Swami's Divine Discourse on 1st March 2003 [Evening ] - Shivarathri 2003

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sai Ram

EXPERIENCE OF UNITY IS REAL SATSANG

Swami's Divine Discourse on 1st March 2003 [Evening ] - Shivarathri 2003

Oh spiritual aspirants! Whether one is a renunciant or a householder, whether

one is attached to the world or not, whether one performs actions or not, when

one realizes that the same Atmic principle is present in himself as well as in

others, he will always experience and enjoy the company of God in all the three

states of existence.            (Sanskrit Sloka)

Devotees should recognize the unity of the Atmic principle that exists in all

beings. Satsang (good company) is very essential to understand the oneness of

Atmic principle. Satsang does not mean association with good people, devotees

or spiritual aspirants. ‘Sath’ is that which is changeless in all the three

periods of time. It is the Atmic principle. When ‘Sath’ and ‘Chit’ come

together, what results is Ananda (bliss). Sath-Chit-Ananda is the very form of

Atma. This is referred to as Transcendental Truth. In order to understand this

truth, three mantras are to be practiced. They are Bhadram Trunvantu, Bhadram

Srunvantu and Bhadram Kurvantu. When you practice these three principles, you

don’t need to search for God.

Bhadram Trunvantu means, I am not different from the Atma. “There is no entity

in this world other than the Atma. Bhadram Srunvantu means I do not listen to

anything else!’ Bhadram Kurvantu means I don’t need to perform any Sadhana!’

When one recognises the oneness of the Atmic principle, where is the need for

him to undertake any Sadhana? Every sound that is heard is a resound of the

Atmic principle. One who realizes this will not listen to anything other than

the Atma.

Divinity is the essence of all actions. Bhadram Trunvantu, Bhadram Srunvantu and

Bhadram Kurvantu means that the Divine Darshan, Divine Sambhashan and Divine

activities are embodied only in God. Hence, to live always in the company of

God is true Satsang. God is one. He is referred to as ‘Sath’. Ekam Sath Viprah

Bahudha Vadanti (Truth is one, but the wise call it by different names). That

which is changeless in all the three periods of time is ‘Sath’. You should live

in the company of the One who is changeless, with unwavering mind and steady

vision. Your thoughts, words and deeds should be steady and sacred. But due to

the impact of Kali Age, modern youth find it difficult to control their

thoughts, words and deeds. They do not have a steady vision. They do not keep

up their word. Their activities belie their thoughts and words.

Manasyekam Vachasyekam

Karmanyekam Mahatmanam

Manasyanyath Vachasyanyath

(Those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in complete harmony are noble ones;

those who lack harmony of these are wicked.)

Your deeds should be in consonance with your thoughts and words. Harmonizing

thoughts, words and deeds is true Satsang. To experience the oneness of Self is

true Satsang. The Atma is only one. It attracts the entire world. What is

Prakriti (Nature)? It consists of objects that delude man. All objects in

Nature are transitory. You do not find anything permanent. They attract man and

delude him. The objects which are temporary in nature, will give only momentary

happiness. The Vedas speak about the principle of Ritam. It symbolizes the

truth that is changeless. All worldly objects undergo change. When you develop

Ritam, you will be able to understand the changeless and eternal Divinity.

You may question, “How can I have the vision of God?” Oh simpleton! You don’t

need to search for God. Wherever you see, He is there. He is imbued in every

object. You are unable to see Him because you are deluded by external

appearances. Pashyati lti Pashuhu (that which goes purely by external vision is

an animal). Whatever you see, whatever you experience is but the manifestation

of God. In fact, you are God yourself. Hence, the Veda exhorts man to develop

faith that I am God and God is none other than myself.” Names and forms are

many, but God is one. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman).

Such unity in Divinity has to be realized. There is underlying unity in

apparent diversity. Satsang means experience of unity. Today people think that

Satsang means a congregation of spiritual aspirants. People join such

congregations and think that they are in Satsang. But it is not Satsang in the

true sense of the term because people whom you think to be good may turn

wicked. They are bound to change. How can such temporary association confer

everlasting happiness? It is impossible. Till this day, people have not

understood the true meaning of Satsang and its significance. Tell me your

company I shall tell you who you are. When you associate yourself with

ephemeral things, the results also are bound to be transitory. You should

develop friendship with Divinity which alone is true and eternal. Divinity is

very much present in you. You cannot find it outside. The external world is

subject to change. The world is nothing but a combination of matter. Everything

in this world is transitory. Nothing is permanent. All that is seen in this

world is illusory. The unseen Atmic principle alone is true and eternal.

If you pose a question as to “Where is God?” some people will say, “He is in

me”, pointing to their body. Body is not permanent. Hence, this is not a proper

answer. (Swami holding a rose) When I say the flower is in My hand, the flower

is smaller than Me. In the same manner, when you say God is in you, you are

bigger than God! In fact, the whole world is in the hands of God. Hence, it is

not proper to say that God is in you. You are in God. All are in God. The world

itself is a manifestation of God. This is the Transcendental Truth. This is the

changeless truth. The word Sivam symbolizes truth. Here truth does not

correspond to your body. It corresponds to the changeless and eternal Sath.

Today people go by the physical and worldly meanings and, as a result, spoil

their mind.

Man’s life can be compared to a tree. Asuya (Jealousy) and Ahamkara (ego) are

like pests, which destroy the tree of life. The day man rids himself of these

pests; he can become a true human being.

What you have to know today is the principle of eternal and changeless truth.

Our Narasimhamurthi (one of the previous speakers) said Divinity is in the form

of the Atmic principle. How can one visualize the Atma? The Atma has no form.

How can one visualize that which is formless? Bliss is the form of the Atma. It

is present in everyone. Man is the embodiment of Ananda. But he is unable to

experience bliss as he is deluded by the material objects. One should not crave

for materialistic possessions. How long can they last? Here is a flower. Now it

looks fresh but by tomorrow it will fade away. Likewise all objects are bound

to change with the passage of time. The Atma is permanent. Ananda is permanent.

Bliss can only be experienced; it cannot be expressed in words. None can explain

the nature of bliss. It can be understood only by experience. As I told you

earlier, your Drishti (vision), Sravanam (audition) and Karma (action) should

be constantly focused on the Atma. Then you will certainly experience

Nijananda, Nityananda and Advaitananda (true, eternal and non-dual bliss).

People sit in meditation for some time and start shedding tears of joy. They say

they have experienced bliss. It is nothing but their imagination. Bliss is not

that which comes and goes. It is permanent. In whatever state you may be,

waking, dreaming or deep sleep, you should be able to experience it

continuously.

Embodiments of Love!

You should strive to attain Atmic bliss right from a young age. That should be

your only endeavor. Your thoughts, words and deeds should be aimed at this.

This can be termed as true Satsang. Worldly experiences, however long one may

enjoy, cannot confer the eternal bliss. You can experience the eternal bliss

only in the company of God. All the worldly activities and experiences are

bound to change. The Atma alone is changeless. This is referred to as Ritam in

Sanskrit. In order to experience this eternal principle, you should give up

body attachment and understand the truth that the Atma in you is the same as

the one in others. Just as the same electric current flows in different bulbs,

the same Atma is present in all beings. Ekatma Sarva Bhutantaratma (the one

Atma is present in all beings). But, today man does not have such

broad-mindedness. In order to experience divinity, which is the very form of

love, you have to become the very personification of love. Divinity and love

are not separate. As man is endowed with such sacred divine principle, it is

said, Jantunam Nara Janma Durlabham (out of all living beings, human birth is

the rarest).

Today man does not enquire as to what is gamyamu (goal of life). Instead of

trying to know the goal of life, he is worrying about his janmamu (worldly

life). Even animals and insects are concerned about their worldly existence. It

is not essential to know the secret of life; one should know the purpose of

life. That is very important. The goal of our life is Truth which is symbolized

by the principle of Atma. Instead of enquiring into the goal of life, man is

trying to know the secret of life. It is a futile exercise. Any number of

births will not be sufficient to know this. Fix your mind on the gamyamu

(goal). Do not worry about the janmamu (life).

Adi Sankara said,

Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam

Punarapi Janani Jathare Sayanam

Iha Samsare Bahu Dustare

Kripayapare Pahi Murare.

(Oh Lord! I am caught up in this cycle of birth and death; time and again, I am

experiencing the agony of staying in the mother’s womb. It is very difficult to

cross this ocean of worldly life. Please take me across this ocean and grant me

liberation.)

You are born again and again seeing, doing and experiencing what you have

already seen, done and experienced. You should realize that you are born not to

be born again. You should see and experience that by which your life will find

fulfilment. That is the oneness of Atmic principle. Once you have experienced

the Atma, you do not need to experience anything else. Thousands have gathered

here today. Each of you has a different form and behaviour. But the Atmic

effulgence that shines in all of you is one and the same. When a bulb is

glowing, one may sit and do his homework. Another person may write accounts

with wrong calculations. Yet another person may write a letter with evil

motives. Whatever one may do, the light is unaffected and untainted. It remains

a witness. Likewise, the Atma also remains an eternal witness to all that man

does. External activities undergo change, but the eternal truth of Atma remains

the same at all times.

God is one; goal is one. The same is conveyed in the following statements: I am

in the light; the light is in me, I am the light.” Here ‘I’ symbolizes love and

devotion and light stands for wisdom. When you say, I am in the light,” it means

devotion is contained in wisdom. The statement “the light is in me” reflects the

truth that wisdom is contained in devotion. Light and love you have to

understand the unity of these two. Devotion is an essential prerequisite to

know the reality. You should develop love more and more and ultimately

transform it into wisdom. You should not follow the vagaries of the mind. Come

what may, your vision must be firmly implanted on the Atma. With such

one-pointed devotion, sages and seers of yore performed penance and experienced

bliss. Today people chant mantras and perform Japa. They do so for the sake of

their mental satisfaction. They want to attain peace. In fact, what they get

out of such practices is not peace but pieces! In a rosary there are I08 beads,

but the thread that strings them together is one and same. It symbolizes

Divinity.

Divinity is like a magnet that attracts the entire world. In some places this

power of attraction is maximum. It is something very special. Here is an

example. So many of you have gathered here. Who sent you invitations? It is the

Divine Magnet that has drawn you here. This magnet is present not only here, but

everywhere. Here, there and everywhere, Divinity is present in the form of Atma.

Here you can experience the power of divine attraction. Such power cannot be

acquired for the mere asking. It can be acquired only through love. Love is

something that originates from the ‘source’. It cannot be obtained by ‘force’.

Worldly knowledge can be thrust on you but love has to spring forth from within

in a natural way. Love is God. Love alone can confer true wisdom. Jnanad evatu

Kaivalyam (wisdom leads to liberation).

Worldly knowledge is associated with multiplicity. Love enables you to visualize

unity in multiplicity. Hence, you should develop love and understand the

fundamental truth that the same Self is present in all. Different people

partake of different items to satisfy their hunger. Food items are different

but hunger is the same. You should understand such unity. Each one of you may

undertake a different Sadhana (spiritual practice). Whatever may be the

Sadhana; it should be performed with Atmic feeling. You should make efforts to

understand the principle of oneness. That alone constitutes true Sadhana. The

principle of love in you should be steady. However, the love in modern youth

keeps vacillating. One day it is sacred and the very next day, it is unsacred.

Such love cannot be termed as true devotion. Ekam Sath (Divinity is one). You

are in the light and the fight is in you. Bear this in your mind. Ultimately,

you will realize that I am V’. If you want to understand the principle of Atma,

you should not give scope to multiplicity. All that you see and hear in this

world are merely reflections, reactions and resounds. The reality is within

you. I see many students here. Where have they come from? They are My

reflections. Otherwise, they cannot be seen. Likewise, every person and every

object is your own reflection. Life is like an ocean with the waves of Samyoga

(union) and Viyoga (separation). You should treat this duality with equanimity.

The principle of Atma is beyond union and separation. To Me, there is neither

Samyoga nor Viyoga. Viyoga results only when there is Samyoga. They are but

your imagination. In order to realize the principle of Atma, you have to get

rid of such imagination and develop the faith Ekam Sath. It is only one and not

two. It is changeless and remains the same at all times and in all states of

existence. You should join Satsang to know this truth.

This body is an Angamu (limb) of society. There exists a Sangamu (association of

attributes) in Angamu, a Jangamu (individual soul) in Sangamu and Lingamu

(Paramatma) in Jangamu. Linga is Atma which is our very life principle. That is

why the Atma is considered to be of the form of Linga. A Linga has neither a

beginning nor an end. It has no head or feet. Hence, when you perform worship,

you can keep it anyway you like. The Atma has a name but not a specific form.

Bliss is its true form. It is very much present in us. When you crave for

external happiness, you lose your innate bliss also.

Today is the auspicious day of Shivaratri. What is Sivam? It means

auspiciousness. God is the embodiment of Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram’ (Truth,

Auspiciousness and Beauty). All that you see, hear and experience should be

offered to God.

Tridalam Trigunakaram Trinetramcha Triyayudham;

Trijanma Papa Samharam Eka Bilvam Sivarpanam.

(Offer a trifoliate Bilva leaf to Lord Siva, the three-eyed Lord having trident

in His hand which destroys the sins of three births.)

People undertake various Sadhanas and different modes of worship on the basis of

their own imagination. Whatever may be the Sadhana, one should not give up the

resolve. One should have single-pointed attention. One should listen only to

the principle of oneness. One should offer one’s actions to God.

Karmanyevadhikarasthe Ma Phaleshu Kadachana (Action is thy duty, fruit is not

thy concern) Whatever you do, let it be pleasing unto God. Sarva Karma Bhagavad

Preethyartham (do all actions to please God). Then no sin will accrue to you.

There is no easier path than this to experience the Atmic principle. Today as

different people follow different paths, troubles are on the rise. Such

delusion is leading to confusion. As a result of this confusion, you lose the

‘fuse’ that links you and God. In fact, you are God. I am God. He is God.

Everything is God. In order to understand this truth, you should rise from the

level of the human to the Divine. You should know the principle of Sath, which

is the underlying unity in diversity. You should not give scope to differences

based on Akara (form). You should experience Ananda by being in the company of

God. God is your true property. When you experience Ananda, you become God

yourself. Give up differences. All are in God. Keep this unity in mind. Being

students, you may pursue your studies. All your studies take place at the

physical level. Along with your studies, contemplate on the principle of

oneness at one. Have unflinching faith in the unity of divinity. Undertake such

Sadhana, which will enable you to realize the changeless and eternal principle

of Truth. If you attribute various names and forms to God, you will not be able

to realize the Truth. Names and forms are subject to change. Who was Rama? He

was the son of Dasaratha. Who was Krishna? He was the son of Yashoda. In this

manner, you will remember only their physical relationships. When you worship

God without attributing any particular name and form, the question of His

physical relationship does not arise. There will be no differences whatsoever.

Who is the mother of God? In fact, He is the mother of all. Today we find

differences because we attribute various names and forms and physical

relationships to God. You should get rid of such relationships. Isavasyam Idam

Jagat (the entire world is permeated by God). Eeshwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is

the Indweller of all beings). When you contemplate on these twin principles,

you can visualize unity in humanity. There will be intimate relationship

between man and man. When you think of Divinity, you will not have any

differences or difficulties. Difficulties come and go like passing clouds. You

don’t need to worry about them. Keep your vision fixed on the sun. Sometimes,

clouds cover the sun. Then you don’t need to be worried about it. Have

patience. When the clouds move away, the sun will be visible again. In the same

manner, the clouds of worldly delusions come in the way of Atmic vision. In such

situations, you should not let your mind waver. Have patience. The clouds’ will

recede and the ‘sun’ will reappear.

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

You may get some thoughts, which are like clouds. Do not be carried away by

them. Do not pay heed to all and sundry and ruin yourself. You should rise to

the level of Divine and not degenerate to the level of demon. In order to rise

to the level of divine, Satsang is very essential. “One thought, one vision and

one action.” These three must be unified. Shivaratri is celebrated to recognize

the oneness of Divinity. When you do Bhajans tonight, you will have only one

thought. You will experience the bliss of Bhajan. It is the non-dual bliss. Why

is it prescribed that you should do Bhajans all through the night? Bhajan is

done to control the mind and focus it on Divinity. Some people keep discussing

about worldly matters even while they are doing Bhajan. Do not go anywhere near

such people.

Tyaja Durjana Samsargam;

Bhaja Sadhu Samagamam

Kuru Punyam Ahorathram

(Give up bad company; join good company and perform meritorious deeds day and night).

You should constantly think of the Atmic principle. Your parents may try to tell

you some worldly matters. They may tack discrimination. Why should you listen to

such matters knowing fully well that they are useless? Let them say anything. Do

not waver from your chosen path. You should convince your mother saying,

“Mother, you have your own likes and dislikes and I have my own. You are my

mother and I am your son, yet our thoughts and feelings are different. Being

your son, I will serve you and express my gratitude to you. But I cannot

deviate from the path of truth

To night Lingodhbhavam will take place. I created this Linga in answer to his

(B. N. Narasimhamurthi’s) prayer. But another Linga will emerge from within. In

this manner, I can create any number of Lingas. Everything is in My hand. The

Lingas that come from the hand, from the stomach, from the mouth, all are one.

Wherever you see, there is the principle of Atma. Understand this unity. Along

with your education, develop Atmic feeling. When you develop Atmic feeling,

evil qualities like hatred, jealousy, etc., will not come near you. You will

not be perturbed by pain and suffering. You will be in a state of non-dualism.

That is true bliss.

Focus your mind on God. Follow His command. Then your life will be redeemed. Now

you can commence Bhajans.

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Sathyam Jnanam Anantham

Brahma...” and “Hey Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara”

****

Courtesy: Kingdom of Sai.org

 

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