Dasara Divine Discourse -19.10.2004 Obey the Divine Command with total Faith

[Guest guest]

Dasara Divine Discourse – 19.10.2004 Obey the Divine Command with total Faith

Everyone has to face the consequences of one’s own Karma. Who has made the bats

to hang from the branches of a tree with their heads downwards? It is their

fate. Likewise, nobody can escape from the consequences of Karma.

(Telugu Poem)

Students!

Karma (destiny) has neither feet nor eyes nor mouth. But, man cannot escape from

it. That is why our ancients declared that one cannot escape the consequences of

one’s own actions. Karma does not conform to your likes and dislikes. Something

happens not merely because of your desire and similarly something is not

averted because you do not desire it. Karma follows its own course. Your

thoughts and desires cause the illusion that things happen because of your

will.

The world is full of mystery and wonder. It is nothing but a manifestation of

the five elements. It undergoes changes with the passage of time. Likewise, the

physical body which is also made up of five elements is subject to changes. Only

the Indweller is permanent.

Embodiments of Love!

It is not possible for anybody to go against the Will of God. The ways of God

are beyond the grasp of human understanding. God can make things appear which

do not exist in reality. Likewise, what appears to the eye may vanish in a

trice by God’s Will. How can anybody understand such mysterious happenings? It

is not possible for anybody to protect the physical body for ever. It remains

so long as it is destined to be. Once its purpose is served, the body will

perish. Nobody has any control over death. It is decided at the time of birth

itself. The date of departure is written on the body when it comes into the

world. It is not possible for man to comprehend the way the universe functions.

Each person’s experience is unique. How is it that the bat hangs from the branch

of a tree with its head downwards? Nobody can explain this phenomenon. Who is

responsible for such wonders and mysteries that we witness in this world? What

each one has to do, when, where and how, all is predestined. Man has no control

over it. Everything happens according to Divine Will and His command. It is the

primary duty of man to obey the Divine command implicitly. Everything in this

world, visible or imperceptible happens according to Divine Will. One need not

pay heed to what others say when it comes to obeying God’s command. You have to

obey the divine command in letter and spirit without adding any commas and full

stops by yourself. Unfortunately, today nobody is making any effort to

understand the mysteries of God’s creation. Scientists boast of having

unravelled the mysteries of creation, but they do not have true experience of

the reality behind the phenomena. Each and every activity that takes place in

this universe is full of wonder. When you observe carefully you will be able to

perceive the unseen hand of God at work.

Embodiments of Love!

One should obey the divine command with total faith and without any disputation

pro and contra. Markandeya was born as the result of a boon granted by Easwara

to his parents. Easwara asked his parents whether they wanted a virtuous son

with a short life-span or a son not so virtuous but who would live long. The

parents opted for a virtuous son. Accordingly, Markandeya was born. He was one

of good thought, good behaviour and good conduct. Easwara informed his parents

that he would live only for sixteen years. Nevertheless, the parents were

overjoyed as they had been blessed with a virtuous son. Years rolled by and

Markandeya entered his sixteenth year. Remembering the words of Easwara, his

parents became grief-stricken. His mother would often shed tears thinking of

the imminent death of her son. Markandeya could not understand the cause of her

grief and wondered why she was shedding tears. One day, he found his parents

steeped in sorrow. On enquiry, they revealed that his death was imminent as per

the Divine Will and that was the cause of their sorrow. Markandeya felt sorry

that Easwara’s Will was not revealed to him till then because of which he had

wasted the precious time allotted to him. He did not want to waste time any

longer. He had an early bath, went to the temple of Easwara and started

chanting the sacred Siva Panchakshari Mantra, Namah Sivaya, with all sincerity

and devotion. He lost himself in the contemplation of Easwara. He did not

expect any reward for his prayers. He considered it as his primary duty to

contemplate on God. The following day was supposed to be the last day of his

earthly sojourn. Hence, he remained in the temple. As he had not returned home,

His parents went to the temple and sat at its entrance. They were shedding tears

thinking of the impending end of Markandeya’s life. As willed by the Lord,

Markandeya left his mortal coil the moment he completed his sixteenth year. His

parents were in a sea of sorrow. As Markandeya left his mortal body in the

external world, his Jiva (soul) reached Lord Siva in the divine world. The Lord

was immensely pleased with the sincere devotion of Markandeya. He said,

“Markandeya! Today marks the completion of your sixteenth year. You have come

to Me in a happy frame of mind. You have bowed down to My Will with implicit

faith and obedience. I am pleased with your devotion.” As Easwara was speaking

to Markandeya in this manner, Mother Parvati intervened and said, “Oh Lord! Why

don’t You send him back to his parents as he has obeyed Your command

implicitly.” Easwara wanted Parvati also to accompany Him. Together they

infused life into the body of Markandeya. The parents’ joy knew no bounds when

they noticed some movement in Markandeya’s body. He got up and said, “My dear

mother and father, Lord Easwara and Mother Parvati have brought me back to

life. I will stay with you as long as you want me. Let us entertain noble

thoughts and undertake good deeds. I will discharge my duties as your son and

give you happiness.” Accompanying his parents, Markandeya went home. The people

of the village were struck with wonder when they came to know that Markandeya

was brought back to life by Lord Easwara and Mother Parvati. Markandeya

narrated to them in detail all that had happened in the divine world.

God responds to the prayers of devotees and comes to their rescue only when they

have purity of heart. One with a pure heart can even alter the Sankalpa of God.

The story of Markandeya bears ample testimony to this. Markandeya had no

desires. He made sacred use of the time granted to him. It is the primary duty

of devotees to cultivate noble thoughts and perform sacred actions. Markandeya

remained a Chiranjeevi (immortal), served his parents and gave them immense

happiness. In the normal course, God’s Will cannot be altered. But, sometimes

God does change His Sankalpa in answer to the prayers of a devotee who is

sincere and pure at heart. The devotee has the power to change the Will of God.

Devotion does not mean mere vocal expression of prayers; one should have purity

of heart.

Adi Sankara was born in Kerala during the 7th century A.D. and propagated the

essence of all scriptures to mankind. But he left his body at an early age of

32 years. Ramanujacharya was born in 11th century A.D. and propagated the

efficacy of the Divine Name. That was the time when devotion to God was on the

decline. It was because of Ramanujacharya’s teachings that people developed

devotion and a sense of surrender to God. Madhwacharya was born during 13th

century A.D. and propagated the principle of Dvaitha (Dualism). Even He taught

that the Jiva (individual soul) and Deva (universal soul) are not different

from each other in essence. However, the underlying principle in all the three

systems of philosophy as propagated by Adi Sankara, Ramanujacharya and

Madhwacharya is one and the same. The same principle of Atma is present in all

beings. It is referred to as Easwaratwa (divinity). The divine incarnations

such as Rama and Krishna can be recognised by their Divine forms. Every

incarnation has a particular form. But Easwaratwa has no form. It represents

the principle of truth that is present in all beings. It is responsible for

Srushti, Sthiti and Laya (creation, sustenance and dissolution).

Easwaratwa, which has no specific form is symbolised in the form of a Linga. It

is usually placed on a horizontal base which is known as Panavatta. Do you know

how it looks like? (At this, Bhagawan with a wave of His hand materialised a

Linga with Panavatta.) Lord Easwara exhorted Markandeya and his parents to

sanctify their time in the contemplation of God. He materialised a Linga like

this and gave it to Markandeya’s parents. They sanctified their lives by

worshipping the Linga. Linga represents the Atmic principle which is present in

all. It is not possible for anyone to understand or estimate the divine power.

The principle of Atma is changeless. It can assume any form in accordance with

the feelings of devotees. Linga is not something which man has made for

worship. It is the direct manifestation of Divinity (Sakshat-akara). This truth

was very well understood by Markandeya and his father Mrukanda and hence they

worshipped divinity in the form of a Linga.

Every living being comprises three aspects – Sthula, Sukshma and Karana (gross,

subtle and causal). The physical form represents the gross aspect. The same

principle of divinity is present in all the three levels. Without thread, there

can be no cloth. Without silver, there can be no plate. Without clay, pot cannot

be made. Likewise, without Brahma (Divinity), there can be no world. Without the

creator, there can be no creation. The creator can be compared to thread and the

creation to cloth. The creator is the embodiment of gross, subtle and causal

aspects. When you contemplate on God, you should transcend the mind. By merely

having threads, one cannot make cloth. They have to be interwoven. Likewise,

self-effort and divine grace, both are essential in order to achieve the

desired result.

Sukshma Sarira (subtle body) is the source from which our words and deeds

originate. Our students are chanting the Vedas everyday. Each Mantra is

attributed to a particular form of divinity. It is necessary that one knows all

the Mantras. If one wants to purify his thoughts and understand his true Self,

he should take Vedas as the basis. Unable to understand this truth, many

students are behaving like thieves when it comes to chanting the Vedic Mantras.

One who does something wrong and feigns ignorance is a thief. Likewise, one who

has the ability to chant the Vedas but does not do so full-throated and

wholeheartedly can also be called a thief. All students can chant the Vedas,

but some of them are not joining others in chanting. They are not making proper

use of whatever they have learnt. They are keeping to themselves all that they

have learnt. I am observing the students as they chant the Vedas. Having learnt

the Mantras, they are expected to chant them. But, some of them are keeping

silent. In a way, they are resorting to vidya choratwam and daiva droham (theft

of knowledge and betrayal of God). In this manner, the educated are becoming

traitors and betrayers. Only those who chant wholeheartedly whatever they have

learnt are eligible for Sakshatkara (God-realisation). When the students chant

the Mantras, ladies sitting on the other side also join them. They have every

right to chant the Vedas. None can deny them their right. They feel inspired to

chant the Vedas when they see our students chant. There are many small children

sitting here. Who has taught them the Vedas? They hear attentively while the

senior students chant the Mantras and learn them by heart. However, there are

some educated persons who sit by the side of Veda chanting boys and yet remain

tight-lipped. I am observing them. What is the use of sitting with Veda group

if they do not make efforts to learn and chant them? They are bigger thieves.

They listen to Vedic chants but do not participate in them. One should listen

and also chant the Mantras in order to experience divinity.

The Vedas are the very form of God. There are many Mantras to propitiate the

Pancha Bhutas (five elements). The five elements are our very life-breath. They

sustain our life. The world itself is a manifestation of the five elements. But

people forget to express their gratitude to the five elements. What a sin it

is! We fill our minds with unnecessary information and consequently fail to

give due respect to the five elements. Everyone should necessarily learn the

Vedas, contemplate on them and chant them wholeheartedly. There is no point in

merely learning the Vedas if you do not chant them. There are some who chant

the Mantras when they are here but forget them when they go outside. You may go

anywhere but you should repeat the Mantras at least in your mind. You should

never become a vidya drohi (one who does not do justice to the knowledge

acquired). A vidya drohi will become Daiva drohi also and will ultimately miss

the chance to become recipient of God’s grace.

Students may commit mistakes without their knowledge. But, once they realise

their mistake they should not repeat it. Whatever Mantras you hear today, you

should be able to chant them tomorrow. When all people chant the Mantras in

unison and in perfect harmony, Brahman will manifest right in front of you. Our

ancient sages and seers declared: Vedahametham Purusham Mahantham Adityavarnam

Thamasa Parasthath (I have visualised that Supreme Being who shines with the

effulgence of a billion suns and who is beyond Thamas - the darkness of

ignorance). The sound of the Vedas is highly sacred. It is extolled as Sabda

Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi,Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi,

MayamayiandSreemayi (embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light,

speech, eternal bliss, perfection, delusion and wealth). It is compulsory for

everyone to learn the Vedas. If it is not possible, at least one should chant

the Name of God. Whatever Vedic Mantras you learn, you should be able to chant

them properly. Otherwise, you don’t need to learn them at all! I have seen many

boys, who learn the Vedas here, but forget them when they go to Bangalore. They

chant one or two Mantras to satisfy the elders who visit that place. It is not

for publicity, but it is for your own benefit of experiencing bliss that you

should chant the Vedas. The three aspects, namely, Karma, Upasana and Jnana

(work, worship and wisdom) may be compared to chanting, practising and

experiencing bliss. You should transcend Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom sheath) and

enter Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath). Karma leads to Upasana which in turn

leads to Jnana (wisdom). Once you attain Jnana, you will experience peace and

bliss. Everything depends on Karma. You should not chant the Mantras in a

mechanical way just because others are chanting. You should assimilate and

digest them. Why do you eat food? Is it to preserve it in the stomach? No. The

food partaken should be digested and the essence should be supplied to all

parts of the body. In the same manner, you should understand and assimilate the

Vedic knowledge and derive strength from it. It should be expressed in your

thoughts, words and deeds. You should take part in the propagation of the Vedas

and share your joy with others. People say God is all-pervasive. He is present

everywhere in the form of five elements. Each element represents a form of

divinity. All the five elements together constitute the form of the Atma. When

you realise this truth, you will experience divine bliss.

Embodiments of Love! Students!

Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you

share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and

derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve

them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?

Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share

it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vedas. That is

why the Veda is extolled as Sarva Vijnana Sampatti (the treasure chest of

knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure.

Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have

learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain Sakshatkara.

How did Markandeya attain Sakshatkara? He repeated the Panchakshari Mantra

forgetting himself. As a result, Lord Easwara appeared before him and showered

His grace. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the

Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.

sourced: Dasara Divine Discourse on 19-10-2004