings. I am the One sought by the Vedas  and Scholars of Vedas and I am the very Vedas, (more specifically, 'Vedanam Sama Vedosmi'- I am the SamaVeda (Gita 10-22).

As I was familiarising with easily understood songs of Annmacharya I was rather astonished to find that he touched these sophisticated slokas also and  converted into intelligible keertana for common folk with such an ease, possible only for him,  starting with the words 'Thus spake Krishna to Arjuna'. 'Ani Anaticche Krishnu Darjununito'.

Annamachaarya advises, 'It is wise to adore the Almighty with devotion  after hearing what Krishna told to Arjuna as explained below;

'O Arjuna !  I am supporting with my might (being omnipotent) all the living beings on this earth. Being the Moon with my rays causing healthy plant life meant for consumption by all beings.

'Being in the form of Vaiswanara (fire god, Jattharagni) within the beings carrying  on the activity of digesting and assimilating food taken. I am residing in their hearts.  Being entrenched there I am causing awareness, remembrance and forgetfulness in  them.

'O Arjuna ! The One sought to be realised by the vedas and vedic scholars is Myself. In fact, I am the very veda, 'Vedanam Sama Vedosmi' (Gita 10-22) -  Among  all the Vedas, I am Sama Veda.  The Almighty settled on Venkatadri with consort Sri Devi is Myself !'

What is Sadachara?  Good practices by way of customs and traditions as passed down by the learned sages and  savants to our present generation  to be implemented in day to day chores for our well being in this world. The observation of sanctity towards the Food by prayer and following the four vows about Food, will go a long way in the realisation of the Almighty !

* "Ani Anaticche Krishnu Darjununito"

'Annam Parabrahma Swarupam'

Om Shanti! 

GIFT OF ANOTHER DAY

Clouds come floating in to my life no longer to carry rain or usher storm , but to add colour to  my sunset sky---'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore

Senility - the most important phase in one's lifetime on the threshold of another grand Sunrise.  A phase full of maturity, wisdom seeking realisation of The Real, The Truth of one's existence. All the initial faltering steps encountered in the role play on the stage show reminisced at the climax scene before curtain drop, with clearing minds of all illusions. A smile at last with satisfaction of one's performance of the role allotted.

Yes, this should be the awareness  for every reader, to be conveyed through these  writings. In this effort I am also introducing works of the noble souls of centuries apart but with their wisdom relevant for all times to come in future too.

Annamacharya's approach to the man on the street for exposing the down to earth realities  of bondages of this world which cast a net from reaching the 'Almighty within',  is expressed
in multiple keertanas with an intent of opening of eyes to see the divinity that is eternal.  One such keertana is "Venakedo Mundaredo Verrinenu". (Here I have to clarify that every song, I discuss now and then, is available in You tube with feast of melody by professional singers). Now let us have the freelance meaning  of the keertana as I understood.

'What more can I say, where is the medicine (or cure, remedy) for those aimless beings indulging in sensual affairs, blindly assuming the temporal life as eternal.  A dullard like me, how can know what happened in the past.  What is going to happen in the future.  O my mind! What is the remedy for the infatuations we are indulging in the worldly affairs. 

'I prayed a lot for becoming affluent in my future births also.  What can I say about my foolishness. How can I know, in to which 'Form' I take rebirth. I wish I have a sound sleep, but I am not sure if I get up after the night sleep. 

'Every day, from the time of my getting up from the bed, I see the world which gives me the impression  of being Real and of permanent nature, before I go to bed in the night.  But after going to bed, during the deep sleep, I do not see this world. I do not know where it has gone. Is the world lost in my mind during the deep sleep Real? Or, is the world giving sense of permanency while I am awake,  Real?

'I am a fool being ignorant of Truth. Sensual pleasures of women are surrounding me whenever  the opportunity arises.  I am not mindful about my senility.  

'Every day I am committing sins and ignorant about their being accounted for in the hell above.   I am seeking the Almighty externally elsewhere, being not aware of the fact that He is very much within me.  What a dunce am I !'

Thus the hints given by Annamayya about necessity of avoiding faltering steps in our prime life, to be treated as guiding lights in our journey. As each day is well spent we remember 'Gurudev' giving thanks to the Almighty 'being grateful for the Gift of Another Day!'

"Venakedo Mundaredo Verri Nenu"

'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore

(09.07.2009)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                               

ART AND VOICE IN DIVINE PERSUIT

It has passed three months since I started - on 15.08.2015, (Independence Day) - sharing spiritual matters, some from scriptures and some from direct experience by divine revelation. To be frank enough right in the beginning I had taken a decision, not to turn back for my shadow following which might hinder my satisfactory pace in spiritual realisation with the head held high towards Blissful Being, revelling in the thought of seeking well being of other noble souls on this earth.  Hence, my only request to my readers is to forgive and forget, if the opinions expressed by me are not at all acceptable, on account of readers having knowledge from their better gurus. As matured seekers the readers shall have the noble quality of forbearance of my writings, particularly about non acceptable propositions, if any, of mine.

 I shall tell you one example, when I too remained  in humble acceptance of the things as they are happening around us.  I happened to see in the net that the original name of Taj Mahal was 'Tejo Mahalaya', a Siva Temple, with all  proofs locked up in a cellar room, with court decision, against opening it.  And when I went through the 'The Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahamsa Yogananda, I read that he mentioned it as Samadhi (mausoleum) on his visit to Agra. Then, of course this happened a few years back, I got a doubt that he being Paramahamsa why he did not reveal the truth behind Taj Mahal to the world.  Perhaps, I realize now that, it might be due to his thought of not disturbing the hornet's nest, affecting the prevalent religious harmony in India. So, I left that matter then and there only. The present recollection was due to mentioning of his name in the previous post about 'Paramahamsa' (Supreme Swan).

Recently, I opened two more blogs:- 'Arenar Songs' (arenarsongs.blogspot.in) and 'arenart'
(rnr-art.blogspot.in).  The reasons for taking this step must be explained by me in all honesty. Though initially I opined that frequent mentioning of Annmayya and his spiritual works would affect inter continental readership following the scribblings. But the continued  overwhelming response to my spiritual exposing is encouraging me to open up and share more information available with me.
I have  good number of  'tatva' based (spiritual knowledge) and devotional songs, of course in telugu.

My request to the non- telugu readers is to enjoy the spiritual text in priority and also observe discerningly the Sound of the 'Consciousness within' originating from the navel making this human body a medium (a tool) to reach you all, since language is never a barrier for the melody arising on account of 'total surrender'. In corroboration of this point, I refer to you my school days' poem "The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth. Stepping in to his shoes, just like him you would ask me, "Will no one tell me what she sings?" (in country folk dialect). Be enthralled by listening mine too......

                       "O listen! for the Vale profound
                         Is overflowing with the sound.
                     
                       'Whatever the theme the Maiden sang
                        As if her song could have no ending.

                       'The music in my heart I bore,
                        Long after it was heard no more."............

When the poet, William Wordsworth enjoyed the high land lass's song - melodious but in unintelligible language, hope you will too relish with a noble heart, my devout voice.

One more thing about the songs. I have noted  at the outset in the blog that a star mark " * " is placed before some interesting songs for 'please don't miss' listening.  Here some may feel that when my 'profile' is clear about my transcending the tastes and smells, likes and dislike of the mundane by positively declaring - Nil, why the asterisk (star) consciousness?  This exercise was mooted  only to facilitate you in selecting from many many hundreds of songs in the offing very soon. But for me, every bit of this creation is manifestation  of Supreme Consciousness only!
                     
'Our sweetest  songs are those that tell of saddest thought' (P B Shelley) ! True in my case too! To come out  from the melancholic gloom of my better half's demise, my son  suggested me to hold a painting brush (painting is known for concentration) for alleviation of the heavy heart by diversion. So, I
was blessed with creativity in challengingly attempting for famous Ravivarma Themes. So, I thought to share with you now, those 'colourful' adventures in my new blog on paintings exclusively.The painting activity has really done a good thing for me by mental relaxation and some good output in hues that  withstand the test of time on the walls.  Right now, instead of  'The Solitary Reaper' painting enjoy the amusing vivid painting of my better half in the role  (local dress) of a "Tea Leaf Picking Lass" in the Tea gardens of Darjeeling, India, in October 1993.

So, I hope ardently that, the new two blogs serve you, all inter continental noble souls, my 'art and voice'  beyond language bariers; considering these two by you, as my acts of "divine persuit"!

 'Tea Leaf Picking Lass'

Wife in Darjeeling Tea Gardens, 

West Bengal, India (Oct 1993)

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                                 

PARAMAHAMSA (SUPREME SWAN)

In Indian mythology,  'swan' is taken symbolic of  Purity, Piousness, and embodiment of Satvaguna (the  noble one of the three gunas - attributes, the living beings are imbued with, from womb to tomb).  In addition to these noble qualities, the swan is said to have the unique attribute of separating and consuming only the creamy part of the milk and leaving aside the whey (water part of the milk).

The sages and noble souls who realised God are compared with the swan, in that they are able to differentiate between what is Real, the One Supreme Consciousness and what is Unreal, the illusory material things in this world.  Like swan, they pick up only Punyas (pious deeds) and forsake the Papas (sinful deeds).  Hence they are honoured with the title called 'Paramahamsa' (Supreme Swan). In the nineteenth century we had most venerable Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and in  the following century, Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda.

As we understand from the foregoing, the concept of 'Paramhamsa' is related to the noble souls who realised the God on this earth. And when Annamacharya extended this concept of  'Paramahamsa' even to the Almighty Himself in a unique way, I felt I should share this divine proposition of Annamayya, expressed in his sankeertana - "Dibbalu Vettuchu Delina Didivo"- with the noble souls like you.  (The sweet voice of the popular cine play back singer, P B Srinivas can be heard in the You tube)

'Annamacharya compares the Gitacharya, the Almighty with the swan; and says just as the swan separates milk from water, the Lord considers only the punyas (pious deeds) of the human beings and leaves the papas (sinful deeds), since the Almighty does not interfere in  the karmic deeds and their attendant fruits (karma phala) affecting the human beings.  Thus, human beings continue to take birth after birth on account of their prarabdha karmas of the previous birth, and their liberation comes through only when they realise the God  by annihilation  of their karmas, by coming  in to the path of spirituality. The selection of the Punyas of  the beings by the Almighty is on account of His magnanimity only.

'One swan swims over the vast ocean, as if it is a single stupendous mainland for it. That is, it is not afraid at all about the vast ocean.  It considers only the punyas  (pious deeds) of the individual soul and leaves out the papas (sinful deeds).

'And it also is a swan, Its habitat is lotus lake water in  which it swims gracefully.  Lord Srimannarayana also moves in the lotus lake called the heart of His consort, Sri Lakshmi Devi.  Not only that He resides in the lotus lakes of the Individual Souls, considering only their Punyas (pious deeds) . In what is called 'Vasudeva Tatva', the Individual Soul annihilates its karma phalas, gets liberated ; and finally merges with the Universal Soul.

'The Almighty abides in all Parama Yogis of this earth. And not only that, just as a swan perches its wide wings to protect umpteen number of its cygnets (swanlings or baby swans), The Almighty in the form of Lord Venkateswara at present  is abiding on the Venkatadri hill to protect His own creation. And this activity of the Almighty is unending.'.....

The noble traits of a 'Paramahamsa' namely, Purity, Piousness, Satvaguna (noble among three attributes) and acumen towards picking up of only 'grain' called Punyas (pious actions) and leaving out 'chaff' called Papas (sinful actions) shall be emulated by the serious and steadfast seekers on spiritual path. The efforts may look bitter but the fruits are certainly of immense sweet. That is the Liberation and God Realisation !

"Dibbalu Vettuchu Delina DidivO"

The Supreme Swan (18.11.2015)

Om Shanti!