AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha

Day 92, January 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

Om santissantissantihi

Yesterday Vasishtha explained to Sri Rama that Brahma gave him Upadesha about Paramatma, Maha Vishnu, the birth of Brahma, Creation, the sages, and seers. He narrated how Brahma created Dharma, Truth, penance, charity, and pilgrimages to help the people of the earth extricate themselves from their karma bondages born of spiritual ignorance. Realizing that these alone will not suffice to help the humans on earth, Brahma created Vasishtha to propagate spiritual wisdom amongst the people. Vasishtha is a personification of Jnana. Krishna is Yogacharya.

Narada is a personification of Bhakti. After Vasishtha was created, Brahma spoke with him. For some unknown reason, Brahma cursed Vasishtha to remain drowned in sorrow and ignorance for some time. As a result, Vasishtha forgot Jnana and was drowned in sorrow. When Vasishtha prayed to Brahma to relieve him for this sorrow, Brahma gave him Upadesha, made him enlightened and told him to proceed to the earth to share his knowledge with others. For that purpose Vasishtha came to the earth. As long as there are listeners and seekers, Vasishtha will spread spiritual wisdom on earth. He never performs any actions out of ego. He has no bondage of karma because he never assumes doership of any action. This subject matter is called Jnanavatarana. Vasishtha, as Sadguru stimulates Jnana in our intellect.

Not just this visible Creation, but the creation of our ideas and our knowledge are created by Sadguru. That is why Sadguru is Brahma. We know the reason for our birth. To lead a life that is free from troubles, and to free ourselves from the cycle of births and deaths, we need the Upadesha from Sadguru. His Upadesha inculcates an interest in us in acquiring spiritual wisdom. Because he creates such an interest in us, Sadguru is Brahma. Because he sustains that interest in us Sadguru is Vishnu. Because he destroys our ignorance Sadguru is Sadasiva. Sadguru is the form of the Trinity.

Brahma was full of compassion towards the people whom he had created. That is why to remove their difficulties, he urged people to do penance, mantra japa, austerities, pilgrimages, sadhana, follow Dharma, follow the path of Ahimsa/non-violence, do charity with whatever he had granted by way of prosperity. He created Truth and urged that people acquire the knowledge of absolute Truth. For pilgrimages he creates holy rivers, lakes, ashrams, shrines, temples, trees, mountains, and so forth. In Viduraswattha, the tree itself is the 5000 year old pilgrimage spot that people cherish, preserve and worship. The tree is so powerful. There are many holy places where the trees are most sacred. All the above are helping people but not fully.

What is it that will forever remain with us that will release us from our bondage? Brahma pondered over this issue.

Sadguru is our only friend whose friendship endures until the end. All other friends since childhood get filtered out. Who are our important friends? They keep getting reduced in number and keep changing also. Relatives and friends are not capable of giving us Jnana. Sadguru alone has that qualification. The Sun God's first name of the 12 important names is 'Mitra' which means friend. He is a friend who grants us health. Brahma, as friend, wanted to grant Jnana/spiritual wisdom.

nirvanam ..

Liberation is the same as Jnana. Nirvana is a word that is used in the last chapter, called Nirvana Prakarana. Many are of the false impression that the word Nirvana is associated with Buddhists. It is wrong. Out of ignorance, some people even attribute the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita to Buddhists because of the presence in it of the word Nirvana. These types of foolish opinions emerge from a total lack of knowledge. The news media is also foolish enough to print such opinions. I recently read such an article where it was claimed that the word Nirvana appeared for the first time in literature in the Bhagavad Gita, which the author claimed was authored only 1500 years ago, and the term was introduced due to the influence of the Buddhists. What colossal misinformation due to utter ignorance!

Adi Sankara had composed the Nirvana Shatkam a very long time ago. In this ancient work, Yoga Vasishtha, an entire section is there called Nirvana Prakarana.

One simply must be aware that such ignorant people are there, and ignorant writings also get published. Such opinions and such writings must be ignored.

najaayate ..

Brahma brought to light and awareness, Jnana, which would lead to liberation and supreme bliss. No one can create Jnana. Jnana can only be disclosed and revealed to the world. It can only be unwrapped and made known. The word 'create' is used for us to understand it clearly. With Jnana, a state of 'no rebirth and no death' is achieved.

Many wish to overcome death. It is not possible to avoid death unless one can avoid birth. The fear of death occurs only to one who is born. To say that you were born implies that you existed before you were born. Birth is an entry into this world that you had chosen to do. You occupied this body. Unless 'you' existed prior to that, you could not have engaged in these actions, such as taking birth by occupying a body. The Truth that you are eternal, and ever-existent, is Jnana. Never look upon yourself as limited or less than perfect. Recognize your immense effulgence, your radiance, your eternal state of being.

First it is said that the state of no-birth should be achieved. Unless one is born, one cannot die. The body made of the five elements is subject to many limitations. Unless bondage inside a body is avoided, one cannot realize the supreme state of limitlessness. Such a state of permanent avoidance of birth and death is achieved only through Jnana/spiritual wisdom. To transcend the cycle of samsara, Jnana is the only means.

In the video games played by children, you see the characters, the obstructions they face, the challenges won by the player by overcoming the obstacle, the points earned, and the jubilation. In life, we think falsely that God is playing games with us. But we are the players, we are the game, we are the characters in the game, we are the obstructions and the designers of the obstacles, we are the challenges, and the victors over the challenges, the points earned, the failures, and the jubilation that is experienced. We alone exist as all of these. This strange video game we keep playing. We go through different levels and cycles. To stop the repetitive cycles in life, and to proceed to higher levels from where you do not retrace your steps or go back to Start, you need Jnana.

By choice one can still begin at square one. Those who choose to come back to square one, by taking birth are the seers and Gurus who do so to help others transcend all these levels and get Home Free. They are like teachers who go down to basics to teach the abc's and 123's to children. Why do they do it? It is the way parents get down to the level of children to teach them things the way they will understand.

verse

Until liberation is attained, different paths are followed. Unless a path leads to liberation, it is futile to engage in it. So many different means are there, yajnas, penance, sadhana, and so forth. There is no equal or superior goal to Jnana. Dhyana is the means to get Jnana. Listening is also dhyana. You must ponder over the topic continuously and with Sadguru's grace one will attain Jnana. One should keep remembering Sadguru constantly.
Except this work, no other scripture states so categorically that austerities, pilgrimages, and charity do not by themselves grant Jnana. Regardless of how much penance you may perform, unless enlightenment occurs, one does not become a Brahmarshi. One who continues to do penance is only a Tapasvi. Only upon enlightenment, he is called a Jnani.

There is a world of difference between the work of one who knows, and one who does not know. The one who knows will accomplish the job with ease. One who is ignorant will keep striving without attaining the desired result. Knowledge is the greatest goal.

Indirectly penance, pilgrimages, and charities pave the way to enlightenment by cleansing the mind and improving focus. They are only instrumental. They do not directly grant Jnana.

Here Dharma and Satya are not included. To practice these two is more difficult than to practice the vow of truth. These two are higher steps to penance, pilgrimages, and charities. Sri Rama and Sita spoke highly of dharma and truth. Practicing these two was their sadhana. They did not remain for long durations in penance.

Tattaavat ...

This was the thought process of Brahma. Therefore, he wished to liberate people from sorrow, which is the universal desire of everyone. No one should or does wish for sorrow to continue. Everyone seeks happiness. Hataatma is one who has absolutely no desire to know about the soul. Such people incur the same sin as committing suicide. Not showing interest in the subject or speaking frivolously of it, is a great sin. Since one's form is Knowledge, if knowledge is despised it is like self-blame.

Brahma resolved to create the means to grant liberation. We are thankful to Brahma because, if he had not provided us this method, we would never get liberated. We offer to him our prostrations.

Sometimes suddenly Swamiji gives some instruction out of context, even without our asking, and even when we do not pay attention. Some person among the audience may require that message and would benefit from it.

verse

Vasishtha was thus created as a manifestation of Jnana. Among all the rishis, he is considered as the greatest.
Just as a wave merges with another wave Vasishtha says that he joined Brahma. Vasishtha is identifying himself with the Paramatma.

Vasishtha approached Brahma who had a Kamandalu with him. The sacred water *** signifies cleanliness and purity. One must drink a lot of water and be pure inside and outside. One must always wash hands if saliva gets on them. This is for health reasons. Another person's saliva must not touch you because it will cause ill health.

In our tradition we do not shake hands because we do not know how clean the other person's hands are. Even if people use spoons for eating their food, they still might touch inside their ears or nostrils due to an itch or discomfort, thus contaminating their hands with germs. That is enough to spread viruses.

Traditions were established for health reasons. In the olden days, strict rules were established as common customs for general welfare. The fear of sin was inculcated because people had to remember certain rules of hygiene. Those days we did not have television and computers for easy transmission of information.

Sri Rama shook the hand of Guha, a tribal chief because he did not wish to hurt his feelings. He laid his hand on his shoulder, held his hand and spoke with him. Later, he washed his hands.

Brahma always carried a Kamandalu and a Japamala/rosary. Vasishtha also took his Kamandalu and Japamala. These days people carry sanitizers in their purses and japa counters. Touching the mala works as acupressure. Rudrakshamala helps us in that way.

Vasishtha had darshan of Brahma. Like a father, Brahma drew me close and gave me Upadesha, the way a Swan gives Upadesha to the Saarasa bird. A Hamsa is said to make friends only with swans or Saarasa birds. A swan does not mingle with crows and eagles.

Brahma said he was happy to see Vasishtha who was an enlightened soul. But he was unhappy to see the unhappiness of people on earth. Brahma resolved that for a moment, Vasishtha should suffer the wavering mind of a monkey. Like the stain on the moon, he wished Vasishtha to suffer from a fleeting phase of ignorance. This was like a curse. But great souls accept curses for the welfare of the worlds.

Swamiji sometimes says that some people descend to the earth due to some curse. Once, Sri Maharajapuram Santanam came to the ashram and gave a magnificent rendering of some Devi Keertanas composed by Sri Swamiji. It was during 1988-89. I distinctly remember Swamiji's words spoken after the concert: He is a Gandharva who has come to the earth due to a curse. By doing this Nada Upasana, now he will go back liberated. It is his great fortune that Swamiji said those words to him. The reason he came to the earth was to feast us with his mellifluous music. It is not to just entertain us, but to create an interest in us to sing. It is because of him that I developed an interest in singing. I always loved to listen to Swamiji's singing. But I never wished to sing like him. It is wrong to have such a desire. It was only when I heard Maharajapuram Santanam sing, that I too felt like singing. He brought about that change in my thinking.

I heard countless times his song: Sri Bhavani Bhavuni rani. He sang it superbly. Whatever he sang, he sang excellently well.

Similarly, Vasishtha came down to the earth as a result of a curse. Who gave the curse? Brahma did. He did it for our benefit. Only those who have the power and can withstand and handle such a curse will be subjected to such a curse. Vasishtha had the capacity to handle it and therefore, he was cursed and given that responsibility. He was momentarily made to suffer from total ignorance. Vasishtha considered it a curse and says that such an event had occurred in his life.

Iti tena ..

As soon as Brahma cursed, me, by the power of Brahma's word, I forgot my real identity. That is ignorance.
That is why it is wrong to drink alcohol, because it makes one lose one's senses and makes one forget himself. In sleep also we forget ourselves temporarily, but we wake up refreshed. That is a natural occurrence. There is no greater wrong than forgetting oneself. It may last for half an hour or a day.

Vasishtha forgot his pure and perfect state of being. He did not know his identity. He became drowned in sorrow. He wept inconsolably. His mind became blank. He could not find a way out of his deep despair. During depression also, such a state occurs. Like a wealthy man weeps when he loses his wealth, I wept, having lost my knowledge.

What was strange was, that Brahma, who had seated Vasishtha on his lotus seat, suddenly became invisible to Vasishtha. Vasishtha knew that he did not walk away from Brahma. He also knew that Brahma had not gone anywhere leaving him. Yet, Brahma had vanished from sight. Being sharp of intellect, Vasishtha at once questioned himself, how such a thing could have occurred.

Here there is a great Vedantic secret. God is right beside us. In fact God is us. Yet, we do not see Him. We have forgotten Him. Vasishtha, in that fraction of a second, found that Brahma was missing. He puzzled over this terrible situation.

Within that fraction of a second, Vasishtha had gone through hundreds of births and deaths. He became deeply involved in Samsara. This is another subtlest of subtle truths.

Because we have assumed this body, we are bound by the time scale that rules this plane of existence, such as a year, a decade, and a hundred year lifespan. But if you go very deep within and reach the proximity of the soul, the time scale there is totally different. What is hundreds or thousands of years here, is only a fraction of a second there.

We must grasp the concept of Time.

Consider an ant or a mosquito. After all it perhaps lives for a day or two. It is a short time for us, but for the insect, it is a very long time. During that short time, it is born, grows up, marries, has a family, is engaged in work, has grandchildren, and ends its life. It is its entire lifetime. It had to live very cautiously, avoiding pesticides, and all types of dangers, and keep looking for its food and drink of blood.

The moment Vasishtha forgot his true identity, Samsara overtook him and enveloped him completely.
Here, we must consider the scientific aspect. We cannot reject science. We accept in Vedanta only what is beneficial from everything.

Vasishtha realized that something had wrong with himself and that is why this desperate situation had occurred. He looked frantically this way and that. Then he realized that nothing can be achieved unless his mind is first steadied. Therefore, he calmed down. He closed his eyes and remained still. Then, in that meditative state, he heard his father's voice.

All of this has been stated clearly in just one verse. When the mind was agitated, nothing was understood. But when the mind became calm and steady, an inner voice was heard. The literal meaning of the text of this verse will not convey this meaning. Only a commentary on it, an analysis will explain its intent.

Vasishtha forgot who he was. He experienced hundreds of births and deaths and became completely confused and miserable. Then finally, he settled his mind, and remained still.

Now, in this lifetime, we have reached that state of reconciliation. We have come to the ashram. We have grasped the feet of Sadguru. We are listening. We are doing sadhana. We are steadying our minds and now we must begin experiencing some calmness. Until that peace comes to our minds, we must continue our sadhana.

Finally, Vasishtha heard his father's voice: 'Son, why do you grieve?" He heard the voice from within. "Ask me how you can overcome your sorrow." Brahma himself suggested that Vasishtha should ask him for a solution to his problem. "As soon as you ask, I will give you the answer, by which you will obtain happiness." Sadguru himself suggests that we should ask questions so that we can obtain answers. What should we ask at such times? We should ask significant and meaningful questions, and not something trivial and frivolous.
What did Vasishtha ask?

Vasishtha said, I asked prayerfully: "How do I rid myself of this disease called Samsara? What is the medicine for it? Kindly instruct me. Why did I get afflicted with this most painful Samsara? What is the reason for this cycle of repeated births and deaths? Why was I born? Why am I caught in this terrible grief? Please explain to me."

verse

Brahma gave a very long explanation to me, said Vasishtha. What was said is not revealed here.
I listened to him fully and understood everything he said. I became equal to him. In fact, Brahma said that I have become greater than him.

It is only at the end of the Kalpa that the four-faced Brahma merges with Paramatma. But Vasishtha need not wait that long. Whenever he leaves the body, he will merge with Paramatma.

After receiving the Upadesha from Brahma I regained the knowledge of my true identity, which I had forgotten temporarily.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sri Ramana Maharshi would repeatedly ask their disciples, "Who are you?" The disciples had to keep going back to ponder over the question deeply to give an answer to the Guru. Saying their name and physical description never satisfied the Guru. When the disciples told the Guru that finally they found the answer to the question, Guru was satisfied that the disciple became enlightened. The disciple did not explain what the answer is.

If an answer is given, it would be wrong. The answer can only be experienced and not conveyed in words. Sadguru keeps asking.

Brahma, the Creator said this to me: Do not grieve. It is by my resolve that you suffered from ignorance. I wanted you to question. That is why I made that happen.

When Brahma made this Creation, he knew that unhappiness would result. Therefore, to dispel it, he created Jnana. But, Brahma himself cannot instruct the created beings about Jnana. Someone had to first learn it, and then, spread it in the world.

If the four-faced Brahma approaches us directly, to teach us Jnana, we will run away in fright. Therefore, someone of our species, someone who can relate to us and communicate with us, has to be delegated that responsibility. That is why Vasishtha came down as Sadguru, to teach mankind.

I have made you the questioner, the one to ask for instruction. That is how I was able to share this knowledge with you, the essence of Jnana. Through you the people of the world who have faith and keenness in obtaining Jnana should become freed from grief. Everyone that is eligible should experience immense bliss.

idaneem ..

Now you are freed from the curse.

In their time scale it was only a fraction of a second that it lasted. But to Vasishtha who experienced numerous lifetimes, it felt like eons.

It is important that even for a moment we must not forget God. Negligence for even a moment can land us in disaster. That is why it is important to be engaged in the chanting of the name of God endlessly, to the extent that even in dreams we only murmur His name. That is why Swamiji engages in frequent Namasankeertan and other divine activities.

Brahma said: Now you are enlightened. Like me, you are also identified with God. Till now you were like a gold nugget buried in dirt. Now you are shining like gold. Now to uplift the people of the earth, please descend to the earth.

The great souls, out of compassion for us, although they are highly exalted, descend to our level to lift us up and take us up to the higher regions.

Now, Vasishtha, proceed to Jambu Dvipa (Bharatha/India) and reside there.

It was Brahma's resolve and decision that this spread of Jnana should occur in India. It is our good fortune that we are born in India or have come here now.

Brahma further said: There are many down there who are totally into activities. You must instruct them in a way that they can understand and follow your instructions. First teach them how to perform good and noble deeds.
Jnana should go hand in hand with good actions, because this is Kali Yuga. After this discourse, we proceed to witness the homa purnahuti, and then for Sri Chakra Puja. One should not discourage the virtuous acts saying that they are unnecessary. Those who engage in beneficial deeds such as charity, and deeds of dharma must be encouraged to do so, and to continue to do so.
Such people are Karma Yogis.

verse

Vasishtha said that Brahma told him: "A few are seen on earth who have sharp intellects and the aptitude to quickly grasp the subtle aspects of Jnana. To such persons, teach the path towards enlightenment through Jnana."
There are two paths, Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga. These are the two types of wings of the birds. It is not intended that one wing should be Karma, and another wing should be Jnana. One can choose either the path of Karma, or the path of Jnana.

Vasishtha said: "I accepted these words of Brahma as a command given to me and have incarnated her on earth. As long as there are spiritual seekers, I will be here."

In the form of all the Sadgurus, it is actually the Upadesha of Brahma that is being conveyed.

We chant: Gurur Brahma ...

It is Paramatma Himself who descends to the earth as Guru to uplift us.

Vasishtha has given his promise that he will be available to give instruction as long as there are interested seekers of Jnana.

kartavyamasti ..

I have no karma left to perform. I am not obligated to do any deeds. I am only here by the order of Brahma. I am not bound by my mind. I am free from any type of bondage.

verse

We are pure at heart during deep sleep. You should look at babies while they sleep peacefully. In the beginning they sleep throughout the day and night. Slowly the duration reduces, as their bliss reduces. Eventually, people even become sleepless and struggle to sleep even for an hour or two.

Of 8 hours of sleep, only two hours of beneficial sleep occurs. That is why we are asked to sleep for that long. Whereas babies sleep well for hours on end. That is why they do not tire easily.
Because they play in the dirt and their bodies are not yet fully developed, they are prone to illnesses. But good sleep and good food are very important to maintain good health.

During deep sleep, a criminal and a pious person are both equally pure-hearted. That is why it is said that a sleeping person should never be murdered. It is a great sin to do so. Because, at that time he has no thoughts and he is one with the Almighty.

During dream state it is different. There are different good and bad tendencies expressing themselves.
supta dhiya

Vasishtha said: My mind is as pure as that of one who is in deep sleep, even though I am awake. I act the way a person acts in deep sleep. It is the state of Paramatma.

It is a different concept that sleep is an indication of Tamo Guna. One should not misinterpret the above statement and decide to sleep all the time because Swamiji said it is the state of Paramatma. No. That is not right.

Vasishtha says that even while I am engaged in activity, I am as pure at heart as one who is in deep sleep. That is why I am not bound by Karma. Since my mind and intellect are absolutely pure, Karma does not bind me. I am free from ego. I do not feel that I am the performer of any action.

Identifying oneself with Jnana is the manifestation of enlightenment. When knowledge becomes personified, it takes the form of Sadguru. When Jnana is awakened within us, we also become one with Jnana.

This concludes this topic.

Next, the qualities of a questioner and the qualities of the one who responds with answers is described. It is also a very important subject.

We will continue with discourses on Yoga Vasishtha after the completion of my Andhra tour. The speeches may commence on February 1st or 2nd. I am not yet sure of the date. It will depend on the situation then. Till then, all the students have holidays. Please utilize this time well. You have a lot of home work. You have more work to do than I. I will not ask questions. I will not quiz you. But, you have to grade yourself and assess your own progress. Like a visiting professor who is not affiliated with the institution where he teaches, I keep giving discourses. It is up to you to study, revise, review, ponder over, and grasp the subject.

I am giving these explanations for my own sake, although we have listeners here, and also there are about 500 viewers online. The reason for my teaching is that I identify with all of you. I am very happy.

Today we completed the topic of Jnanavataranam. It is a very special topic.

We have entered the New Year. I pray to Sadgurudeva that all your efforts and aspirations should be fruitful.

Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta

Om Santissantissantihi