PURITY OF THE HEART IS TRUE SADHANA
Without any real work, chatting throughout the day, is this Sadhana, do
you think? Following a regimen of feeding your belly thrice a day, do you
think it is Sadhana? Vigorous activity by day and deep sleep by night, do
you think this is Sadhana? Is this for which God has created you? You
spend a whole lot of time in this kind of regimen but this is not Sadhana.
Do not waste your time in this manner. From this moment strive to
know-recognise-God. This alone is Sadhana.
(Telugu
Poem)
Embodiments of Love!
The all-pervading consciousness is termed as Divinity. It is also said
that Divinity is present in all living beings. But, there is none who has
seen that omnipresent Divinity. It is only a human being who can
contemplate on and realise the Cosmic Person. In fact, human life itself
is the manifestation of divine power. But, some people do not agree with
this statement. Divinity is manifest in every living being. The same Atma
Tattwa is present not only in human beings, but in every living being in
the universe. But, one has to have a pure and selfless heart to realise
this truth. In order to realise this truth, every human being has to
constantly contemplate on God. By doing so, your heart will become pure
and peaceful. The moment you attain that stage, God will surely
perceptibly manifest in you. This must be your Sadhana. It is not the
practice of dhyana alone that can make God manifest to the Sadhaka. God is
present as an indweller uniformly in human beings as well as insects,
birds and beasts. Suppose you put a question, “Where is God now?”, the
spontaneous answer would be that God is present in you also. Several
people undertake sadhanas like dhyana (meditation) to find answers to such
questions.
Sage Narada affirmed that God could be realised through the nine forms of
devotion, namely, Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam
(contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His lotus feet), Vandanam
(salutation), Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship)
and Atmanivedanam (self-surrender).
There is no one in this world in whose heart God does not dwell as the
indweller. Therefore, is meditation required to visualise such an
all-pervading and omnipresent God? There are many who teach different
techniques of meditation today. However, meditation is meant to acquire
purity of the spiritual heart, for, without attaining purity of the heart,
the seat of awareness, God cannot be realised. Hence, one has to strive to
attain purity of the spiritual heart. What kind of sadhana did Kamsa do in
Dwapara Yuga? In fact, he was constantly abusing Lord Krishna. However,
Lord Krishna was so compassionate that He gave His darshan to Kamsa. No
sadhana would help in realising God, if one is devoid of purity of the
heart. The different kinds of sadhana like fasting, meditation, etc.,
would help to develop one’s faith in the omnipresent God who, in fact,
resides as the indweller in you. People generally think that God gave
darshan to such and such person. But the truth is God never gives darshan
to people who have no purity of the heart. Hence, if you wish to have the
darshan of God, you must develop purity of the heart. All kinds of sadhana
are meant only to attain purity. The moment you attain purity of the
heart, the omnipresent God will manifest right in front of you.
Unfortunately, today in the world there is a dearth of Gurus who can
firmly lead the seeker on the path of purity. They confine themselves to
some mechanical techniques of meditation, in exchange for money.
In fact, one does not need to undertake any complex system of meditation.
One can undertake the simple sadhana of constant contemplation on the
omnipresent God. Few teach such simple methods nowadays. People listen to
and read about several intriguing kinds of meditation and start their
sadhana that catches their interest or imagination.
Embodiments of Love!
If you want to visualise God, you must attain purity of the heart. You
refer to a certain individual and say that he is your father. But, the
father is embarrassed at such reference since he is, in reality, the same
Atma Tattwa that is present in all the human beings. You marry some girl
and refer to her as your wife. But, she is in fact, the embodiment of the
divine Atma. Similarly, you caress a child affectionately calling it as
your son. But, the same child may tell you that he is not your son in
reality, but the embodiment of divinity. Thus, all relationships in this
world are in fact, Atmic relationships only.
To speak the truth, real Atma Sakshatkara (self realisation) is the
merging of the individual self (Jiva) with Brahman (Supreme Self). Anyone
you come across, is verily God. How can there be human beings without such
omnipresent divinity? Lord Krishna declared that He incarnated again and
again whenever there was decline in the practice of Dharma
(righteousness). He also declared that He was the beejam (seed) in all the
living beings. Though He moved intimately with the Gopalas and Gopikas, He
was never bound by their relationship with Him. The Gopikas who were aware
of this truth constantly contemplated on Him chanting the divine name
“Krishna! Krishna! The very name Krishna brought the embodiment of divine
Atma before their eyes. The Gopikas were highly realised souls who had the
firm conviction that the same Atma Tattwa was present in every individual,
nay, every living being. That is why they could visualise Krishna in every
individual and every object of the world. All that we see in the objective
world, say, for example, this Hall, this pandal, the buildings around,
etc., are not really objects. People often get deluded into thinking so,
seeing their external forms. The universal Atma Tattwa is present in all
these objects. It is only the Gopikas who realised that Supreme Truth
naturally and spontaneously. They could visualise Krishna in all
individuals and objects. We often refer to individuals as my son, my
brother, my father, my mother, my wife, etc., keeping in view the worldly
relationships. But, the truth is that the same God is manifesting through
all those individuals. Hence, one has to consider every individual as the
embodiment of divinity. The entire universe is permeated by Brahma Tattwa.
All the names and forms attributed to the Atma Tattwa are all our own
making.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to perform several methods/modes of worship
to Mother Kali throughout the day. One day the Divine Mother appeared
before him and enquired, “Ramakrishna! You are getting mad day by day. You
worshipped Me in a particular form. Why do you confine Me to this form and
that form. In fact, all forms are Mine. Whomsoever you come across,
consider them as the embodiments of divinity.
God is pure and attributeless. Such an attributeless and unsullied
divinity is present in every human being. All human beings are, in fact,
the reflections of such an omnipresent divinity. Hence, every human being
has to be considered as the embodiment of divinity and respected. Though
God is omnipresent, He assumes a particular form and serves the human
beings in many ways. Right from now, realise this truth that all names and
forms are His. Anybody you come across, consider him / her as the
embodiment of Divinity. When you develop such an attitude, you can see God
anywhere and everywhere.
You go to Mathura or Dwaraka and see how people are still worshipping Lord
Krishna with the same devotional fervour, though He left His mortal coil
in Dwapara Yuga some 5000 years ago. When God incarnates in human form, it
is natural to consider Him as an ordinary human being. This is not the
correct approach. I often reiterate that I am God. But, I also remind you
that you are verily God. You should not give scope for any confusion and
difference of opinion in this regard. Everyone of you are embodiments of
divinity in reality. When you develop such a firm conviction, you can
visualise God in every human being. It is only in keeping with this
concept that the expression Yad bhavam tad bhavati (as is the feeling, so
is the result) asserted in the scriptures. Since people are not aware of
the real nature of divinity, they refer to certain individuals as father,
mother, uncle, etc., keeping in view their physical forms and the
relationships with them. If people are so deluded on the basis of physical
relationships, they are bound to get confused about the real nature of
divinity. Lord Krishna declared once while revealing His omnipresent
divinity that there was none other than Him in the entire universe. The
same truth is contained in the declaration Ekam Sath viprah bahudha
vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names). For
example, the number 1 is only 1. When you add three numbers to it, it
becomes 4. Thus, we go on adding numbers to 1 and arrive at different
numbers. However, the first number remains the same, namely, 1. That is
divinity. This is what the profound declaration states, Ekoham Bahusyam
(the One willed to become many).
People often use two terms ‘Deva’ (God) and ‘Jiva’ (individual being). In
fact, there is no Jiva at all! All are embodiments of Divinity only! Then
the question arises why do people die? Since people are not able to
realise the immortal nature of the Atma residing in the physical body,
they make use of the term death. Atma has no death at all! It is immortal.
Those who realise this truth, merge in God. For those who cannot realise
the truth, Jiva remains as Jiva and Deva as Deva. The dual feeling
persists in them. What is the underlying meaning in the declaration,
Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma (God is one without a second)? Since there is no
entity other than Brahman in this universe, it is declared thus. This is
the Vedic declaration. The Upanishads explain our true nature in the
Mahavakya Tattwamasi (That Thou Art). In another Mahavakya, they declare
Prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is Supreme Consciousness). To whom shall this
declaration refer? Again, it is to that God Absolute. Thus, all the Vedas
and the Upanishads proclaim the non-dual concept of Jiva and Deva as one
and only one. But, no one is making an effort to realise this truth. In
the end, they think God is separate from them.
People often ascribe distinctions between different forms of divinity, for
example Rama, Krishna, etc. Since they try to identify themselves with a
particular form, they entertain feelings of difference. By doing so, they
move away from God and remain as Jivas only. All such differences exist in
the individuals only. God is only one. In fact, He is not different from
you. He is in you, you are verily God! If it is not so, why should the
Vedas declare Tattwamasi? You develop the firm conviction that you and God
are only one. When you attain such a firm conviction, you become one with
God. For example, you keep a number of photos of Sai Baba in your Puja
room. But, in all the photos, you will find that the same God is
photographed in different poses. When you realise the underlying unity of
divinity, there can be no room for any confusion. You will be able to
realise the truth. Whatever I speak is only Truth. Since you are not aware
of this truth, you are unable to develop faith in it. There are several
people nowadays claiming to be godmen, who lecture upon this concept
endlessly. Believe Me, they are all meant to confuse the devotees. In
fact, when you develop firm faith in the declaration that God is only one,
you will be able to realise the truth. One who is able to realise this
truth will have no confusion and doubt.
Do not use harsh words about anyone. In fact, there are no enemies in the
world. You should not consider anyone as an enemy and abuse him or her.
One day, he may be an enemy to you; but, you may become friends on
another. You should not consider someone as separate from you. All are
friends.
Embodiments of Love!
You are worshipping and praying to God with great love. Continue to love
God and develop faith in Him. Only then all your doubts will be cleared
and you will be able to understand the nature of divinity in full. Doubt
implies duality, that is, a feeling of separation between you and God. In
fact, there are no two entities – God and you. Everything is “I”, “I”,
“I”. Hold on to the truth Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma. For example, how many
hours does the clock show? Twelve hours. When the hour hand crosses
twelve, it again moves to one in the clock. When it crosses one, it moves
to the next hour. Thus, it is only when the hour hand crosses one, it
moves to two. Similarly, there is nothing that can be called the second.
God is only one. However, when you wish to entangle yourself in worldly
matters, duality comes. In fact, there is no duality with regard to
divinity. Sometimes I wake up the children sleeping in My room and ask
them, “What is the time now?” They reply, “Swami! It is 12 o’ clock.” I
again enquire from them, “Is it 12 o’clock in the day or night? They
reply, “Swami! It is 12 o’ clock in the night.” Thus, when 12 hours of the
day are added to 12 hours of night, it becomes 24 hours. Strictly
speaking, there are no 24 hours. It is only because the day is followed by
night and so on, that you find 24 hours. Hence, do not make a distinction
between day and night. The railway people make such distinction for their
operational convenience. For us, night follows day and again the day
starts after the night. Both day and night are one for us. Therefore
develop firm faith in the principle of unity in all that you come across
in the world. God is one and only one. If you do not develop firm faith in
this principle, it is possible that you will worship one form of God and
hate another. You should always hold on to the principle of oneness of
God. That is the truth. If you are not able to develop such faith, ignore
it and do not make it a matter of dispute and strife. Do not ever
attribute duality to God. God is always one and only one. When you are
able to understand and develop firm faith in the oneness of God, your life
will go on smoothly.
(Holding a bunch of flowers in front of the audience Swami enquired) What
is this? It is a bunch of flowers. There are a number of flowers strung
together with the help of a thread, with the result it assumed the form of
a bunch. Though the flowers are of different varieties, the thread that
holds them together is only one. The same principle has been explained in
the Veda as Ekameva adviteeyam Brahma. The above example demonstrates
unity in diversity. When you refer to a single person, you say he is a
man. When you refer to a number of persons grouped together, you call them
a group. Though there is a vast difference in the terms we use while
referring to a single person and a group of persons, there is a
fundamental unity in the classification. That unity is divinity, which
shall never be forgotten. Unfortunately, in the present times, people tend
to look at the apparent diversity in this objective world, ignoring the
underlying principle of unity. Take for example, the Pandavas. Who were
they? The five Pandava brothers were the sons of Kunthi. One mother, but
five sons. In the ordinary worldly sense, they are five in number.
You may not be able to understand this principle of oneness of divinity,
but in due course when you are able to recognise the principle with a
mature mind, you will understand that truth is one, not two. This is a
handkerchief! (showing a handkerchief to the audience). There are several
threads in it woven together. Since the threads are woven into warp and
woof, it assumed the form of a handkerchief. The cloth is one and the
threads are many. One has to recognise that principle of unity in
diversity. We find several students gathered in this hall. Each one
appears to be different. But, they are all students of Sri Sathya Sai
College. Thus, one has to strive to develop that unity.
Dear students!
I am extremely happy to see you all. I attend to a number of tasks and
participate in a number of programmes right from early morning till I go
to bed. I feel very happy and energetic. There is no one else who enjoys
bliss as Myself. I am always happy and cheerful. I do not at all pay
attention to praise or scorn from any quarter. They are only the outward
manifestation in words of one’s feelings. I have nothing to do with them.
I do not entertain any feelings of difference at all. “All are one, be
alike to everyone”.
(Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Govinda Krishna Jai
…”)
&
Images from Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajnam 2005