to Henny on Vrat- Question for the group on Truth

[Guest guest]

Dear Henny,

 

Pranams.

 

Though I have not taken this vow, this is my aim – not only speaking

but living truth.

 

Maybe Parvati or Nanda could tell us about a Vrat or we could send a

question to Swamiji but from reading, Vrat seems to be a firmness of

purpose, a resolution to progress in the direction of perfection.

Vrat is also said to be a kind of austerity, a resolution with a

special purpose in mind like a new creation. Great power is said to

be enfolded within such resolution. Here is a link which speaks on

Vrat. www.hinduism.co.za/vrat.htm

 

You asked: Is the Vrat a formal vow taken by aspirants? Would this

be something undertaken on the advice of the Guru?

 

Yes. Swamiji had advised us earlier in a class session that such

acts should be undertaken on the advise of the Guru.

 

Hope this helps.

 

May our minds be filled with that firm determination of Shiva, the

Consciousness of Infinite Goodness.

 

In love and truth

Kalia

 

, "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

>

> 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.

> >

>