| Date:28 May 1991 | Occasion:Summer Course | Place:Brindavan |
Prasna Upanishad
[Sai Sings]:
For One who knows the Self (tatwam),
Where is the need for doing penance?
For One Who is dedicated to Truth,
Where is the need for any special sadhana?
For One who is free from all sickness and miseries,
Where is the need for doing any sacrifice?
In the world of Sai, it shows the path of Truth."
Destroy and remove all the dust in the mind. Fill the heart with pure feelings. One who has the Jnana Drishti (Divine Vision) will find the entire universe as Brahmamayam(permeated by Brahman.
Birth and death are natural activities in life. Sage Bhargava who knew the principles of Uttarayana and Dakshinayana (the northward and southward movement of sun ), the Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha (the bright and dark fortnights of moon ), who was thoroughly satisfied, wanted to know the mysteries (secrets) of life and death. He prostrated to Sage Pippalaada and offered his salutations ( Swami says 'hridaya' or heart ) to him and was enjoying Supreme Bliss.
The One who belonged to the line of Garga, Sauryayani, the 4th one, approached Pippalada and asked him, "Swami, when a human being is sleeping, who is it that is awake in him? Who is it that is dreaming in him? The one who has become one with the mind and supremely enjoys blissful sleep - who is that? Kindly teach me the mystery and secrets of all these things and give me satisfaction", he prayed. When a living being is sleeping where is he protecting the qualities of Prana? ( Where is he doing Praana Rakshana? )
At that Pippalada replied, Sauryayani, just as the rays of the Sun merges into it when it sets and come out when the sun rises, the indriyas ( senses ) of man get merged into the mind when he sleeps. That is the reason - when a man sleeps he is not able to walk. He is not able to hear or see or even think. What is the reason? - All the activities of his sense have merged themselves into the mind.
But during the state of sleep, the Pancha Praanas (Praana, Apaana, Vyaana, Udaana and Samaana) are awake in him in the form of 5 fires. The inhaling and exhaling is associated with Praana,.... is associated with the principles of Samaana. This breathing is going on throughout the janma. But when a man, is sleeping, the above said 5 fires or Pancha Praanas are awake.
When a man is sleeping, the aananda, the sukham, the experiences (everything) are enjoyed by the jiva in him. Whatever has happened in the past and whatever is occurring at that point of time, whatever he has seen in the past and whatever he was seeing then, whatever he had enjoyed ( experienced ) in the past and whatever he was experiencing then - all these things are enjoyed by man in dreams. Not only this, whatever the consequences of the samskaaraas he has accumulated over a number of births, is enjoyed by man in the dream state.
But during the dream state, it is the five elements which are awake. During sleep, it is the jiva who is enjoying all the joys and happiness (Sukham) and bliss. During the dream state, he creates for himself all he wants. He creates himself also for himself. He is enjoying feelings in an artificial way. For all this the root cause is the mind (manas).
Manayeva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bhanda Mokshanam... It is the mind which is responsible for the dreams in the dream state and joys in the deep sleep state.
While giving this kind of reply to Sauryayani, the sixth disciple, Sibi, entered and said "Swami, it is stated in the scriptures that one who has repeated the Pranava (AUM) at the end of his life will reach the Akshara state. The scriptures state that you reach a permanent state from which there is no return. Is it possible?"
Pippalada then replied, child Sibi, the entire prapancha (world/universe) is permiated with full of Pranava. "Pranavamu Paramaathma Swaroopamu". Pranava is the very form of Paramaathma. The Pranava is constitued of the three tatwas: 'A'kaar, 'U'kaar 'M'kaar. In this world called Bhu, in the higher world called Bhuva, in the highest world called Suva, in all these three worlds (triloka as Swami puts it) it is the Pranava which is enjoyed. The three vedas - Rig, Yajur and Sama are also contained in the Pranava. Not only that, all the sounds in these three Vedas are based upon Pranava and also sing the various versions ( pallavi ) of Pranava. But these principles of Bhu, Bhuva and Suva are not merely three world, not merely three Vedas but are associated with the three maatras also. The 'A'kaar, 'U'kaar and 'M'kaar' are the maatras. The triloka is Bhu, Bhuva and Suva. Rig, Yajur and Sama - trayee veda. The sum and substance of all these is that Pranava is found everywhere.
The Pranava has got another name: Ashta-Ishwarya (8 types of wealth). Swami sings:
Sabdha Brahma mayee, Charaachara mayee, Jyothir mayee,
Vaang mayee, Nityaananda mayee, Paraatpara mayee, Maayaa mayee,
Shree mayee, Sarvaishwaraya mayee (Astaishwarya mayee)
Sadaashiva mayee ( maam pahi ) Omkaara Swaroopinam
The eight types of wealth are:
This means that all the sounds that you hear in this world are various versions of Omkaara alone. This sound of Omkaara, if uttered in a physical and worldly ( bhowthika & laukika ) sense as Om Om, its benefits will also be of the physical and wordly sense only. The sastras have declared (Pramanamu) that, one who goes on chanting the Omkaara throughout with Maanasic Sambandha (feeling it mentally) will reach the chandraloka (Moon). But this chandraloka is not the one reached by Americans or Russians
Students should not consider the physical or wordly meaning of Chandra and Soorya ( Moon and Sun ). The meaning of this is, man would be able to reach the world of mind. Moon relates to the mind. Soorya (Sun) relates to shrusti/vision (prakaashamu). When we combine our vision with creation, our eyes (netram) will become sastras themselves. Scriptures means not merely sastras. Whatever eye dictates, that becomes the scriptures. This is the pratyaksha pramaanam ( direct evidence of Truth ).
For direct evidence the sun is the very basis. For anumaana pramaana (inferential predictions ) the mind is the cause/basis. For the sabda pramaana (sound) it is the vaak shakti (word).
Only if there is trikarana shuddhi ( unity in the above three ) humanity becomes divinity.
For the physical world one of the names given is Vischudu. For the inner world the name given is HiranyaGarbha.
What is the basis of the external body and the inner subtle body? The principle of the mind is very sacred. During the times of ashanti i.e. when the mind is agitated, by thinking of Bhagavan it gets transformed into prakaanti roopa ( full of light ). That is why it is said:
It is the HiranyaGarbha which is the principle on which the mind is based upon. HiranyaGarbha means 'golden lingam'. [At this point there a loud cheer from the devotees. Presumably Swami created ( materialized ) the 'golden lingam' ]. It ( HiranyaGarbha ) is also the heart. From there itself you can take a look - the entire universe is contained in it.
All the countries, America, Japan, Russia, Pakistan, India, England, France are all in this HiranyaGarbha. That is why it is described as 'HiranyaGarbhaya Namaha'. When we say 'HiranyaGarbha' it is full of gold. That means gold doesn't undergo any change. For however length of time it may be in the earth, it can never be spoiled. And that is gold. For however long, in the physical world, the heart will never change. It is the spiritual heart. It can absorb the infinite world in itself. But the divinity in humanity cannot be understood in this way. There are 12 forms ( versions ) for this Hiranya Lingam in the heart. It is also being described as Aaditya Brahma. The Aaditya Brahma is called Dwaadasaaditya and hence are 12 in number. On account of the 12 Aaditya Brahmas, the sun god is shining in the form of a golden ball. Every morning he emerges and in the evening he merges back. When you see from the physical scientific point of view, there is no beginning and no end. There is no sunrise or sunset. When the sun comes on top of the equator it is day and when it goes down the equator it is night. There are no two suns, one for the day and another for the night. Pipalaada described these mysteries and subtleties to Sibi.
Not merely this, for one who performs sadhana properly there are two paths: Bhavamu and Sadhana. There are people who understand Pranavaa with full of Bhavana ( feelings ) but he has not been able to understand his own divinity. Even if he realizes, it will be a temporary awareness and again he is enveloped by forgetfulness. For one who enters the path of Sadhana, he will reach the divya (divine) Soorya Mandalam ( Sun ) and from there he enters into the Brahma Mandalam. Brahma should not be mistaken to the four faced one. Brahmanu means vastness, unlimited. When one is said to have reached Brahma Bhaava, it means he has vishaala bhaava i.e. broad mindedness.
Today, the scientists go on finding the smaller and smaller atoms and subatomic particles. But when you go to spirituality it is not possible. It goes on expanding, growing more and more ( Swami says - mahathomahiyaan, mahathomahiyaan ). This is the nature of Brahma. Brahmanu refers to vishaala tatwam (vastness and broadness ). Chandra (moon) refers to mind. Soorya(Sun) to brightness (chakshu - radiance in the eyes ). Only one who understands the meaning of what is said in Vedanta and philosophy can one understand spirituality.
Here is a Lingam. What is a Lingam? In philosophy (bhowthika ) it is described as the 'Thumb sized one' - 'Angushta Maatram'. We mistake it for the physical heart. No No. For the spiritual heart, the golden one ( suvarnamayam ), the one which cannot be spoiled, the one which shines beautifully (pavitramayeena) and can absorb the entire universe and much more within itself - is the Lingam. Here is a small example. You would have visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Rishikesh and also the entire Himalayas. But all those things which you have seen, where do you find them? Once you recall from your mind all these things come from your heart. Once you close your eyes and reflect and recall, all those which you have seen, Badrinath, Kedarnath, the Alaknanda river, all start pouring from your heart itself. Whatever you have seen and done in this world can get reflected in your own heart. This entire world is therefore within you.
Whatever you see is only reflection of your inner self.
Whatever you are talking is the reflection of your inner thoughts.
Whatever you do externally is the reflection of your inner action.
Dharma therefore means only practicing what is in you.
Whatever is within you and coming out as utterance of words is Sathyam (Truth).
Whatever is in your heart, thinking truly about it is Peace.
Whatever is in your heart, understanding it is Ahimsa.
Thus Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa are all reflection of your heart.
Humanity and human life means making together thought, word and deed and making them merge together. For, if there is something in your mind, something different you say and something different you do - the work becomes zero (soonyam). What is the reason? What do you mean by Dharma? Thoughts expressed in the form of words and words expressed in the form of action is Dharma. Dharma means unity in Thought, Word and Deed. This is what is meant by "Proper study of Mankind is Man".
The heart is becoming dirty and muddy. What is the reason for the consciousness (chinmaya) changing to the inert matter? Selfishness is main cause. You should divert your selfishness. It must be diverted to the HiranyaGarbha which is Pavitramayeena, Sathyamayeena, Divyamayeena, Bhavyamayeena, Navyamayeena. Fix your vision on that which does not change. All these things are Anityam, Asathyam, Ashakyam - changing, passing clouds. In this context Bhagavad Gita has declared, "Anityam Asukham Lokam, Mimam Praapya Vrajassomaan" - this world changes constantly. It is impermanent. The permanent and the true one is Hrudaya Bhaavam (feelings from the heart). Chiranjeevi is one who has Hrudaya Bhaavam. That is immortality.
The snakes have false skin (cover). When it sheds the cover (skin/sheath) and the snake shines forth, the skin will be different and the snake will be different. When you get the real meaning of the divine Hiranya tatwa, you get separated from the one which is of the world and the one which is permanent consciousness. This body is an impermanent one. Hiranya tatwa is Sathya Swaroopa. The cover (illusion) is the maya. Just as the snake is covered by the false skin, the maya (illusion) is covering man. Maya means delusion (bhrama). There is nothing which is separated by way of delusion itself. It is only that kind of delusion feeling emerging from you. When does it emerge ( from ) within you? Only when there is no vision in you, this kind of delusion overtakes you. You see a rope and mistake it as a snake. What is responsible for your mistaking the rope for a snake? It is on account of lack of light. It is on account of enveloping of darkness. It is on account of mergence of both light and darkness - you are mistaking a rope for a snake. This is delusion (braanti). But if you put a torch and put light on that rope, you will decide that this is not a snake but a rope. But before you put the torch light, it was a rope and after you do so it is rope alone. Prior to putting on the torch it was only a rope. The snake did not go away after you put the torch on and become a rope. What has come and disappeared is only your Braanti ( delusion ). There is one and only one principle "Ekam Sath, Vipraah Bhahuda Vadanthi" . That does not undergo any change.
Therefore the Veda says "HiranyaGarbhaya Namaha". It is on account of the effulgence that is shining forth from the heart, the eyes are able to see, the ears are able to hear and the tongue is able to talk. Without that effulgence coming forth, the eye can't see, the ear cannot hear and tongue cannot talk. The scientists do not (believe) reveal all this truth. What is the reason? They are not taking effort to understand the reason. They are concentrating only on the physical and worldly external being.
Today's research is disproved by tomorrow's research. Tomorrow's research is considered new and correct ( as truth ). This kind of change of views are confusing the whole science. But for spirituality there is nothing like old or new. "Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornaath Poornamudhachyate" - It is always fullness only. When you subtract fullness from fullness, it remains as fullness only. All the research of science is based upon man's intellect (buddhi). All the adyaathmic researches and investigations are based upon the heart. Heart/Intuition is associated with light. Head is associated only with responsibility. Heart is like a negative. If only you have negative, you can get pictures any number of times, at any time. Therefore man is more important than these machines. Scientists believe in yantraas (machines); adyaathmikaas (spiritualists) believe in mantraas.
That is science and scientists and this is spirituality and we have saints. Saints believe in fullness. Scientist believe in semi circles. Therefore spirituality (adyaathmikam) is Poornamidam. If you remove half of a circle it becomes semicircle. i.e. C. This 'C' is science. It starts from one point and ends somewhere else. In between it is full of doubts. In science it is difficult to establish anything which is truth. Today's truth becomes tomorrow's untruth. But in adyaathmikam (spirituality) yesterday it was truth, today it is truth and tomorrow and thousands of years later it will be truth. All these things emerge and emanate from the heart. But today man has given up humanity and is destroying it. Man in getting elated looking at machines. He considers these machines are real properties and very important. No No. Men are more valuable than all the wealth of the world.
Today man has created the computer. When you put a question to a computer - "it is going to rain today, how will I reach my home?" it will say "catch hold of an umbrella". Has this answer come by itself from the computer or really because man has fed into it? This computer is only rubbish. Having full faith in the computer how may crores of rupees is wasted on it. Natural brain. Even that computer is based upon the brain. We are not believing our brain and we are believing the computer. It is like a flour mill where if you put wheat - you get wheat flour and if you put rice - you get rice flour. Similar is the computer. Whatever you put in you get back. If you go to the computer and ask "when are you going to die?" will it give the answer? It does not know it. What is the reason? Because the creator ( one who created the computer ) himself does not know the answer. Whatever scientists knows he puts into the computer. He is the object (Prathibimba) and it is the image (Bimba), reflection. Man does not believe in himself but believes in the computer.
Dear Students, self confidence is very important. Develop your self confidence. There is nothing more than self confidence. Atma is the combination of Vaak (Word), Manas (Mind) and Praana (Life Principle ). Among these three, praana is the most important one. There is no end to praana. For this physical body there is an end but for the praana there is no end. In all living beings it is praana which is reflecting as a reflection in a mirror. But it is not sufficient if there is only one. There should be manas, vaak and praana. From these three emerge the principle of Atma. All of you know in chemistry, when you mix various compounds you get a new compound. Similarly if you take the 'Taamboolam' ( Beetle leaves and beetle nut ), the beetle nut's colour is brown, the beetle leaves are green and the chunna ( lime ) is white. Similarly manas vaak and praana come together to become Atma. That is real mankind.
By the unity of these three one can sanctify ones life. Therefore everything is in mans heart. You do not search them in the external world. In this context, one who is in the state of Sushumna is described as HiranyaGarbhaya Namaha. In that state one gets Aananda ( Supreme Bliss ). You take an external example: When we get a piece of copper, we are not very happy. Even when we get a piece of silver and not even when we get piece of brass. But when we get a piece of gold we are overjoyed. Real gold gives joy to the heart. What is this real gold? It is also mud. As you can find mud everywhere, it is very cheap and doesn't have any value. As gold is found rarely in earth ( mud ), it is costly. If unlimited gold is available everywhere there is no value even for gold. In our physical body there are bones, blood, nerves, muscles. You do not give so much value to them. But when it is the heart, we treat it as if it is gold and give a lot of value to it. When you say HiranyaGarbha it is the one which gives value to man, humanity, ideal to man.
Dear Students, the contents of Pransa Upanishad are rather hard. Great scholars and vedaantis have not been able to understand it. For those who ( students ) know a few English words, hardly can understand these upanishads. You are giving value to English language and very little value to the language of the heart. Even though precious things are told, it is impossible for you to understand and take them with you in the right way. How can person who is studying in the 1st standard ( 1st grade ) understand the 10th standard books? Only when the books and matter appropriate to the standard are given, you will be able to understand clearly and easily. From tomorrow onwards the science which is important for man, the karma marga, the dharma marga i.e. duties and obligations and various things necessary for day to day life, it is necessary to teach the moral and ethical principles and worldly things also. As science is making progress, the moral values are declining proportionately day after day. If there are no human values what is the use of progress made by science in any field? People describe today's education as if it is making very good progress.
Swami sings:
Morality and good conduct are waning,
Heart has become polluted and full of dust,
Hands have become selfish,
This is the progress which you are achieving in education today
Making fun of one who has given education,
Ruining a person who has given food,
Harming a person who has done good to you,
This is the type of progress achieved by education today.
What kind of progress is this? No No. Gratitude is the life breath of man. You have to offer gratitude for all those people from whom you have taken any benefit. Respect teachers. Love parents. Consider other human beings as human beings. Along with education, there is need for good Samskaaraas to be developed. From tomorrow onwards we will start understanding things which are appropriate for Samskaaras.