Nov 4, Vasishtha
Parent Link:
Yoga Vasishtha
Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 69, November 4
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
mrityor ma amrtam gamaya
Om Santissantissantihi
Please lead me from untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. May there be peace.
Yoga Vasishtha Dhyana Slokas:
yatassarvāṇi bhūtāni pratibhānti sthitāni ca
yatraivōpaśamaṁ yānti tasmai satyātmanē namaḥ || 1
jñātā jñānaṁ tathā jñēyaṁ draṣṭādarśana dr̥śyabhūḥ
kartā hētuḥ kriyā yasmāt tasmai jñaptyātmanē namaḥ || 2
sphuranti sīkarā yasmāt ānanandasyāṁbarē vanau
sarvēṣām jīvanam tasmai brahmānandātmanē namaḥ || 3
Yesterday we learned how Sage Viswamitra wonderfully described the state of mind of Sri Rama including a statement of what Rama desired. Viswamitra then requested and strongly urged Sage Vasishtha to give the required Upadesha to Rama so that Rama’s lingering doubts would get dispelled and he would experience as per his desperate wish, pure bliss which comprises of composure, liberation, and peace of mind. Rama had no other wish.
One so-called clever devotee prayed to each of the 33 crore deities and asked each of them to give him just one rupee. They gave an equally clever response that they would give it in an instant, according to their time scale, which would be the equivalent of an entire cycle of Creation and Dissolution.
Sri Rama needed to know that no duality exists in this world. He needed confirmation that there is only one entity which is the Parabrahman. When Guru alone exists for the disciple, there is no duality such as joy and sorrow. It is a familiar statement from the Upanishad. Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma. It is not enough to say that Brahman is just one. Then one might think that there are several Brahmans which are all similar. Therefore, out of great compassion towards us, Veda has clarified that there is no second. When all the clouds have cleared in the autumn season, you enjoy the sight of a glorious clear blue sky. Such clarity is what Rama’s intellect is seeking.
Viswamitra consulted the assembled sages as per courtesy whether they agreed with him that indeed Sage Vasishtha is the right person to do this great favor to Sri Rama of granting him the state of total peace. He obtained their unanimous consent. He announced: May Sage Vasishtha give Rama the required explanation.
We have become too lazy to learn Sanskrit. We have no time to even learn Telugu properly. Some correct usages we are not even familiar with. The phrases which ought to be used to convey proper courtesy towards elders are unfortunately going out of common usage. It is important to develop a command over the language, especially to understand Vedanta. Mother Goddess is referred to as ‘Bhaashaa roopaa’/Personification of language.
In Vedanta, the word ‘sarvam’/all - is never used. Only ‘ekam/one - ’ is used in referring to the Supreme Entity. In the Guru Gita also it says, Ekam nityam vimalam achalam..
Vasishtha has always been the family Guru for the dynasty of the Ikshvakus. Viswamitra therefore believed that he should be the one to repeat to Sri Rama the instruction that was given by Lord Brahma a long time ago at Nishadadri, to Viswamitra and Vasishtha when they were both engaged in a spiritual battle. That instruction quelled the enmity that had existed between the two sages and forged a friendship between them. Hearing that instruction will now confirm to Rama that what he had discovered by his internal query is in fact the correct finding.
Here the word ‘sarvajna’ does not mean that Vasishtha knows everything. It means that Vasishtha has knowledge about the one Parabrahman which encompasses everything. We see so many things which are all illusory. The only truth is the one Paramatma. Our perception is different. Vasishtha sees everything from a philosophical perspective. If we see something edible, we put it in our mouth at once. He will use discretion whether it is beneficial to consume or not before reacting to the sight of it. By virtue of his spiritual power attained by penance, Vasishtha will examine everything from the point of view of its source. That is the quality of ‘sarvasaakshitva’. In all three states of existence, his focus is ever on the Paramatma. These are all the qualities of Guru. Viswamitra is praising Sage Vasishtha thus.
Till now we have heard the speeches of Rama and Viswamitra. With Vasishtha’s teaching, the actual Yoga Vasishtha commences. Unless we have a genuine interest and faith in the subject, what is going to be discussed ahead will neither appeal to us nor will it be understood. When we listen with half knowledge, assuming that we already know something, our attention will wander, our faith will be incomplete, and our grasp will be deficient. That is why Viswamitra is stating the absolute qualities of Guru as evident in Vasishtha so that we will listen with full faith in his words.
This is Kartika month. The Deepa Puja/worship of Light is very significant during this month. It increases the glow of the light of knowledge within our hearts. In Hyderabad there is going to be a display of one crore lamps. Swamiji will be attending that program. In our Hindu tradition worship with lights and worship offered to light are both very important. Light dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Speaking intelligently, based on the level of understanding of the audience while explaining spiritual topics, is very essential. Otherwise the subject will not be clearly understood.
Scholars of Vedanta have no enemies. They accept the arguments of all the different philosophies and schools of thought. Using those same arguments against them, they will prove that their own point of Advaita is correct. A Vedantin accepts everything and moulds all to his own taste.
It is vasanas/tendencies which cause birth. Birth is the beginning of sorrow. Without birth there is no misery. The demons tried to escape death but they never made any efforts to avoid birth. This is the difference between the demons and the deities. Please think about this point deeply. Your insight will improve.
As the rising sun removes the darkness that sets in at night, Vasishtha is requested to remove the darkness in the mind of Rama. Rama is an exemplary disciple who will abide by the words of Guru without question. He is going through a state of turmoil due to uncertainty. There is no need to have any hesitation whether this youthful prince will listen attentively or not or whether he will grasp the teaching or not. The small effort put forth by Guru in this case will produce great rewards and not the other way around where a great amount of strain yields only a small reward.
Hanuman is noted for achieving monumental results. Sent only to find Sita, he not only found her, and comforted her, but also killed a lot of demons and brought back her hair ornament for Rama to see. In life, we should gain great benefit for small efforts and not the reverse. Obtaining spiritual wisdom is the greatest reward one can obtain in life, which is indeed a hard struggle. One should not drown in the pleasures of life and forget the main purpose of life itself.
Rama is flawless in his character. He will see the clear reflection of the Paramatman in his heart once the dust cover is removed. What is taught to a deserving disciple who is not distracted by other things but listens with concentration to the words of Guru is the fulfilment of true scholarship and true knowledge. Unless the disciple lets go of other things, he cannot grasp the teaching given by Guru. If a scholar withholds his knowledge without sharing it with a deserving disciple, his knowledge becomes blameworthy.
Disciples are of three categories. The ordinary disciple listens to what he chooses to learn, and goes his way. The unworthy disciple does not know what he wants, he does not ask, and when he is taught he will not listen. But he will still declare to others that he is a disciple. The good disciple asks intelligently, listens attentively, grasps the essence of the teaching, and retains the instruction given by Guru. Rama is a good disciple.
A disciple and a devotee are those who accept Guru’s teaching without entertaining any doubt in the mind. Pure instruction given to an impure disciple will lose its purity. Poison spoils even divine nectar. A drop of oil will spread all over a container of pure water to spoil it. But a drop of pure water will remain unspoiled when dropped into a container of oil.
Yoga Vasishtha is not a fit subject for propagating to the general public. In the proximity of Sadguru, I am engaging in my own self-study. I am not concerned about attracting an audience. Pure milk should be placed only in a clean vessel. But if it is poured into a bag stitched with the skin of a dog, it will get spoilt.
There is no greater disciple than Sri Rama. Vasishtha is free from sin, fear, like, dislike, and anger. It is important to be free from sin. In the Bhakti Mala magazine there is a series of articles explaining the Kushmanda Mantras. Please read them. We are not even aware of what sins are. Unknowingly we commit so many sins. These mantras teach us how to find atonement for our sins.
Vyasa, Narada, and the other assembled sages unanimously urged Sage Vasishtha to proceed with his teaching.
Swamiji also is reluctant to speak unless he is requested humbly to share his wisdom. Otherwise, why would he want to speak unnecessarily if there are no interested listeners? It is a tradition. One must humbly request Guru to speak and not simply place a microphone in front of him and expect him to speak.
Sage Vasishtha is the son of Lord Brahma. This small effort on his part would yield a significantly great reward. One who possesses beneficial knowledge must share that knowledge with those who deserve to receive it. Otherwise, it would be of no use. It is in fact the duty of a scholar to share his knowledge with deserving students. The entire assembly there would benefit by listening to this great teaching. What a Sadguru teaches a deserving disciple is true Jnana. To the undeserving, the highest spiritual wisdom should not be given.
Vasishtha obliges to the request presented by Sage Viswamitra with the words that when an elder or a noble person makes a request, it should not be transgressed or rejected. Such a command has to be obeyed. Anullanghya shaasanaha. This instruction will now be given not only to Rama but also to the other two brothers who are present there, namely, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Bharatha was at this time away visiting his maternal grandfather in the kingdom of Kekaya. With this Upadesha everyone’s ignorance will be removed. Vasishtha confirmed to Viswamitra that he remembers every word of what was taught by Brahma. One must never forget even one word, even it is spoken in jest, of what Sadguru says. We must write down and keep recollecting lest we forget.
This illusion called the world must be dispelled. Vasishtha prepared himself for rendering the task assigned to him by Sage Viswamitra. For any effort there is a certain tradition that is required to be followed. One must not ignore or neglect it even if one does not understand fully the reasoning behind it. For example, even the most eminent surgeon will wear the appropriate attire, will wash his hands and disinfect himself prior to entering the operation theatre. He will leave his shoes outside. He will cover his hair and nose. Otherwise infection will spread both ways as is now happening with Ebola. In Vedanta it is most important to follow tradition. Prior to a discourse the verses praying for blessings of Guru and God and an invocation for peace must be chanted, even if time is short. It is better to make the speech short rather than skip the preliminary prayers. Otherwise the purpose of the teaching will not be fulfilled. This applies to all types of events such as bhajan singing or any other good program.
Sage Vasishtha said that for peace and wellbeing of the world he will first offer prayers and then commence his discourse. Sage Valmiki is teaching us some very important lessons through the words of Guru. Three time the word Santi is chanted to appease the unrest in all the three worlds.
In the form of poetry, the great science of Vedanta is being handed to us here. It is the way mother mixes a distasteful medicine inside a delicious treat to make it palatable. It is the medicine that will cure our ailment, not the treat. But we take the medicine tempted by the treat. That shows the mother’s cleverness. A bitter medicine is given along with a sweet banana. Here the poetry is not of value. It is the content that is getting conveyed. The poetry makes the subject matter attractive and appealing.
Vasishtha acceded to the request made by all the sages and agreed to speak. He agreed to share his knowledge in its entirety without withholding any information. He agreed to make every effort to remove Rama’s ignorance completely and at once. When Guru is asked a question on Vedanta, the answer should be given at once. It is a requirement in Vedanta. Vasishtha said that he fully remembers the teaching given by Brahma and will share it now for the benefit of the listeners. He gave his word. He got ready with all his effective implements to be employed in his instruction such as examples and stories, which would give the highest state of liberation to any keen listener. Swamiji has established for us the Jnana Bodha Sabha. His intention is that we should all become enlightened. Let us fulfil his mission.
In any teaching, both the speaker and the listener are important.
Even as Vasishtha is about to begin, Rama has a bit of confusion. Rama is on the topmost rung of the ladder. He has one foot on the ladder and the other on his destination. He knows everything there is to be known. Once he steps off the ladder, he will be liberated. At this stage he expresses a doubt about liberation.
Suka Yogi has attained liberation. But his father Vyasa is not yet liberated. Why? If Vyasa is said to be a Jnani and is not yet liberated, does it mean that Jnana alone does not yield liberation? Suka Yogi got liberated and he relinquished his body. Vyasa, on the other hand, is still living and is said to be a Jnani. That being so, is he a Jeevanmukta/ liberated while still occupying a body, or is he not liberated? If he is not liberated, why is it so?
We must understand the difference between Videha Mukti/liberation after being freed from the body and Jeevanmukti/liberation while still living in the body. Some people accept the possibility of Jeevanmukti and some people don’t. Sri Adi Sankara also had raised this question. Sri Vidyaranya Swami who belongs to the tradition of Adi Sankara, and had also written commentaries on the Vedas, has written a voluminous work called Jeevamukta Vivekaha, endorsing that there is such a state as Jeevanmukti and has substantiated his stand logically with ample examples.
Jeevan and muktihi are mutually contradictory terms. How is it possible to be experiencing a trace of ignorance without which one cannot not retain a body, while at the same time enjoy complete freedom from ignorance, which is the state of liberation?
The position of a Jeevanmukta is as follows: He has boarded the bus. The bus has reached his destination. He has not yet got down from the bus, whereas we have not even boarded the bus. Or, we have got on the bus, but the bus has not left the bus stand yet. Or, the bus is still proceeding and is on its way to our destination. Or, after the destination has been reached, some passengers have got off the bus and some have not yet left the bus. This last situation is what is causing problems here for us. Those who are still remaining on the bus after it has reached their destination, are the people who are Jeevanmuktas.
It was winter. A man was sleeping wrapped in a warm blanket. His friends woke him up. He woke up and acknowledged to his friends that he is awake. But he has not physically got up yet. Similarly, a Jeevanmukta is awake but has not left his location yet. Likewise, a jeevanmukta has attained complete wisdom but has not yet left his body.
Examples of such Jeevanmuktas are Sri Krishna Paramatma, Suka Yogi, Sage Vyasa, and right in our presence is our Sadgurudeva. He has assumed a body for the purpose of helping the world while remaining in a fully liberated state. For such persons there is no exemption to engage in forbidden actions. Hence, they will never perform any such actions. But even if they fail to perform what are considered as necessary activities, there is no mistake in it. That is the significance of that state. They know that this world is illusory. Despite that knowledge, for them to engage in mandatory activities is difficult, because they would have no natural motivation for doing so.
Sri Krishna Paramatma was a sworn Brahmachari/celibate. He declared that if you tell the river Yamuna so, she will yield them the way to cross the river. Seven of the eight wives of Krishna, all except Rukmini, who remained with him, asked river Yamuna. When the river heard the status of Krishna, she at once yielded them the way to go across the river. This story is told to establish that Sri Krishna was a Jeevanmukta. For benefiting the world, he engaged in actions.
Vasishtha heard Rama’s question. He acknowledged it. But, instead of addressing that question right away, he proceeded to give his instruction to him in the sequence in which he had planned to give it. He first gave a description of the sequence in which Creation comes into being. He spoke about Paramatma, the subatomic particles and their constituent parts, the molecules, the Mahat Tatva, ego, the five elements and so on. This entire cosmos is only like an atom for the Supreme Soul. No one knows how many such atom-like galaxies exist, which, to the Paramatman, are smaller than each of our blood cells. The Jeevanmuktas are not concerned about these details or their numbers. The reason the Jeevanmuktas pay no attention to this world is because they do not even perceive it. They are constantly merged in the state of the Supreme Soul. Therefore, Vyasa is a Jeevanmukta. Both Valmiki and Vasishtha make that point clear. Vyasas are numerous. This Vyasa is not the only Vyasa to exist. Vyasa is not under any delusion about this Creation.
Tomorrow we will learn more about the process of Creation as explained by Sage Vasishtha.
Today is Dhatri Puja. Puja and marriage to Tulasi and a gooseberry plant is performed. Deepa Dana is performed. Amla/gooseberry is to be eaten six days a week, except on Sunday. It is very good for health.
3 days before Guru Purnima, Lord Vishnu went into Yoga Nidra/spiritual slumber. Today He awoke. It applies to us.
If we listen to spiritual discourses for four months during this specific period, spiritual awakening will occur within us.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om santissantissantihi
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
mrityor ma amrtam gamaya
Om Santissantissantihi
Please lead me from untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. May there be peace.
Yoga Vasishtha Dhyana Slokas:
yatassarvāṇi bhūtāni pratibhānti sthitāni ca
yatraivōpaśamaṁ yānti tasmai satyātmanē namaḥ || 1
jñātā jñānaṁ tathā jñēyaṁ draṣṭādarśana dr̥śyabhūḥ
kartā hētuḥ kriyā yasmāt tasmai jñaptyātmanē namaḥ || 2
sphuranti sīkarā yasmāt ānanandasyāṁbarē vanau
sarvēṣām jīvanam tasmai brahmānandātmanē namaḥ || 3
Yesterday we learned how Sage Viswamitra wonderfully described the state of mind of Sri Rama including a statement of what Rama desired. Viswamitra then requested and strongly urged Sage Vasishtha to give the required Upadesha to Rama so that Rama’s lingering doubts would get dispelled and he would experience as per his desperate wish, pure bliss which comprises of composure, liberation, and peace of mind. Rama had no other wish.
One so-called clever devotee prayed to each of the 33 crore deities and asked each of them to give him just one rupee. They gave an equally clever response that they would give it in an instant, according to their time scale, which would be the equivalent of an entire cycle of Creation and Dissolution.
Sri Rama needed to know that no duality exists in this world. He needed confirmation that there is only one entity which is the Parabrahman. When Guru alone exists for the disciple, there is no duality such as joy and sorrow. It is a familiar statement from the Upanishad. Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma. It is not enough to say that Brahman is just one. Then one might think that there are several Brahmans which are all similar. Therefore, out of great compassion towards us, Veda has clarified that there is no second. When all the clouds have cleared in the autumn season, you enjoy the sight of a glorious clear blue sky. Such clarity is what Rama’s intellect is seeking.
Viswamitra consulted the assembled sages as per courtesy whether they agreed with him that indeed Sage Vasishtha is the right person to do this great favor to Sri Rama of granting him the state of total peace. He obtained their unanimous consent. He announced: May Sage Vasishtha give Rama the required explanation.
We have become too lazy to learn Sanskrit. We have no time to even learn Telugu properly. Some correct usages we are not even familiar with. The phrases which ought to be used to convey proper courtesy towards elders are unfortunately going out of common usage. It is important to develop a command over the language, especially to understand Vedanta. Mother Goddess is referred to as ‘Bhaashaa roopaa’/Personification of language.
In Vedanta, the word ‘sarvam’/all - is never used. Only ‘ekam/one - ’ is used in referring to the Supreme Entity. In the Guru Gita also it says, Ekam nityam vimalam achalam..
Vasishtha has always been the family Guru for the dynasty of the Ikshvakus. Viswamitra therefore believed that he should be the one to repeat to Sri Rama the instruction that was given by Lord Brahma a long time ago at Nishadadri, to Viswamitra and Vasishtha when they were both engaged in a spiritual battle. That instruction quelled the enmity that had existed between the two sages and forged a friendship between them. Hearing that instruction will now confirm to Rama that what he had discovered by his internal query is in fact the correct finding.
Here the word ‘sarvajna’ does not mean that Vasishtha knows everything. It means that Vasishtha has knowledge about the one Parabrahman which encompasses everything. We see so many things which are all illusory. The only truth is the one Paramatma. Our perception is different. Vasishtha sees everything from a philosophical perspective. If we see something edible, we put it in our mouth at once. He will use discretion whether it is beneficial to consume or not before reacting to the sight of it. By virtue of his spiritual power attained by penance, Vasishtha will examine everything from the point of view of its source. That is the quality of ‘sarvasaakshitva’. In all three states of existence, his focus is ever on the Paramatma. These are all the qualities of Guru. Viswamitra is praising Sage Vasishtha thus.
Till now we have heard the speeches of Rama and Viswamitra. With Vasishtha’s teaching, the actual Yoga Vasishtha commences. Unless we have a genuine interest and faith in the subject, what is going to be discussed ahead will neither appeal to us nor will it be understood. When we listen with half knowledge, assuming that we already know something, our attention will wander, our faith will be incomplete, and our grasp will be deficient. That is why Viswamitra is stating the absolute qualities of Guru as evident in Vasishtha so that we will listen with full faith in his words.
This is Kartika month. The Deepa Puja/worship of Light is very significant during this month. It increases the glow of the light of knowledge within our hearts. In Hyderabad there is going to be a display of one crore lamps. Swamiji will be attending that program. In our Hindu tradition worship with lights and worship offered to light are both very important. Light dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Speaking intelligently, based on the level of understanding of the audience while explaining spiritual topics, is very essential. Otherwise the subject will not be clearly understood.
Scholars of Vedanta have no enemies. They accept the arguments of all the different philosophies and schools of thought. Using those same arguments against them, they will prove that their own point of Advaita is correct. A Vedantin accepts everything and moulds all to his own taste.
It is vasanas/tendencies which cause birth. Birth is the beginning of sorrow. Without birth there is no misery. The demons tried to escape death but they never made any efforts to avoid birth. This is the difference between the demons and the deities. Please think about this point deeply. Your insight will improve.
As the rising sun removes the darkness that sets in at night, Vasishtha is requested to remove the darkness in the mind of Rama. Rama is an exemplary disciple who will abide by the words of Guru without question. He is going through a state of turmoil due to uncertainty. There is no need to have any hesitation whether this youthful prince will listen attentively or not or whether he will grasp the teaching or not. The small effort put forth by Guru in this case will produce great rewards and not the other way around where a great amount of strain yields only a small reward.
Hanuman is noted for achieving monumental results. Sent only to find Sita, he not only found her, and comforted her, but also killed a lot of demons and brought back her hair ornament for Rama to see. In life, we should gain great benefit for small efforts and not the reverse. Obtaining spiritual wisdom is the greatest reward one can obtain in life, which is indeed a hard struggle. One should not drown in the pleasures of life and forget the main purpose of life itself.
Rama is flawless in his character. He will see the clear reflection of the Paramatman in his heart once the dust cover is removed. What is taught to a deserving disciple who is not distracted by other things but listens with concentration to the words of Guru is the fulfilment of true scholarship and true knowledge. Unless the disciple lets go of other things, he cannot grasp the teaching given by Guru. If a scholar withholds his knowledge without sharing it with a deserving disciple, his knowledge becomes blameworthy.
Disciples are of three categories. The ordinary disciple listens to what he chooses to learn, and goes his way. The unworthy disciple does not know what he wants, he does not ask, and when he is taught he will not listen. But he will still declare to others that he is a disciple. The good disciple asks intelligently, listens attentively, grasps the essence of the teaching, and retains the instruction given by Guru. Rama is a good disciple.
A disciple and a devotee are those who accept Guru’s teaching without entertaining any doubt in the mind. Pure instruction given to an impure disciple will lose its purity. Poison spoils even divine nectar. A drop of oil will spread all over a container of pure water to spoil it. But a drop of pure water will remain unspoiled when dropped into a container of oil.
Yoga Vasishtha is not a fit subject for propagating to the general public. In the proximity of Sadguru, I am engaging in my own self-study. I am not concerned about attracting an audience. Pure milk should be placed only in a clean vessel. But if it is poured into a bag stitched with the skin of a dog, it will get spoilt.
There is no greater disciple than Sri Rama. Vasishtha is free from sin, fear, like, dislike, and anger. It is important to be free from sin. In the Bhakti Mala magazine there is a series of articles explaining the Kushmanda Mantras. Please read them. We are not even aware of what sins are. Unknowingly we commit so many sins. These mantras teach us how to find atonement for our sins.
Vyasa, Narada, and the other assembled sages unanimously urged Sage Vasishtha to proceed with his teaching.
Swamiji also is reluctant to speak unless he is requested humbly to share his wisdom. Otherwise, why would he want to speak unnecessarily if there are no interested listeners? It is a tradition. One must humbly request Guru to speak and not simply place a microphone in front of him and expect him to speak.
Sage Vasishtha is the son of Lord Brahma. This small effort on his part would yield a significantly great reward. One who possesses beneficial knowledge must share that knowledge with those who deserve to receive it. Otherwise, it would be of no use. It is in fact the duty of a scholar to share his knowledge with deserving students. The entire assembly there would benefit by listening to this great teaching. What a Sadguru teaches a deserving disciple is true Jnana. To the undeserving, the highest spiritual wisdom should not be given.
Vasishtha obliges to the request presented by Sage Viswamitra with the words that when an elder or a noble person makes a request, it should not be transgressed or rejected. Such a command has to be obeyed. Anullanghya shaasanaha. This instruction will now be given not only to Rama but also to the other two brothers who are present there, namely, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Bharatha was at this time away visiting his maternal grandfather in the kingdom of Kekaya. With this Upadesha everyone’s ignorance will be removed. Vasishtha confirmed to Viswamitra that he remembers every word of what was taught by Brahma. One must never forget even one word, even it is spoken in jest, of what Sadguru says. We must write down and keep recollecting lest we forget.
This illusion called the world must be dispelled. Vasishtha prepared himself for rendering the task assigned to him by Sage Viswamitra. For any effort there is a certain tradition that is required to be followed. One must not ignore or neglect it even if one does not understand fully the reasoning behind it. For example, even the most eminent surgeon will wear the appropriate attire, will wash his hands and disinfect himself prior to entering the operation theatre. He will leave his shoes outside. He will cover his hair and nose. Otherwise infection will spread both ways as is now happening with Ebola. In Vedanta it is most important to follow tradition. Prior to a discourse the verses praying for blessings of Guru and God and an invocation for peace must be chanted, even if time is short. It is better to make the speech short rather than skip the preliminary prayers. Otherwise the purpose of the teaching will not be fulfilled. This applies to all types of events such as bhajan singing or any other good program.
Sage Vasishtha said that for peace and wellbeing of the world he will first offer prayers and then commence his discourse. Sage Valmiki is teaching us some very important lessons through the words of Guru. Three time the word Santi is chanted to appease the unrest in all the three worlds.
In the form of poetry, the great science of Vedanta is being handed to us here. It is the way mother mixes a distasteful medicine inside a delicious treat to make it palatable. It is the medicine that will cure our ailment, not the treat. But we take the medicine tempted by the treat. That shows the mother’s cleverness. A bitter medicine is given along with a sweet banana. Here the poetry is not of value. It is the content that is getting conveyed. The poetry makes the subject matter attractive and appealing.
Vasishtha acceded to the request made by all the sages and agreed to speak. He agreed to share his knowledge in its entirety without withholding any information. He agreed to make every effort to remove Rama’s ignorance completely and at once. When Guru is asked a question on Vedanta, the answer should be given at once. It is a requirement in Vedanta. Vasishtha said that he fully remembers the teaching given by Brahma and will share it now for the benefit of the listeners. He gave his word. He got ready with all his effective implements to be employed in his instruction such as examples and stories, which would give the highest state of liberation to any keen listener. Swamiji has established for us the Jnana Bodha Sabha. His intention is that we should all become enlightened. Let us fulfil his mission.
In any teaching, both the speaker and the listener are important.
Even as Vasishtha is about to begin, Rama has a bit of confusion. Rama is on the topmost rung of the ladder. He has one foot on the ladder and the other on his destination. He knows everything there is to be known. Once he steps off the ladder, he will be liberated. At this stage he expresses a doubt about liberation.
Suka Yogi has attained liberation. But his father Vyasa is not yet liberated. Why? If Vyasa is said to be a Jnani and is not yet liberated, does it mean that Jnana alone does not yield liberation? Suka Yogi got liberated and he relinquished his body. Vyasa, on the other hand, is still living and is said to be a Jnani. That being so, is he a Jeevanmukta/ liberated while still occupying a body, or is he not liberated? If he is not liberated, why is it so?
We must understand the difference between Videha Mukti/liberation after being freed from the body and Jeevanmukti/liberation while still living in the body. Some people accept the possibility of Jeevanmukti and some people don’t. Sri Adi Sankara also had raised this question. Sri Vidyaranya Swami who belongs to the tradition of Adi Sankara, and had also written commentaries on the Vedas, has written a voluminous work called Jeevamukta Vivekaha, endorsing that there is such a state as Jeevanmukti and has substantiated his stand logically with ample examples.
Jeevan and muktihi are mutually contradictory terms. How is it possible to be experiencing a trace of ignorance without which one cannot not retain a body, while at the same time enjoy complete freedom from ignorance, which is the state of liberation?
The position of a Jeevanmukta is as follows: He has boarded the bus. The bus has reached his destination. He has not yet got down from the bus, whereas we have not even boarded the bus. Or, we have got on the bus, but the bus has not left the bus stand yet. Or, the bus is still proceeding and is on its way to our destination. Or, after the destination has been reached, some passengers have got off the bus and some have not yet left the bus. This last situation is what is causing problems here for us. Those who are still remaining on the bus after it has reached their destination, are the people who are Jeevanmuktas.
It was winter. A man was sleeping wrapped in a warm blanket. His friends woke him up. He woke up and acknowledged to his friends that he is awake. But he has not physically got up yet. Similarly, a Jeevanmukta is awake but has not left his location yet. Likewise, a jeevanmukta has attained complete wisdom but has not yet left his body.
Examples of such Jeevanmuktas are Sri Krishna Paramatma, Suka Yogi, Sage Vyasa, and right in our presence is our Sadgurudeva. He has assumed a body for the purpose of helping the world while remaining in a fully liberated state. For such persons there is no exemption to engage in forbidden actions. Hence, they will never perform any such actions. But even if they fail to perform what are considered as necessary activities, there is no mistake in it. That is the significance of that state. They know that this world is illusory. Despite that knowledge, for them to engage in mandatory activities is difficult, because they would have no natural motivation for doing so.
Sri Krishna Paramatma was a sworn Brahmachari/celibate. He declared that if you tell the river Yamuna so, she will yield them the way to cross the river. Seven of the eight wives of Krishna, all except Rukmini, who remained with him, asked river Yamuna. When the river heard the status of Krishna, she at once yielded them the way to go across the river. This story is told to establish that Sri Krishna was a Jeevanmukta. For benefiting the world, he engaged in actions.
Vasishtha heard Rama’s question. He acknowledged it. But, instead of addressing that question right away, he proceeded to give his instruction to him in the sequence in which he had planned to give it. He first gave a description of the sequence in which Creation comes into being. He spoke about Paramatma, the subatomic particles and their constituent parts, the molecules, the Mahat Tatva, ego, the five elements and so on. This entire cosmos is only like an atom for the Supreme Soul. No one knows how many such atom-like galaxies exist, which, to the Paramatman, are smaller than each of our blood cells. The Jeevanmuktas are not concerned about these details or their numbers. The reason the Jeevanmuktas pay no attention to this world is because they do not even perceive it. They are constantly merged in the state of the Supreme Soul. Therefore, Vyasa is a Jeevanmukta. Both Valmiki and Vasishtha make that point clear. Vyasas are numerous. This Vyasa is not the only Vyasa to exist. Vyasa is not under any delusion about this Creation.
Tomorrow we will learn more about the process of Creation as explained by Sage Vasishtha.
Today is Dhatri Puja. Puja and marriage to Tulasi and a gooseberry plant is performed. Deepa Dana is performed. Amla/gooseberry is to be eaten six days a week, except on Sunday. It is very good for health.
3 days before Guru Purnima, Lord Vishnu went into Yoga Nidra/spiritual slumber. Today He awoke. It applies to us.
If we listen to spiritual discourses for four months during this specific period, spiritual awakening will occur within us.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om santissantissantihi