AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha

Day 91, January 3

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

In the Mumukshu Vyavahara prakarana, in the 10th sarga called Jnanavatarana, Vasishtha narrated how in his own life, he had obtained knowledge directly from Brahma who had granted him wisdom and sent him to the earth with the command to spread it in the world. He described the rewards of removing distress and enjoying liberation that one enjoys by gaining spiritual wisdom. He also disclosed the secrets of the process of Creation.

Jnana is eternal. It was never born. It has always been there. We merely recollect what we have always known but forgotten, by the intervention of Sadguru. The recollection or the revelation of the ever-existing Truth is referred to here as the birth of Jnana/spritual wisdom. When Light shines, darkness vanishes. Not having light is the state of darkness. Other than that, darkness, by itself, has no existence. Wherever one may be, when there is light, darkness is not there. Some say that light has swallowed up darkness.

Lord Krishna is described as being dark. (Krishna means dark.) Why is He dark? Sri Swamiji also says He is dark. Why is Sadguru dark? Krishna says He has attracted into himself all the darkness of spiritual ignorance from everyone. When He has drawn away the darkness of ignorance from everyone, what remains is only light. That is the principle of Guru, Guru Tatva or Krishna Tatva.

To help children understand, we say that light has pulled away the darkness. But such a process would require a time lapse. But it does not occur like that where light slowly or gradually removes darkness. The two occur at the same instant, the arrival of light and the departure of darkness. Even as the light is being lit, darkness gets dispelled.

Vasishtha stated that Lord Brahma had given him Upadesha. Sri Rama heard this and expressed a doubt.
Vasishtha is considered to be eternally wise. That being the case, where was the need for Sage Vasishtha to receive Upadesha from Brahma? That Vasishtha suffered from a state of temporary ignorance is a matter of surprise to Sri Rama.

Children sometimes ask elders whether they also feel hunger and thirst. Rama's question is of great significance. Rama wanted to know how the knowledge was transmitted to Vasishtha, how he was able to receive and understand it, and how it was conveyed to him, and the reason for such a transmission of knowledge.

It is very important to know Guru Charitra, the history of Guru's Life and Guru's experiences. It is essential to know who the Guru's Gurus are, and in what manner He obtained the knowledge from His gurus. Some say that Guru is enlightened by birth. If so, how did that occur? If Guru gained enlightenment through sadhana, a disciple must inquire as to the details of the manner of sadhana and whether such a sadhana is appropriate for the disciple also to follow. If similar sadhana is not suitable, then the Guru must reveal the sadhana that is suited to the individual seeking enlightenment. Guru then shares His wisdom. We all need Guru. When Guru climbed the mountain, there were no proper steps. But to make it easier for future seekers, Guru removes all the obstacles in the path and paves a smooth road.

Many elders tell their grandchildren or other youth of the present generation that they had to study under the light of street lamps in their younger days. That statement does not mean that the youth of today should at once run out into the street and begin studying under street lamps. The intent of the elders is to impress that one should study hard, without regard for convenience and comfort. They studied sitting on the streets because they gave studies such a great value. Gurus also tell us that they strove hard to attain wisdom. They make it easier for future generations to attain it.

Vasishtha began his Upadesha with the statement that the Supreme Entity exists as endless and all-pervading consciousness.

The sum total of all the knowledge that we gain in this world amounts to what we call our life. But this is worldly knowledge. What happens once the body perishes? The type of knowledge that is required, to proceed smoothly on the journey that lies ahead after death, is spiritual knowledge. While one is alive, one should acquire this knowledge to help one in the future journey that continues after departing from this world. We require a plan for the future. It is like an insurance. It helps one in future lifetimes.

The Almighty is One. He is everywhere, in everything, and in everyone. But we do not see Him as One. We see separate entities. He exists as the light of consciousness in everyone and everything. We must gain the experience of seeing that light that shines through all that exists.

When one says, attain spiritual knowledge, one may falsely assume that it is another kind of knowledge for which you complete a course and earn a certificate. It is not so. It is an experience. That is all.

Education is necessary. But scholarship and fame are not its goals. The goal here is to get spiritually uplifted.

spandaaspanda ..

God ever exists. He has movement. He has no movement. Water has both movement and stillness. From the philosophical perspective, He is without any movement. He appears as if at the same time He is moving as well as unmoving. From such a Supreme Spirit/Parabrahma, Srimannarayana was born. Vishnu is a term that is easier to comprehend. Vishnu is all-pervasive. If with devotion, one approaches the subject of Vishnu, it becomes possible to understand Him. He is ever protecting everyone. He is ever destroying the ignorance in everyone. He creates the entire Universe. He is of the form of the Trinity. Those who see Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara as separate entitities, with varying degrees of greatness are said to contract terrifying stomach problems soon. To prevent that, you find Siva in a Vishnu Temple and Vishnu in a Siva Temple. Janardana is in the shape of Siva, holding a mace for giving protection.

In our Sri Datta Venkateshwara Kshetram, Sri Sarvadoshahara Sivalinga is the protector of the premises. Lord Subrahmanya is also consecrated in the aspect of Siva. On top of the gopuram, Lord Brahma, who is not given worship, is placed. Lord Maha Vishnu must always be perceived as the form of the Trinity, as Lord Dattatreya. Saint Annamacharya has praised Vishnu as the form of the Trinity. To differentiate between Siva and Vishnu is a great sin. Our devotion must always help us to rise higher spiritually, and not throw us downhill.

Vishnu is depicted as reclining on Adi Sesha on the Ocean of Milk, as Mother Lakshmi is pressing His feet. Such a state as described here, exists. How to understand it? The Ocean of Milk is the total conglomerate of all the galaxies in existence. Adi Sesha is the spiral formation that you see in the formation of the endless galaxies.
Maha Vishnu pervades it all in the form of Consciousness. Maha Lakshmi is the splendor that is inherent in Creation, which is offering its services. She is the energy element while He is the subatomic essence of Creation.

The union of the two results in Creation. How subtly it has been explained. Our seers have given us both devotion and science. We have held on to devotion but have neglected the science aspect. The scientists have rejected the devotional aspect. Both are important. It is wrong to discriminate and judge that one is superior to the other. Whatever it is that helps us in this lifetime as well as future lifetimes, is what is great and valuable. That power is inherent in devotion but not in science. The validity of science is limited only to the present lifetime of an individual. You cannot get the benefits of medicines once the body perishes. In this regard, devotion travels with our consciousness, the mind, and the intellect, which survive as tendencies even after the body is discarded.

syandana..

Like a wave, Maha Vishnu emerged out of Paramatma. The process of Creation is described differently in each of the scriptures, as it took place in the individual circumstances in each Kalpa as per Brahma's intent. For instance, a Purusha is said to have emerged from Brahma, who turned into a couple and from them all progeny occurred. Like this, different versions are given in our scriptures and in the Vedas.

An ocean is an ocean whether the water has movement or not. Like a wave emerging from an ocean, Maha Vishnu emerged. The wave is not separate from the ocean. From His navel Brahma emanated, like a child from a mother's ***.

Our mind is too small to conceive of or comprehend this endless Creation. Therefore, it is best if it is considered from a smaller perspective. Just as the mother supplies all the required nutrients to a child in the *** through the cord connected to its navel, consciousness fills Brahma from Maha Vishnu so that He can create this manifested Universe. Brahma therefore, is both our Mother and Father. The way we were created, Brahma was created. The invisible umbilical cord that connects mother and child is inside the *** in humans. But the cord from Vishnu's navel is depicted as being on the outside and hence, visible. The lotus that is at the end of the cord has a middle raised portion called Karnika, and that is said to be Mount Meru. The entire Creation is that lotus emerging from the navel of Maha Vishnu. The goal of our life is for us to return to our source.

It is good to have devotion and to engage in ritualistic worship. But it should not stop there. One should also acquire spiritual wisdom and get enlightened and liberated. The stars are the stamens in the lotus. All the seers and sages were also created as Sadgurus, and they came into existence the moment Creation took place. It is said that Guru is without a source or birth. It is advised that one should not explore into the source of a river or Guru.

All the seers praised Lord Brahma. From the mind of Brahma the entire Creation came into being. Brahma's resolve took shape as the Universe. Brahma's resolve is based on His recollection of the past Creation. He repeats the cycle. Whatever comes into our minds also has its basis in a recollection of the past. It has had an existence before. It is a strange science. The mind-born sons came into being.

There are many planes of existence. Starting with the earth, there are seven higher planes. From the highest to the lowest, the planes were created. The earth is called Jambu Dvipa because it resembles the Jambu fruit (Java Plum). In Jambu Dvipa, in Bharatha nation, now called India, Brahma created a group of living creatures with troubles, diseases, and problems. Whether Brahma created all the creatures all at once or created them gradually, is something we have to ponder about. These creatures began to feel elated when they profited, and felt anguished when they suffered losses. Brahma expected these beings to enjoy even-mindedness. However, they were unable to attain that state of equanimity. Their moods kept swaying with mental and physical disturbances. Brahma was disappointed to see their pitiable state. Brahma, like a father or Guru, wished that his creatures should be like him. These creatures became short-lived. At least if the lifespan was long, some progress might have been possible to achieve. But in a short lifespan not much can be achieved. As the number of guests increases, thick curds turns more and more diluted into thin buttermilk. Health, knowledge, and wisdom decreased as numbers increased and with the passage of time. We, on earth appear to Brahma like almost invisible entities. If the earth is seen from the Sun, how would we appear? With a magnifying glass he looked. He was shocked at the sight. The creatures had a very short lifespan. They were obsessed with physical, earthly pleasures.

Our seers did not encourage the development of science because scientific development increases worldly comforts which are detrimental to spiritual progress. But they did develop certain sciences like Ayurveda. Sushruta has taught us surgery. Charaka Samhita teaches us the science of medicine. Dhanurveda, the science of warfare also has survived. But other sciences increase possessions and those will be the cause of distress and unhappiness. The fewer possessions one has, the happier one is. That is what Sri Swamiji observed during His visit to Japan. One should keep only the essentials. Nothing more.

Just as a father lamenting over the sorry state of his children, Brahma felt that it was His responsibility to help His children. We are born of his resolve. We are born from His mind. When we find ourselves in difficulty, the way to get out of the difficulty comes out of our minds as a clever idea. Similarly, Brahma thought of a way to remove the difficulties of his children.

samchintya ..

Now he created penance, dharma (by way of upadesha), charity, and Truth. Brahma, through Sadguru, teaches people to cultivate the above virtues. People, to gain an upper hand, had learned violence and deceit. Brahma taught Truth, to help the creatures to extricate themselves from their troubles. The four positive principles were difficult to follow by these people. It was not easy to develop and maintain these traits. People told the truth only as long as it did not harm them. If speaking the truth would put them in jeopardy, they would at once resort to falsehood. We see this tendency starting from ancient times, even from King Harischandra.

Brahma created Pilgrimage Centers, sacred locations, including holy rivers and lakes. Go to holy places, perform penance there, give charity there, speak truth there, observe dharma there, he taught. These five methods are most beneficial in the path to liberation. Gradually, superior births will be gained. Of all dharmas/duties, penance is the greatest. While giving charity, the ego raises its head. It is not so when one sacrifices or renounces. That is why charity should be given with a feeling of renunciation, of giving up. Charity is merely giving. 'I am giving' gives a sense of superiority which is detrimental to spiritual progress. Giving charity grants higher planes as it did to Karna in the Mahabharata. But charity without ego should be practiced. Truth is most essential. Sri Swamiji's name in His childhood was Satyanarayana. There is truth in the worldly sense, and there is absolute Truth. One who can experience the latter, gains liberation.

In the worldly sense, truth is sometimes compromised. Yudhishthira once uttered a small falsehood. Until then, his feet did not touch the ground. When he spoke a lie, he lost that status and descended to the ground. So did his chariot. In Lepakshi, there is a hanging pillar, under which a piece of paper can be slid.

It is difficult to adhere to truth all the time in worldly affairs. Minor falsehoods tend to creep into speech. It is better to adhere to spiritual Truth. It has the power to burn away the sins of uttering worldly untruths.

Pilgrimages are easy to perform. One can book a taxi, or fly in an aircraft, or ride a train with family having fun and recreation. But it is good to travel with those who are devout and are like-minded. It is good to focus on the deity of the shrine you intend to visit and chant the relevant mantra as you travel, rather than entertain yourself with cinema songs. A picnic is different from a pilgrimage. Many people are treating pilgrimage centers as picnic spots. The one who visits sacred locations has to behave in a pious manner. When the sanctity of a place is abused, natural calamities are likely to occur as happened near Kedarnath. There are some pious youth, But there are also those who eat meat, drink liquor and engage in unholy activities at pilgrimage centers.

In Badarinath, I felt very sad to see much filth and unholy revelry. Similarly, in Rameshwaram, at Agni Teertham one does not even feel like taking a holy bath. It is so dirty. Now with the Svachcha Bharath scheme, all these places are getting cleaned up.

People use soap when they take a holy dip. It is wrong. People leave the soap there and some old person slips and falls and injures herself. People eat snack foods and throw the wrappers around, littering the place.

We must keep our shrines and sacred pilgrimage centers perfectly clean and holy. Recently I visited a pilgrimage place. There were many tea stalls. There are no dust bins/trash cans for disposal of trash. The water used for cleaning the used utensils was so dirty and re-used so many times that it is certain to spread diseases. People complain that they went on a pilgrimage and came back sick. Is it the fault of the Lord of the Kshetra that you became sick? You misbehave. He is not responsible. Cleanliness should be practiced by everyone, not just the brahmins. God is absolutely clean and pure. Devotion without cleanliness is useless.

In Cambodia, the largest ever Hindu temple is there. It is a great tourist center. An old woman was serving sugarcane juice. She was collecting all the used water bottles, and the crushed sugarcane, which she bundled up and deposited in the garbage disposal area in a far away designated place.

I told the volunteers who were with me at Kurnool, when I saw the garbage piled up there at a pilgrimage center, that I too wish to participate in the clean up job and asked if they would help. Many of them came forward, worked hard, and cleaned the place up. The next day it was in the newspapers there that the local authorities who observed our efforts felt ashamed and resolved hereafter to personally take part in similar clean up efforts. I felt very happy at this response.

Whenever you visit a pilgrimage center, do your bit of keeping the place clean. If you see litter, pick it up. Places which have over the ages cured incurable diseases, now are spreading diseases.

At Mahanandi, the place is clean in spite of thousands of people bathing in the holy waters. How is it possible? There is excellent drainage system.

In Kadiri, it was most filthy. Plastic debris was everywhere. It is not even biodegradable. The plastic covers are a menace these days. Even Manasarovar is getting polluted these days. Unless plastics are got rid of, this problem may persist. Man is so powerful that he has the capacity to spoil even the most remote and the most sacred of places on earth which have been preserved in their pristine purity over centuries and eons with great reverence. The reason for this widespread pollution is overpopulation and the casual attitude of people who treat holy places as recreational resorts.

All these events are also cyclical. It is mentioned in the Bhagavatam that Lord Krishna got all the pilgrimage centers cleaned up. There is no point in fretting over the present situation. This has been happening all through the ages. Still, we cannot be negligent.

etatsrishtvaa ..

Having created these five methods, Brahma realized that these alone would not suffice to clean up the mess created by man within himself. Something more was needed. Man needed Jnana to set him right. Brahma therefore decided to introduce Jnana into the world.

We will learn about that tomorrow.

Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta

Om santissantissantihi