Aug 9, Vasishtha
Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 25, August 9
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
We have defined ego. Aham ( a to ha/like A-Z) encompasses the entire Creation. It is God’s property. We have claimed it as our own. We have hung our name board/signboard upon it. It has become the cause of all misfortunes. Rama is praying to Gurus Vasishtha and Visvamitra to help him to get rid of his ego.
He says I have become the lowest of the low. I have studied so much and yet I feel so inferior. Ego is the cause of all mental frailties and failures.
Children keep a big target of scoring 99 marks and get only 19. When they lose confidence, you must give them courage. Tell them it is all in God’s hands and the next time they will do better. If you blame them that they are responsible for the failure, they will go into depression. In business, studies, profession one can face failure.
The reason for failure is ego. Once the person develops the conviction that God is in charge and he is only a tool in God’s hands, he succeeds in his efforts. Does a car, camera or automobile ever shed tears that it has been set aside for not functioning properly? Do not think that you have to behave like a lifeless object. No. There is great happiness in that feeling. The greatness of all functioning belongs to the conscious energy within us.
During Navaratri, specks of kumkum are placed on Mother Goddess during the Kumkuma Puja. Each grain as it falls, expresses the feeling of devotion that Mother, you are in every atom. In the end, when there is a little bit of kumkum stuck to the finger, you must pray, there are some creatures that have not reached you. Please bless them and have them reach you also. Do not simply dust it off. When you worship with lemons, pray that all creatures and all 8 directions receive protection from Her.
Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, and Maha Navami are the 3 most important days during the Navaratri festival. Moola star to Sravana star one should certainly perform worship if it is not possible to do so on all nine days. On Saraswati Puja day it is important to worship. At least witness the puja performed by Sadguru. At least for 10 minutes you offer mental worship if nothing else is possible.
In spirituality, the most important aspect is to feel disgust towards the ego. Sri Rama is describing his feelings of dislike for what is happening in this world and the ego that afflicts man, who takes credit for all actions, although it is God who does everything. Even to respond to the name Rama displeases me, he says. I wish to experience my infinite nature. I am tired of this fragmented existence. The ego-less state is the true state to be in. It is only because of ego that all problems arise. All sorrows and calamities are coming my way on account of ego.
When beginning any task, one ponders, how should I succeed in this? What capacity have I got to achieve this? Even at the outset one must begin with the conviction that one is not the doer, but God is. That will assure that no sorrow comes to us regardless of the result of the action.
I am unwilling to be controlled by my senses. I wish to be free, says Rama.
Clouds have gathered. If it does not rain, nothing happens. If it rains, then plants sprout, flowers bloom and everything comes into being to destroy us.
Thirst/desire is terrible. The cloud called ego which brings everything else into existence must be chased away. The lightning also will then go away. If it goes away the lamp of peace will be with us. If the cloud goes away, all difficulties will depart. Like an intoxicated elephant ego is wreaking havoc in the mountain called our heart. Spiritual knowledge alone can destroy it. Ego is like an uncontrollable lion. Only Jnana can control it.
Sri Rama says ego is like a wretched fellow with terrible vices. The thread/chain that is the cause of repeated births is this ego that adorns the neck of the scoundrel. The repeated births are the pearls and gems strung on the chain.
People throw the dust that they sweep from the house in front of the house instead of in the dustbin. It will come back into the house with the breeze. If one room you leave dirty and dusty, because it is not your room that dirt will spread to the rest of the house.
Use a fresh cloth to sit on. The cleanliness will make you feel fresh. Lakshmi comes to your house if you keep it clean. Outer cleanliness will clean the mind as well. You wait for Lakshmi to press the doorbell without making any effort to attract Her. It does not work like that. To even win the lottery, you have to purchase the lottery ticket.
Those who claim to have given up ego are usually the ones who have the most ego. To say truthfully that one has given up ego, takes immense courage.
Leave off children, friends, yantra, Tantra – ego employs an astra on us that puts us to sleep. Rama once employed an astra which made everyone appear like Rama, by creating a delusion. Ego blinds our vision or distorts the sight. Things appear different from what they really are.
We all desire to attain liberation. That is a big word. Rama gives the formula for happiness that everyone understands. It is to give up the ego. In every nook and corner ego raises its head and it has to be crushed tirelessly. We must avoid the company of those who are egotistical. Gradually and systematically this ego has to be killed. We have worn this body. We experience the performance of actions.
During Navaratri, on Maha Navami, we have the tradition of performing the Ayudha Puja. Whatever one’s profession or activity may be, each worships the instruments and implements that one uses. A musician worships musical instruments. People pray to the telephone to give only good messages. A doctor worships his stethoscope. What a strange tradition to offer worship to inert instruments such as an automobile, camera, stove, microphone, computer, and so on.
You take a car to the temple and the priest will place dots of sandal paste and kumkum all over it.
Different religions follow this tradition. Their customs may be different. We should not feel ashamed of our traditions by listening to ignorant people’s comments. Placing the dot on the forehead is very important. Vibhooti, sandal paste or kumkum must be placed. That will attract the evil eye there and the dot will protect us. For the earth also there is a central point. For our body the central point is between the eyebrows. When you place a dot on a car, it will prevent an accident perhaps. Evil eye is very powerful when someone looks at your vehicle with envy. The dot will absorb the negative energy and will protect the vehicle.
It is for your benefit that the scriptures give you such advice. If you do not follow, it may cause negative consequences. But the scriptures do not mean to create fear. We perform puja to tools on Maha Navami. The services we offer to the body are like tool-puja to the body.
No one takes out the engine and pours water from Ganga into it. We do not do anything inappropriate. We have to make sure that our implements serve us well. Even in the most prestigious car, we cannot ride in it forever. What if does not take us to our destination? Then what is the use of having the vehicle? This body also has to help us to reach our destination. Some cleanliness, some food, some prayer, some sleep, some action, some discipline are required. Pouring gasoline in a car is also like puja. Now if cars begin to run on water, we will have water shortage. Already we are purchasing water. In Jayalakshmi puram Swamiji has built a drinking water facility. People are very happy.
When we sit in a room, observe the area. Room, chair, and the chair we sit on it. Then extend the area to the town, home, room, chair, and on it is our body. Our body should be treated and regarded as our tool. It is an instrument. We have to take care of it and utilize it properly. Those who begin penance, make advance preparations to ensure that the body does not deteriorate and disintegrate during the penance. At the end of the penance God grants it energy to do the remaining work that is left unfinished.
What is karma? It is a philosophical concept. Just understand that God/Guru/Soul is doing all karma. I am not doing it. It is the body that suffers from diseases. If that feeling is firm recovery is faster. Anesthesia is given prior to surgery. If necessary even the heartbeat is stopped. It resumes after surgery. Some cardiologists think that they are gods because they are stopping the heartbeat and reviving it again. Stopping and starting life. What does it mean? Doctors see it happen. Annamaya, pranamaya, jnanamaya, vijnanamaya and then anandamaya are the five sheaths/Kosas in the body.
Only after science/knowledge comes bliss. We are there in the operation theater. Our heart stops and it begins to beat again. Doctors who experience this will automatically become spiritual. Ask the people who had bypass surgery. Take the CD and watch the procedure. Only then you will understand. Do not feel disgust or fear. The wise regard as equal gold, stone, a crow’s dropping, and a piece of wood.
We speak about death and lifespan. The doctors cut your arteries. The blood has to continue to circulate like a river. They attach the tubes to a machine. Just like repairing a cell phone, they dismantle the body and sew it up. When we think of these things, the ego seems to go away. But it returns after 2 days because we quickly forget our experiences.
A robot has a sim, a chip, to make it work. Who is functioning? Is it the instrument or the person employing the instrument? Our daily bath and feeding are the worship we offer to the body, which is our instrument. Just like we tie a lemon or a chilly pepper to an automobile why not tie them to the airplanes to avoid aircrashes, someone asked. Malaysian airline crash is still under investigation. Planes always go in reverse before going forward. In our tradition it brings bad luck. It is a very simple thing to follow. We should first go forward.
We have to do rituals, do fasting, and take medicines if the body goes out of order. This body is only a tool. It does not function by itself. It is the conscious energy that makes it work. When life goes away it has no value. It has to be burned or buried.
Do our rishis not know that tools do not work by themselves? Why have they prescribed this ritual specifically on that day of performing Ayudha Puja? Instead of 9 days, if one does puja for the last three days, it gives the same benefit. If there is no time just do puja on the 9th day, Navami. If no time for even that, at least mentally worship Mother Goddess for 5 minutes on that day. That is enough.
Good devotees surrender to God and pray to be used only as God’s tool. The tool is set aside after the work is done. We must pray to be prevented from become egotistical.
When children are lacking confidence because they have failed an exam, the elders should encourage and say that it is God’s will and God is responsible for all results. Do not allow their depression to continue.
Yoga Vasishtha is a treasure house of all precious gems, like an ocean. It strengthens our sadhana.
Ego is like a cloud. It creates a mist, a fog. It destroys our discretion and judgment. If the cloud goes away the mist is removed and our vision becomes clear. Our confidence returns.
Rama says I have become egoless.
It takes courage to say this.
All my mental activities are free from ego. Yet, there is ignorance in me, Rama says. Does not the absence of ego equal having wisdom? No. The stale water has gone away. But fresh water is yet to flow in. Please bless me with the proper words of advice that will help me. I pray for your guidance.
Aakhyaana .. Guru has to oblige the disciple’s request. He has to make the subject interesting by interspersing a lot of stories.
Rama says ego is the storehouse of all sorrows. It hides inside. We have to find it and throw it out. We have to totally eradicate this ego which is nothing but the source of a heap of troubles.
Please think about it. You will get the answers. How does ego slow down your spiritual progress? Think about the flaws of ego. Do not say I am incapable. Say that God is doing everything. I am not doing anything.
This entire universe is nothing but the five elements. God has pervaded the five elements. He does everything. I take credit without any justification. Is ego outside us so that we can capture it? No. It is inside and eludes capture. All virtues are chased away by it. Hence, I do not wish to depend on it or associate with it. It causes sorrow and exhaustion. I have discarded it. Whatever I am lacking in my understanding, please drill it into me by giving an order. You have every right over me to command me, says Rama.
O great souls, you have the experience of God. Kindly grant that experience to me. One step is left for Sri Rama to climb. 99 steps he has climbed. The last step he has to climb where Guru’s assistance is needed.
Arjuna said Saadhimaam prapannam.
He says, why fight? I will live like a beggar. Krishna, Please command me as to what I should do. Similarly, Sri Rama is praying to Guru to dispel his grief and teach him how to be completely rid of ego.
Chitta dauraatmyam is the next episode.
Make an effort to give up ego. Be happy. Be successful in getting rid of ego.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi
The Bengaluru Bhajan group will render bhajans during Sri Chakra Puja. Let us listen to the bhajans.
Sri Guru Datta