April 25, Vasishtha
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Yoga Vasishtha
Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 122, April 25
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha.
Om Santissantissantissantihi.
It has been many days since we have spoken about Yoga Vasishtha.
After the Australia tour to attend the Sydney concert, some other tours, and the program of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana, now we resume.
In the Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana we have spoken about four gate keepers for the kingdom of Liberation. They are mentioned as Shama, Vichara, Santosha, and Sadhu Sangama. Shama and Vichara we have learned about. Vichara is contemplating about the soul. Now we speak about Santosha. The last one is Sadhu Sangama.
Santosha means happiness, joy. If we make friends with this gatekeeper, even if we forget our gate pass, he will allow us to enter. Everyone seeks happiness, peace of mind, and joy. Happiness we search for. Without bliss, Liberation is not possible. We mistakenly treat happiness as *** comfort. Here we discuss mental happiness. Sage Vasishtha speaks about a very important topic here.
A man even consults doctors in the neighboring town because he is not happy and satisfied with the diagnosis given by his local physician. If one has faith and is happy, the wound heals quickly. If one is not happy, one does not get cured fast.
Happiness is very important.
There is a World Happiness Society. Today's newspaper says that they do research on 158 countries worldwide to determine the relative levels of happiness enjoyed in each. They grade them all. India, according them, is at the 117th place. It is terrible. It is almost at the bottom. It is as per their observation and their based on their criteria. They perhaps interviewed only those who blamed this country, which is fashionable these days, and those who only complained that here there are no comforts.
The level of happiness amongst people is reducing. With everything at hand, still people are unhappy. Our ancestors had no gadgets, no mobile phones, no personal transportation vehicle, no availability of petrol, that we all now have. Still, they declared that they were happy. People wrongly feel that materials give happiness. If that is so, when the material is lost, happiness also is lost. What you get from material possession does not last. Good sleep is the most satisfying experience. If one is very hungry and very sleepy, he prefers the bliss of sleep, over a belly-full of food. Even the richest man in the world is miserable if he is unable to sleep for at least an hour in a day. No one else can sleep for you by proxy. You cannot hire someone else to sleep for you, so that you can remain happy.
We must never lose our happiness. Some occasions and situations give grief, no doubt. We must forget our troubles and enjoy happiness. Some people never remember that they should get back to being happy. They remain unhappy lifelong. But we must not remain in sorrow. Always remember that happiness must never leave you. No matter how great or important your profession and means of livelihood may be, if you keep having darshan of Sadguru frequently, your level of happiness is maintained. Seeing the happy face of Swamiji even in a photograph, will give you happiness. One who laughs is a Bhogi, a man who enjoys life. One who makes others laugh is a Yogi. One who neither laughs nor makes others laugh, is a Rogi, a sick man.
Charlie Chaplin was a great comedian in the old silent movies. He was a great artist who would make others laugh without uttering a word. Not a single movement or action is found that is indecent or inappropriate in his movies. Every 15 days, on our days off, when we were children, Swamiji would show us his movies to make us laugh. It is clean humor. It is yoga to make others laugh. If you read His biography you will know that He suffered great misery.
Swamiji had a small surgical operation in Delhi. We took bhiksha (his special meal) to his hospital room. We were asked to sit on a bench that was placed in front of him. I said I would sit on the floor. I refused to sit on a bench in front of him. He insisted and forced me to be seated on the bench seat. Swamiji, looking at the other person standing there, said, it is okay, the bench is strong. You also may sit on the bench. I believe Swamiji refused to sit on the bench earlier, because he joked and said it may not be strong enough to carry his weight. Even at such a time, Swamiji laughed and made us laugh, right after having surgery.
When a difficulty comes, if you succumb to it, happiness will be lost. Never become a slave to unhappiness.
When you look back, what you must see is only the happiness that you have enjoyed, even in the efforts which you had put in, to accomplish your goals. You must retain your happiness even while working hard towards achieving your aims.
Santosha, the gate keeper is in the middle of the four gatekeepers. He is the third one. He is flanked by the others. The middle pendant is attractive. Concentration and grasping power are increased with happiness.
Faces are different and varied. Beauty cannot be properly defined. It is relative. It lies in the eyes of the beholder. A baby crow appears pretty to the crow. Same for pigs and people. Color, features, and so on, are all of a personal taste and preference. Miss India and Miss World are a matter of individual taste. Everyone may not agree with the decisions and judgments.
A smiling face is glowing and radiant. Jewelry and other attributes do not give the same beauty to the face as a smile gives. In humans a smile is very easy to recognize. The face expresses happiness through a smile. Animals and other creatures may smile or laugh but it is not so openly apparent. Whether or not you wear jewelry, whether or not you have washed your face or brushed your teeth, nothing matters. When you smile, you look beautiful.
Practice happiness. Do not be stubborn and remain unhappy and hold a grumpy face.
Keep smiling. Do not dwell on past misfortunes. If you are depressed, even health will be spoiled.
A Kannada song heard in childhood says: Keep laughing. Keep making others laugh also. One who does not laugh is Rogi. One who is laughing is a Bhogi.
If people don't smile, Swamiji even gets angry. He says be joyful. It benefits you and the others if you are happy and smiling. Whatever type of being it may be, whatever color, species, of whatever level of beauty, still, a smile is the best ornament. No matter what kind of laughter, it still expresses and gives happiness. Mimicry artists demonstrate the different ways that people laugh, some that sound like the opening of a soda bottle, some that will frighten with the loudness of their laughter, and some laughter that sounds like screams. Laughter spreads happiness whether one laughs showing the teeth or not .
While scolding also, if one smiles, even enemies become friends. Never give up laughter. Every substance in the world has a price. Laughter is priceless. Never give up or give away your laughter to another and remain without it. If you keep smiling, the pains get diminished. If you slip and fall, out of surprise you laugh, even if at first you feel pain . There is comedy in tragedy. Pain is reduced with laughter. Weeping increases pain.
Sage Vasishtha proves the importance of a smile, of happiness, and of laughter.
Happiness is everything in life. Happiness is Liberation.
From happiness, one derives the greatest relaxation. after great strain, one requires some rest. In this journey called life with great *** effort, happiness grants a respite. This topic is discussed not in a novel, but in the deeply spiritual text, the Yoga Vasishtha. Mental happiness, the happy state of mind is described here. One who does not get his mandatory coffee in the morning gets upset, and is miserable, because he is dependent on external substances to obtain his happiness. Such a happiness is not real happiness. Your happiness is then based on the satisfaction of *** needs. Sadguru always teaches us that our mind must give us happiness. A five minute nap gives rest to the mind and the intellect. How to give relaxation to the mind is taught here.
One who is naturally happy, is happy even without royal pleasures. One who is unhappy, in spite of having the greatest luxuries, is still sad. Happiness removes poverty also. With happiness prosperity comes. Even in a worldly aspect, happiness is beneficial. Equanimity is attained with happiness. Many examples and descriptions are given here. Be happy at others' happiness.
Someone once said to Swamiji that someone somewhere had built a big temple. Swamiji at once happily said that it was he himself who had built it. Identify with happy persons and share their joy. Happiness and laughter must fill our hearts and our homes.
There is no synonym for the word happiness, or the word, Santosha. In Sanskrit, for Sadguru, for Bhagavan, there are no synonyms.
Ananda is similar to Santosha but it is not exactly the same. If santosha goes away from the mind, life becomes difficult to endure. No shop sells Santosha. If contentment is lacking, happiness is not obtained. We are discussing this topic as explained in the original work, the Yoga Vasishtha.
Santoshohi ...
Rama is addressed as a destroyer of enemies. Rama was still very young and had not yet fought any battles. The commentators explain that Rama had already destroyed all his inner enemies. One in the spiritual field must not have any outer enemies. They are a hurdle for spiritual progress.
There is nothing higher than the state of happiness. Liberation is nothing else but being happy.
Many people question those who go to ashrams and temples whether there is really truth in the existence of God, and what the benefit is, of having a Guru.
Why do you follow Swamiji? What do you gain? People often ask.
I will tell you what your answer should be. You should tell them: I find happiness there. That is the truth. If you tell them that, the next day, your atheist friend will go with you to the ashram. We do not understand Swamiji's miracles and powers. He manifests things out of thin air, and he jumps into a burning fire pit. Those miracles are for devotees to increase their faith. The happiness that is not available elsewhere, is found inside the ashram. Am I not right? No one can steal your happiness. No one can deny that you are happy. If you describe miracles, it leads to unnecessary, and sometimes unpleasant discussions. Do not come to the ashram and engage in discussing unhappy affairs and unnecessary topics. Do not have quarrels with anyone. Why do the persons who question you, go to clubs and cinemas? They say that they find happiness there. You find greater happiness in the ashram than at the cinemas.
Ananda is a word commonly attached to the name of a spiritual guru, such as Sachchidananda, Vijayananda, and so on. It is the nature of the Guru to be happy. It is called Yoga Pattam (title). Ananda or Santosha is invaluable. You cannot name a price for it. It cannot be purchased in a store.
Santosha or happiness is comfort. We think that Sukha has to do with *** comfort. You identify yourself with your body. When you get a headache or a stomach ache you feel that you have lost your happiness. A doctor gives you a sleeping pill to make you forget your pain. You feel relief. He never gave you medicine for the actual ache. Your pain was imaginary, he knows.
Be happy while you work. Enjoy whatever you do.
Children are often given the name Santosh and Ananda. When we use the names to call the person, we must feel the happiness. Venkateswara is shortened to Venky and Srinivasa to Sreenu. But if you remember the original name, when you use the abbreviation, you will still get the spiritual merit for uttering the shortened name, the Sastras say.
The highest relaxation is obtained through happiness. When you work continuously for hours on end, you get tired and exhausted. These days, students go to tuition even after school and go home late in the night. Again at 5 AM they have science tuition and they have to run. Happiness removes the strain caused to body, mind, and the intellect. During sleep, one relaxes. Once the person wakes up, again all the troubles are remembered.
One who practices to remain in the state of happiness always remains ever relaxed.
Santoshohi ...
Those who learn to always remain happy are ever restful. Some farmers, who work very hard physically, yet appear very happy and calm. Their minds are at rest. That is the secret. Their happiness makes them equal to the greatest emperors of the world. They are at peace. Their minds are contented and serene. Like a dried piece of grass is rejected by us and thrown away, like that, a happy man rejects even the state of royalty.
Nala means a blade of grass. There is a year also named Nala. King Nala's parents gave him that name after giving it a great thought. Nala Maharaja left as if it were a piece of grass, all his possessions, when he suffered from Sani dosha (the negative influence of Saturn). You have heard the story of Nala and Damayanti.
We seek physical comforts only and distance ourselves from mental happiness and tranquility. We must not make that mistake. If we avoid making that mistake, we will qualify to attain the bliss of Liberation.
We will continue tomorrow.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri
Om Santissantissantissantihi.
It has been many days since we have spoken about Yoga Vasishtha.
After the Australia tour to attend the Sydney concert, some other tours, and the program of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana, now we resume.
In the Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana we have spoken about four gate keepers for the kingdom of Liberation. They are mentioned as Shama, Vichara, Santosha, and Sadhu Sangama. Shama and Vichara we have learned about. Vichara is contemplating about the soul. Now we speak about Santosha. The last one is Sadhu Sangama.
Santosha means happiness, joy. If we make friends with this gatekeeper, even if we forget our gate pass, he will allow us to enter. Everyone seeks happiness, peace of mind, and joy. Happiness we search for. Without bliss, Liberation is not possible. We mistakenly treat happiness as *** comfort. Here we discuss mental happiness. Sage Vasishtha speaks about a very important topic here.
A man even consults doctors in the neighboring town because he is not happy and satisfied with the diagnosis given by his local physician. If one has faith and is happy, the wound heals quickly. If one is not happy, one does not get cured fast.
Happiness is very important.
There is a World Happiness Society. Today's newspaper says that they do research on 158 countries worldwide to determine the relative levels of happiness enjoyed in each. They grade them all. India, according them, is at the 117th place. It is terrible. It is almost at the bottom. It is as per their observation and their based on their criteria. They perhaps interviewed only those who blamed this country, which is fashionable these days, and those who only complained that here there are no comforts.
The level of happiness amongst people is reducing. With everything at hand, still people are unhappy. Our ancestors had no gadgets, no mobile phones, no personal transportation vehicle, no availability of petrol, that we all now have. Still, they declared that they were happy. People wrongly feel that materials give happiness. If that is so, when the material is lost, happiness also is lost. What you get from material possession does not last. Good sleep is the most satisfying experience. If one is very hungry and very sleepy, he prefers the bliss of sleep, over a belly-full of food. Even the richest man in the world is miserable if he is unable to sleep for at least an hour in a day. No one else can sleep for you by proxy. You cannot hire someone else to sleep for you, so that you can remain happy.
We must never lose our happiness. Some occasions and situations give grief, no doubt. We must forget our troubles and enjoy happiness. Some people never remember that they should get back to being happy. They remain unhappy lifelong. But we must not remain in sorrow. Always remember that happiness must never leave you. No matter how great or important your profession and means of livelihood may be, if you keep having darshan of Sadguru frequently, your level of happiness is maintained. Seeing the happy face of Swamiji even in a photograph, will give you happiness. One who laughs is a Bhogi, a man who enjoys life. One who makes others laugh is a Yogi. One who neither laughs nor makes others laugh, is a Rogi, a sick man.
Charlie Chaplin was a great comedian in the old silent movies. He was a great artist who would make others laugh without uttering a word. Not a single movement or action is found that is indecent or inappropriate in his movies. Every 15 days, on our days off, when we were children, Swamiji would show us his movies to make us laugh. It is clean humor. It is yoga to make others laugh. If you read His biography you will know that He suffered great misery.
Swamiji had a small surgical operation in Delhi. We took bhiksha (his special meal) to his hospital room. We were asked to sit on a bench that was placed in front of him. I said I would sit on the floor. I refused to sit on a bench in front of him. He insisted and forced me to be seated on the bench seat. Swamiji, looking at the other person standing there, said, it is okay, the bench is strong. You also may sit on the bench. I believe Swamiji refused to sit on the bench earlier, because he joked and said it may not be strong enough to carry his weight. Even at such a time, Swamiji laughed and made us laugh, right after having surgery.
When a difficulty comes, if you succumb to it, happiness will be lost. Never become a slave to unhappiness.
When you look back, what you must see is only the happiness that you have enjoyed, even in the efforts which you had put in, to accomplish your goals. You must retain your happiness even while working hard towards achieving your aims.
Santosha, the gate keeper is in the middle of the four gatekeepers. He is the third one. He is flanked by the others. The middle pendant is attractive. Concentration and grasping power are increased with happiness.
Faces are different and varied. Beauty cannot be properly defined. It is relative. It lies in the eyes of the beholder. A baby crow appears pretty to the crow. Same for pigs and people. Color, features, and so on, are all of a personal taste and preference. Miss India and Miss World are a matter of individual taste. Everyone may not agree with the decisions and judgments.
A smiling face is glowing and radiant. Jewelry and other attributes do not give the same beauty to the face as a smile gives. In humans a smile is very easy to recognize. The face expresses happiness through a smile. Animals and other creatures may smile or laugh but it is not so openly apparent. Whether or not you wear jewelry, whether or not you have washed your face or brushed your teeth, nothing matters. When you smile, you look beautiful.
Practice happiness. Do not be stubborn and remain unhappy and hold a grumpy face.
Keep smiling. Do not dwell on past misfortunes. If you are depressed, even health will be spoiled.
A Kannada song heard in childhood says: Keep laughing. Keep making others laugh also. One who does not laugh is Rogi. One who is laughing is a Bhogi.
If people don't smile, Swamiji even gets angry. He says be joyful. It benefits you and the others if you are happy and smiling. Whatever type of being it may be, whatever color, species, of whatever level of beauty, still, a smile is the best ornament. No matter what kind of laughter, it still expresses and gives happiness. Mimicry artists demonstrate the different ways that people laugh, some that sound like the opening of a soda bottle, some that will frighten with the loudness of their laughter, and some laughter that sounds like screams. Laughter spreads happiness whether one laughs showing the teeth or not .
While scolding also, if one smiles, even enemies become friends. Never give up laughter. Every substance in the world has a price. Laughter is priceless. Never give up or give away your laughter to another and remain without it. If you keep smiling, the pains get diminished. If you slip and fall, out of surprise you laugh, even if at first you feel pain . There is comedy in tragedy. Pain is reduced with laughter. Weeping increases pain.
Sage Vasishtha proves the importance of a smile, of happiness, and of laughter.
Happiness is everything in life. Happiness is Liberation.
From happiness, one derives the greatest relaxation. after great strain, one requires some rest. In this journey called life with great *** effort, happiness grants a respite. This topic is discussed not in a novel, but in the deeply spiritual text, the Yoga Vasishtha. Mental happiness, the happy state of mind is described here. One who does not get his mandatory coffee in the morning gets upset, and is miserable, because he is dependent on external substances to obtain his happiness. Such a happiness is not real happiness. Your happiness is then based on the satisfaction of *** needs. Sadguru always teaches us that our mind must give us happiness. A five minute nap gives rest to the mind and the intellect. How to give relaxation to the mind is taught here.
One who is naturally happy, is happy even without royal pleasures. One who is unhappy, in spite of having the greatest luxuries, is still sad. Happiness removes poverty also. With happiness prosperity comes. Even in a worldly aspect, happiness is beneficial. Equanimity is attained with happiness. Many examples and descriptions are given here. Be happy at others' happiness.
Someone once said to Swamiji that someone somewhere had built a big temple. Swamiji at once happily said that it was he himself who had built it. Identify with happy persons and share their joy. Happiness and laughter must fill our hearts and our homes.
There is no synonym for the word happiness, or the word, Santosha. In Sanskrit, for Sadguru, for Bhagavan, there are no synonyms.
Ananda is similar to Santosha but it is not exactly the same. If santosha goes away from the mind, life becomes difficult to endure. No shop sells Santosha. If contentment is lacking, happiness is not obtained. We are discussing this topic as explained in the original work, the Yoga Vasishtha.
Santoshohi ...
Rama is addressed as a destroyer of enemies. Rama was still very young and had not yet fought any battles. The commentators explain that Rama had already destroyed all his inner enemies. One in the spiritual field must not have any outer enemies. They are a hurdle for spiritual progress.
There is nothing higher than the state of happiness. Liberation is nothing else but being happy.
Many people question those who go to ashrams and temples whether there is really truth in the existence of God, and what the benefit is, of having a Guru.
Why do you follow Swamiji? What do you gain? People often ask.
I will tell you what your answer should be. You should tell them: I find happiness there. That is the truth. If you tell them that, the next day, your atheist friend will go with you to the ashram. We do not understand Swamiji's miracles and powers. He manifests things out of thin air, and he jumps into a burning fire pit. Those miracles are for devotees to increase their faith. The happiness that is not available elsewhere, is found inside the ashram. Am I not right? No one can steal your happiness. No one can deny that you are happy. If you describe miracles, it leads to unnecessary, and sometimes unpleasant discussions. Do not come to the ashram and engage in discussing unhappy affairs and unnecessary topics. Do not have quarrels with anyone. Why do the persons who question you, go to clubs and cinemas? They say that they find happiness there. You find greater happiness in the ashram than at the cinemas.
Ananda is a word commonly attached to the name of a spiritual guru, such as Sachchidananda, Vijayananda, and so on. It is the nature of the Guru to be happy. It is called Yoga Pattam (title). Ananda or Santosha is invaluable. You cannot name a price for it. It cannot be purchased in a store.
Santosha or happiness is comfort. We think that Sukha has to do with *** comfort. You identify yourself with your body. When you get a headache or a stomach ache you feel that you have lost your happiness. A doctor gives you a sleeping pill to make you forget your pain. You feel relief. He never gave you medicine for the actual ache. Your pain was imaginary, he knows.
Be happy while you work. Enjoy whatever you do.
Children are often given the name Santosh and Ananda. When we use the names to call the person, we must feel the happiness. Venkateswara is shortened to Venky and Srinivasa to Sreenu. But if you remember the original name, when you use the abbreviation, you will still get the spiritual merit for uttering the shortened name, the Sastras say.
The highest relaxation is obtained through happiness. When you work continuously for hours on end, you get tired and exhausted. These days, students go to tuition even after school and go home late in the night. Again at 5 AM they have science tuition and they have to run. Happiness removes the strain caused to body, mind, and the intellect. During sleep, one relaxes. Once the person wakes up, again all the troubles are remembered.
One who practices to remain in the state of happiness always remains ever relaxed.
Santoshohi ...
Those who learn to always remain happy are ever restful. Some farmers, who work very hard physically, yet appear very happy and calm. Their minds are at rest. That is the secret. Their happiness makes them equal to the greatest emperors of the world. They are at peace. Their minds are contented and serene. Like a dried piece of grass is rejected by us and thrown away, like that, a happy man rejects even the state of royalty.
Nala means a blade of grass. There is a year also named Nala. King Nala's parents gave him that name after giving it a great thought. Nala Maharaja left as if it were a piece of grass, all his possessions, when he suffered from Sani dosha (the negative influence of Saturn). You have heard the story of Nala and Damayanti.
We seek physical comforts only and distance ourselves from mental happiness and tranquility. We must not make that mistake. If we avoid making that mistake, we will qualify to attain the bliss of Liberation.
We will continue tomorrow.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri