to Kalia on Vrat- Question for the group on Truth

[Guest guest]

Dear Kalia,

 

we are very much in tune today: I was happily surprised to see that

you posted this story on truth and I thank you very much for it. Only

this morning, I was looking at the Devi Mandir Publications catalogue

and noticed the book 'Thousand Names of Vishnu and the Satya Narayana

Vrat'. As I've been mulling over the subject of speaking and living

truth (pranams Nandaji) lately, the idea of a vow to speak and act in

truth appeals to me. I tried to find out more about this vow on the

internet, but could not find anything helpful. And now you mention it.

Could you tell me a little more: is the Vrat a formal vow taken by

aspirants? Would this be something undertaken on the advice of the

Guru (I can imagine it would not be something to be entered into

lightly)? In short: what is the Vrat? I'm thinking of ordering the

book anyway (I really love all the Devi Mandir books I have read so

far and am very grateful to Swamiji and Shree Maa for making these

texts and practices available to us in the West), but perhaps you

could satisfy my curiosity a little?

 

with love,

Henny

 

 

 

, "kaliananda_saraswati"

<kaliananda_saraswati> wrote:

>

> Dear Nanda,

>

> Thanks for this all important question. I very much like Henny's

> answer. Becoming one with God is our goal and since God is Truth to

> be one with Him/Her we must live and speak truth.

>

> Living and speaking truth is the only way to live a Sattvic life.

>

> Here is a story on truth -

>

> One day the highly learned sage and great story teller, Suta

> Pauranika, came to the forest retreat of Naimisaranya, where the Rsi

> Saunaka was practicing tapasya along with many other munis. Seeing

> the arrival of Suta, the munis offered him a seat with great delight

> and anticipation. When he was comfortably composed, they asked him

> this question:

>

> "By what spiritual discipline can people of the Kali Yuga develop

> their devotion to God?"

>

> Suta responded, "One time Narada Muni asked this same question of

> Lord Visnu, and I will share with you the answer he received. Narada

> had been touring the earth, and he was filled with extreme

compassion

> for the plight of mankind, who were constantly being perplexed with

> various difficulties because of their bondage to egotism and

> attachment. Thereafter, Narada went to Vaikunta, the home of Lord

> Visnu, and sang a great hymn of praise.

>

> Visnu, being pleased with his devotion, requested, "What is the

> purpose of your visit here? What is the cause of your anxiety,

> Narada, and what can I do to relieve you of your burden? Please tell

> me all of this."

>

> Narada replied, "Oh Lord, I have just come from the world of

mortals,

> where I saw all life suffering constant difficulties, taking birth

> time and time again in various wombs because of their foolish karma

> born of ignorant attachments. They are having such difficulty

> speaking and acting in truth, and almost all are addicted to telling

> lies. As a result they are never at peace, and are always perplexed

> by anxiety. Being moved to compassion for them, Oh Lord, I have come

> to request that you teach a simple discipline, the practice of which

> will make their miseries come to an end. Lord, please consent to

> teach me."

>

> The story goes on to say that the Compassionate Lord began to

> describe to Lord Narayana, the Consciousness of Eternal Truth,

> worship of which, when conducted with complete efficiency, grants

> comfort, pleasure, and liberation, otherwise self-realization.

> However, in performing this worship, the Compassionate Lord directed

> that one should "rejoice in the vow to make Truth one's highest

> deity. Those who will do so in the Kali Yuga will attain perfection,

> and will dwell in peace and prosperity doubt."

>

> Om Visnu Om Visnu Om Visnu

>

>

> Note: This story and the practice for speaking truth can be found

in

> the Visnu Puja - The Thousand Names of Visnu and The Satya Narayana

> Vrat by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Vittalananda Saraswati

-

> available at the Devi Mandir's bookstore.

>