Sri Swamiji's discourse on Katho:panishad on 10/27/2001 - Part 2 of 2

[Guest guest]

Jai Srimannarayana!,

 

Asmad Gurubhyo Namaha!,

 

Dear Devotees,

 

Fixing my mind on Sri Swamiji’s Lotus feet and seeking Sri Swamiji’s

blessings, let me continue with the remainder of the posting.

 

The first boon Nachiketas asked Yama Dharmaraja is noted in the 10th

sloka of the Katho:panishad.

 

The sloka goes thus "Sa:ntha Sankalpaha, Sumana:ha Yathath,

Veethamanyuhu Gauthama Mabhihihi.." Readers may please pardon me and

correct me if there is any error in the sloka.

 

In his first boon Nachiketas very intelligently asked for something

which encompasses so many boons. This boon is very much the essence of

the first of the three Runas, viz.., Pithru Runa.

 

The meaning of the boon goes as follows..

 

My father's heart might be filled with Rajo Guna. This inturn creates

wishes and bad thoughts which makes him do bad things. Let him be rid

of that Rajo Guna and also of such bad thoughts.

 

Nachiketas was afraid that his father might be thinking bad about him

and is angry at him even after he went to Yama Loka. Sri Swamiji gave

examples of Duryodhana, Ravana and others even in this age, whose bad

deeds are still remembered. So Nachiketas was requesting Yama

Dharmaraja that not only bad thoughts be removed from his father's

heart and mind, but also let good thoughts prevail over him. That way

he will not feel any anger towards him nor yell at him and will be good

towards him.

 

When Naciketas goes back to his father, he requests Yamaraja that his

father recognize him as his son. This way Nachiketas asks Yamaraja very

intelligently for return back to Mother Earth from the Yamaloka.

 

In the 11th manthra, Yamadharmaraja, tells Nachiketas, that he loves

the boy very much for the type of boon he asked for and tells that it

is a very good one. This boon is a way of fulfilling Pithru Runa.

 

Yamaraja says that He will grant the boon without any questions and

everything will be restored as it is. And that his father will receive

him well and recognize him too. He also states that his father never

slept during days due to his responsibility as a ruler and also during

nights due to the sorrow of losing his son. Yama Dharmaraja assured

Nachiketas that he will be received well by his father and that his

father will be peaceful and will not get angry or upset with him.

 

Sri Swamiji concluded the Upanyasam by discussing in brief the

Avatharam of Sri Manavala Maamuni on the occasion of the Acharya's

ThiruNakshatram(Birthday), which fell on the 22nd, Oct 2001.

 

Q & A after the upanyasam.

 

Q. If ones parents are wrong in certain aspects and we are upset with

them, how should we as children behave and what is our responsibility.

 

A. Sri Swamiji said that if ones parents are wrong in certain aspects,

we should nicely request them that it is not correct and should clarify

things with them. Sri Swamiji mentioned about Prahlada who was a great

devotee of the Lord. Actually, what Prahlada did was very wonderful. He

showed by example. Inspite of disagreeing with his father

Hiranyakasipu, he simply presented the facts in a humble way and minded

his business. BUT HE ALWAYS LOVED HIS FATHER. This is proven by the

fact that his first request to Lord was to grant "Moksha" to his

father. Similarly, we, by following our Acharya truly, should inspire

others (could be parents of the type being discussed in this

question)by our good and loving behavior.

 

Sri Swamiji further said that in any case, our responsibility towards

our parents still remains and we should fulfil our Pithru Runa. That is

the most important point that should be remembered no matter what and

how things work out with our parents.

 

I am sorry I couldn't reproduce the questions from other devotees.

 

Let us all pray that we get treated time and again with such Sri

Swamiji's nectarian Upanyasams.

 

Adiyen,

 

Sai Ramanuja Dasaha

 

 

 

 

 

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