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Date:25 Aug 1999 Occasion:Onam Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Vision of Atma through Love

Yathra Yathra Mana Sphoorthi
Tathra Tathra Jagat Thrayah
Yathra Yathra Mano Nasthi
Tathra Tathra Nakinchana
(Sanskrit Sloka)

Embodiments of Love!

Where the mind penetrates the worlds manifest themselves. For the mind
nothing exists where it does not enter. Mind is the cause for both man's
suffering and misery. In order to suppress the mind, man has to keep his
desires under check.

Nature is incarnate unselfishness

Trees demonstrate the sacred principle of equality by providing shelter
to everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and nationality
The mighty mountains withstand the cold, rains and the severe heat,
thereby teaching man not to be unduly attached to the body The birds are
satisfied with what they get to eat each day. They do not store food.
Thus they teach the sacred lesson that one should not be worried about
the future. Death conveys the message that body is temporary and the
feeling of I and mine is but an illusion. Nature is the only school
which confers on man true wisdom and God is the only Sadguru. (Telugu Poem)

Nature sets an ideal to the entire humanity in adherence to the spirit
of sacrifice. Trees give the message of peace to mankind by providing
cool shade to everyone, even to those who cut their branches. Mountains
give the message of patience by not being affected by cold, rains and
severe heat. Birds teach the lesson that one should not be worried about
the future. Death teaches a lesson that body is temporary and the world
is but an illusion. Anithyam Asukham Lokam Imam Prapya Bhajasvamam (the
world is temporary and full of misery, so contemplate on God). Under
these circumstances, why is it that man is not able to cultivate the
spirit of sacrifice? In spite of his knowing the truth that the body is
temporary, he is still bound by desires. As there is no end to desires,
man is subjected to endless misery. In order to get rid of his misery,
man should follow the ideals of Nature. Nature is the best preacher. It
exhorts man to cultivate love, compassion and the spirit of sacrifice.

The example of Bali

Since ancient times, in this sacred land of Bharat, many sages, seers
and also the kings propagated the spirit of sacrifice and the principle
of spirituality, paving way to peace and security. Bali was one such
king who personified and propagated the spirit of sacrifice by
undertaking many sacred rituals like Yajnas and Yagas. He even disobeyed
the command of his Guru, Sukracharya, who tried to dissuade him from
keeping up his promise to Vamana. He told his Guru that there was no
greater sin than going back on one's own promise and that he would abide
by his word to Vamana, come what may. Bharat, which has given birth to
such noble kings and has been the land of sacrifice, spirituality and
peace, has now become a place of injustice, untruth and restlessness.

One should never get carried away by this body, which is bound to perish
one day or the other. Only the principle of Atma is true and eternal.
One should lead one's life keeping this eternal Atmic principle in view
and not the fleeting materialistic pleasures of the world. Nature is
endowed with two aspects. One is related to the worldly view and the
other to the spiritual view. All that you see, hear and think is related
to the physical world. The non-apparent principle of Atma is the basis
for this apparent nature. Here is a mansion. You can see its grandeur
and beauty, but not its foundation. The body can be compared to a
mansion and the mind to its foundation. Just as the mansion is based on
its foundation, likewise the body is based on the mind. If the mind is
steady, so too is the body and vice-versa. Having attained the human
birth, it is necessary to understand the nature of the body, the mind,
the intellect and the senses in order to make proper use of them. Before
driving a car, one should know where the brakes, clutches, accelerator
etc. are located and how to operate them properly. Our body is a car,
mind is the steering, eyes are the head-lamps, heart is the engine,
stomach is the petrol tank and the four objectives of human life,
namely, Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha are the four tires. The tires, which
are outside, are under the control of the steering, which is inside.
Likewise, mind is the steering which controls the direction of the
journey of human life. So, one should make every effort to understand
the nature of the mind. Mind exists even after death. As is the mind, so
is the man.

(When endowed with a body, the body mimics the mind)

Mental pollution pollutes life itself

The mind of modern man is highly polluted with negative thoughts. He
aspires to live in peace and security. But, how can he expect positive
results without giving up negative thoughts? The peace and happiness
that he experiences are only temporary. In fact, they are not present in
the world outside, they are present within. Mind is the cause for both
good and bad, happiness and misery. The Vedas declare: Manyeva
Manushyanam Karanam Bandhamokshayoh (mind is responsible for bondage and
liberation as well). If man follows the dictates of the mind, he becomes
worse than an animal and ultimately ruins his life. His life will be
sanctified only when he follows the dictates of Buddhi (intellect). He
who goes by the vagaries of the mind cannot attain true happiness. So,
first and foremost man should make his mind steady and sacred. Before
undertaking any activity, he should discriminate whether it is good or
bad, right or wrong. But man is using his power of discrimination
(Viveka) only to suit his selfish ends, which amounts to individual
discrimination. What is needed today is fundamental discrimination, that
which is based on the sacred principles like truth, love and
righteousness. Truth is God, love is God. So live in love. Truth is one
and the same for all countries in all periods of time. Truth originates
from the Hridaya (conscience). The mind can be controlled once you have
total faith in the truth and follow it implicitly.

The primary effort of man should be towards control of his mind. This is
not possible unless the desires are put under check. But today man is
filled with excessive desires. No doubt one can have desires, but they
should be within limits. Today even the Sanyasins do not have control
over their desires, leave alone the common man. Adi Sankara declared:
"Maa Kuru Dhanajana Yauvana Garvam Harathi Nimeshaath Kaalah Sarvam" (Do
not be proud of wealth or youth, time destroys it all in an instant).
Youth and wealth are like passing clouds. One should keep one's mind
under control and act according to the situation. You have just heard a
singer singing Thyagaraja's composition, "Samayaaniki Thagu
Maatalaadene". Thyagaraja was one who understood the truth and had love
for God. But one cannot have control over one's mind in times of
difficulties. It is because of this weakness that one even starts
blaming God for one's own difficulties. Thyagaraja was no exception to
this. When he had to face difficulties in life, unable to withstand the
suffering, he put the blame on Rama saying, "O Rama, my Bhakti
(devotion) towards You is very strong, but You do not have the Shakti
(power) to protect me." Then he enquired deeply within and repented for
his indiscreet statement. He sang, "O Rama, if You lacked power, would a
mere monkey jump across the mighty ocean? Would Mother Lakshmi, the
Goddess of Wealth, become Your consort? Would Lakshmana worshipYou?
Would the intelligent Bharata serve You? How can I, with my limited
mind, understand the greatness and grandeur of Your divine power?" One
has to become broad-minded in order to understand the infinite Divinity.
Today man has become so narrow-minded that he has given up Asayaalu
(ideals) and is leading his life only to fulfil his Aaasalu (desires).
Lead a life full of sacred feelings. Give up worldly feelings. Have
total faith in God. You can accomplish anything with faith.

Where there is faith, there is love,
Where there is love, there is peace,
Where there is peace, there is truth,
Where there is truth, there is God,
Where there is God, there is Bliss.

Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness) and Thyaga (sacrifice) constitute
humanness. Sathya is Neethi (morality), Dharma is Reethi (code of
conduct) and Thyaga is Khyathi (reputation). The combination of all
these three constitute Maanava Jathi (human race). Today we find only
Aakaara Maanava (human in form), but not Aachaara Maanava (human in
practice). Today man is subjected to restlessness due to the vagaries of
mind. But mind is essential for man. Only the one with mind is man.
Therefore, man should conduct himself fully aware of the divinity
within. Unfortunately, many do not believe in the existence of God.
Where is God? He is all pervasive.

Sarvatah Paani Paadam Tath Sarvathokshi Siromukham Saravatah
Srutimalloke Sarvamavruthya Thistathi (With His limbs, eyes, ears, mouth
and head He pervades the universe completely.)

Embodiments of Love!

More than physical prowess, man needs power of the mind. Man should have
control over his emotions and keep them under check in times of distress.

Life is a challenge, meet it,
Life is a game, play it,
Life is love, enjoy it,
Life is awareness.

Man bereft of love is lifeless. Love, love, love. Love is everything.
Live in love. Love lives by giving and forgiving; Self lives by getting
and forgetting.

Constant Integrated Awareness

The present population of the world is 550 crores. But the principle of
'I' is one and the same in everyone. Each one refers to himself or
herself as 'I'. How can one know these 550 crore people? Once you
recognize the principle of 'I, you would have recognized all. Here you
find many bulbs glowing, the same current flows through all of them.
Similarly, the principle of 'l' is the same in all. Instead of
questioning, "Who are you?", question yourself, "Who am I?". Know
yourself first, then you will know all. What is the cause of conflicts
and restlessness in this world? Lack of recognition of principle of
oneness is mainly responsible for this. If someone were to criticize
you, do not get agitated. Remember that the same Atmic principle is
present in both of you. The one who accuses and the accused are not two
different entities. There will be no scope for agitation if you
understand this truth. Peace and security will reign supreme once this
principle of oneness is recognized. Likewise, God and devotee are not
separate from each other. The one who worships and the one who is
worshipped are one and the same. The devotee worshipping God amounts to
worshipping himself. Ekaatma Sarvabhoothaantaraatma (the same Atma
dwells in everyone). This principle of oneness is Brahma. Viewing this
oneness as many is Bhrama or Bhraanthi (illusion). It is this Bhrama
that is responsible for the restlessness in the world. True spiritual
practice lies in cultivating the spirit of oneness. There is no greater
Sadhana than this. Whatever Sadhana one undertakes, one should do it
with love. Then there will be no scope for anger and jealousy. In order
to understand the Vedic dicta, Easwara Sarvabhoothanaam (God dwells in
all beings), Sarvam Khalvidham Brahma (Brahma is all-pervasive), one
should inculcate noble qualities. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena
Thyagenaikena Amrutathwamanasuhu (neither wealth nor progeny nor good
deeds can confer immortality; it can be attained only through
sacrifice). People respect you as long as you occupy exalted positions
in society. But that is not all in all. The Vedas address human beings
as Amrutaputhraha (sons of immortality). You should live up to that
title. You are Amrutaputhras (sons of immortality), not Anruthaputhras
(sons of falsehood). There is Chinmaya (awareness) in Mrinmaya (physical
body). That awareness is true wisdom. The Vedas refer to this as
Prajnanam Brahma (constant integrated awareness). It is this constant
integrated awareness that makes the body, mind and intellect function.
All the four Mahavakyas namely Prajnanam Brahma, Ayamatma Brahma, Aham
Brahmasmi, and Tath Thwam Asi speak of this constant integrated
awareness. Understand the truth that you are God. You may think that you
are separate from Swami. But in fact, I and you are not separate from
each other. 'I am not yours, you are Mine,' 'You and I are one'.
Understand this truth and act accordingly. "Abheda Darshanam Jnanam"
(experience of oneness is true wisdom). There is only one without a
second. If you go on adding the number 1 to itself, the value increases.
On the other hand even if crores of 1' (s) are added to '1', it still
remains '1'. That '1' is Divinity. Once you understand this truth, you
will realize that all are embodiments of Divinity. The essence of
Vedanta is contained in these four Mahavakyas.

The way to God realization is Love

You have all come from Kerala. You might have heard communists arguing
that they do not believe in the existence of God as He is not seen. One
cannot deny the existence of air just because it is not seen. Likewise,
one cannot deny the existence of God. God exists, but you cannot see
Him. All the names and forms are His. Once you develop this faith, love
will follow.

Fill your Hearts with Love of God

Gopikas could not bear the pangs of separation from Krishna when He left
for Mathura. On deep enquiry, they realized that there is no separation
between Krishna and themselves as He is present everywhere at all times.
The one that went to Mathura was only His body, but not 'Krishna'.
Realizing this truth they burst into a song, "O Krishna can we ever
understand You? You are smallest among the small and mightiest among the
mighty. You are present in all the 84 lakh species." None can decide
that God is here and not there. He is everywhere. Only through love can
one have the vision of God. One can see one's own reflection in the
mirror only when a particular chemical is smeared on the other side.
Likewise, smear the chemical of love on your Hridaya in order to have
the vision of God. Fill your heart with love, then there will be no
place for evil qualities like jealousy, anger and hatred. Wax melts when
it comes into contact with heat. So also the heart, which can be
compared to wax, melts when the rays of love fall on it. The story of
Prahlada illustrates this. He constantly repeated the name of Lord
Narayana with all love even in the face of innumerable hardships. He was
pushed from the mountain top, thrown into the sea, trampled by huge
elephants and bitten by poisonous snakes, but not even once did he give
up chanting the name of Lord Narayana. Love of Prahlada melted the heart
of the Lord and He came to His rescue in times of need. True devotion
lies in being in the state of equanimity in times of both pleasure and
pain. Prahlada stands a testimony to this. He was neither grief-stricken
nor fear-stricken in the face of adversities. He had the total faith
that God was within him. God manifests wherever His name is chanted.
There is no room for grief or fear wherever God's name is chanted as God
Himself manifests there. Sukha, Dukhe Samekruthwa Labha Labhau Jaya
Jayau. Such equanimity can be attained only through love.

Embodiments of Love!

All are embodiments of God. Give up body attachment and develop
attachment towards Atma. Today hatred is on the rise everywhere. Ego, is
the root cause for hatred. Give up ego and you can have the vision of
the Atma. All this can be accomplished only through love.

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajans, "Prema Mudhitha
Manase Kaho..., Hari Bhajana Bina... and Subramanyam, Subramanyam"]

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