Vision of Atma through Love

Yathra Yathra Mana Sphoorthi
Tathra Tathra Jagat Thrayah
Yathra Yathra Mano Nasthi
Tathra Tathra Nakinchana
(Sanskrit Sloka)

Embodiments of Love!

Where the mind penetrates the worlds manifest themselves. For the mind nothing exists where it does not enter. Mind is the cause for both man's suffering and misery. In order to suppress the mind, man has to keep his desires under check.

Trees demonstrate the sacred principle of equality by providing shelter to everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and nationality The mighty mountains withstand the cold, rains and the severe heat, thereby teaching man not to be unduly attached to the body The birds are satisfied with what they get to eat each day. They do not store food. Thus they teach the sacred lesson that one should not be worried about the future. Death conveys the message that body is temporary and the feeling of I and mine is but an illusion. Nature is the only school which confers on man true wisdom and God is the only Sadguru. (Telugu Poem)

Nature sets an ideal to the entire humanity in adherence to the spirit of sacrifice. Trees give the message of peace to mankind by providing cool shade to everyone, even to those who cut their branches. Mountains give the message of patience by not being affected by cold, rains and severe heat. Birds teach the lesson that one should not be worried about the future. Death teaches a lesson that body is temporary and the world is but an illusion. Anithyam Asukham Lokam Imam Prapya Bhajasvamam (the world is temporary and full of misery, so contemplate on God). Under these circumstances, why is it that man is not able to cultivate the spirit of sacrifice? In spite of his knowing the truth that the body is temporary, he is still bound by desires. As there is no end to desires, man is subjected to endless misery. In order to get rid of his misery, man should follow the ideals of Nature. Nature is the best preacher. It exhorts man to cultivate love, compassion and the spirit of sacrifice.

Since ancient times, in this sacred land of Bharat, many sages, seers and also the kings propagated the spirit of sacrifice and the principle of spirituality, paving way to peace and security. Bali was one such king who personified and propagated the spirit of sacrifice by undertaking many sacred rituals like Yajnas and Yagas. He even disobeyed the command of his Guru, Sukracharya, who tried to dissuade him from keeping up his promise to Vamana. He told his Guru that there was no greater sin than going back on one's own promise and that he would abide by his word to Vamana, come what may. Bharat, which has given birth to such noble kings and has been the land of sacrifice, spirituality and peace, has now become a place of injustice, untruth and restlessness.

(When endowed with a body, the body mimics the mind)

The mind of modern man is highly polluted with negative thoughts. He aspires to live in peace and security. But, how can he expect positive results without giving up negative thoughts? The peace and happiness that he experiences are only temporary. In fact, they are not present in the world outside, they are present within. Mind is the cause for both good and bad, happiness and misery. The Vedas declare: Manyeva Manushyanam Karanam Bandhamokshayoh (mind is responsible for bondage and liberation as well). If man follows the dictates of the mind, he becomes worse than an animal and ultimately ruins his life. His life will be sanctified only when he follows the dictates of Buddhi (intellect). He who goes by the vagaries of the mind cannot attain true happiness. So, first and foremost man should make his mind steady and sacred. Before undertaking any activity, he should discriminate whether it is good or bad, right or wrong. But man is using his power of discrimination (Viveka) only to suit his selfish ends, which amounts to individual discrimination. What is needed today is fundamental discrimination, that which is based on the sacred principles like truth, love and righteousness. Truth is God, love is God. So live in love. Truth is one and the same for all countries in all periods of time. Truth originates from the Hridaya (conscience). The mind can be controlled once you have total faith in the truth and follow it implicitly.

The primary effort of man should be towards control of his mind. This is not possible unless the desires are put under check. But today man is filled with excessive desires. No doubt one can have desires, but they should be within limits. Today even the Sanyasins do not have control over their desires, leave alone the common man. Adi Sankara declared: "Maa Kuru Dhanajana Yauvana Garvam Harathi Nimeshaath Kaalah Sarvam" (Do not be proud of wealth or youth, time destroys it all in an instant). Youth and wealth are like passing clouds. One should keep one's mind under control and act according to the situation. You have just heard a singer singing Thyagaraja's composition, "Samayaaniki Thagu Maatalaadene". Thyagaraja was one who understood the truth and had love for God. But one cannot have control over one's mind in times of difficulties. It is because of this weakness that one even starts blaming God for one's own difficulties. Thyagaraja was no exception to this. When he had to face difficulties in life, unable to withstand the suffering, he put the blame on Rama saying, "O Rama, my Bhakti (devotion) towards You is very strong, but You do not have the Shakti (power) to protect me." Then he enquired deeply within and repented for his indiscreet statement. He sang, "O Rama, if You lacked power, would a mere monkey jump across the mighty ocean? Would Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, become Your consort? Would Lakshmana worshipYou? Would the intelligent Bharata serve You? How can I, with my limited mind, understand the greatness and grandeur of Your divine power?" One has to become broad-minded in order to understand the infinite Divinity. Today man has become so narrow-minded that he has given up Asayaalu (ideals) and is leading his life only to fulfil his Aaasalu (desires). Lead a life full of sacred feelings. Give up worldly feelings. Have total faith in God. You can accomplish anything with faith.

Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness) and Thyaga (sacrifice) constitute humanness. Sathya is Neethi (morality), Dharma is Reethi (code of conduct) and Thyaga is Khyathi (reputation). The combination of all these three constitute Maanava Jathi (human race). Today we find only Aakaara Maanava (human in form), but not Aachaara Maanava (human in practice). Today man is subjected to restlessness due to the vagaries of mind. But mind is essential for man. Only the one with mind is man. Therefore, man should conduct himself fully aware of the divinity within. Unfortunately, many do not believe in the existence of God. Where is God? He is all pervasive.

Sarvatah Paani Paadam Tath Sarvathokshi Siromukham Saravatah Srutimalloke Sarvamavruthya Thistathi (With His limbs, eyes, ears, mouth and head He pervades the universe completely.)

Embodiments of Love!

More than physical prowess, man needs power of the mind. Man should have control over his emotions and keep them under check in times of distress.

Man bereft of love is lifeless. Love, love, love. Love is everything. Live in love. Love lives by giving and forgiving; Self lives by getting and forgetting.

The present population of the world is 550 crores. But the principle of 'I' is one and the same in everyone. Each one refers to himself or herself as 'I'. How can one know these 550 crore people? Once you recognize the principle of 'I, you would have recognized all. Here you find many bulbs glowing, the same current flows through all of them. Similarly, the principle of 'l' is the same in all. Instead of questioning, "Who are you?", question yourself, "Who am I?". Know yourself first, then you will know all. What is the cause of conflicts and restlessness in this world? Lack of recognition of principle of oneness is mainly responsible for this. If someone were to criticize you, do not get agitated. Remember that the same Atmic principle is present in both of you. The one who accuses and the accused are not two different entities. There will be no scope for agitation if you understand this truth. Peace and security will reign supreme once this principle of oneness is recognized. Likewise, God and devotee are not separate from each other. The one who worships and the one who is worshipped are one and the same. The devotee worshipping God amounts to worshipping himself. Ekaatma Sarvabhoothaantaraatma (the same Atma dwells in everyone). This principle of oneness is Brahma. Viewing this oneness as many is Bhrama or Bhraanthi (illusion). It is this Bhrama that is responsible for the restlessness in the world. True spiritual practice lies in cultivating the spirit of oneness. There is no greater Sadhana than this. Whatever Sadhana one undertakes, one should do it with love. Then there will be no scope for anger and jealousy. In order to understand the Vedic dicta, Easwara Sarvabhoothanaam (God dwells in all beings), Sarvam Khalvidham Brahma (Brahma is all-pervasive), one should inculcate noble qualities. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaikena Amrutathwamanasuhu (neither wealth nor progeny nor good deeds can confer immortality; it can be attained only through sacrifice). People respect you as long as you occupy exalted positions in society. But that is not all in all. The Vedas address human beings as Amrutaputhraha (sons of immortality). You should live up to that title. You are Amrutaputhras (sons of immortality), not Anruthaputhras (sons of falsehood). There is Chinmaya (awareness) in Mrinmaya (physical body). That awareness is true wisdom. The Vedas refer to this as Prajnanam Brahma (constant integrated awareness). It is this constant integrated awareness that makes the body, mind and intellect function. All the four Mahavakyas namely Prajnanam Brahma, Ayamatma Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, and Tath Thwam Asi speak of this constant integrated awareness. Understand the truth that you are God. You may think that you are separate from Swami. But in fact, I and you are not separate from each other. 'I am not yours, you are Mine,' 'You and I are one'. Understand this truth and act accordingly. "Abheda Darshanam Jnanam" (experience of oneness is true wisdom). There is only one without a second. If you go on adding the number 1 to itself, the value increases. On the other hand even if crores of 1' (s) are added to '1', it still remains '1'. That '1' is Divinity. Once you understand this truth, you will realize that all are embodiments of Divinity. The essence of Vedanta is contained in these four Mahavakyas.

You have all come from Kerala. You might have heard communists arguing that they do not believe in the existence of God as He is not seen. One cannot deny the existence of air just because it is not seen. Likewise, one cannot deny the existence of God. God exists, but you cannot see Him. All the names and forms are His. Once you develop this faith, love will follow.

Gopikas could not bear the pangs of separation from Krishna when He left for Mathura. On deep enquiry, they realized that there is no separation between Krishna and themselves as He is present everywhere at all times. The one that went to Mathura was only His body, but not 'Krishna'. Realizing this truth they burst into a song, "O Krishna can we ever understand You? You are smallest among the small and mightiest among the mighty. You are present in all the 84 lakh species." None can decide that God is here and not there. He is everywhere. Only through love can one have the vision of God. One can see one's own reflection in the mirror only when a particular chemical is smeared on the other side. Likewise, smear the chemical of love on your Hridaya in order to have the vision of God. Fill your heart with love, then there will be no place for evil qualities like jealousy, anger and hatred. Wax melts when it comes into contact with heat. So also the heart, which can be compared to wax, melts when the rays of love fall on it. The story of Prahlada illustrates this. He constantly repeated the name of Lord Narayana with all love even in the face of innumerable hardships. He was pushed from the mountain top, thrown into the sea, trampled by huge elephants and bitten by poisonous snakes, but not even once did he give up chanting the name of Lord Narayana. Love of Prahlada melted the heart of the Lord and He came to His rescue in times of need. True devotion lies in being in the state of equanimity in times of both pleasure and pain. Prahlada stands a testimony to this. He was neither grief-stricken nor fear-stricken in the face of adversities. He had the total faith that God was within him. God manifests wherever His name is chanted. There is no room for grief or fear wherever God's name is chanted as God Himself manifests there. Sukha, Dukhe Samekruthwa Labha Labhau Jaya Jayau. Such equanimity can be attained only through love.

Embodiments of Love!

All are embodiments of God. Give up body attachment and develop attachment towards Atma. Today hatred is on the rise everywhere. Ego, is the root cause for hatred. Give up ego and you can have the vision of the Atma. All this can be accomplished only through love.

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajans, "Prema Mudhitha Manase Kaho..., Hari Bhajana Bina... and Subramanyam, Subramanyam"]