Bhakti and Jnanam

[Guest guest]

Bhakti and Jnanam

 

Pranams AdiShakti:

Nice to see you up in arms against that remark 'Bhakti is for mediocres'.

Veeramaataa!!

Regarding your quoting verses, will it not be better to do free typing of the

verses instead of copying them from some other document? When you copy and

paste, it comes along with the diacritical marks in a distorted way and mars the

reading of the verse. The word Bhavaaranyakutharika contained an unwanted z and

other syllables. I do not know if other members also get it this way on their

computers.

*****

 

Some years ago, I heard an incident relating to the Kanchi Maha Periyaval

narrated on the TV by Sri Muralidhara Swamigal. I am relating it here with the

caveat that some minor details like names of places, time, etc. may be

inaccurate; this is because of time lapse:

 

Maha Periyaval was camping a little away from Kanchipuram, (Kalavai?). A

particular utsavam was on at the Kamakshi Amman Temple. That morning, as early

as about 3 am, the Acharya said to his assistants that He would like to go to

the utsavam and have darshan of the Mother. The assistants were a bit worried

because however fast they could move, by the time they would reach Kanchipuram,

the utsavam would have ended and the Utsavamurti would have entered the Temple;

already signs of firing of crackers were noticed. But the Acharya was firm and

would not listen to any dissuasion. So, reluctantly the others set out with the

Acharya. Just before leaving the camp premises, the Acharya prostrated before

the Ganapathy idol there. He stood for some moments before the idol, making

some gestures which puzzled the others.

 

In time, they reached Kanchipuram. And those accompanying the Acharya were in

for a surprise. The utsavam retinue was very much there, only a little way to

reach the entrance to the Temple. The Acharya had a fulfilling darshan of the

Mother. Only after this did the retinue move ahead. Those managing the utsavam

had this story to tell: The utsavam had proceeded as usual with no untoward

happening thus far. When it reached this spot, suddenly the elephant going in

front refused to move and stay put there. All efforts to cajole it to march

ahead failed and this caused worry to the others as all further programmes would

be affected. Their anxiety came to an end only when the Acharya arrived and had

the Mother's darshan. The party that accompanied the Acharya suddenly recalled

the gestures made by the Acharya to that Ganapathy before leaving the camp.

*****

 

 

Sir Chandrasekhara Bharati Swamigal of Sringeri was a great Jivanmukta. Here

is an incident bringing out his deep faith in the words of the scriptures even

when he was a small boy:

 

Hanuman comes to the spot where Ramayana Parayana is performed. We have read

this verse about Hanuman and know its meaning. Still we hardly believe that

Hanuman will come and go. My Guru's stance was novel. He reflected: "What is

the procedure for seating Hanuman when He comes? Is it appropriate that He

should sit on the ground and listen while we sit on a wooden plank and recite?

Further, is it appropriate that He should just have to get up and go when we

close our books? Is He not to be offered respect and a place to sit?"

 

Having thought over the matter My Guru decided, "As I myself sit on a wooden

plank, a seat must be placed for Him". Placing a wooden plank for Hanuman to

use, he did Ramayana Parayanam with the feeling that Hanuman was seated. Once

someone came there and asked, "Boy, why have you placed a wooden plank here?"

The following conversation ensued:

"It is for Anjaneya".

"He is not there".

"He may not be seen by you but:

Yatra Yatra Raghunaatha-keerthanam tatra tatra krtamastakaanjalim….

 

He is seated there with His hands over His head".

"What is all this nonsense that you are saying?"

"Can the words of the great be false? Do we not recite this verse about

Hanuman's presence everyday?"

 

The extent of My Guru's faith in the verse being factual now becomes clear to

us. What faith he had!

 

(Excerpted from the book 'Diovine Discourses of Sri Abhinava Vidyaatheertha

Swamigal)

 

*****

 

His dispassion was so great that though he dwelt as pontiff in such a big

Math, he did not even have the idea that he lived there:

Karatala-bhikshastarutala-vaasaH

(Having his meal in his palm and dwelling at the base of a tree…)

It was with this mental attitude that he abided in the Math. However, when it

came to religious activities and activities relating to the welfare of the

devotees, he acted in accordance with the following words of the Gita:

 

Na Me Paarthaasti kartavyam trishu lokeshu kinchana |

Naanavaaptamavaaptavyam varta eva cha karmani ||

 

(O Partha! There is nothing in the three worlds that I must do; nor is there

anything to be attained that has not been attained. Yet I engage in actions.)

 

Yadi hyaham na varteyam jaatu karmanyatandritaH |

Mama vartmaanuvartante manushyaaH Paartha sarvashaH ||

Utsiideyurime lokaa na kuryaam karma chedaham |

 

(O Partha ! If I do not, without laziness, ever engage in action, men would,

in all matters, follow My path. These worlds would be ruined if I did not

perform action.)

 

Keeping others in mind, he opined, "You have all labelled Me a big pontiff.

Regardless of whether or not I should perform worship and obtain the fruit

thereof, what would you say if I were to abstain from worship? 'Even Swamigal

does not perform any worship. Yet, he repeatedly tells us to do so. Why should

we engage in what he himself is not interested in carrying out?' Therefore, I

must perform worship. Then you people will act likewise, thinking, "The great

one himself engages in worship. It may or may not be necessary for him but we

need it. So we must carry it out.' "

 

(Also excerpted from the above book)

 

Om Tat Sat