The Eight Flowers of Offering

Eightfold are the flowers pleasing the Lord,
Nonviolence first,
Control over the Senses next,
Compassion on all Creatures,
then especial is Forbearance, Peace,
Next Meditation, again Penance,
and Truth above all,
Eight-fold are the flowers pleasing the Lord.
(Sanskrit verse)

Embodiments of Love!

God does not expect you to perform rituals nor does He want you to study the scriptures. All that He desires from you are eight types of 'flowers'.

Ahimsa

The first is the flower of Ahimsa (non-violence). Non-violence means not causing harm to any living creature by thought, word and deed.

Sense Control

The second is the flower of Indriyanigraha (sense control). All spiritual practices will prove futile if one lacks sense control. Control of the senses is very essential for one and all. Lack of sense control is the main cause for all the unrest and agitation that you find in the world today. How can one control the senses? First of all, one should exercise control over the tongue.

"Oh tongue, ever sensitive to sweetness,
I tell you truly that which is sweet and yet yields perfect health ...,
All these are enclosed in the sweet words
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava."

You must hold your tongue on a leash as it always craves for a variety of delicacies. "Oh tongue, how many of bags of rice, wheat and vegetables have you devoured! How many delicacies have you consumed! Fie on you if you are still not satisfied." Bhikshannam Deha Rakshaartham (a morsel of food is enough). You should eat for the sake of satisfying the hunger and sustaining the body. So, do not give undue importance to taste. Likewise, tell your eyes to see God instead of watching unsacred things on the Television or Video. Teach your ears to listen to the stories of the Lord instead of listening to vain gossip.

Daya (Compassion)

The third is the flower of Daya (compassion) towards all living creatures. The Bhagavadgita says, Adveshta Sarva Bhutaanaam, (do not hate anybody). Live in amity with everyone.

Kshama (Forbearance)

The fourth is the flower of Kshama (forbearance). This is very important. The Pandavas suffered a lot at the hands of Kauravas. But never did Dharmaja lose his sense of forbearance, even when Draupadi was being humiliated by the Kauravas. It was such sense of forbearance that protected the Pandavas and made them an ideal to the rest of the world. This flower of forbearance is very dear to the Lord. God will be pleased with you and confer boons on you only when you offer Him the 'flowers' which are dear to Him. No benefit accrues from offering some flowers, which will fade away.

Students might have heard the story of Abu Ben Adhem. Every day he used to go round the streets to serve the destitute and the handicapped and return home late in the night. One night when he returned home, he found in his bedroom an angel writing something. When he asked her as to what she was writing, she replied that she was writing the list of those who love God. She answered in negative when he asked her if his name was present in the list. The following night, when he returned home, he again found the angel writing something. He queried, "Mother, what is it that you are writing now?" She said, "Son, I am writing the names of those who are dear to God." He again wanted to know if his name figured in the list. She replied that only his name was on the top of the list. The sum and substance of this story is that God is pleased only when you serve your fellow human beings. The scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion, namely, Sravanam (listening to the Lord's leelas), Kirtanam (singing His glories), Vishnusmaranam (remembrance of the Lord's name), Paada Sevanam (service to the Lord's Lotus Feet), Archanam (worship), Vandanam (salutation), Daasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship), Atmanivedanam (offering oneself to the Lord) i.e., complete self-surrender. But the path of service is the greatest of all. Neither by penance nor by pilgrimages nor by going through the sacred texts can one cross the ocean of worldly life, one can redeem one's life only through service. (Sanskrit Verse). Abu Ben Adhem became the recipient of God's love because he spent all his time in the service of his fellowmen. God loves all, for He is the embodiment of love. But He will give Himself to those who offer the flower of compassion to all beings.

Santhi (Peace)

The fifth is the flower of Santhi (peace). One should remain peaceful through all the vicissitudes of life. Only then can one attain Divine grace. Great devotees like Thyagaraja, Tukaram and Draupadi underwent many hardships. They bore all sufferings with patience. Thyagaraja said, "One cannot attain happiness without inner peace." Man needs peace at the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Peace is not present in the external world. It is present within. You are the embodiment of peace. In the worldly life, there are bound to be many hardships, but one should not be perturbed. One should bear all sufferings with fortitude and patience. Human life is given not merely to enjoy the worldly pleasures like birds and beasts. Life becomes meaningful only when one experiences the peace that originates from the heart.

Thapas (Penance)

The sixth is the flower of Thapas (penance). Penance does not mean living in the forest on fruits and tubers, meditating on God. In fact, such a life can be called a life of Thamas (dullness), not Thapas. True penance lies in controlling one's emotions in thought, word and deed arising out of Sathwic, Rajasic and Thamasic qualities. One should contemplate on God all the time and achieve harmony of thought, word and deed. Manasyekam Vachasyekam Karmanyekam Mahatmanam (he is a noble one whose thoughts, words and deeds are in complete harmony). Do not be carried away by pain or pleasure. The Bhagavadgita teaches, Sukha Dukhe Samedruthwa Labhalabhau Jayajayau (one should be even-minded in happiness or sorrow, gain or loss, victory or defeat). One should discharge one's duty and serve the society without any expectation of reward. Such even-mindedness and desireless state is true penance.

Dhyana (Meditation)

The seventh is the flower of Dhyana (meditation). Meditation does not mean sitting cross-legged with eyes closed in contemplation of God. No doubt, this is also needed, but true meditation lies in unifying the mind with God. Just as milk and water cannot be separated, likewise, the mind, once merged with God, cannot be separated. An iron ball cast in fire will become one with it. Likewise, your love should become one with the Divine love. This truth is contained in the Vedic dictum, Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati (the knower of Brahman becomes Brahman Himself). Some people contemplate on God for a limited period in the morning and evening. This cannot be called meditation. Sarvada Sarva Kaleshu Sarvathra Harichinthanam (contemplate on God at all times, at all places and under all circumstances). Do your work with your mind firmly fixed on God. That is true meditation. Thinking of God for a limited period cannot be termed meditation. That is only part-time devotion. Part-time devotion confers only part-time grace. You should have full-time devotion in order to attain full-time grace.

Sathya (Truth)

The eighth is the flower of Sathya (Truth). This is very important. "The entire world has originated from Truth, sustained in Truth and ultimately merges in Truth. There is no place without the principle of Truth." (Telugu Poem) Trikaalabaadhyam Sathyam (Truth is changeless in all the three modes of time, i.e., past, present and future). Everything may disappear, but Truth remains forever. So, Truth is God, live in Truth. God will be pleased only when you worship Him with these eight types of flowers. The priests in temples worship God with various types of flowers. But God does not accept them. He says, "Oh priest, is it what you have learnt all these years? You are worshipping Me with lorry loads of roses and jasmines, which fade away with the passage of time. These are not the flowers that I expect from you. Worship Me with the flowers of peace, love, non-violence, etc., which will never fade."

The flower of non-violence is the first of the eight flowers that one should offer to God. We find doctors performing surgeries on patients to cure them of their ailments. In the process of surgery, the doctors cut the body with a knife. You cannot call it an act of violence because it is beneficial to the patient. Some people may argue that even cutting the vegetables is an act of violence because the vegetables and trees have life in them. No doubt, the vegetables and trees have life, but they do not have mind. Consequently, they do not suffer any pain. Only man has got five sheaths, namely food sheath, life sheath, mind sheath, wisdom sheath and bliss sheath. Only one with the mind experiences pain or pleasure. Man, animals, birds and insects are endowed with the mind, but not trees and vegetables. In some trees, you find the sap oozing out when you pluck their fruit. Oozing of sap from a tree is a natural phenomenon, but some people mistake it for the tears of suffering. The trees do not suffer any pain because they do not have the faculty of mind.

Embodiments of Love!

People worship God with devotion and sincerity, but God is not satisfied with external worship. You should serve the society. Only service can confer bliss on you. By rendering service to the society, not only can you alleviate the sufferings of the people, but you can also bring about transformation in their lives. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). If you serve with sacred feelings, it is bound to yield sacred results. Serve the society to your utmost capacity. You are doing Bhajans morning and evening. The satisfaction that you get by participating in Bhajans is temporary, whereas service confers permanent satisfaction. A few minutes ago, the students sang Bhaja Govindam, in which it is said, 'Ma Kuru Dhanajana Yauvana Garvam, Harathi Nimeshath Kalah Sarvam' (youth and wealth are momentary).'

Do not take pride in your youth and wealth. They are like passing clouds. So, do not entertain excessive desires. Do your duty sincerely. Whatever happens, be it good or bad, accept it as the gift of God. Understand that it is good for you. Time is the most precious gift of God, but you are wasting it in vain pursuits and unsacred feelings. Sanctify the time given to you by serving the society. Through service alone can one get rid of ego, pomp and other evil qualities. The Vedas say, Chitthasya Shuddaye Karmaha (the goal of action is the purity of the mind). Service alone can purify the mind. That is why they are unable to experience peace of mind. The peace that one gets out of worldly activities comes and goes like a passing cloud. One should aspire for the true and eternal peace, which originates from the heart. Though the Pandavas were subjected to many hardships, Dharmaja always remained peaceful. When Draupadi was being humiliated by the Kauravas, Bhima became furious and tried to attack Dussasana with his mace. It was Dharmaja who pacified Bhima saying, those who adhere to Dharma will ultimately emerge victorious. Not all can attain the level of peace that Dharmaja attained. It is possible only for a few. Where there is peace, there you find Divine power, grace and fame. The Kauravas were many in number, whereas the Pandavas were only five. But the fame of the Pandavas has remained permanent in the society. Dharmaja is liked by one and all. His name, Dharma - ja, indicates that he is born out of Dharma. Today unrest and violence reign supreme in the world as Sathya and Dharma have declined in the hearts of people. All that you find outside is nothing but the reflection, reaction and resound of your inner feelings. Janthunaam Narajanma Durlabham (a human birth is the rarest among all beings). Human life is highly sacred, most precious and divine. Do not fritter away this life by indulging in unsacred activities. It has to be lived in the proper way by exercising control over the ten Indriyas. Speak sweetly and softly. You cannot always oblige, but you can always speak obligingly. Lokaa Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May the whole world be happy!). Sanctify your senses in the service of all. If you exercise control over your senses, you can achieve anything in life. If God is not pleased with you, you will be looked down upon by everyone in the world. You may think that you have given away ten bags of rice in charity and distributed clothes to five hundred people. Such accounts are to be submitted to the Income Tax Department and not to God. God is not interested in quantity, He sees the feeling behind your acts. So, whatever may be the act of charity you undertake, do it with the spirit of love and sacrifice.

Mama Dharma

What is the teaching of the Bhagavadgita? Some people say that the path of action is the main teaching of the Bhagavadgita. Some others say that the Gita teaches the path of devotion. Still some others point to the path of wisdom as the main teaching of the Bhagavadgita. But none of these are correct. What is the first Sloka in the Gita?

Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre, Samaveta Yuyuthsavah,
Maamakaah Pandavaschaiva Kimakurvata Sanjayaha

and the last Sloka reads as follows:

Yatra Yogeshwara Krishno, Yatra Paartho Dhanurdharaha,
Tathra Sri Vijayorbhoothihi Dhruvaaneetir Mathirmama.

When you join the last word of the last verse and the first word of the first verse, it becomes mamadharma, meaning your true Dharma. This is what the Gita teaches. What is your Dharma? You should lead the life of a human being. Remind yourself that you are a human being, not an animal. Having been born as a human being, you should cultivate human values. Do not behave like an animal. Adhere to truth and righteousness. The entire creation is based on truth. Where there is truth, there you find plenty and prosperity. Human life is not meant to enjoy physical comforts and conveniences, which are momentary. It is meant to set an ideal to the rest of the world. Having lived all these years, what is the ideal that you have set? What is it that you have achieved? Put a question to yourself. The answer is a big zero. You might have done a few good deeds in life, but they pale in comparison with the number of bad deeds you have performed. That is not the quality of a human being. Cultivate good thoughts, speak good words and perform good deeds. That is true humanness. The names of ancient sages and seers are remembered even today because of the good deeds they performed. Do unto others what you do unto yourself. Satisfy your conscience. That is your Dharma. Do not follow the dictates of body, for body is like a water bubble. Do not indiscriminately follow the mind, for the mind is like a mad monkey. Follow the conscience, i.e., the principle of Atma. Your life will find fulfillment when you please God by offering Him the eight 'flowers' mentioned earlier. Love is the undercurrent of all this. So, lead a life suffused with love.

Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema Muditha Manase Kaho ..."