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Date:1 Oct 1999 Occasion:Paduka Puja Place:Prashanti Nilayam

Install Padukas in Your Heart

Idols of Sita, Rama , Lakshmana and Hanuman were installed by Bhagavan
Baba before the Paduka Puja

Anapekshah Suchir Dhakshah Udhaaseeno Gathavyathah
Sarvaarambha Parichyaagee Yomath Bhaktah Samepriyah

Embodiments of Love!

This Sloka mentions the qualities of a true devotee as taught by Lord
Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga. The first quality is Anapekshah
(desirelessness). A devotee should not have any desires. How is it
possible for man, being endowed with body, senses, mind and intellect,
to be in a state of desirelessness! He is bound to have some desire or
other. On the one hand, there are desires pertaining to the senses that
confer momentary joy. On the other hand, there is a desire that
transcends the senses. Today man is filled with various desires. Then
what is the way to read a desire-free life? Lord Krishna has shown the
way for this. He said, "Son, there is nothing wrong in having desires,
but all of them must be pleasing to God." "Sarva Karma Bhagavad
Preetyartham" (let alt your actions be pleasing to God). You should put
into practice the eternal principles based on Truth and dedicate all
your activities to God. Lead your life without tile feeling of 'mine and
thine' and offer everything to God. Only then can you attain the state
of desirelessness. Today man has both worldly desires as well as desires
that lead to the inward path, but the number of desires that lead to the
inward path pale in comparison to the number of worldly desires in him.

The second quality is Suchi (cleanliness). Is it Bahir Suchi (outward
cleanliness) or Anthar Suchi (inner cleanliness)? One has to develop
both. Physical cleanliness alone is not sufficient, inner cleanliness is
essential. Bharatiyas are aware of this - If Sambar is prepared in an
uncoated vessel, it gets spoilt. Likewise, if the vessel of your heart
is not coated with love, all that you do becomes unsacred. Sanctify your
heart by filling it with divine love. Never entertain any unsacred or
wicked feelings.

The third quality of a true devotee is determination. You should be a
Dhaksha (one of determination) in order to attain divine grace. Once you
have taken refuge in God, never lose faith, come what may. Do not get
disheartened by trials and tribulations that come your way. Be
equal-minded in, times of both pleasure and pain. That is true
determination.

The fourth quality is Udaaseenatha (total detachment). You should lead a
life of total detachment without entertaining the feeling of 'l' and 'mine'.

The fifth quality is Gathavyathaha. A true devotee is one who lives in
the present without brooding over the past and worrying about the
future. Past is past, forget the past. Do not worry about the future for
future is uncertain. So live in the present, it is not ordinary present.
It is omnipresent. The past can be compared to a tree, similarly the
future. The present is the seed. This seed is a result of the past and
the basis for the future. Therefore, one should live in the present with
firm determination. Only then will success be ensured, it is only a
waste of time brooding over the past since it can neither be retrieved
nor any remedial action be initiated. Likewise there is no point in
worrying about the future since it is not in your control. So live in
the present and discharge your duties with determination.

The sixth quality is Sarvaarambha Parithyaagee. One should give up all
desires and ego. Ego leads to attachment, hatred, jealousy,
aggrandizement and other vices. It is ego, which is responsible for the
downfall of man. One with ego cannot accomplish even a small task. An
egoistic person is not respected even by his near and dear ones. Ego is
the worst of all the enemies of man. Develop humility in order to get
rid of ego. No amount of spiritual practices will help a man of ego in
attaining tranquillity and bliss.

One who possesses the above mentioned qualities is a true devotee. Only
such a person is near and dear to the Lord (Yomath Bhaktah Samepriyaha).
You should cultivate these qualities to be a deserving recipient of
God's love,

All your outward actions and behavior should be a true reflection of the
inward thoughts and feelings. When you say Namaskaaram (salutations),
say so wholeheartedly. Do not give room for 'Kaaram' (bitter feelings)
in your head. Ahamkaaram (ego) is full of 'Kaaram'. Ahamkaaram leads to
aggrandizement, pomp and show. Some people give wide publicity to each
and every small act of theirs, be it worship or a spiritual practice.
God wants only Achaar (practice), not Prachaar (publicity). Strive to
put into practice whatever you preach and propagate. According to the
Upanishads, the word Manava means one with self respect. Live up to your
name.

"Anudvegakaram Vaakyam, Sathyam Priya Hitham Cha Yath". He is a true man
who speaks the truth in a palatable way. The culture of Bharat says,
Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara (Speak the truth and follow righteousness).
It also says Sathyam Brooyath, Priyam Brooyath, Na Brooyath
Sathyamapriyam (Speak the truth, speak in a pleasing manner, do not
speak the truth which is unpalatable). Man attains sanctity and
fulfillment in life only when he puts these teachings into practice. As
you think so you become. If you entertain bestial thoughts you become a
beast yourself. On the other hand divine thoughts will transform you
into a divine personality. On this basis the Upanishads have declared
"Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi," the one who constantly contemplates on
Brahman becomes Brahman.

Due to effect of Kali Age, there is no trace of true love in man. Human
heart is polluted. People, in particular the so-called friends, pretend
to love, but in reality they do not have true love in their hearts. God
is the only true friend. He is always with you, in you, around you,
above you, below you, protecting, guiding and guarding you. But alas!
You are distancing yourself from your true friend and reposing faith in
so-called friends, who may turn into foes at any point of time. This is
Bhrama (delusion). What is the difference between Bhrama and Brahma?
Viewing multiplicity in unity is Bhrama and the unity in multiplicity is
Brahma. One should visualize unity in multiplicity. The Vedas say,

"Sahanaavavathu Sahanau Bhunakthu
Sahaveeryam Karavaavahai
Thejasvinaavadheethamasthu Maavidhvishaavahai"

What does it mean? Let us grow together, move together, let us grow in
intelligence, living together, let us live in harmony without any
conflict. Vedokhilo Dharmamoolam, the Veda is the basis for all Dharma.
Man is misusing his time and energy, disregarding the eternal teachings
of the Vedas.

Embodiments of love!

You may acquire worldly comforts and conveniences, and earn worldly name
and fame. But that is not all in all. All these are passing clouds. Do
not get carried away by them. Follow the teachings of the Vedas and
attain Divinity. Practice is important, not publicity. Practice at least
one of the innumerable teachings of the Vedas and share the bliss
derived therefrom with one and all. This is your bounden duty. Human
life is highly valuable. So man should lead an ideal, noble and sacred
life. "Sathyaannaasthi Paro Dharmaha," there is no other Dharma greater
than truth. Build the mansion of your life on the foundation of truth.
The safety of the mansion depends on the strength of the foundation.
Never utter a lie under any circumstances. It is an unpardonable sin to
indulge in untruth. This body is gifted by God. Do not fritter away this
golden opportunity by misusing it. 'Deho Devaalayaproktho Jeevo Deva
Sanathanaha.' (Body is the temple and the indweller is God.) What is the
difference between man and God? Vyashti, (individual) is man and
Samashti (collective form) is God. Man should progress from the state of
Vyashti to Samashti. Only then can he attain Divinity. "Easavaasyamidam
Jagat", (God pervades the entire universe). "Easwara Sarvabhoothanam,"
(God is present in all beings). "Ekam Sath Vipra Bahudhavadanthi,"
(there is only one God, but the Pundits call Him by different names). In
order to understand these Vedic dicta one needs to cultivate noble
qualities.

It is a disgrace to lead the life of an animal, having been born as
human beings.

"Aahaara Nidhraa Bhaya Maithunaani
Saamaanya Metath Pashubirnaraanaam.
Jnaanam Naraanaam Adhikam Visheshah
Jnaanena Shuunyah Pashubirsamaanah."

(Food, sleep, fear and procreation are common to man and animals. Only
man is endowed with wisdom. Bereft of wisdom man is equal to an animal.)
Animals too eat, sleep and enjoy sensual pleasures. If you too do the
same, how can you be called a human being? You are also an animal! The
only difference lies in the number of legs, i.e., you are a Dvipaadha
Pashuvu (two legged animal) and that is a Chatushpaadha Pashuvu (four
legged animal). Having been born as human being, you should strive to
become Pashupathi (God). Do not degenerate to the level of Pashu (animal).

Divinity stands for the principle of oneness. You are getting deluded by
differences in names and forms and are wasting your time not making any
effort to understand the principle of unity. Time is God. Time wasted is
life wasted. Time once lost cannot be recovered. So never waste even a
moment. Cultivate divine thoughts, undertake noble deeds and lead a
sacred life. Have the welfare of the society, not your self-interest,
uppermost in your mind. You may have self-interest, but it should be
within limit. There is no one in this world who has given up
self-interest altogether. But one should not waste one's life wholly in
pursuit of selfishness and self-interest

Embodiments of love!

Today there are many students, educationists, intellectuals and scholars
in this country but how many of them are working for the progress of the
nation? Only a few! Aurobindo Ghosh was working as a teacher in
Calcutta. Once he told his students, "Children, you are all very lucky
to have been born in this sacred land. Youth is very precious. Make
proper use of this golden age. You are born and brought up in the
society. You acquire all your knowledge and skills from the society. So
make use of your education to serve and support the society. Your
education is a mere waste if the society is not benefited by it."

"A foolish person boasts of high education and intelligence, yet does
not know himself. What is the use of all the education he has acquired,
if man cannot give up his evil qualities? All the worldly education will
only lead him to vain argumentation, not total wisdom. It cannot help
him to escape from the clutches of death. So, man should acquire that
knowledge which will make him immortal. (Thelugu Poem)

What a shame it is if education is used solely to earn money without
serving society. Today people adopt corrupt practices and device crooked
ways to earn money. Just as the earth revolves around the sun, man goes
around money. Is this the purpose of human life? No. Money is not
important. "Money comes and goes. Morality comes and grows." So
cultivate morality. Educate yourself to serve the society and set an
ideal to the rest of the world. You receive your education from the
society. You should in turn dedicate it for the welfare of society.

What is that you have to offer God? Our ancients used to pray thus: "O
Lord, I offer you the heart, which you have gifted me. What else can I
offer at your lotus feet? Please accept my prayerful salutations:"
(Thelugu Poem)

The heart that God has given you must be given back to Him as it is pure
and sacred. This is the offering that God expects. God accepts whatever
you offer to Him, provided you do it with pure love. In the Krishna
Tulaabhara episode, Rukmini could weigh Krishna with a small Tulasi leaf
as her heart was filled with love. "O Lord, if it were to be true that
you are pleased with any offering made with pure love, be it a leaf
(Patram), a flower (Pushpam), a fruit (Phalam) or water (Toyam), may
this Tulasi leaf balance your weight." So saying Rukmini placed a Tulasi
leaf in the weighing pan, which balanced Krishna's weight. Here Patram
means body, Pushpam means heart, Phalam is mind and Toyam is tears of
joy. All these should be offered to God. This is the offering that God
wants from you. You do not need to spend money or strain yourself in
order to make this offering. It is rather strange that you find it
difficult to make such a simple offering. You are reading many sacred
texts, learning many Slokas by heart, but what is the use? You are not
able to get rid of your Shoka (misery). The only way to overcome misery
is offering yourself to God.

Sage Valmiki after having composed the epic Ramayana, convened a
congregation of saints and sages and wanted to know if there was any one
who would propagate the story of Rama to the people. The saints and
sages expressed their inability to do so as they lacked the physical
strength on account of their advanced age. Then Lava and Kusa who were
sitting at a distance and watching the proceedings came forward and
expressed their willingness to undertake the task of spreading Rama's
story far and wide. They took Thambura in one hand, wore garlands of
Rudraksha around their necks, smeared Vibhuti on their foreheads and
went to each and every street singing the glory of Lord Rama. They sang,
"Oh people, listen to the sacred story of Lord Rama. Let your life be
His Story." But the modern youth feel shy to spread the message of the
Lord. Not merely do they feel shy to participate in Bhajans and to even
smear Vibhuti on their foreheads. Some of them smear Vibhuti only at
home and wipe it off as soon as they step out on the street. They do not
feel ashamed to do things, which they are not supposed to. Why should
any one feel ashamed to participate in sacred activities and chant the
Divine name? Some people feel ashamed to spread the Divine glory, but do
not hesitate to talk ill of others and ridicule them. They do not
understand why the tongue is gifted. It is gifted to chant the Divine
name. Criticizing others is the worst of the sins. Never criticize
anybody for everyone is essentially Divine. You all know that in the
present day politics each one accuses and abuses the other. It is
nothing but the result of accrued sins from past lives.

Embodiments of love!

Never indulge in slander. Sanctify your lives by undertaking sacred
activities. This is the true purpose of human life. Human body is gifted
to serve others. The story of Rama is suffused with great ideals and
noble values. Yesterday the idols of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman
were installed. Everyone should follow their ideals. Even Ravana
acknowledged the nobility of Rama before he breathed his last. He gave a
message to the people in his last moments, "Oh people, I lost my sons,
brothers, my entire clan and kingdom as I could not control my desires.
Do not become slaves to the senses, like me. Follow the ideal of Rama
and sanctify your lives."

Once the mother of Lord Rama Kausalya, the mother of Anjaneya and the
mother of Agasthya met each other. Kausalya questioned them as to who
they were. Anjaneya's mother introduced herself saying, "I am the mother
of the one who jumped across the ocean and went to Lamka in search of
Mother Sita." Agasthya's mother said, "I am the mother of the one who
drank the entire ocean in one gulp." On hearing this Kausalya laughed
and said to them, "Your sons could accomplish such stupendous feats only
because they chanted the name of my son, Rama." Exactly at that moment
Rama entered the scene and told Kausalya, "Mother, Hanuman and Agasthya
could accomplish those feats due to their sincerity and devotion.
Hanuman is one of peace (Shaanthudu), virtue (Gunavanthudu) and strength
(Balavanthudu). Agasthya is no less." So if you chant the Divine name
you can achieve anything. The epic Ramayana is replete with inner
significance. All the ideals propagated by the Ramayana should be
properly understood and put into practice by one and all. Only then will
human life find fulfillment. The name and form of Rama is highly sacred.
Ramayathithi Ramaha, (Rama is one who pleases everyone). So all should
emulate Him. Rama is the synonym for Atma. Hence the term Atmarama. So
in essence all are the embodiments of Rama principle.

Sarvathah Paanipaadham Tath Sarvathokshi Shiromukham
Sarvathah Shruthimalloke Sarvamaavrithya Thishtthathi.

God is all-pervasive. It is a great mistake to forget the all-pervasive
God and get immersed in the mundane, ephemeral pleasures. You may not
get this human birth again. So work for the redemption of your life by
chanting the Divine name. Offer yourself to God. That is the goal of
your life.

Embodiments of love!

You all have come from different places for worshipping the Padukas and
deriving the bliss therefrom. It is indeed a good act. It is not
sufficient if you merely worship the Padukas. Concentrate on them.
Without concentration what is the point in worshipping Padukas? Here is
a glass of water. Your thirst is quenched only when you drink water.
Likewise you will be blissful only when you install the Padukas in your
heart. Share the bliss with one and all.

God is the embodiment of love. So you can be a recipient of His grace
only when you develop love for God.

[Bhagavan concluded His Discourse with Bhajans "Pibare Rama Rasam.,."
and "Prema Muditha Manase Kaho...".]

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