Many Miracles I have seen & Nadamadum Deivam has been extremely kind to me in saving my life from the worst accident in Nigeria to many other unbelievable Miracles,I have mentioned in my ebook….
But Yesterday 18th Sept21,again something unbelievable Happened!
I received a call from Kanchi Mutt that Sri Gopala Ganapadigal,along with others are visiting Coimbatore with Special Prasadams from Bala Periyava,to be given to Devotees & interested can come to three places mentioned!Perur Mahaperiyava Mandapam just 6 KM from my house,is one,we decided to go there in the morning.I volunteered to take with me Mrs&Mr.Viswanathan an elderly couple so devoted to Mahaperiyava.
Mr.Viswanathan’s Grandfather was Sri Ramachandra Aiyer,Classmate of Mahaperiyava.His son Sri Krishnamurthy with a few started Sarveshwara Devalaya Temple&Trust in Nagpur as per Mahaperiyava’s wishes.Sri Viswanathan was the Trustee in Nagpur till recently when he shifted to Madampatii.So it is a privilege for me,I felt to give them a Lift!
Sri Viswanath Relaxing@Ragunath Homestay,Nerur
Normally for Perur just 6KM,I used to drive myself but yesterday,something hit me ‘why not take driver as Parking etc will be tedious!’ So I asked for Muthukumar our Community driver but was told he was on leave,as he had just done Grahapravesam for his house.Then I decided to take the car myself!
First Miracle happened at 9:30 AM when Muthukumar came to us saying ‘he has come for duty!’Relieved ,with him ,I went to Sri Viswanathan’s house to pick them up.At that instant Petrol smell was engulfing that area!All of us smelt it & Viswanathan said “Its too much!”I said “Muthukumar..don’t worry.After all Perur is just 6 KM away “& we drove,but Petrol smell was too obvious.I put off the AC saying “May be due to AC!&opened the windows!
We reached the Mahaperiyava Mandapam & worshipped Mahaperiyava & were waiting for the Ganapadigal to arrive.Driver Muthukumar gave a ring and said :”Sir..Petrol is sprinkling everywhere in the Bonnet..It is too dangerous!”
I went & saw that when Engine is started the Petrol Sprinkling was too much near the Engine.I cd see leakage&spill due to our driving from Madampatti.
We immediately talked to our Mechanic who said “Don’t start the Engine!It is your luck the Engine didnt go on flames during your drive.I will come&tow the car!”He came&saw to his Dismay : “Sir how so much Petrol leakage next to the Engine didn’t catch fire in your journey!Wd have been a certain Disaster indeed!”
He towed the car&repaired it & delivered in the evening.
I attended the function also & was only thinking of Mahaperiyava “How You have saved my life again..!It is unbelievable indeed!”
On this Teachers’ Day 2020 I wish to narrate my MIracle Experience for a Very Great TEacher who has given his life for the entire Teaching Community of Tamil Nadu,without expecting anything in Return…
My Father Late Sri Rajah Iyer of Ramnad…
Hindu Mission Hospital,Tambaram
When Mahaperiyava was camping near Tambaram in the 50s He was informed by some devotees that a few Retired Medical Doctors are doing some very good social service by treating poor patients free under a Tree and giving them Medicine too for Free.On hearing this Great service Mahaperiyava visited that spot,aTree near the Tambaram Bus Stand and admired them for their Noble Cause.He also suggested to a few well to do people that “we should create a Permanent Hospital here so that the Medical Service for the poor can be ensured for ever!”
As expected many Philonthrophists started donating and when the Hospital was to be named,Mahaperiyava said smilingly :”See the Christians do a lot of social service and call them Christian MIssion…and hence we shd also name this as The HIndu MIssion Hospital..”
Thats how this Hospital got the name and was inaugurated by Mahaperiyava and under an able selfless Secretary,Mr.Srinivasan has been quietly doing Yeomen service for the poor for many Years!
It was my ambition to do something for my father and when me&Sarasa visited this Hospital after lots of Research we were stunned with this Miracle Experience:
It is purely because of Mahaperiyava that I was able to get this Honour for my father at the very entrance just by the side of the very Temple Tree,where the Good Samaritan Doctors started their Social Service!
Veda Vyasar is worshipped all over the World on this Guru Poornima Day and this day also marks the Start of the Chathurmasya Vratham for Saints.
This Day according to me should be the most Sacred Day for all Hindus as Veda Vyasar is the Avatara of Lord Vishnu Himself,born as son of Parasarar and Sathyavathi,has done so much for the preservation of an age old Culture by giving us the Magnum Opus,The Mahabaratha. Bagavath Gita, is the Gist of all the Upanishads-‘Sarvopanishad Gavo Doktha Gopala Nandana’.
Brahma Sutra with 555 sutras which Logically argues against all other philosophies-if studied with the exemplanary Adi Sankara’s Bashyam,one will be convinced that “how a Life has to be Lived-Sanathana Dharma-A way of Life!” In establishing the Supremacy of the Advaithic Philosophy,Vyasacharyar brings out the Gist of all the age old Upanishads-Aham Brahmasmi of Brahadaranyaka ,Thathvamasi of Chandogya ,to detail beyond any doubts in our minds that there is One Omnipotent Creator!Sanathana Dharma has found many followers,particularly in the Western World because of its unique Discipline prescribed in our day to day life & according to Charles Eliot(Hinduism&Bidhism-1931) who says ‘there is no doubt that even Jainism and Budhism are offshoots of the Upanishads and the very fact both emphasise Ahimsa to a great extent, validates the Patanjali’s Yoga Sastra which emphasises Ahimsa as the foremost of all Yamas & Niyamas!’
Philosophers like Max Mueller and Paul Jakob Deussen(1910-The Philosophies of the Upanishads)go to another extreme that there is no mention of any discrimination between one human to another,possible, if we follow the ideals of the Scriptures as they prescribe Norms for a Happy Living which is meant for the Human Race as a whole.Paul Deussen was so much fascinated by the Scriptures & Sanskrit that he even changed his name to Deva Sena!
To appreciate the greatness of Vyasacharyar one shd go to that period of Mahabaratha and understand the Bagavath Gita fully well ,its presentation in a Cogent way in 18 Chapters -the Karma Upasana & Gyana Kanda in 6 chapters each ,that will help us shed our Ahamkaram & seek Liberation!All our Scriptures try to make our Living simple,uncomplicated for our every day Peace within ourselves & Happiness all around!
Vyasacharya has compiled & given us the First 3 Vedas Rg Yajur & Sama Veda in a way that is easy to understand that He gets His name Vyasar-the Compiler!His actual name is Krishna Dwaipayana as He is born in an island in Yamuna River(dwaipa means Island Born)
There are totally 12 Philosophies -6 Nasthika (Brahaspathis Charuvakka/Jainism/4 types of Budhism)and 6 Asthika(Kapila’s Samkya,Patanjali’s Yoga, Gowthama’s Nyaya , Kanadha Kashyapa’s Vaiseshika , Jaini’s Poorva Mimamsa, and Vyasacharyar’s Uttara Mimamsa (Advaitham)).According to Great Philosophers ,Upanishads predate all of these philosophies and philosophers like Paul Duessen boldly state that only from Upanishads all other philosophies have been borrowed,tho’ interpreted in their own way.Like Charuvakka believes in “Just Enjoy Life” that they believe only in ‘EAT DRINK AND ENJOY’ principle and don’t want to bother about the Karma Theory and the Reincarnation!
Jainism and Budhism are more like Hinduism but they dont believe in a God as a Creator acc to Charles Eliot !He goes to the extent of writing that Budha Himself was more a Hindu and didnt want a Cult Figure for Himself but the later day Ashoka only made Budha a God,after the Kalinga War!Still Mahayanas and Hinayanas argue whether He is God or not but the fact remains that the Monastic LIfe style adopted by Budha Bikshus are more or less what the Hindu Philosophy has prescribed-a way of Life,as mentioned in Prasna Upanishads, ardent Students,Sukesan S/O Bharadwaja,Satyakaman S/O Sibi,Gargay Grandson of Surya,Kausalyan S/O Asvalar,Bhargava of Vidarbha,Kabandhi S/O Kathyar,all walked miles & starved for years to get accepted by Guru Pippalada who accepts them after testing their Sincerity :”I will teach you of What Little I know Brahma Vidya!” One has to see His humility!
There is another Satyakama Jabala Muni,from a very low caste who wanted to learn Brahma Vidya and approached a Guru Gauthama. He was asked by Guru “What is your Father’s name?” He replies : “I dont know as my mother is Jabala & she was working as a servant maid in many Houses but I wish to learn Brahma Vidya!”,the Guru replies to Him :”Because you Talk Truth you will be called Satyakaman” and initiates Him into His Gurukulam!We have to read those wonderful mind boggling arguments to know that our Scriptures gave more importance to Character & not to Caste!
Vyasacharyar’s main target was more on the Asthika Darsana of Samkya as Kapila believes in an Omnipotent Creator based on Sastras but distinguishes between a Purusha & Prakruthi..Prakruthi being the Material Cause for the Universe!Vyasacharyar beautifully argues in His Brahma Sutra(Thanks to Shankara Bhasjyam, we can understand better)that the very fact Samkya doesnot explain how ‘asethana creations like Trees & Plants exist without the omnipotent Creator ,who is both the Nimitha & Upadhana Karanam for everything in this Universe’ Uttara Mimamsa argument seems more an acceptable answer for all Creations!’Athma Sathyam Thathanya Sarvam Mithyeyi!
Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada
The beauty of ll the philosophies is that they make us all think and enjoy the beauty of the Creation.There is nothing like there is a winner or Loser.It is like enjoying the finals of a 20/20 Cricket Match and the loser loses in the last ball by a single Run!
There is one lesson we must learn from all these invaluable Scriptures.
(1)Our Ancestors never discriminated between one human being to another !It is being wrongly interpreted in Today’s world by Illiterate Politicians for their own Personal Gains & exploit the Gullible.As we can see Vyasar who is born of a Fisher woman Sathyavathi & Parasarar, being worshipped by all HIndus !He is worshiped as Veda Vyasar!Viswamitharar who is a Kshatriya gave us the Gayatri Mantra, which is to be chanted atleast 108 times every day by a Devote Brahmin!We worship Lord Rama who is a Kshatriya and Lord Krishna who is a Yadava as Gods and celeberate their Jayanthis in a big way…Ample proof that there was never a period where there was Discrimination between us!
(2)The lessons we shd learn from reading GIta to Brahadaranyaka Upanishads:Shed your Ahamkaram and try to live a simple LIfe!This is the essence of all Philosophies.
I would like to add here the beautiful words of Kulapathi MInshi on the Release of the Book ,Mahabaratha by Rajaji by Bhavan’s :
“Let me make our Goal more Explicit:
We seek the dignity of man,which necessarily implies the Creation of Social conditions which would allow him Freedom to evolve along the lines of his own Temparament and capacities;We seek the harmony of Individual efforts and social relations,not in any makeshift way,but within the Framework of the Moral Order;We seek the creative Art of Life,by the alchemy of which Human Limitations are progressively Transmuted,so that man may become the Instrument of God,and is able to see Him in all and all in Him!”
I also feel Today with Science having conquered many unexplorable outer Frontiers in Space that there is so much similarity between what Our Scriptures call “Brahman” and what the Astro PHysicists describe “Dark Energy” as:
(1)Both are Sathyam-True
(2)Both are Nirvikara-Ever Changeless
(3)Both are Arupam-cant be described Figuratively
(4)Anadhi-Both are beginning less
(5)Nirgunam-No Attributes
(6)Sethanam-Both are Conscious
(7)Both are Omnipotent-Infact Great Astro Physicists like Mrs.Michelle Thaller,Brian Greene & Michio Kaku describe the Dark Energy as something we never understand.They are infact connecting this Universe even to a Parallell Universe.No explanation indeed!
It is an interesting subject I enjoy.I wd like to follow the Path as stipulated by Sanathana Dharma for my own Happiness!
On the 5th April 2018 Anusham Programme,we celeberated the 32nd Anusham Programme At Shenbagm Estate,Madampatti with His benign Bountiful Blessings..
Sincere Subramanian Sastri
Once Swami Vivekananda was asked by an Atheist:”What happens when one Doesn’t Believe in God?’
Swami Vivekananda countered him with a fitting Reply:”Those who have Faith can feel His Presence in Everything Good happening around them!Those who don’t will attribute everything -ve around them to His absence,thereby wasting their Life on -ve things!”
True Words..since I started this Anusham Program, casually in Madampatti, I didn’t expect such a +ve change in me and around me!Faith in God gives purpose and Meaning to Humanlife!
Anusham 5th April 18
Anusham 5th April 18
Anusham 5th April 18
I recalled a Miracle experience of Mrs.Kailasam,wife of Supreme Court Judge ,Kailasam, who retired in the 80s.Kailasams were ardent devotees of Mahaperiyava. In 1993 there was a Photo exhibition of Mahaperiyava in Eros thetre,LBRoad,Adyar as part of Mahaperiyava’s Sathabdi Celebrations.Sri Jayendrar inaugurated and there were many prominent Speakers including Soundara Kailasam, Vanathi Thirunavukkarasu,MD of IOB which sponsored the program!
Mrs.Kailasam, wife of Justice Kailasam, who was also present, cdnt control her tears when she narrated this incident:
“Once we were travelling to Bombay after his retirement by train for a Tribunal meeting ,in which,my husband was a Member. Since Mahaperiyava was camping in Mahagaon,on the banks of Krishna River,we decided to break journey at Cuddapah,have His Darshan and catch the next train to Bombay!
When we reached Mahagaon, Mahaperiyava received us as if Expecting our arrival and was in a very jovial mood,discussing about various issues concerning our Family!Then,when we wanted to take ‘Utharavu’,He smilingly asked us ‘Today is Pradosham!Why don’t you stay back and enjoy this banks of Krishna River!’
My husband said ‘I Have a meeting in Bombay and that’s why!’
Mahaperiyava’When is the meeting?’
Kailasam ‘Day after Tomorrow!’
Mahaperiyava ‘You have plenty of time but probably you are not used to such inconvenient places ,like the river sands!”
Mrs.Kailasam, said ‘Oh No no Mahaperiyava. We will stay here as per your wish!”and they sent an assistant to rebook tkts for the next day…Mrs.Kailasam Cdnt control her tears when she said ‘that the train we ought to have gone met with a major accident and 198 were killed!“
On this Mahaperiyava Jayanthi day, 8th June 2017, I try to Recall His immeasurable Compassion to Save me from a Certain Death, that too in Nigeria!
I was working in Phonodisk Nigeria, Ijebuode, as its CEO, a Nigerian – American collaboration, for manufacturing Gramophone Records, Cassettes. It was started by Allahji Haruna Ishola, who was like our Yesudas, whose records were sold all over Africa within no time! I was replacing a set of Americans who were Looting the co. As it happens in many cos there were many locals who did not like my disciplined way to make Phonodisk profitable, catching many of the culprits Red handed!
Sankara Jayanthi – NIGERIA Souvenir 1985(Printed in Phonodisk)
My factory was 35 KM from my Bungalow in Ijebuode and I had a Peugeot 505 and 504 and drivers had to come all the way from Ijebuode to drive me to the Factory. So I asked them not to come all the way and I started driving myself everyday to the Factory in the Mornings!
With Phonodisk Staff
Those days in 80s,Nigeria was so rich with Oil Money that almost every one drove a Peugeot or a Benz! Traffic regulations had to be brought in Lagos by Stipulating Odd Cars on Odd Days and Even Cars on Even Days! That is why almost every CEO used to have 2 Cars!
My Faith in Mahaperiyava was so Strong, I used to always keep His Picture on the Dashboard!
Nigerians, for that matter, most Africans, believed in Witchcraft! Some of my Security Guards, and Cooks, living in our Premises used to be afraid of us, as we used to light the Deepam everyday in the evening and used to pray, thinking, we also practise Witchcraft!
Phonodisk Staff
Haruna Ishola’s own brother, called Baba was the most affected financially after my arrival, as he was living next to the Factory, Looting all the time!
So his aim was to Finish me somehow!
One day when I was driving my 505 to the Factory, I was experiencing a wild wobbling in the front tyres. I was driving at 100 KM but somehow managed to reach the Factory!
When the Factory Security Guard opened the Gates and when I parked the car, I saw Baba with his close Assistants looking at me with Amazement! He had told most of them ‘I wd never ever enter the Factory again!’
When I closed the car door, to my utter Amazement, I saw the Front Right Side Wheel, falling down and rolling! Someone had loosened the Bolts, when the car was parked in the Garage !
Benjamin, my Security Guard!
Some of my Ghanian Staff, my well Wishers like Bernard, came running and literally lifted me!
I was saved on that day purely because of my Faith in Him. On hearing this Allahji Haruna Ishola came from Lagos and hugged me! He, not educated in English, conveyed through his Daughter, a Director of Phonodisk “Your Witchcraft is more Powerful than Baba’s. He will now run for his Life!”
A really wonderful innings I had in Nigeria thereafter, all because of His Grace!I printed and Released Fela’s First Album which crossed a Million Records in just 3 Days! Ofcourse, every time I used to print a Record of Allahji Haruna Ishola’s, we used to sell a Million Records, in a Music Crazy Country! Can’t believe I was also a part of those Celeberations !
Incase you want to hear a similar incident, earlier to this one, please listen to this video taken by Shivaraman for Sage of Kanchi :
A recent interview by Bharath Subramanian for Sage of Kanchi will reveal more Miracles:
Kanchi Paramacharya’s 21st Aaradhanai is on 18th Dec,Tomorrow!
In mylife,I have experienced unimaginable Miracles and I have written many blogs about it and I been interviewed by Sage of Kanchi also,where one can see this video!
Even,For an ordinary Idiot like me ,Kanchimahan’s Karunai was inexplicable.He is aptly called as
‘Nadamadum Deivam’,because,He has appeared even to ordinary mortals like me ,whenever,we have sought His help!
I wd like to add here His compassion for the Wellbeing of every Indian.Either directly or indirectly,He has touched the welfare of every Indian,I believe..I wd like to give an instance or two here for the same:
Every Indian,today,is very grateful for one man who changed the entire Electoral system of India,in one stroke and brought in far reaching changes,including Revealation of Candidates’ Assets etc.,..Mr.T.N.Seshan!
Mr.Seshan is an ardent devotee of Kanchimahan.He never does anything in his life,without getting His blessings.
Soon after Seshan’s revolutionary electoral reforms in 92s,everywhere,Seshan’s name was chanted.There was a Felicitation for Seshan by CII in Madras in which I was also present.
In his reply ,this is what Seshan said :
“Today everyone all over India,is admiring me as if I have done something great..but frankly,all this credit shd go to Kanchi Paramacharya,but for whom ,this is not just possible,I believe..Let me tell you why!
I was holding the Home Secretary’s position in Rajiv Gandhi’s Govt and I was absolutely honest and stickler to rules.Suddenly oneday in 1990,I was ‘shunted’ to the post of the Chief Election Commissioner!I use the word ‘shunted!’ Because thats how this post was called in Delhi Circles,where it mattered,the most, till that time!I was personally depressed and under such stressful times,I go to Kanchimahan to get His blessings.
Nextday,I flew down to Kanchipuram.
Kanchimahan asked me:
‘yenna ore kavalaiya irukke?’
I explained to him that I have been ‘shunted!’
Kanchimahan :’Yenda..ithu eppadi shunted nnu ninaikkire..?God has given you a very great opportunity..You must think like that!
Still I was not convinced.
Kanchimahan asked me’Have you gone to Uthiramerur Temple,15 KM from here?
I said I have heard about it but never visited.
Kanchimahan told me:You shd visit this temple and particularly read on the Northern side wall,whats written some 1000 yrs back about ‘who all can contest elections!’It gives details of who all can’t contest elections,like a murderer,thief,even a man who has illtreated his wife.It also stipulates that however good a man may be,max,he can hold an elected position only for Just Two Yrs..If you implement even 1/10th of this,you will do a great service to every Indian..!’
When Seshan said this,he added,’I saw a flash of Lightning in my mind and literally saw Viswaroopa Darshanam of Lord Krishna!’
( Seshan becomes emotional for a few seconds!)
He said,he went back and implemented,within his powers whats written in Uthiramerur Temple..
He said..”All credit to Him!Also I am in my 60s..and I tend to forget a lot.Just cdn’t imagine Kanchimahan at 97,had such clarity,that even described in minute details of that place and whats written!”
In another Video of Subramaniam Swamy,describes:
Kanchimahan,according to Dr.Subramania Swamy,is responsible for forcing Swamy to take up the Kailas Mansarover issue with the Chinese in 80s,when even External Affairs Minister under Indira Gandhi,Narasimha Rao,bluntly ridiculed Swamy saying
“Don’t waste your time with the Chinese..Our relationships is so sour,they wdn’t even look at us.”
Still Swamy goes to China and meets Deng Xiaoping!
Swamy describes in that video how he gets a Redcarpet welcome and the Chinese President,when asked about allowing Indians to the sacred Kailash Mansarover,he puts only one condition!
‘I will allow all Indians,provided ‘You are the First Indian to go there!’
Swamy is the First Indian to visit Kailash Manasarover!
Thanks To Sri.S.V.Narasimhan,he published this article of mine,selected as One of the 100 Selected for Paramacharya’s Shatabdi Souvenir,which is decorating the front page of Kanchi Mutt Website,even Today..
Devotees who believe in Mahaperiyava’s Miracles,please don’t fail to share this with friends!
First I wish to narrate what happened this morning(16thOct),a Purattasi Saturday!
I am in Nairobi with my daughter.
As usual after my morning prayers,I listen to Mahaperiyava’s speech before even I think of a Coffee!Thats my routine for years!Today I found this unique link of Mahaprriyava’s Speech,which I have never heard before.Please listen to this before going any further: https://youtu.be/Tm1BHl-bwfk
If you have heard the above where Mahaperiyava talks about Hanuman,especially on this Purattasi Saturday,Now I wish to take you back to yesterday evening incident!
Me,my wife with daughter&Grandkids were returning from Mombasa.The flight Skyward Express was Scheduled to leave at 530 PM!
After a small delay it left & I was asked to take Seat 4A as by mistake the kids were given the Emergency exit seats,which is not allowed!So I occupied the Emergency exit Window Seat.
Being cricket crazy family,we saw CSK getting a good start..58 for No Loss..when I noticed from the Window,the flight was hesitant to take the Runway!I saw pilot talking to someone&returned the flight to the Terminal..
Many Technicians arrived&I started praying to Mahaperiyava as I normally do..especially being Vijayadasami Day inside a Plane..promising to do sincere prayer after reaching Nairobi!
Suddenly Captain announced flight had a small Tech hitch & solved successfully & ready to take off!I continued my Prayers through out the Journey as one can imagine in that situation!
We landed safely in Nairobi…but one of our Luggages were Missing..my daughter’s.She smilingly said “Probably God’s way that we land safe if one of my luggages is removed..!”
I saw the CSK match only after my Bath&Sincere Prayers!
Next day,as I explained 16th Purattasi Saturday,I listened to the above speech of Mahaperiyava!
With my daughter I went shopping & amidst many fruits,I bought a dozen Banana too..
Skyword promptly delivered her missing bag..by AN!
Around 4 PM on Purattasi Saturday, when I was relaxing with a coffee,I saw a cool Monkey,entering the main door,running away with that Banana which was kept inside the Kitchen..as can be seen..(Sykes’ monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis), also known as the white-throated monkey or Samango monkey, is an Old World monkey found in parts of Nairobi)
Me&my wife saw this and felt being Purattasi Saturday,Hanuman has come to bless us..Now whichever way I look at these events,I have strong Faith in Him!Mahaperiyava’s Miracles are unbelievable..!
Why Bag was Missing?Why flight Tech Problems suddenly sorted out?Why I get the above speech of Mahaperiyava on the Purattasi Saturday morning in a remote Nairobi House?Above all,no doubt we get Monkeys here often,they dare not enter the Main door ! They come by back side&if doors are open will take away the fruits…!
I am posting this for Pure Devotees to increase their Faith in Mahapaeriyava!
With Mahaprriyava’s Blessings & Swami Paramartananda’s immeasurable support & permission to use His Lectures,I have brought out this Bhaja Govindam with illustrations in a book form.This is FREE DOWNLOADABLE IN KINDLE FROM 9TH TO 12TH October
There cannot be any other better Example for Guru Bakthi than “Bhaja Govindam” itself,which, Adi Sankara is said to have written in Great Reverence for His Guru, ‘Govinda Bagavadpada!’
‘Matha Pitha Guru Deivam’says Thaithriya Upanishads!Guru Bakthi is more important than God Bakthi!
In these last 4 verses,Sankara’s disciples conclude that “Guru alone can guide us to the Path of Brahma Gyanam!”
Verses 28/29/30 are again re-emphasising the importance of Non attachments.Infact,Verse 28 “Sukhatah kriyate Rama Bogaha..”has emphasised 1000 years back how, “Illicit Carnal Desires can lead you to Life Long sufferings of unimaginable consequences-as every one can understand about this Dreaded & Dangerous Disease Today!”
sukhataḥ kriyatē kāmābhōgaḥ
paśchādanta śarīrē rōgaḥ ।
yadyapi lōkē maraṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ
tadapi na muñchati pāpācharaṇam ॥ 28 ॥
“Very readily one indulges in Carnal pleasures;later on,alas,come diseases of the body.Even though in the World the Ultimate end(Saranam)is Death,even then man leaves Not his Sinful behaviour!”(Chinmayananda)
arthamanarthaṃ bhāvaya nityaṃ
nāstitataḥ sukhalēśaḥ satyam ।
putrādapi dhanabhājāṃ bhītiḥ
sarvatraiṣā vihitā rītiḥ ॥ 29 ॥
“Wealth is calamitous,thus reflect constantly;the truth is that there is No Happiness at all to be got from it!To the Rich there is fear from their own son.This is the way wealth everywhere!”(Chinmayananda)
(This verse has already been dealt with earlier)
prāṇāyāmaṃ pratyāhāraṃ
nityānitya vivēkavichāram ।
jāpyasamētasamādhividhānaṃ
kurvavadhānaṃ mahadavadhānam ॥ 30 ॥
“The control of all activities (of life’s Transformation in You)the sense withdrawal(from their respective sense objects)the reflection (consisting of discrimination between the permanent&the impermanent) along with japa & the practice of reaching the total inner silence(Samadhi)-these,perform with care-with Great Care!”(Chinmayananda)
gurucharaṇāmbuja-nirbharabhaktaḥ
saṃsārādachirādbhava muktaḥ ।
sēndriyamānasa-niyamādēvaṃ
drakṣyasi nijahṛdayasthaṃ dēvam ॥ 31 ॥
“Oh Devotee of the Lotus feet of the Teacher!May you become liberated soon from the Samsara through the discipline of the Sense Organs&the Mind!You will come to experience the Lord that dwells in Your Heart!”(Chinmayananda)
Our Upanishads is full of Illustrious Gurus&Sishyas&their Dialogues on Brahma Vidya!
We all know Bharadwaj Himself is a Great Maharishi!His son Sukesan walks several miles to learn this Brahma Vidya along with Sathyakaman-S/O of Sibi,Gargay-Grandson of Surya,Kausalyan-S/O Asvalar,Bhargava of Vidarba,Kabanthi-S/O Kathyar, all walk to learned Pippalada Muni,says Prasnopanishads!We should understand the Greatness of such a Maharishi & His Immense Humility when all such Great disciples seek His Teachings,Pippalada says : “ I don’t know much!But whatever little I know I will try to impart!”Humility Personified!
Thats an example of our ancient culture & importance of Guru Bakthi!Sankara says to learn anything we need two important things : (1)Sakshath Karanam-A direct Motivator like ‘a Seed,without which there is no Tree!Seed is the direct cause for a tree and (2)Sahakari Karanam-Indirect or Supporting Cause-like the good Soil etc for trees’ Growth; Guru is the Direct Reason for any type of learning ;But our Mindset,with discipline,Sadhana Chathushtaya Sambandhi ,is equally important to understand the Teachings!Sankara says,when you are unwell you take ‘Aushadham’(Medicine)which is direct cause but you also are also expected to follow ‘Pathyam’(Diet control)without which your disease can never be cured!
Our life style Changes for good if we have a learned Guru ,like Swami Paramarthananda.We will start wondering after listening to His Lectures on Gita& Upanishads,100 years is too short a time to explore this Great Treasure called ‘Hindu Scriptures!’
We get answers on any subject from the Great Encyclopaedia of Mahaperiyava “Deivathin Kural!”We waste our precious life in trivial pursuits & one day vanish ‘without even knowing the inner meaning of all these Treasures!”Guru Bakthi elevates you to a different world as can be seen from the following Real Life Miracles:
Mahaperiyava & Paul Brunton(1935)
Just Imagine ,way back in 1935 ,Paul Brunton,a Swiss ,travels all the way to India to explore the Life style of various Indian Sadhus and Paul Brunton had short listed only Kanchi Mahan, from South India in his List!We must read his book in ‘Search of Secret India’ where his dialogue with Kanchi Mahan leads him to Ramana Maharishi …Ultimately Paul Brunton bequeaths a huge wealth & royalty for Ramanashram..His family is still devoted to Kanchi Mahan & Ramanashram & are running a Yoga school in Switzerland!
I saw a similar incident in my life!
One day when many people were thronging to get Darshan of Kanchi Mahan,Idhayam Pesugirathu Manian,came to get His Blessings.Along with his family was a sad looking lady too.Manian wanted Mahaperiyava’s blessings for the lady.Mahaperiyava asked her : “Whats troubling you?”
Here it is to be noted that she belonged to a different Faith!
She started narrating,sobbing, ‘how she was totally devoted to a Guru for years..and suddenly she finds the behaviour of her Guru,is not acceptable.She feels her total Guru Bakthi is getting Shattered!Unable to take the Pain,she wanted Mahaperiyava to accept her as His true Devotee & bless her!’
You can see similarities in this episode as Paul Brunton’s also ‘first wanted Mahaperiyava to take him as his disciple!’
Mahaperiyava was silent for a few seconds & said:
“I can understand your pain,especially when your Guru Bakthi,which is so pure. is being troubled!But coming to me & asking Me to accept you as a Disciple is not the Solution..Lord Krishna Says “Yathatho Kapi Kauntheya Purushashya Vipaschithaha!”(Every Human born is bound to make mistakes)So by seeking me or another Guru,doesn’t solve your problems as you don’t know ‘How Good the New Guru is..’So better seek Lord Dakshinamurthy,The Guru of Gurus and spend your life..Don’t think about your earlier Guru & you will attain Moksha!”
A Guru Vs a Teacher!
Difference between a Guru and a Teacher!!
1. A teacher takes responsibility for your growth.
A Guru makes you responsible for your growth.
2.A teacher gives you things you do not have and require.
A Guru takes away things you have and do not require.
3. A teacher answers your questions.
A Guru questions your answers.
4. A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil.
A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil.
5. A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey.
A Guru strips you naked and prepares you for the inner journey.
6. A teacher is a guide on the path.
A Guru is a pointer to the way.
7. A teacher sends you on the road to success.
A Guru sends you on the road to freedom.
8. A teacher explains the world and its nature to you.
A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you.
9. A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego.
A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego.
10. A teacher instructs you.
A Guru constructs you.
11. A teacher sharpens your mind.
A Guru opens your mind.
12. A teacher reaches your mind.
A Guru touches your spirit.
13. A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems.
A Guru shows you how to resolve issues.
14. A teacher is a systematic thinker.
A Guru is a lateral thinker.
15. One can always find a teacher.
But a Guru has to find and accept you.
16. A teacher leads you by the hand.
A Guru leads you by example.
17.When a teacher finishes with you, you celebrate.
Bhaja Govindam contains Pearls of Wisdom,of all the Upanishadic Saramsams with Sankara & His 14 Followers have, during His Varanasi Vasa, has written down.These 25/26/27 verses said to be written by a Disciple Sumati,also is a repetition of “How we should get out of attachments which is the biggest Obstacle on our way to achieve Moksha aka Brahma Gyanam!”
If we analyse closely our experience in our Day to day life, all problems due to Kamam…extreme attachment!Mahaperiyava explains this Kamam in a simple example of a Rubber Ball:
“If you throw a Rubber Ball,if there is No Obstruction, like a Wall in between, Ball will not Return to you.But if Obstructed with a Wall, it will Return back to you!The faster you throw the Ball,the Faster it will hit you back!That’s Kamam..more intensive,like Ravana,the more disaster for you..Remove the Wall of Attachment..Life will be smoother!Kamam gives way to Krodham..if unfulfilled ,Intensive Kamam gives to extreme Anger,which makes a Man Really Mad!”(Here Kamam is any type of attachments)
śatrau mitrē putrē bandhau
mā kuru yatnaṃ vigrahasandhau ।
sarvasminnapi paśyātmānaṃ
sarvatrōtsṛja bhēdājñānam ॥ 25 ॥
“Strive not ,waste not your energy to fight against or to make friends with your enemy,friend,son or relative.Seeking the Self everywhere,lift the sense of difference(Plurality)born out of Ignorance!”(Chinmayananda)
kāmaṃ krōdhaṃ lōbhaṃ mōhaṃ
tyaktvā”tmānaṃ paśyati sō’ham ।
ātmajñānavihīnā mūḍhāḥ
tē pachyantē narakanigūḍhāḥ ॥ 26 ॥
“Leaving desire ,anger,greed,&delusion,the seeker sees in the Self, ‘He am I’.They are fools those who have no Self Knowledge&they (consequently),as captive in hell,are tortured!”(Chinmayananda)
gēyaṃ gītā-nāmasahasraṃ
dhyēyaṃ śrīpati-rūpamajasram ।
nēyaṃ sajjana-saṅgē chittaṃ
dēyaṃ dīnajanāya cha vittam ॥ 27 ॥
“The Bagavad Gita&Sahasranama are to be chanted; always the form of the Lord of Laxmi is to be meditated upon;the mind is to be led towards the company of the good;wealth is to be distributed with the Needy!”(Chinmayananda)
A wise man’s life style is quite systematic and well disciplined,reading Bhagavad Gita,Chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam daily! We can easily identify such a man by his empathy for the downtrodden & the poor.By nature,he is humble despite his Education &comfortable Living!
Humility is one of the Greatest Virtues,as this story of King Nimi would reveal:
King Nimi & a Sage:
King Nimi was the Grandfather of Janaka Maharaja of Videhi KIngdom & was known for his great Knowledge of the Vedas& Reverence for Vedhic Scholars!
One day when King Nimi was walking in a village,he saw a Rishi in deep Meditation on the Gandaki River Bank!King Nimi immediately got down from his Chariot & went to the Sage & prostrated in all reverence,putting his head on the Sage’s Feet!After getting the Blessings ,he continued his journey but his Coterie of Ministers didn’t like their Chakravathi, doing such a thing,by prostrating to an unknown Sage!
After returning to the Palace,the MInisters advised King Nimi : “Respected Chakravarthi!We feel ,such a Great King as you are,shdn’t have fallen at the feet of an unknown Sage!”
King Nimi smiled and told them:“ You will know my answer sooner!”
After a few days he asked the Ministers to get him the heads of a Goat,a Tiger & a Human!
Immediately they brought the same.
Then King Nimi asked them to go to the Main Market & try to sell all the three heads at the best Prices!
They were able to sell the Goat head to a Butcher,the Tiger Head to a Wealthy Man, who wanted to decorate his Wall but none was willing to buy the Human Skull!
They returned and told King Nimi the same.Then King Nimi asked them to take the Human Skull & put up a Board in the Market: “Please take this for FREE”
But after several days none came forward to even take the Human Skull For Free & they came &told King Nimi the same!
Then King Nimi told them : “See even dead Goats,Dead Tigers have some values, but once we are dead, we don’t have any Value at all!The other day when I prostrated before that Sage,you all had doubts as to Why?We put our heads on such holy Men’s feet only to Remind us that one day this Head will be useless! So,as dutiful King,I pray in all Humility, for my People’s Well Being, every second of my Life!We prostrate before such Great Saints, not for their Greatness but to imbibe Humility…which is the Fundamental principle in our ancient Culture!”
The Ministers Prostrated putting their heads on King Nimi’s Feet!
Since Verse 24 emphasises the importance of Advaitham,we must all understand what’s Advaitham ‘Really Is’ before we go any further.Most of us talk about it but we don’t know what it is!
Mahaperiyava puts all ‘Ithams’ in the simplest form:
நான் வேறு ; அவன் வேறு;Dwaitham!
நான் அவன்;ஆனால் அவன் நானில்லை;Visishtadhvaitham!
நானே அவன்; அவனே நான்;Advaitham!
If we go to the depth of our Scriptures,thro’ Sankara Bashyam,we will accept Advaithic Philosophy is more acceptable as there can be Only One who can be the Creator&Sustainer-Call Him by any name Athma aka Brahman aka God !
In Mundaka Upanishads it says “Yathornanabi srujathe Gruhnathe..” God created this Universe “Like a Spider creating its own web & withdraws,whenever it feels like ; the web at the same time Traps all insects inside the web but the Spider never gets Caught in its own Web..!”Same way the Creator is Omnipotent, both Nimitha&Upadhana Karanam,(Intelligent & Material Cause),Himself never undergoing any Change!If we have a Deputy for this Creator,then we start questioning‘Who is Bigger?Who is No 1?Vishnu or Shiva?A Creator is Only One!Never Two!’
Verse 24 brings out the essence of Advaitham.Sankara’s brilliant explanation of Advaithic Philosophy ,is today finding acceptance even by Reknown Astro Physicists like Carl Sagan,Michelle Thaller,Brian Greene & all,while analysing ‘The Dark Matter’(See how Dark Matter is more or less Brahman below)&the mind boggling Universe!
The Shanthi Mantra in Isavasya Upanishads says “ Poornmathaha Poornamitham…Poornath Poornamuthasyathe!”meaning “Thats Whole(Infinite);This is Whole(Infinite);From that Whole (Infinite)this Whole emerges;What Remains is Whole(Infinite)!”-which all these great Astro Physicists have accepted indirectly to be True!
Carl Sagan goes to the extent of saying : “We don’t know anything about the Universe.I won’t be surprised if there are Aliens living in 2000*c as our concept of an Alien living in 98*F Body Temp,with 10 fingers &10 Toes, is shear stupidity…as Creation is sometimes Mind boggling!We don’t know why a speck of Sodium, which is used for Dynamite;a speck of Chlorine most Corrosive,gives NaCl without which we can’t Livel!Hydrogen is Combustible;Oxygen is inflammable but without a drop of H2O Humans can’t exist..So the Creation is indeed a Mind Boggling Phenomena!”
rathyācharpaṭa-virachita-kanthaḥ
puṇyāpuṇya-vivarjita-panthaḥ ।
yōgī yōganiyōjita-chittaḥ
ramatē bālōnmattavadēva ॥ 22 ॥
“The Yogin who wears but a godadi,who walks the path which is beyond merit or demerit,whose mind is focussed in perfect Yoga with its Goal,he revels in God -Consciousness & lives thereafter as a Child or as a Madman!”(Chinmayananda)
kastvaṃ kō’haṃ kuta āyātaḥ
kā mē jananī kō mē tātaḥ ।
iti paribhāvaya sarvamasāraṃ
viśvaṃ tyaktvā svapnavichāram ॥ 23 ॥
“Who are You?Who am I?From where did I come? Who is my mother?Who is my father?Thus enquire,leaving aside the entire world of experience(Viswam),essenceless & a mere dreamland,born of Imagination(svapnavicharam)”(Chinmayananda)
Verses 22&23 by unknown Disciples of Sankara ,repeat more or less what Sankara has emphaised in verses 8&18…Questioning us : “Have you ever analysed where from I have come?”Verse 23 emphasises the Happiness of a Gyani as explained by Swami Vivekananda, “A
Real Yogi sitting in the midst of a crowded Chowrangi Street ,is not disturbed by any of the surrounding disturbances as He is Happy unto Himself.Our Rishis have created in the HImalayas an ambience so Good for the entire World…by their amazing Meditation&Yogic Power!”
tvayi mayi chānyatraikō viṣṇuḥ
vyarthaṃ kupyasi mayyasahiṣṇuḥ ।
bhava samachittaḥ sarvatra tvaṃ
vāñChasyachirādyadi viṣṇutvam ॥ 24 ॥
“In You,In Me,&in all other places too there is but One all pervading Reality(Vishnu).Being impatient,you are unnecessarily getting angry with me.If you want to attain soon the Vishnu status,be equal minded in all circumstances!”(Chinmayananda)
The above verse brings out the Pure Advaithic Philosophy,of Non Duality “There is No Vishnu separate from You.Your Vishnu,My Vishnu&every one else’ is the same..!”
Dark Energy Vs Brahman!
If we analyse what is Dark Energy & compare it with Brahman,it matches with all the Qualities of Brahman,as described in Our Scriptures!
(1)Both Are Sathyam!
(2)Both are Nirvikara-Ever Changeless!
(3)Both are Arupam-Can’t be described Figuratively!
(4)Both are Anadhi-Beginningless!
(5)Both are Sethanam-Sensient!
(6)Both are Nirgunam-Attributeless!
(7)Both are Omnipotent!
A Story – Doubt about Ourselves!
As we grow in Scientific Knowledge& explore unknown Frontiers,we come across mind boggling Mysteries in the Universe,for which we don’t have any answers!We know Sun Sustains the Earth but it is only the tiniest of tiny Stars in our own Milky Way Galaxy,which itself is the Tiniest of all Galaxies!In Milky Way,NASA has estimated that there are more than 100 Billion Stars!Imagine other Galaxies!Imagine the Parallel Universe!
So some 5000 years back Isavasya Upanishads has mentioned: “Poornmathaha Poornamitham..” which is proved True Now!We don’t even give any credit to our Rishis, leave alone Ridiculing this age old Scriptures!Our Doubts are the Fundamental Problems, as illustrated by a story below:
A Cobbler & a Vedhic Scholar!
There was a Great Vedhic Scholar who was teaching in his Gurukulam near Narmada!His belief in God is based on a Philosophy… ‘That He is There Somewhere!’
One day Narada went to God HImself & asked for His Duty for the Day!God told Narada : “Go to Buloga!Test them about my existence & if the answer is Convincing,give them Moksha!”
Narada thought the best way to test the Humans is to come in disguise.So He came as an ordinary man and first wanted to Test the Vedhic Scholar!
Narada : “Swami!I am coming from God Himself!He has asked me to Test people about His existence & give Moksha if the answer is Correct!”
Naturally the Vedhic Scholar didn’t believe the Man and wanted to Test him ‘whether he is Really Representing God!’
So Swamiji asked him : “If you are coming from God,what is He doing Now?”
Narada answered : “He is busy putting an elephant through the Eye of a Needle , Right Now!”
The Swamiji laughed like hell : “How can an elephant be drawn thro’ an Eye of a Needle?You must be Joking..I don’t believe You..Get away from me!”
Narada left him & while walking along the River bed, he came across a sincere Cobbler doing his work under a Banyan Tree!
Narada wanted to test him & asked him the same Question.
The Cobbler also asked Narada : “If you are coming from God,what’s He doing Now?”
Narada replied : “He is busy putting an elephant through an eye of the Needle!”
The Cobbler replied.. “Though it is unbelievable for us,God is capable of Anything! ”
Narada out of curiosity asked the Cobbler: “How do you say God is capable of putting an elephant thro’ the eye of a Needle?Isn’t it ridiculous?”
The Cobbler : “Not at all Sir.See this Huge Banyan Tree!The same God has put this inside a small seed as you may know ,which has grown to such a Huge Tree!He is all pervading & Fully Capable of doing anything!”
With this answer Narada gave Moksha to a doubtless Cobbler but wanted the Swamiji to undergo a few more Janmas of ‘Punarabi Jananam & Punarabi Mananam!”
The more we Read ,Sankara Bhashyams on Upanishads ,more we will be drawn into a World of inexplicable Happiness& engrossment, like Reading an absorbing Thriller of an Agatha Christie!Because Sankara strains Himself to educate us in every syllable He has written,about “Self Enquiry”- about ourselves!No other Religious Philosophy tells us about our own inner Self & they always talk about an external World, “Paurusheya Vishayam”!
Self Enquiry is our opinion about ourselves is different from what Scriptures talk about us!
Its a Subject: “What I think I am vs what Scriptures Think ‘I’ am!”
Any instrument of Knowledge is called Pramanam;There are 5 instruments we are blessed with;Paurusheya Pramanams called Human instruments of Knowledge;
1.Prathyaksham means directly seen by us;based on perceptual data;like we read a Thermometer to know the Body Temperature! 2.Anumanam is based on inference,like if we see smoke,we think its due to a Fire!3.arthapakthi means a postulate based on mathematical models!(4)Upamanam means by comparison between certain categories & their behaviour!(5)anuba labthihi means non-cognition ;Anumanam etc are derived from Prathyaksham only!
All paurusheya pramanams above are turned outwards;Eyes can see outside World;Eyes can’t see themselves;Science is also based on these Data which is a Tragedy-Data of the Objective World;RESULT- we know ONLY about the Objective World;Whereas we need Subjective Data to know about ourselves, as to ‘Who gives us sensiency’?Above mentioned 5 Pramanams are useless for the Subjective enquiry!
So only way for Self Enquiry,our Scriptures gives the 6th Pramanam-Called Sabdha Pramanam-Language or Vak;Vaidhika or Sastriya Sabdha Pramanam-Words from the Lord;So Vedas gives us a Knowledge, which nothing else can give-about Myself;A Mirror to see my own Face is called WISDOM!Gyanam!
Sankara & His disciples,Nithyaananda&Ananda Giri emphasise in these Three Verses,19,20,&21that once we start enjoying our inner Nature with a Self Enquiry,there will be only “Happiness,Happiness&Nothing else..Nandhathi Nandhathi Nandhath eva”(verse 19)
yōgaratō vā bhōgaratō vā
saṅgaratō vā saṅgavihīnaḥ ।
yasya brahmaṇi ramatē chittaṃ
nandati nandati nandatyēva ॥ 19 ॥
“Let one revel in Yoga or revel in Bhoga.Let one seek enjoyment in company or let him revel in solitude away from the crowd!He whose mind revels in Brahman,he enjoys..verily,he ALONE ENJOYS!”(Chinmayananda)
bhagavadgītā kiñchidadhītā
gaṅgājala-lavakaṇikā pītā ।
sakṛdapi yēna murārisamarchā
kriyatē tasya yamēna na charchā ॥ 20 ॥
“For one who has studied the Bhagavad Gita even a little,who has sipped atleast a drop of Ganga-water,who has worshipped atleast Lord Murari Once,to him there is No Fear of Yama-the Lord of Death!” (Chinmayananda)
punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ
punarapi jananījaṭharē śayanam ।
iha saṃsārē bahudustārē
kṛpayā’pārē pāhi murārē ॥ 21 ॥
“Again birth,again Death,and again lying in mother’s womb-this samsara process is very hard to cross over..Save Me,Murare,through your infinite Kindness!”(Chinmayananda)
Sri Ananda Giri in Verse 20,tells us that ‘We need not be a Master in all Gita Verses..even a bit of Gita(Kinchitha Gita) with understanding will do.An Udhrani of Ganga Water will do to elevate us to a level of absolute Fearlessness..!”
In Verse21,He reminds us ‘Of what use if we are caught in this Cycle of Birth &Death! Don’t we want to end this agony of Birth &Death by attaining Brahma Gyanam?The moment we are born,Death in fact becomes a Threat, in this Drama ?”
Fear of Death is paramount for every Human but for a Brahma Gyani,there is absolutely No Fear..like this young Nachiketa’s Story will explain:
Nachiketa!
Vajasravasa was doing an elaborate Yagya,which terminated with his gifting all his possessions to guests assembled.His son,Nachiketa,mischievously teased his father looking at the useless,toothless,milkless, cattle being gifted, “To Whom are you going to Gift me Father?”
Irritated by Nachiketa’s repeated teasing for the third time,unable to control his temper,Vajasravasa,angrily cursed Nachiketas : “To Yama!”
The importance of Great Yagya is emphasised here in Kathopanishad-our prayers are actually fulfilled, if sincerely done and Nachiketa is in fact gifted to Yama!
Yama is known as Dharma Raja as He follows Dharma but when Nachiketa is not supposed to die on that day,because of his father’s curse,Nachiketa finds himself in Yama’s Kingdom!
Yama sees Nachiketa only on the 3rd day and profusely apologises for having kept Nachiketa waiting,as an ‘athithi’-an uninvited guest is very Sacred!Not knowing how Nachiketa has come there, there was a dialogue between Yama Dharma Raja & Nachiketa which is a very interesting & one of the most quoted dialogues from our Upanishads:
Yama: “Pardon me for keeping you waiting,Nachiketa.Its an unpardonable sin of me,you waited for 3 days.I will give you 3 boons , you ask as compensation..Please ask?”
Nachiketa being a very curious young lad,asks Yama : “First when you return me to my father,my father must Recognise me in Good Health!”
Yama : “So be it!”(Here Nachiketa has not only ensured his Return from Yama Loka but has ensured his father’s Good Health as a dutiful son!)
Nachiketa: “Oh Lord.In Heavens there is no sorrow.No hunger.No old age!All rejoice!There is No Death!Teach me how to reach Heavens with the Fire Sacrifice to the Heavens!”
Yama pleased with Nachiketa’s curiosity teaches him the Fire Sacrifice & names henceforth ,this Homam be called after his name ‘Nachiketa’!Then Nachiketa proceeds to the 3rd Question:
“Please tell me Oh Lord what happens to one after his Death?”
Not expecting such a question,Yama pleads with Nachiketa,that He will give him any amount of wealth,prosperity but not to ask ‘this very question!’
An insistent Nachiketa ,refused to change his question at all!
Yama did all His best to convince Nachiketa that He will give anything if Nachiketa changes his insistence!But Nachiketa Refused.
Then Yama started answering : “Even Gods have doubts about this.It is too subtle&difficult to understand.Please why don’t you change your Question?”
Nachiketa: “If even Gods have doubts about this ,who else can expound this to me,than you ,Yama Dharma Raja HImself?”
Yama having failed to persuade Nachiketa to withdraw,starts explaining :
(1)The first thing Man shd learn in his pursuit of Truth is:
‘Good’ is different from ‘Pleasant!’ Wise seek Good..& fools seek Pleasant.Good means Permanent Happiness whereas Pleasant is Temporary Happiness ,given by Ephemeral Objects!
(2)All Problems are due to ignorance by Man identifying himself with the body!If he Realises the ‘inner soul’ he overcomes all Problems!
(3)By Gyanam if one realises Brahman ,all the confusion of Joy&sorrow disappears!
(4)This comes to only those who yearn to Realise One’s Self&whose mind is turned away from Evil,and who has learnt to subdue himself&to be at Peace with the World!
(4)You are Never Born!Nor you ever Die!Fire can’t burn You!Water can’t wet you!Wind can’t blow you away!Chisel can’t cut you!You are Immortal & so you don’t face Death!
(5)You are Subtler than the Atom!Greater than the Greatest!
(6)The Body is like a Chariot,to which the sense are yoked like Horses!The Mind is like the Reins,which enables the Charioteer (Understanding)to hold the Horses i.e.,the Senses,in Check!The Soul rides on the Chariot,and the Road is the World of Objects over which the Senses Move!If the Reins are not held firmly&wisely,the Senses, like Vicious Horses,will get out of Control&the Chariot will not Reach the Goal(Moksha)but will go round&round- in cycles of Births&Deaths!If the Man is Wise,&controls his mind,his senses will be like Good Horses driven by a Good Driver taking him to Moksha aka Self Realisation aka Brahma Gyanam!
(7)The Soul,like the Sacred Fire ,well concealed inside the Wood,like a child in the Womb of the Mother is Invisible in Unmanifest Form.It gets manifested through the Medium like a mother giving birth or a wood being burnt!The Fire by itself is ONE ANYWHERE aka Athma aka Brahman aka SOUL!
(8)It is the Mind that by enlightenment which can overcome the notion of difference&have a vision of the Transcendent Oneness of All!
(9)It is wise man who understands that water poured into water remains Water like many streams merging into Ocean,all are same!
(10)The Light doesn’t enlighten itself!It enlightens the surroundings where it is Lighted!The Sun illumines all objects but it doesn’t have to Illumine Itself!Your Soul is ever illumined!
On getting the above Upadesam,Nachiketa bowed in all Reverence to Yama Dharma Raja & returned to his father!
A Real Life Miracle in Kargil War!
There was an Airforce Pilot by name Nachiketa who was shot down by Pak forces.After many days of search the Govt under Vajpayee announced him dead and gave him Param Vir Chakra!On one fine morning Nachiketa really came crawling to the surprise of all..From Yama Dharma Raja Back to Life!
Sankara in all His commentaries Quotes these 5 important cardinal principles!
Principles of Vedantic Teachings (1) Lasting peace Security and happiness possible only through Moksha(2) Moksha possible only through Spiritual Knowledge (3)Spritual Knowledge possible only through a Qualified Guru and Sastra(4) Systematic Spiritual education is possible only if you have a Prepared Mind(5)A prepared mind can be accomplished through many & different Spiritual exercises!
Sankara’s Disciples Sureshwaracharya & Nithyananda reflect the Thoughts of their Guru in Verse 17&18 for a Happy Living!
In Verse 18,Nithyananda says “For a man who is a Jivan Muktha,who has realised Brahma Gyanam like Mahaperiyava/Ramana Maharishi/Ramakrishna Parahamsa,what he wears/where he sleeps/or what he eats is immaterial.Even he is not affected by any of the surrounding inconveniences, as they have all proved this, by their detached Living!”
In verse 17,Sureshwaracharya,reflects Sankara’s epoch making Universal thought that “For all Religions(Sarva Mathena)Wisdom is common!You can’t have one Wisdom for a Xtian, another for a HIndu or a Muslim!Mere rituals don’t take you to Moksha.”
Ritualistic people are repeatedly ridiculed in all Sankara’s commentary as He has prescribed the way to go up to Brahma Gyanam above in 5 steps.Rituals are like the initial stepping stones for Brahma Gyanam,just like without a +2 Pass,you can’t go to college!
kurutē gaṅgāsāgaragamanaṃ
vrata-paripālanamathavā dānam ।
jñānavihīnaḥ sarvamatēna
bhajati na muktiṃ janmaśatēna ॥ 17 ॥
“One may,in Pilgrimage go to where the Ganges meets the Ocean,called Gangasagar,or observe vows,or distribute gifts away in Charity!But,if he is devoid of first hand experience of Gyanam,according to all Schools of thoughts,he gains No Release,even in Hundred Lives!”(Chinmayananda)
suramandira-taru-mūla-nivāsaḥ
śayyā bhūtalamajinaṃ vāsaḥ ।
sarva-parigraha-bhōgatyāgaḥ
kasya sukhaṃ na karōti virāgaḥ ॥ 18 ॥
“Sheltering in Temples,under some trees,sleeping on the naked ground,wearing a deerskin,and thus renouncing all idea of possession & thirst to enjoy,for such a Yogi, will not Vairagya(Dispassion)bring Happiness?”(Chinmayananda)
Three type of Karmani Sankara Recommends:(1)Karika Karmani-Physical (2)Vachika Karmani-Chanting Rudra/Vishnu Sahasrnamam(3)Manasa Karmani-By Upasana & deep Meditation like in Siva Manasa Puja we imagine that we have taken a dip in the Ganges & laid out a Golden Pedestal adorned with Diamonds&Pearls for the Lord when we chant(silently) “Rathnaihi kalpitham asanam himachalaisi snanam sa divyambaram..!”The Manasa Puja is most important of all according to Sankara!
Sometimes our inability to do Rituals ,create a Lifelong Regret in our Lives&even affect our daily life style!Sankara says that’s not required!We should not Regret in case we are unable to do Amavasya Tharpanam due to an unavoidable Meeting in Beijing!If we can do Manasa Puja that’s much better than searching for a Vadhiyar in Beijing…this is Sankara’s advice!
This reminds me of a Joke Swami Dhayananda Saraswathi used to repeat often about a very sincere Ritualistic Sastri in Rishikesh:
Swami Dhayananda Saraswathi
There was a very learned Sastri on the Banks of Ganges in Rishikesh.He was most respected for his knowledge on all types of Rituals & people sought his help for many Pujas in the surroundings.He was living with his wife ,his son & deeply involved in Rituals every day,when none can disturb him!
One day the Ganges was in spate & there was a threat of many houses on the banks being uprooted.
First a sincere Sardar,living up the hills came with his Truck & advised Sastriji: “Oh!Sastriji.It is likely all houses will be washed away.Kindly use my truck with all your belongings&family.Let me take you all to a safer place down under..!”
Sastriji ignored the advice&firmly believed ‘his Rituals will protect him.’ Sardar left!
Then when the floods level were increasing his own wife&son advised Sastriji : “Let us abandon this place Now & try to save ourselves..”Sastriji continued to ignore their advice deeply involved in his Rituals to the Lord saying “He will protect us!”Son also deserted him, taking his mother to a safer place, ignoring his father!
Sastriji house was engulfed in Floods&a Helicoptor came with the Fire Man Shouting : “Sastriji..better hold on to us..we will Rescue You. ..”
Sastriji ignored them ‘believing in his Rituals to the Lord ,saying ‘He won’t let me down..!”
Obviously Sastriji was washed away & when he went to the Heavens ,Sastriji was so angry with the Lord,,shouted at the Him :
“Oh Lord..You are so Ungrateful to such a sincere Sastriji like me..Why didn’t you help me & instead washed me away in the floods?”
The Lord laughed at Sastriji & said :
“You Idiot.I sent the Sardar First & then tried to advise you through your wife.You ignored both.Then I myself came with a Helicoptor to Rescue you which you ignored..If you don’t have WISDOM…NO Body can help You..Not even me,the Lord!”
Sankara ,interpreting all the Upanishads,says “The Lord is You!”
Sloka 15 is written by a young Disciple of Adi Sankara,Hastamalakam!It is said that when Sankara was traveling near Kollur,a poor family man,Prabhakar &his wife, prostrated before Sankara seeking His blessings, for his young son,whose strange behaviour,idiotic utterances since Birth,were a matter of great worry for them!!Sankara looked at this Boy and asked him,”Who are You?” To the happiness of everyone that young lad started Pouring in 12 verses, the Highest Brahma Gyanam,in a simple language!Sankara was so happy to take him as His sishya immediately & named him ‘Hasthamalakam’ as his Hastamalakiyam in 12 verses gives the entire Vedantic Saram, like a Gooseberry in your palms! In a rare gesture, unheard of in Gurukula vasa,Sankara the Master&Mentor, has written a commentary on His Disciple’s work called ‘Hastamalakiyam!’
In this verse,Hastamalaka says “Every loss as we grow old like our teeth/hairs is a proof that nothing is permanent in this world-everything goes away one ‘by one!’ So try to seek whats Permanent!”
Verse 16 is by Sankara’s Disciple Sobodacharya where He says “Our Kamam never ceases to vanish despite our old age!When are you going to get out of all these Temporary PLeasures & seek Athma Gyanam?”
aṅgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇḍaṃ
daśanavihīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇḍam ।
vṛddhō yāti gṛhītvā daṇḍaṃ
tadapi na muñchatyāśāpiṇḍam ॥ 15 ॥
“The body has become worn out!The head has turned Grey.The mouth has become toothless.The old man walks around with a Walking Stick!Even then he leaves not the bundle of Desires!”(Chinmayananda)
agrē vahniḥ pṛṣṭhē bhānuḥ
rātrau chubuka-samarpita-jānuḥ ।
karatala-bhikṣastarutalavāsaḥ
tadapi na muñchatyāśāpāśaḥ ॥ 16 ॥
“In front of the Fire, at the back of the Sun,late at night, he sits with his knees held on to his chin,he receives alms in his own scooped palms & lives under the shelter of some tree,and yet,the noose of desires spares him not!”(Chinmayananda)
As reiterated repeatedly by Sankara & His disciples,people refuse to get off their desires,particularly, Kamam at any age & they are so pitiable ,as this story of Yayati from Mahabaratha will illustrate:
Yayati
Mahabaratha has many stories to tell us that Kamam,Krodham,Moham,Bogam are detrimental to our Spiritual Pursuits & Happy Living.The story of Yayati is a thriller with Romance,Revenge & Seduction, that any Pulitzer Fiction winner,wd envy:
Sukracharyar was the Acharya for the Asura King,Vrishaparva!As elaborated earlier Sukracharyar had a beautiful daughter Devayani.One day when Devayani and the King’s daughter,Sarmishtha& her friends were enjoying a bath in a Tank,the mischievous,Sarmishtha, wore Devayani’s clothes,which made Devayani lose her temper & shout at the King’s daughter,arrogantly : “How dare you touch my clothes?”
Sarmishtha being the KIng’s daughter shouted back ridiculing Devayani : “After all ,your father is only a minstrel singing the Praise of my father,who is the KIng?”A big fight between the kids ended in Sarmishtha getting angry,pushing Devayani into a Dry Well & leave,thinking Devayani is Dead!
Devayani was shouting for help in that remote place,when, Emperor Yayati of Bharatha Race,who happened to come to that side, heard her cries & helped her get out of the well!
Yayati Rescuing Devayani
Having touched an young maid,Devayani felt that Yayati must marry her but Yayati refused saying : “ I am a Kshatriya &you are a Brahmin..so this is not possible!”& left!
Devayani saddened beyond words,decided to sit in seclusion, refusing to go Home!
Shocked by his daughter’s absence,Sukracharyar came searching & found her.Devayani narrated the insult meted out to her by Sarmishtha & wanted her father to take Revenge on her but such a learned Acharya her father is, advised his daughter:
“He conquers the World who patiently puts up with the abuse of his Neighbours!Anger is injurious!He who controls his Anger is superior to a Ritualist who has done 100 Homas,says our Scriptures!Servants,friends,brothers,wife,children,virtue&Truth abandon the man who gives into Anger!The wise will not take to heart the Words of Boys&Girls!So try to ignore the insult!”
But Devayani cdn’t control her anger & said : “My mind is ablaze with anger with Vrishaparva’s daughter!The wounds inflicted by weapons may heal over time;Scalds may heal gradually;but wounds inflicted by words of Sarmistha can never heal!So my dear Father,I will never come to that land, if you don’t get her punished for her act!”
Unable to bear his daughter’s agony,Sukracharyar went to Vrishaparva& said : “Oh King!Your soldiers tried to kill Kacha,a sincere,good Brahmin disciple of mine,several times but I was keeping quiet.Now your daughter Sarmistha,has not only abused me but tried to kill my daughter!Hence it is impossible for me to be in your KIngdom!Allow me to go away or else give suitable punishments to your daughter,Sarmistha,failing which I will have to leave You!”
Alarmed Vrakshaprava said : “Oh Respected Acharya!Really I am not aware of my daughter’s behaviour & I hold you in the highest esteem.I will order Sarmistha to be a permanent servant to your daughter Devayani,if that can satisfy you!Kindly don’t leave me alone!”
Since this pleased Devayani,Sarmistha started serving Devayani since that day!But Devayani,having failed to convince Kacha earlier for marrying her,desperately wanted Yayati to marry her but again he refused!Sukracharyar,unable to see Devayani’s mental agony, pleaded with Yayati to marry his daughter & they got married & lived happily!
It so happened one day that Sarmistha,serving Devayani, was alone when Yayati seduced her.This infuriated Devayani & she complained to her father!Angry Sukracharyar cursed Yayati : “Because of your Kamam only you have done this heinous crime.I curse you to attain Premature Old Age and lose your Youth for ever!”
Suddenly Yayati felt helpless with beautiful wives around & begged Sukracharyar to pardon him.Sukracharyar,not forgetting the help of Yayati in rescuing his daughter from the well, said : “A Curse is a curse.It can be repealed only if any one of your sons are willing to undergo the curse so that you can get back your Youth!”
Yayati being so desperate to enjoy life,started begging his sons to take over his old age.His first Two sons refused & the 3rd son,Puru said “Oh Father I will undergo the curse for your Happiness…!”
Yayati lived happily with his wives when his son Puru,the forefather of the Pandavas underwent this curse,as an Old Man!
Ultimately ,after all enjoymnts,Yayati realised that Kamam is the biggest impediment in one’s life & came back to his son Puru & said:
“My dear son,Sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is by pouring Ghee in it!No object of Desire-Corn,Gold,Cattle,Women-nothing can ever satisfy the Desire of Man!We can achieve Happiness&Peace only through a Mental Poise,beyond likes&Dislikes-thats the Path of Brahman!Please take back your Youth & Rule well..”saying this Yayati retired to a Forest for Meditation for Rest of his Life!
Moha Mudhgara aka Bhaja Govindam9-Appearances are deceptive!
Swami Paramartananda
Sankara’s Disciples,Padmapada&Thotakacharya have written these Two Slokas 13&14 Respectively:
In 13,Padmapada emphasises our Primary Goal in life is to Seek Brahma Gyanam instead of wasting our time with any valueless entertainments!
In sloka 14,Thotakacharya,who is considered by Sankara’s other disciples like Sureshwaracharya ,as not a very intelligent Disciple,tries to prove that ‘appearances are deceptive!People try to wear Ochre Robes,grow long beards, etc., but don’t have Brahma Gyanam at all!They are in fact fooling the Public with cheap tricks for their Survival!A Brahma Gyani need not take the trouble of convincing anyone else by their Ochre Robes or Long Beards!’
kā tē kāntā dhanagatachintā
vātula kiṃ tava nāsti niyantā ।
trijagati sajjanasaṅgatirēkā
bhavati bhavārṇavataraṇē naukā ॥ 13 ॥
“Oh!Distracted one!Why worry about your wife,wealth,etc.,Is there not for you the One who Ordains(Rules,Commands) In the three worlds it is the association with Good people alone that can serve as a boat to cross the sea of change(birth&death)(Chinmayananda)
jaṭilō muṇḍī luñChitakēśaḥ
kāṣāyāmbara-bahukṛtavēṣaḥ ।
paśyannapi cha na paśyati mūḍhaḥ
udaranimittaṃ bahukṛtavēṣaḥ ॥ 14 ॥
“One ascetic with matted locks,one with shaven head,one with hairs pulled out one by one,another parading in his Ochre Robes-these are Fools who,though seeing,donot see.Indeed,these different disguises or apparels are only for their belly’s sake!”(Chinmayananda)
We can see from the above Sloka,that even during Sankara’s Time,there were Sadhus in Ochre Robes, trying to cheat the gullible!A True Gyani need not try to Prove to others that He is a Gyani! But fact is there are such Sadhus too,asthis Thenali Raman’s Story might reveal:
Krishna Devarayar&the Sadhu!
Krishna Devarayar was a benevolent King & won the hearts of all his People.His KIngdom was rich in Prosperity & the people were very Happy!No doubt that his neighbouring Kings were jealous of him!
One day Krishna Devarayar’s Minister told the King : “Respected King:There is a Great Rishi who has come from Himalayas & taking rest at a Temple near our outpost!I feel if the King visits him&gets his blessings,it will be good for this KIngdom!”
Krishna Devarayar also accepted the idea & asked the MInister to make arrangements next day with gifts for the Rishi to visit him!Krishna Devarayar asked Thenali Raman also to accompany him!Krishna Devarayar had lots of Respect for Thenali Raman’s intelligence & hence took his advice often!
When the King saw the Rishi with long hairs ,beards,Ochre Robes,Krishna Devarayar felt that he was a ‘True Sadhu’& prostrated seeking his Blessings!
The Sadhu was happy and asked the King : “I appreciate your devotion,Krishna Devaraya!Please ask anything you need & I will give!”
Krishna Devarayar : “Swami.I seek the blessings for all my KIngdom & its people to be always Prosperous & Happy all the Time!”
Swami : “Very good Krishna Devaraya!But there is a Threat against your Life by one of your own people!That man shd be identified & arrested,so that you can succeed !”
Krishna Devarayar : “OMG! Swamiji!How can I identify that Traitor?Can you advise?”
Swami: “Take this Box !If you open it in your Palace, you can see the Picture of that Man?”
Krishna Devarayar said : “ So I will do Swamiji” but the Swamiji interfered : “But there is a Pre-condition!When you open the Box there is some Vibuthi inside.You must sincerely think of me & smear it on your forehead!Then only you can see the Picture of the Traitor!”
Krishna Devarayar said : “I will do so Swamiji!” & was about to receive the Box when Thenali Raman interfered & said : “Swamiji before our King receives your Box,kindly see this Box, I give to you& read what’s written inside!”
The Swamiji was taken aback and refused to accept the condition.Krishna Devarayar also asked Thenali Raman to have Respect for a Great Rishi!
Thenali Raman told the King : “Respected King,this box contains the names of this Rishi’s Forefathers & he can verify whether he comes from that Family of Real Rishis!”
The Swami started trembling & opened the Box where he saw a warning written by Thenali Raman : “I know you are a Spy from neighbouring Land&your name…!”
The Swamiji collapsed & surrendered to the King : “True Maharaja.I have been sent to kill you.If you smear that Vibuthi you will die as its poisonous!Kindly spare my life!”
Krishna Devarayar admired Thenali Raman’s timely help & continued to have him as his closest Advisor!
We see many people,particularly politicians wearing White on white but their MInds are the most corrupted ones one can imagine!
Sankara says : “Try every second of your Life for Inner Purification,not outer Glorification!”
God & I 