Sri Sathya Sai Anandadayi - Part 2 of 3

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

SRI SATHYA SAI ANANDADAYI

[Journey with Sai]

 

Some Excerpts from the book written by Karunamba Ramamurthy – Part 2

of 3

 

[A Treasure]

 

Swami visited Ramachandra Shetty's house on December 17, 1958.

Shetty's family performed pada Puja. After the Puja, Swami gave a

brief discourse to the housewives assembled there:

 

Perform your duties sincerely and think of God during the rest of the

time. This is your dharma. Eyes are important for the body as the sun

and the moon are the eyes of the Loka. Dharma is the eye of the mind.

Without this, life will be dark. Therefore, follow dharma. Look after

your husband and children and do not make unreasonable demands. How

can he get you a sari worth Rs. 150 when his earning is only Rs. 100?

 

Perform good deeds. Do not take on yourself duties of others' or

transfer your duties to them. An unripe fruit will not fall by

itself, whereas a ripe fruit will fall by itself. Merely by shaving

one's head, does the feelings of the mind vanish? Hence one should

put in efforts to remove the desires of the mind. What is the use of

external appearances? Try to curtail your needs. When this fruit

(body) is rotten, it will be thrown away. When the fruit is good,

shouldn't you offer it to God? You cannot rest without performing

your duties. Even breathing is an action. If that stops, no other

action is possible. Therefore, do your duties sincerely contemplating

on God.

 

There was a brief interval during which some devotees sought

clarifications from Swami about their doubts.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, what is the meaning of Manava?

 

SWAMI: Let Me put it like this:

 

Jiva + vyamoha = Manava

 

Jiva - vyamoha = daiva

 

In other words, human being is vyamoha sahita, whereas God is vyamoha

rahita. (Swami sang the song, Rama nannu brovara (Rama, please take

care of me). He emphasised the importance of detachment and

discrimination citing a stanza from the song chimalo brahmalo.) In

this song, Saint Tyagaraja declares that Brahma is present even in an

ant. He leaves out the human being intentionally. The ant exercises

the faculty of discrimination when sugar and sand are mixed. The ant

selects only the sugar and discards the sand whereas the human being

grabs everything and comes to grief.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, why did You create this type of world?

 

SWAMI: To make human beings learn from their sufferings and enable

them to experience and exercise their power of discrimination for

their evolution.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, did You create this world as a pastime?

 

SWAMI: No. Never. God does not have even a moment of free time. He

created the world with all its beauty to educate and uplift the human

being.

 

Leelamma then told Swami about the impediments in Bhakti marga to

reach God (sufferings, wavering of faith and so on).

 

SWAMI: No. You think wrongly. Why do you think a mother punishes the

child? It is not shiksha (punishment), but shikshana (training of the

senses and emotion; teaching). It is the same with God. Just because

the mother chides the child sometimes, it does not turn away from

her. When your child is seriously ill, whom do you turn to? You do

not pray your rich father, husband or others. You pray God, 'Please,

save my child'. Is it not?

 

In this world everybody, both rich and poor, is a beggar. God gives

more alms to some and less to others. One is a bigger beggar and

other one is a smaller beggar that is all. How much each one gets is

decided by their karma. Therefore, don't hate or envy others. Live

amicably, work happily, share equally with others and try to please

God.

 

SHANKARA: Swami, what is Atma?

 

SWAMI: You are too young to understand it. (Turning to Shetty) Atma

has no akara (form). It is Ananta (endless).

 

We reached Parthi on June 14, 1959, we had Darshan of Swami. He

blessed us holding His right hand high and enquired about children's

welfare and their examination results. My husband told Swami that by

His grace, they had passed. Swami told laughingly, "To pass in

examination, My grace; for other results, your grace." Swami

enquired, "You were to come yesterday itself. Is it not?" My husband

told, "We could not make it." Swami said, "You had no plans to come

to Puttaparthi." My husband remained silent. Swami continued. "Is

Radhamma all right? Has she left for her place?" The next day, after

I had Darshan of Swami, I did pada Namaskara. I went to see Swami in

the afternoon. He said, "I will see you after My lunch." The door of

the Interview Room opened. I said, "We are going back tomorrow.

Permit us to do pada Puja." Swami said, "If you are leaving tomorrow

morning, how will you perform pada Puja? You will miss the bus." I

replied, "Swami, if You permit, we will go by the evening

bus." He said, "Fine."

 

We were waiting for the pada Puja on Tuesday. After Bhajans and

mangalarati, Swami went upstairs for His lunch. I went upstairs and

waited. Swami opened the door. He asked, "What?" I replied, "We are

waiting for pada Puja." He said, "Which pada Puja? You did not ask

for it. Should you not have come to the Interview Room in the

morning?" Saying that, He came down. Looking at my mother He

said, "Should you not, at least, tell them that devotees on the

spiritual path have no need to do any external Puja?"

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, if You are inconvenienced by our Puja, we will not

do it.

 

SWAMI: I am not tired. But you are under an illusion. If you are

still concerned only with this external Puja, when will you start

doing it internally? Do you consider it to be Puja only after you

have washed My feet with water? (Later He allowed us to perform the

Puja.)

 

MOTHER: Swami, tell me about Niraakaara Dhyana.

 

SWAMI: That is not good. It is good to walk where there is a road.

Give up the rocky path and take the royal path. Thereby, you will

know the right direction. You may mistake a piece of glass found on

your way for a diamond. When you come across a real diamond, you may

neglect it as only a piece of glass. Who will guide you? Hence sakara

Dhyana is good. Niraakaara Dhyana is a very difficult path. The

universe was seen in Krishna's mouth; Krishna was not seen in the

universe. Power dwells in a person and not vice versa. Why are you

trying to go by that way? The important thing during meditation is

that you must meditate with Godly feelings. Human feelings should not

be brought there.

 

We asked as to where we could see Him before leaving for Mysore. He

asked us to come near the Interview Room. After 3 p.m. we were

standing outside the Interview Room. Swami saw us from upstairs and

beckoned us. He took us to a room, which is right on top of the Puja

place in the Mandir downstairs. After we sat down, my husband started

pressing Swami's legs.

 

KANNAMMA: You have said in Sanathana Sarathi that we should do Japa

and Dhyana along with Omkara. We are not able to do all the three

together.

 

SWAMI: You have got it wrong. When you are doing Omkara, is it

possible to chant the mantra or meditate? While doing Omkara, just

concentrate on the sound of Omkara. Later, feeling the sound of

Omkara, meditate on the letter OM and chant the mantra. If mantra

Japa stops, continue the Dhyana. Even if Japa stops, do not worry,

but continue the Dhyana.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, why don't we feel happy while doing Dhyana?

 

SWAMI: Initially there will be no feelings. You should practice

continuously. When you close your eyes during Dhyana, you see only

darkness. In that you should see a light and see Me in that light.

That is all. It is good if you do not have any other Darshan during

the Dhyana. Realization of the soul is the highest state. After that

everything will be perceived as filled with Brahma. In that state one

will forget oneself. This state can be reached with the help of Japa

and Dhyana. To bring the turbulent mind of Swami Vivekananda under

control, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa gave him the experience of

Sakshathkaram for a short time. He did not make that permanent.

 

I will tell you an example to illustrate the complete surrender of

soul. Once the king of Khatvanga was going through a forest. On the

way, he saw a sage. Immediately he got down from his horse,

prostrated before the sage and prayed, "Guruji, I want to have

realization of the soul before I step on the stirrup to climb my

horse again." The sage said, "In that case, you should do as I advice

you to." The king agreed. Sage said, "Offer your body, speech and

mind to me." The king said, "I offer them to you." The sage vanished.

The king stood rooted to the same spot.

 

The king's family members came in search of him as he did not turn up

even after a long time. After finding him, they tried to talk to him.

The king did not utter a single word. They thought that the king's

mental state could be due to the advice of a noble soul. Later they

searched the forest for the sage and prayed him to come to the place

where the king was transfixed. The king bowed to the sage and spoke

to him. When the family members asked for the reason for his being

silent earlier, the king after taking permission from the sage

said, "I had offered my body, speech and mind to the sage and so

without his permission I had no right to do anything." The sage

pleased by this total surrender asked him to mount the horse. As soon

as the king placed his foot on the stirrup, he realised the soul and

attained salvation.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, is it not possible to attain self-realization in

one's lifetime itself?

 

SWAMI: It is possible. You can realise your soul by the grace of the

Guru in just one second, one hour, one day, one month or an year.

 

KANNAMMA: In that case, shouldn't You grace those persons who are

entirely dependent on You and seeking Your grace?

 

SWAMI: I will surely bless them. I am here only for that reason and

for such aspirants. You still have responsibilities. As soon as you

finish them, I will shower grace on you. If you desire it before

finishing your duties, it will be an act of selfishness.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, aren't there people who are doing their duties and

sadhana at the same time?

 

SWAMI: Yes, but it is better to finish one's duties first.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, it is an endless world. Duties never end.

 

SWAMI: No. A time will come when your duties will be over. It will

not be like this forever. Do you know why I tell you people to work

(serve)? It is for the reason that you should not have a body another

time. Even though your mind is purified, your body might not have

done enough manual work. The result is that you will have to be born

again, at least, as an exalted person. Make sure you do not get a

body again. Believe Me, I will definitely grace you.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, the body is already weak. Can we do later what we

are unable to do now? While sitting for Japa and Dhyana, our minds

will stray towards the pain in the legs, etc. When we become old,

many more difficulties will be there to distract us even more.

 

SWAMI: Mind is more important than the body. If you just count the

rosary on your fingers without involving the mind, what is the use?

Do you know the strength of the mind? If the mind so decides, it can

make the body bend to its dictum, irrespective of the state or

condition of the body. Without thinking about the leg pain, you focus

the mind on Japa Dhyana. It will cure by itself. You are like

potholes in a riverbed filled with mud and dirty water. Would the

river go in search of those holes, which are away from the main

stream? But when the river is in spate, all mud and dirty water are

washed out and only pure water stays in the holes. Similarly, by

cleansing the mind the soul will be realized. The flood is God's

grace. The river is Naamasmarana. Do all the rivers end up in sea?

No. Some of them end in a lake or tank. When the 'rain' called 'God's

grace' pours down on the 'river' called Naamasmarana, it results in a

spate, which is destined to reach the 'sea' called 'God'. In

Kaliyug, you need not do anything other than Naamasmarana. Your

karma gets destroyed by having My Darshan, Sparshan and Sambashan. I

have kept programs such as Omkara, Japa, Bhajan, etc., to stop you

people from wasting time by talking unnecessary things. That's all.

 

KANNAMMA: But in the house, we have to do them in an order.

 

SWAMI: Yes. You have to do that. Only because you do Puja, Bhajan and

other good deeds, your children will imbibe these good habits.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, Your grace should be always on us. Swami: It is

there. A lot of it. My grace is always on you.

 

So saying, Swami blessed both of us by placing His hands on our

heads. He materialized vibuthi, applied it on our foreheads and gave

us some to take home for children. Swami also gave us a piece of

paper to pack it up. I said, "Swami, my son has applied for diploma

according to Your guidance. You should bless him to get a seat

there." Swami said, "Why? Everywhere they give a seat for a student

who is eligible." I said, "Another son also has to get a seat." Swami

said, "Sure. He too will get a seat." (As promised by Swami, both of

them got seats in the respective institutions.)

 

After doing pada Namaskara, I asked, "Swami, children will have

holidays for ten days for Dasara. Can we all come to Puttaparthi?"

Swami replied, "Don't come. Sit at home and keep

chanting 'Ramamurthy, Ramamurthy' (my husband's name). (Laughs) This

is your mother's house. Where else can you go? You have to come.

Ammayi, do not get upset that I scolded you for requesting pada Puja.

I am not angry. I did it for fun." My husband said that he was not

feeling well for past fifteen days. Swami said, "Is it so? Kannamma,

you get him married. Everything will be all right (laughs)." I

asked, "Swami, should we leave now or tomorrow morning?" Swami

said, "Better if you stay back today and leave tomorrow. You can

leave tomorrow morning after doing pada Namaskara. Now, it is getting

late for Bhajans. Shall We leave now?" So saying Swami stood up. We

followed Him downstairs.

 

The next morning at 7 a.m. we were waiting outside the Mandir. Swami

came on the balcony and smiled at us. He asked, "Why are you two

standing so far? Did you quarrel yesterday?" We replied in the

negative. He signaled us to come upstairs. We went up. Swami

said, "Tell your children that I enquired about them." We

said, "Swami, You should help them to get seats in the college."

Swami touching His chest said, "I am there. I am there to get them

the seats. Do not worry." Both of us did pada Namaskara.

 

We said, "Swami, You should always be ours." Swami placed His hands

on our hands and said, "I am always yours. I am yours now. I will be

yours in the future and I was yours in the past." We were happy. In

that ecstatic state, we started to climb down the stairs, completely

forgetting the Prasadam. Swami called, "Kannamma, take some Prasadam

and then go." He gave me a handful of vibuthi packets. When I asked

some vibuthi for Leelamma, He told me to give some from what He had

given me.

 

I asked, "Swami, is it true that You are coming to Mysore in July?"

Swami said, "I am definitely coming. Shetty has invited Me for

Gurupoornima." I asked, "Will You not come to our house?" Swami

said, "Surely, I will. Did I not come even when I stayed for just one

day? Shettys are My devotees. But I do not want them to hear nasty

things from their relatives because of Me. So, I will not stay there

for long. The house is also small. People should not be

inconvenienced due to My presence there."

 

On October 30, 1959, we went to Puttaparthi, offered flowers and did

pada Namaskara to Swami. Looking at me, He enquired, "Kannamma, you

have come!" I said, "Yes, Swami." He said, "I am very happy, very

happy," and gave me a flower as Prasadam.

 

On November 7, 1959, Swami called us into the Interview Room at 11.

a.m.

 

SWAMI: Kannamma, are you leaving now itself?

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, we were planning to leave the next morning by bus.

 

SWAMI: Today is Ashtami Navami. What will you do? I will talk to you

in the evening.

 

KANNAMMA: What shall I do Swami? I wanted to go tomorrow morning at 6

a.m.

 

SWAMI: Yes, you can leave tomorrow morning. It is Ashtami till 3 p.m.

I will therefore talk to you in the evening and not now. (We

garlanded Him and did pada Namaskara.) How is the couple?

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, we are fine. Swami: Do you want a boy or a girl?

Kannamma: Swami, I want neither.

 

SWAMI: Why do you take it in that way? Why do you take all My words

in worldly sense and not in the spiritual sense? Don't you want the

daughter called Vijnana and the son called sujnana? (Vijnana -

knowledge of the phenomenal world; highest wisdom, constant efforts

to discriminate between dharma and Adharma. Sujnana - higher levels

of consciousness; knowledge which enables one to distinguish between

right and wrong, good and bad.)

 

KANNAMMA: Yes, Swami, I need such children.

 

SWAMI: Then, why did you say that you did not want them? Henceforth,

try to understand the inner meaning of whatever I say. You should not

have only the worldly view. The attraction between God and devotee is

inexplicable. Ammayi, without your knowledge, you will get access to

God. If you are in the boat, you can circumvent all the whirlpools in

the river.

 

KANNAMMA: We do not know how to escape.

 

SWAMI: When you are in a boat (referring to Himself), why do you

fear? I will take you safely through any dangerous whirlpool. The

boat called Paramatma is the best security. When you have Me, you

need not do any other sadhana. Just meditate on this form and you

will get divine consciousness. Do not be afraid thinking how big your

sack of karma is. This is the right time to undergo all your karma

and finish it off once for all.

 

In the evening, we had Darshan of Swami again in the Interview Room.

The garland, which I had taken, was entangled and I was struggling to

straighten it out. Swami asked for the garland telling that He would

straighten it out. He untangled the garland and handed it back to me.

I put it around His neck and did pada Namaskara.

 

SWAMI: You came to talk to Me in the morning. You least expected that

I would call you again in the evening. It is because of the

attraction between God and devotee. Without your knowledge, God

graces you.

 

I told Him about all our family problems.

 

SWAMI: (After listening to everything, asked smilingly) Is that the

entire list or have you left out something? Why do you worry like

this when I am here? You still think that I have to know your

problems from you and only then solve them! Since I am with you, I

will protect you as and when a difficult situation arises. It is like

keeping the luggage on your lap while traveling by train. The train

carrying you also carries your luggage. At the top muktikanta is

present. At the bottom, prakritikanta is present and you are in

between them. If you keep going towards the objective world, when

will you start coming up towards Mukti? With one leg kept fixed at a

place, if you move your other leg forward and backwards, would you

progress in any direction? At least now, if you start to move slowly,

step by step forward, you can go towards muktikanta. Do you

understand?

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, how to obtain Your grace?

 

SWAMI: There is nothing more left for Me to tell you except to advise

you to do sadhana. You are My devotees. It is good if you keep name

and form. As soon as you remember the name, it draws the form. There

is nothing simpler than this. It is better to simply contemplate with

a pure mind than trying to practice orthodox sadhana methods and

fail. It is easier for devotees following the bhaktimarga to attain

Mukti. How many yogis and Munis are liberated? Even the Sapta Rishis

occasionally slipped in their sadhana, since they could not control

their anger, ego and envy. I am giving you a simple method —

Naamasmarana — to get yourself liberated from the cycles of birth and

death.

 

MOTHER: Swami, if the mind contemplates for two days, it will not be

interested for four days.

 

SWAMI: Your situation is like the trader of coconuts who cried along

with traders of salt and pulses for no reason. The story goes thus:

Three traders were crossing a river. One of them traded coconuts,

another salt and another pulses. Accidentally all their goods fell

into the river. Understandably, the salt and pulses traders cried

over their loss. Seeing them crying, the coconut dealer too joined

them even though he had lost nothing. Your children think that you

are happy here, far away from worldly problems. You think that so far

you have not gained anything by being here and people from afar have

better opportunities as they can spend more time with Swami in the

Interview Room. The water placed in the sun gets heated up even

though the sun is far away. You are in a similar position. You do not

know how the water gets heated? But, only I know.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, those who are present here are like water before the

sun. What about devotees like us?

 

SWAMI: I have given all of you the fire called Naamasmarana. It will

burn away your karma. It will merge you in God. Butter is soft, but

does not melt until heated. You may think that Swami keeps telling

that He is as soft as butter, but nowadays He has hardened. Only when

the heat of Smarana is applied to the butter, it melts. But, Ammayi,

this butter (meaning Himself) is melting under the heat of your

Naamasmarana. That is the reason why you are getting opportunities to

have samipya, Sparshan and Sambashan.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, however much You talk, accept our services or assure

us, we are not satisfied.

 

SWAMI: Yes. It is true. Devotees will never have the satisfaction in

matters pertaining to God. It is not possible also. Even though sage

Narada continued to have Darshan of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara, he

did not stop chanting the name 'Hare Narayana.' Why? Because, he was

not contented with the Darshan. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in

your not being satisfied even though you get lots of opportunities to

be near Me.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami does not our craving for more and more of Your

Darshan anger You?

 

SWAMI: No. I will never get angry in the matters of Bhakti. I will

only tell that you should learn to be contented with what you have in

worldly matters.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, which Bhava should we have in Bhakti?

 

SWAMI: In the beginning, have the master-servant feeling. Later,

other feelings will come by themselves. First Prabhu Bhakti, then

sakhya Bhakti, then anuraga Bhakti and so on. Contemplate with a

peaceful mind. There is no other easier method to cross the Bhava

Sagara other than Naamasmarana. The fire of Smarana and My Darshan

will burn all three kinds of your karma. (Swami has explained that

karma is of three kinds — prarabdha karma: being exhausted in the

present life; agami karma: being accumulated in the present life and

sanchita karma: is accumulated to be experienced in future lives.)

Persons staying here can burn their bad qualities if they perform

Bhajans with devotion twice a day. Just as Bhishma was waiting for

the auspicious moment to die, lying on the bed of arrows, you should

endure all worldly sufferings. Godhead be attained only then. There

is no other easier method. When Pandavas and Krishna came near

Bhishma, who was suffering, Krishna said, "Arjuna, your grandfather

is suffering. Ask him the reason." When Arjuna enquired, Bhishma

said, "Forget the reasons why I am suffering. Even after having Lord

Krishna always at your side, how much have you suffered? Instead of

asking the reasons for my sufferings, you ask Krishna the reasons for

your suffering. In fact, I am reminiscing Krishna's Mahima and am

finding it difficult to unravel the mystery of your sufferings."

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, why did Krishna make His devotees suffer so much?

 

SWAMI: He wanted their lives to be an ideal example for the people of

Kaliyug. He does not want to trouble any of His devotees.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, when there is lot of problems in the house, Bhakti

weakens.

 

SWAMI: It is always like that. In such situations, take your mind off

the troubles and turn towards God. The troubles will solve

themselves. If you had the peace of mind in your house, would you

have felt like coming here? Disgusted with the problems in your

house, you have come here to stay peacefully, at least, for a few

days. Kunthi bowed to Krishna and asked Him to give her trouble

always. Krishna asked, "Mother, are not the present troubles enough?"

Kunthi said, "Krishna, when I was in the palace of Pandu, I did not

utter 'Krishna' even once. But, in difficulties I am always

contemplating on You."

 

KANNAMMA: I cannot bear to see my children suffer.

 

SWAMI: Ha! That is attachment. It is not only today's problem, but

has been so for ages. You can cross this hurdle also by Naamasmarana.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, can we have an interview again in the evening?

 

SWAMI: Yes.

 

We had an interview in the evening. mother: I pray You to grant me

Darshan always.

 

SWAMI: So shall it be, even for Kannamma. (He placed His abhaya hasta

on our heads.) Always comprehend the inner meanings. Move towards

muktikanta. You will reach the goal. You are still not sure as to

what type of Bhava you should develop. You like the Bhava of a

mother. It is good for you. Due to Bhajans and contemplation, you

have come in contact with several devotees such as Leelamma, Shetty

and others. Even here, you have got friends who are good devotees.

Look, if you have a direct contact of Smarana between you and Me,

think of the things that you can get. Close friends share all their

confidential secrets with each other. Even God, who dwells in heart,

reveals all His secrets to His atmiyabhakta. God goes even to the

sinner if he contemplates on Him. When such is the case, will not God

stay constantly with devoted persons who contemplate on Him with love?

 

Next day, i.e., on November 8, 1959, Swami called us again to

continue the conversation. We garlanded Him and did pada Namaskara. I

briefed Him about a few family matters for His advice.

 

SWAMI: (after hearing me patiently He cited a poem in Telugu meaning

it is like going to a shop for buying things in spite of having Kalpa

Vriksha with you; like going to the market to buy a cow when

Kamadhenu is with you.) Why are you harping on your difficulties even

after having Me? In times of difficulties you somehow get help, don't

you? Do you think it could have happened without My involvement? Your

desire is that I should show you the way in asathya as I do for

Sathya. If you are firm in your Sathya sadhana, all your asathya

affairs will sort out by themselves.

 

KANNAMMA: Is it not good to do Japa early in the morning?

 

SWAMI: Aha! Definitely. You should surely do at that time. There is

no better time in the entire day for Japa other than brahmi muhurta.

 

KANNAMMA: How should we do Japa? Swami: How do you sit for Japa?

Kannamma: I sit in Padmasana.

 

SWAMI: Do not sit like that. Sit relaxed as you are sitting now. As

you complain of leg pain, do not sit in Padmasana. But you should sit

straight. Show Me how you sit?

 

I showed Him the way I sit for Japa. Swami demonstrated sitting

straight and said that the back should not be bent.

 

KANNAMMA: Initially I sit straight. Later, without my knowledge, my

back bends.

 

SWAMI: That is not your mistake. Sit straight in the beginning; the

rest is left to Him. You should keep your thumb and middle finger in

contact. Some people keep the thumb and the forefinger in contact.

That is wrong. The job of the forefinger is to say, 'that is wrong,

this is wrong; I want that, I want this; see that, see this.' So you

should join the thumb and the middle finger.

 

KANNAMMA: What should we do next? Swami: Chant the name and think of

His form.

 

KANNAMMA: The form comes for a moment and then it disappears. It does

not stay for long.

 

SWAMI: Do not do it simultaneously. First do some Japa. Then slowly

picturise the form in your mind. This way the mind concentrates for

ten to fifteen minutes at the least. That is enough.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, you told us to do Japa synchronised with our

breathing. Should we not do kumbhaka to hold the breath for a while?

 

SWAMI: Do not do it. Just doing Japa synchronised with your breathing

is enough. When you draw in your breath, naturally you keep your

breath for a moment and then leave it out. That one moment of

kumbhaka is sufficient.

 

KANNAMMA: My mind can concentrate better while doing Japa, but not

during Dhyana.

 

SWAMI: That is why I told you to do Japa first. While picturising the

form you can't do Japa. You need not do also. As soon as you get up

early in the morning, do not go about performing your daily chores.

You need not even take a bath. Mind then will start its usual

routine. Wash your mouth and face. Immediately sit for Japa-Dhyana.

Do this much. As you are still involved in worldly affairs, it will

take some more time for your mind to calm down.

 

KANNAMMA: When You are there, why do I fear? Swami: Yes. That is

right. Why fear when I am here?

 

KANNAMMA: Swami Vivekananda had told that we could concentrate on

anything like concentrating on a black dot at the centre of a white

cloth or concentrating on a flame.

 

SWAMI: Don't concentrate directly on the flame. Your eyes will be

damaged. You should see it for a few minutes and close your eyes.

Then you must imagine the flame in your mind. This is for the

beginners. You do not need that. I have taught you the best sadhana.

If you leave Japa, do Dhyana. If you leave Dhyana, do Japa. This is

good for you. Try to do what I have told you.

 

KANNAMMA: Our devotion gets diluted when we undergo a lot of worldly

troubles. Should You not give us a little peace of mind?

 

SWAMI: Ammayi, if I had given you peace of mind, you would have

forgotten Puttaparthi. Since you are not at peace there, you come

here and stay here for a few days to get peace. Only after you have

experienced the heat of the sun, you will enjoy the coolness of the

shade. Shishupala was always contemplating on Krishna, of course,

with hatred. Due to this constant contemplation, at the end he merged

in Krishna.

 

Swami got up; we prostrated to Him and left.

 

We were at Puttaparthi during late 1950's. Swami called us to the

Interview Room. We garlanded Him and did pada Namaskara. Swami

enquired about the state of affairs at the house.

 

KANNAMMA: We have no fear when You are there. Swami: Face all

situations like that.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, You told us once that we can know God's presence in

our breath by watching the 'door' of Soham. Where is this door? What

is the technique of reciting Soham, with every breath?

 

SWAMI: You do not need all that. It is impossible for persons sunk in

worldly life to do all these things. Only persons who stay isolated

in a forest can practice such techniques. Is it possible for you to

count on twenty one thousand six hundred breaths and chant the mantra

an equal number of times per day? Naamasmarana is enough for you.

 

KANNAMMA: We can do that during meditation.

 

SWAMI: How is that possible? How will you keep track of the number of

breaths — how many you have done and how many you have to do? That is

impossible. Do Naamasmarana.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, it is said that people who perform Japa and Dhyana

should not eat food that is prepared for shraddha. Is it so?

 

SWAMI: Yes. A Sadhaka should not eat the food prepared for shraddha

of people not related to him/her. That is harmful for spiritual

practice. Your husband attends them to please people. Let him go.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, a spiritual society is planning a function in

Mysore. If they invite, will You come?

 

SWAMI: No. I will not come. I have nothing to do with that spiritual

society. To become a member of the society, one has to pay four ana.

It is not four and that is to be given, but four guna, which are

Sathya, dharma, shanthi and prema. Some societies are formed to amass

money. In Puttaparthi, money is not sought.

 

KANNAMMA: Swami, when are you leaving on tour?

 

SWAMI: I will leave towards the end of June. (Turning to my mother)

You should not permit anyone to enter your room. If you lend your

ears to idle gossip, because of human weakness, you will start

thinking only about those matters. If they speak about Swami, talk

with them. Tell them that you are not interested in any other matter,

either good or bad.

 

To be continued

 

http://sss.vn.ua/jws_exc.htm

 

 

With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Divine Lord Sai