April 30, Vasishtha
Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 127, April 30
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha
Om Santissantissantihi
We are discussing about Sadhu Samagama. This is the most important of all the four habits to cultivate. How and in whose company you spend your life influences your destiny. Where you obtain positive input, is where you should remain. We have learned the benefits of making the friendship of holy persons. The benefits are indescribable. In a dialog between Viswamitra and Vasishtha, they have discussed at length the merits of seeking and maintaining holy company. Many of Swamiji's bhajans also extol the merits of associating with Sadguru and Saints.
Sri Adi Sankara says,
Geyam gita namasahasram ... , in the Bhaja Govinda Stotram. There are many Gitas such as the Bhagavad Gita, Avadhoota Gita, Rama Gita, and so on. But for us, Sri Guru Gita is the most important. All of us must study and understand its meaning of them. Many Sahasranamas are there also, 1000 descriptive names pertaining to each deity. Sri Lalita Sahasranama and Sri Vishnu Sahasranama are very well known. We must keep chanting the Gita and the Sahasranamas based on what is appropriate for us. We must know the dos and don'ts in our spiritual pursuit.
Dhyeyam Sripati roopamajasram ...We must constantly be contemplating on the form of the Lord, from the toenails all the way to the top of the head (nakha sikha paryantam). Lord Vishnu must be visualized with every detail of His form, His clothes, ornaments, garlands, weapons, and His various actions, such as gait, smile, offering protection, and so on. When we perform Abhishekam we see the different changes taking place in the expressions and aspects of the deity, based on the substances used for the ritual holy bath.
Neyam sajjana sange chittam... Our heart must dwell in the company of noble people. Just as we bring ourselves by bus or some other transportation by a deliberate effort, to Mysuru, we must deliberately take our heart there to the company of Guru.
Deyam deena janaayacha vittam... Share your earnings in charity with the less fortunate. The earnings should be of righteous and just means. Great Upadesa for all of us. Gana, snana, dhyana, and sthana all four aspects of our spiritual sadhana are included here.
If we do not know where to give, or to whom to give, we may give to Sadguru. He will distribute the funds wisely wherever the genuine need exists.
Not just physically, but mentally also we must establish ourselves in that holy company. Our thoughts must be immersed always in receiving guidance from Guru and applying it in our lives, and also in offering continuous service to the pious and noble souls. The noble teachings we must acquire by a sincere effort, and contemplate upon them, and put them into daily action.
It is easy to go to Sadguru. What can we possibly give to Sadguru? People brag that they have given this and that. He is the person who gives us all of our assets. We are only managers of the funds. We are like the bank managers. Can a bank manager give away in charity what is in the bank? No. the money is not his. It does not belong to him. It has been merely kept there for safekeeping.
It is ego that makes us think that we have earned money by our own hard work and have given it to Sadguru. But He gives us the energy and the opportunity to earn.
All that we can give is our time to Sadguru. Time alone is ours that we can dedicate to Sadguru. Satsang is time that you spend in the presence of Saints, Sages and Sadguru. It is not sufficient to merely be physically present there, but mentally also you have to be actively serving Guru. Many are doing great charitable works elsewhere and have no time to remain for long durations in the ashram. They are excused. Their work involves service and their focus is on serving Guru.
But to have the time, and not to utilize it in the service to Guru is wrong. Make God and Guru your best friends.
verse
Never give up the company of saintly souls. A Marathi abhang praises the company of saints, and the innumerable benefits to be derived from it. For a person with a pure mind, it is easy to make friends with holy persons. For those who have the benefit of the company of sacred persons, it is like a crown jewel in their lives. That element in their lives is something that they can proudly wear. It is the most important attribute of theirs that they are in the company of divine souls. It earns them great fame, both in the world and in the spiritual sense.
verse
Granthis are knots which block the inner flow of energy, just like blockages in the blood flow. They place stents to release the blockage. The breathing gets blocked for some people. The windpipe gets obstructions and they have to be cleared. Great souls have removed all the knots in their system. Their energy flow is perfect. With half an hour's rest they feel refreshed. They do not need several hours of sleep like ordinary people. Such people are of benefit to all society. They speak of the consciousness that exists equally in all. They have that divine perception. They help everyone impartially. Serve such noble persons in every possible manner. Whatever be your capacity, utilize it to the fullest extent. They alone are helpful to you in transcending the ignorance that binds you to this worldly life which is filled with sorrows. Do SEVA. It will SAVE your spiritual merit.
Service is the greatest and deepest secret tool that leads to salvation. You must keep looking for opportunities to serve. Don't complain that there is nothing for you to do. Go to Annapurna Mandiram and find some cleaning chores. Give your time and effort to do some selfless work. Give whatever resources you can afford, to charity.
verse
Never ever insult holy persons. It is like falling into hellfire. The pious persons are like the clouds which put out the fires of *** by their compassionate showers of mercy. They protect you. Those who abuse pious souls will multiply their troubles by increasing their sins. If it is not possible for you to revere them, it is okay. But be careful never to insult or hurt them. Their apparel, speech, ways, and behavior may appear strange at times. Your own Guru may be coming into your presence in that form. Be aware and alert always.
verse.
Poverty is of different kinds, not only of wealth. Wealth of knowledge is most important. Pray for that. Even material poverty is difficult to handle and endure, no doubt. But spiritual poverty is much worse. Do not be satisfied with being spiritually ignorant. Always keep praying for spiritual wisdom.
Do not be satisfied with just a passing grade in your studies. The person who passes with distinction will certainly gain better recognition and rewards. Everyone should yearn for knowledge and for a good income that are both rightfully earned. Rather than receiving charity, ask for work to perform, so that you may earn by your own hard work.
People are afraid of death. Fear is the most powerful thing to be feared. People are afraid to sit, walk, eat, to sit under the sun, the moon, or under the fan for fear of death. Always they are afraid of danger befalling them to cause either death or injury. All such fears will be mitigated by the medicine called Sadhu Sangama. The company of the wise will free you from all debilitating fears.
verse
The four gatekeepers, the four watchmen we learned about, who guard the gates to Liberation. We have to be friendly with all of them.
Santosha means always be happy. Be cheerful. The crescent moon on top of the Om symbol denotes a smiley face. Chant OM with a cheerful heart. Do not imagine troubles and remain in a morose mood when you pray or chant prayers.
Vichara is to ask about things to gain fresh, useful knowledge.
Shama is to restrain the mind to develop concentration, and to be at peace.
These four are the boats which will take you across the ocean called Samsara, the worldly life of repeated births and deaths. Remember these guidelines. These are very valuable pointers which you must apply in your lives.
Guru Gita must be studied. If you yourself do not wish to study it, then at least get the book printed and distribute it for use by others. That will earn you merit. Do not simply listen to this advice and let it go out the window. Save this information and put it into practice. Do not allow this priceless teaching to go through one ear only for it to simply go out through the other ear. Register it firmly in your hearts and practice it.
santoshah paramo labhaha
Everyone wishes for profit. Never do anything that is useless and does not give you any benefit. In spirituality, you have to be selfish in that sense, that you must not engage in any work that is of no benefit whatsoever. Otherwise it is a mere waste of time. Selfishly view every incident and see if there is any benefit derived from your effort. Do not engage in dead investments. The greatest reward for you is happiness.
One is forced to go to school, to college, and to go to work. Do these activities cheerfully and not reluctantly. Be enthusiastic about what you are having to do. Accept your duty with happiness and satisfaction. Enjoy doing your duties.
One may eat to capacity. But if there is no satisfaction felt, then, it is of no use.
Sthiti and Gati come to us if there is Mati. Mati, the intellect is essential to obtain Sthiti, preservation, and Gati, the proper road to travel. Sthiti is our good situation. Gati is the right path to follow. Satsang is the best path to follow.
Vichara is thinking about a solution to a problem. If the answer does not come from within, then ask a wise person. We know many things but we forget them.
Shama is peace of mind. There is no greater comfort than a calm and focused mind.
verse
These are the four most important strategies to follow in life. To get rid of all sorrows and trouble, one must practice these four guidelines. Abhyasa is practice. Vidyabhyasa, Yogabhyasa and so on. Simply watching on a DVD someone else doing Yoga will not help you. Unless you practice it yourself, you will not benefit. Practice being happy. Practice laughing happily. Practice gaining knowledge enthusiastically. Practice developing concentration. Practice until it becomes a habit, to enjoy the company of Sadguru and Saintly persons. Mysore devotees come running to the ashram on Sundays to enjoy the bhajans sung by Sadguru. Ask such people why they do so. They can explain to you the happiness they enjoy by attending Satsang here.
Those who practice the above will be free from delusion. They will be able to perceive the Truth and experience it.
verse.
Sri Rama, there is no one with a more virtuous mind than you, Vasishtha is saying, to encourage the youth. There is the Sumati Satakam. The child is addressed as a good child at the end of every poem. It encourages the child to learn all the good rules and morals to follow in life.
At least follow one of the four mentioned above, if you are unable to follow all four of them. If it is difficult to go around all the four pillars, at least go around one pillar. Old temples, like the one in Tanjavur in South India, are so huge, that it is several kilometers to go around the whole temple premises. If that is difficult for you to do, at least go around yourself by doing Atma Pradakshina. As you do the circumambulations in the clockwise direction, in the opposite direction all the ropes that bind you as sins, will get unraveled, freeing you from the bondages of past sins.
It is good to practice all the above four. If that is not possible, at least grasp one of them and practice it effectively and sincerely. Then, the benefit of practicing all the others will also come your way.
A person may only wish to worship Ganapati. He will only go around the Ganapati temple. It is wrong to speak ill of, or despise other Gods. But you may have a preference to a chosen deity. When you worship your desired deity, showing respect to all the other deities, all the other deities will also bless you. They will grant you Jnana, spiritual enlightenment.
verse
Shama is the first one, a tranquil state of mind which enjoys perfect focus.
Tomorrow the Vidyarthi Gnana Bodha Sabha will commence. The teachers and students have assembled here. Many parents have also come. It is a three day event. Swamiji will also address the students to share with them valuable information.
The next four days there will not be discourses on Yoga Vasishtha.
Keep participating in all the sevas. Chant the Hanuman Chalisa. Memorize it and chant it here and at your homes. Send in the count to sgshanumanchalisa@gmail.com.
On May 5th we will resume the discourses.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi