Vedas,yoga and meditation

Mindfulness Meditation
#15

Dear Friends,
Namaste,

On the above two post i have mentioned about lord dattatreya, he was a great yogi a devapurush.Lord dattatreya signifies as follows "[B]Lord Dattatreya came as the Supreme Philosopher ([/B][B]Avadhoota[/B][B]) so that the true meaning and purpose of Sacrifice (Tyaaga) may be revealed to mankind. Atri, His father, symbolizes penance (tapas) as described in the scriptures, and Anasooya represents freedom from jealousy. When penance and non-jealous nature unite in a single person, the highest truth emerges as Lord Dattatreya. As ultimate self-sacrifice, the Supreme God gave Himself as Datta to Atri and Anasooya. Hence, “Datta” means not only “that which is given”, but also as the ideal of “giving” without desire for reward, i.e. selfless giving. The whole life of Dattatreya shows us that this “giving” selflessly is the true renunciation/sacrifice. The significance of this sacrifice is stated in the Dattatreya Upanishad where the Lord says, "Not by action, not by progeny, nor even by self, but by renunciation (tyaaga) alone is immortality attained. “Real renunciation is the giving up of “I” and mine, not the mere abandoning of duties. Living a selfless life require giving up one’s ego. That is what Lord Dattatreya describes as true sacrifice.”[/B]
Since time memorial there is a tradition of alms giving in india. Ascetics never cook there food they beg it. It signifies that they do not belong to any body, they have no ego, for food and everything they depend on one and only one Provider the Supreme truth GOd.All the saints including Adi shankara, Sai Baba of shirdi, Swami Nityananda, Lord swaminarain have insisted on giving alms to every seeker who comes to your door step.This way you ward of your bad karma and gain spiritual merit.ascetics unlike today never used to accumulate wealth.Further anybody who comes to your house is God i.e athiti (one who comes without telling date) as per Vedas five alive Gods i have earlier told.Great siddha Sai baba of sahirdi everyday used to beg alms from five houses so that people should not forget to give daan (donation, it has a deep spiritual meaning unlike donation).In this regard i will tell you how lord dattateya once again took birth.
A Brahmin couple Appala Raju Sharma and Sumathi, were devotees of [B]Lord Datta[/B].They had many children of whom only two survived. One was lame and the other was blind. They worshipped Lord Datta and never failed to offer food to mendicants and monks. They looked uponon all such as they very forms of Lord Datta. One day, they were performing the annual ceremony in their house and many Brahmins were invited as guests for thefeast. Tradition holds that none should eat on that day before these guests partake their food.
At that time [B]Lord Dattatreya[/B] appeared at their threshold in the form of a renunciate sadhu (saint), bearing the staff and the water-vessel (Kamandalu) and asked for food. The housewife, with immense faith that the visitor was none other than the Lord to whom the whole annual ceremony was being offered, gave Him food even before the Brahmin guests were fed!
[LEFT]Her faith touched the Lord’s heart and He at once granted her a vision of this true form. His glorious form had three heads, clad in a tiger’s skin and his body besmeared with sacred ash B[/B], he looked like a silver mountain in moonlight.
The blessed housewife drank the divine glory of the Lord’s from and felt that the highest object of [FONT=Arial]her birth was fulfilled. The Lord said, “Mother, I am pleased with your devotion. Even before you fed the Brahmin guests, you have given me food with the full faith that this is the Lord in the guise of a holy mendicant. Now, ask me for anything you wish and it shall be granted”. The sight blessed her eyes and now her ears were sanctified by His sweet words. “Lord”, she said, “Lord! [/FONT][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]You addressed me as mother, please let your word be turned into reality” [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Lord replied [B]Tathastu[/B] (so be it) and disappeared. [B]Lord Dattatreya[/B][B], in order to bless his devotees and the righteous ones, wanders about in the guise of a random guest at the lunch hour. That’s why it is said that a random guest has to be treated as the very [FONT=Arial]embodiment of Lord Dattaterya.[/B] Then Sumathi told her husaband of the Divine vision the Lord had bestowed on her and of his granting her wish for a divine son. [FONT=Arial]Not long after, Sumathi conceived and delivered a male child at the proper time. She gave birth to one who is indeed birth-less. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial]
[FONT=Arial]There was no birth in the normal sense, the Lord just manifested Himself as a child in this house. As the child has all the Divine features with celestial radiance, he was fittingly named as [B]Sripaad.This was the first [/B][B]incarnation[/B][B] of Lord Dattatreya.He was known as sri pad shri vallabh.[/B]Again he incarnated in to human form as shri narsimha saraswati an a promise to a lady who was about to commit suicide , as he was teased by villagers as a mother of deaf and dumb son, then he was passing and he told her by commiting suicide you will commit larger sin, rather pray to lord shiva and live with your karmas of this birth.[/FONT][/FONT][/LEFT]

[LEFT][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]Dear friends still there are many places in india where these siddhas have promised to partake food to there devotees and they come in any form even animal too to take food.One such place is gangapur where lord dattatreya still comes and has promised to take lunch.If you read life of sai baba of shirdi and Swami nityanand you will understand better.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]Along with your sadhana feed a hungry person and help poor make it a practice, place food for birds and animals.The importance of all these traditions now i have under stood and sharing with you.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]Om[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/LEFT]

#16

Dear friends
namaste,
Modern science has estimated to the age of earth to be 2 billions old.As per vedas the age of present creation i.e earth is is one Arab 96 crore 8 lakhs 53 thousands and 2 years.[FONT=Verdana]This is 7th Manvantar and 28 Chaturyugi and the present Kaliyug has passed its time of 5002 years. Bhagwat Geeta shlok 8/17 also says about this fact. Manu Smriti shloka 1/64 to 1/80 also supports this fact.Till the period of mahabharat the kings , its subjects used to follow sanatan Dharma or vedic dharma.Entire earth was ruled by one chakravarti king.The mahabharat war was a great disaster for humanity.Post this war due to huge bloodshed, lot of human lives was lost all the kings of earth had participated in this great war.After this Lord Krishna too departed and kaliyug started.People immersed in there sorrows forgot to contact seers and rishis for knowledge of vedas and slowly-2 groped in darkness and ignorance. slowly due to wrong interpretation of vedas lot of superstitions seeped in. However as always banaras or Kashi, which is the worlds oldest city continue to be seat of learning for vedas.Only brahmins traditionally had passed this knowledge from generations to generations.If you have to gain knowledge you have to go to your Guru, b’cos you require him he doesnot require.So slowly knowledges of vedas and yogas rested with people or ashrams who were sincere seeker of spirtrual truth and ascetics/monks.In between great yogis took birth to establish dharma and show righteois path to the people like Gautam Buddha, adi shankara, madhvacharay, Ramanuj, Lord Cahitanaya, Lord bhairav, Lord Swaminarayana, Swami ramakrishna, Vivekananda, ramtirth, Rammna Maharishi, Swami Nityanand, Sai baba etc.Then came to india Arabs who destroyed temples, looted valuables, converted peoples and destroyed worlds first universities like Takshila,Nalanda and Vikram shila were destroyed valuable manuscripts with ancient knowledges were burnt along with monks and seers.At that time Indian science , philosophy , astronomy cosmology was quite advanced.The dark age of india started then came french, potrugese and britishers.When britishers had established rule in india great siddhas took rebirth to suffering masses to show them the dharma, many britishers have met with these yogis to understand the highest truth.With the representation of Swami vivekananda in world congress of religion the ancient teachings of yoga, vedas and spiriytual practices came to limelight and further swami ramtirtha, swami paramhansa yogananda and many more yogis with divine will reached west to spread the light of east.Today lot more people are following yoga in search of physical fitness and spiritual truth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] We human beings (souls) suffer plenty of soorrows as per the deeds we commit in our various births.These can be classified as[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]1.Bodily sorrows like disesases(cancer, aids etc), mental tensions, depressions etc which give pain to our physical body[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]2.Godly i.e Daivik sorrows which happen due to non alive gods example excess rain, drought, earthquake,landslide, sotrms, flood etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]3.Physical or Bhautik sorrows - Which happens to human beings by other living beings like snake bite, Lion, crocodile etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Kapil Rishi in in Sankhaya Shastra , 6th chapter sutra 29 has said all the three sorrows can be killed by Knowledge of vedas, dhyan Dharana (yoga and meditation) and renounciation(vairaygya).Vedas and shastras say that the aim of human being should be to destroy these sorrows by the hard practice of astanga yoga as described in vedas , ramayana, gita and upnishads along with worldly success.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]If you think then you will agree that present day mankind is sufferring from all the three sorrows.Deadly diseases like cancer, aids, hypertension, heart problems etc are troubling us.Either there is excess rain or drought, storms, flood, there deaths due attachk by animals, environmental problems.Dear friends in ancient india till mahabharat period people were happy and free from all these sorrows as they were followers of vedas and yoga in all deeds.Kings used to rule kingdom based on vedic and yogic knowledge.They had Great Mantra drishta rishis to guide them who were appointed as raj Rishis for eg. Lord Ramas Guru was his Raj Rishi Vashishtha who used to advice him in all the matters.Today every nation is suffering if not materially then in some other form , terrorism, Massacre, Genocide, killing of innocent people, poverty, border disputes, war ravages, fight amongst religion etc.Now what is the solution?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]Dear friends after reading lives of many yogis and little knowledge of scriptures i have understood that we should do good deeds, curb evil tendencies, read Vedas and do yoga.The yoga which is actually a spiritual practice, sadhna changes person not only physically but mentally.This along with knowledge of vedas is the only proven path to realise the self .It helps you in controlling your indriyas.Further Hom/havan or yajna as described in vedas helps you spiritually further helps in maintaining ecological balance and environment. On yagya or yajna i will try to write some thing for your benefit .Dear friends on the advice of my guru i have started doing havan with ved mantras with my husband and 3 1/2 years old son. earlier i have never understood its importance but now i know which i will share with you all.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]Om[/FONT]

#17

Dear friends,

namaste,

I have particularly like these excerpts on Guru by Swami nityanand, a siddha purusha, divinity in flesh.I am pasting it for all of you.I am currently reading sai charitra,. Both Shirdi sai baba and swami nityananda were divinity in flesh, highly realised siddhas. Always in communion with God.Read swami nityanandas excerpts on Guru and guru kripa yoga:

Gururkripa Yoga is that yoga in which the disciple relies on the Grace of the Guru or Acharya (which is God’s Grace) to carry him/her to Liberation. The Shiva Sutras state “Gururupayah;” The Guru is the means. The Guru who has attained Self-realization is the only one who can help the aspirant acquire it. Gurukripa Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are one in the same because they both emphasize the process of drawing God’s Grace to you through Selfless Service and complete Devotion/Surrender to the Acharya. In this way, over time, you learn to take complete refuge in God. Crossing the threshold to Liberation requires great strength and trust. But if you think you are simply going to walk across this threshold of your own volition, you are mistaken. You don’t need strength and trust in yourself. You only need the strength and trust that comes from taking refuge in God and following God’s will, since it is he who carries you across the threshold to Liberation.

For this reason, the Saints of the [I]Gurukripa[/I] path all state that all the other forms of yoga (Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga) are contained in Gurukripa. Gurukripa Yoga is the Yoga of Bhagawan Nityananda. It is the Yoga of Supreme Love. For this reason, Baba referred to it as Raja Yoga, the yoga in which all the other yogas are contained.

Without the Grace of a Siddha, a Guru, you cannot realize God. You may be successful at reducing stress or even attaining states of relative happiness. But without the Guru, these will be fleeting at best. By reading scriptures and attending lectures you may be able to understand and express philosophy, like so many preachers that we encounter day-in and day-out. But you won’t have a lasting experience of the philosophy that you are preaching. To become completely absorbed in God, to Liberate yourself from bondage in order to bask in the rays of total freedom from the ignorance of pain and pleasure, you must be guided by a Siddha (perfected being), until you are set on your own path. It is only by the Grace of such a Guru that you can undergo permanent spiritual transformation.

Mundane knowledge [I]is not[/I] spiritual knowledge. It [I]is not [/I]direct knowledge of God. Although mundane knowledge may help you advance in the activities of daily life, [I]without the transformation brought about by direct contact with and service to the Acharya, these mundane activities will only serve to sink you deeper and deeper into the bondage of sense pleasures and worldly pleasures.[/I] And the bondage of this ignorance is simply a rehashing of so many of your past lives. To break the noose of this bondage, you need a Guru, until you are set on your own path.

Even the Devas and Devis (the gods and goddesses), when they take human form, have to undergo transformation by the Grace of a Guru to fulfill the purpose of their birth on this earth. For example, Lord Rama had the sage Vasistha as his Guru. Lord Krishna had Sandipani as his Guru. The Guru is the very reflection of God; nay she IS God.

The Guru appears to be an ordinary man or woman. He appears to behave like you and me. But, on close observation, when you have a direct experience of the Guru’s grace, then you realize that the Guru is very different from us and other priests or monks we may meet. The Guru is often referred to as Mother. He is the infinite manifestation of Prem (unconditional love). Prem is not like the love you are familiar with, where needs and wants are bartered back and forth through petty infatuation and desire. Prem has no beginning or end. Prem has no reason for its existence and no motive either. It has no expectation. It is pure Love. The Guru is the embodiment of this Prem. He/she is the infinite manifestation of forgiveness (KShama) and the infinite manifestation of strength (Shakti). He is the destroyer of ignorance, the destroyer of sorrow (dukhaharini), the destroyer of emnity (vairharini), the destroyer of illusion (mayaharini or Shiva’s maya) and the destroyer of sin (papanashini). The Guru is the cause of auspicious happenings (mangalkarani) and the giver of salvation (mokshadayani).

A Guru Is One Who Is Liberated

How do you recognize a Guru? Bhagawan Nityananda used to say, "When a person claims to be a Guru or Acharya, you should ask him “Can you show me God with Shanka (conch), Charka (discus) and Gadha (mace)?** Only if he can do that is he a Guru.” Now what does this mean? It means only one who is a God-Realized man or woman can be Guru and the Guru alone can make you aware of God. The great Saint Swami Vivekananda once asked his Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, “Have you seen God?” To this Ramakrishna replied, “Yes, but even more intensely than how I see you.” Unless and until a person experiences God in this way, how can he lead you to God?

[COLOR=black]It is our Ego /I which doesnot allow us to surrender us to any one.A Guru requires total surrender.In future i will write on sai babas description of Gurus.[/COLOR]
Do read Divine life of Shirdi Sai Baba as described in sai charitra and Swami Nityanand.

Om

#18

there is lot of difference between buddhi(intellect), mann (i dont know how to define it in english) and aatma (soul).

mann- manas is usually translated as mind as far as I know. The seat of intellect or buddhi is the heart chakra. Mind/manas is related to ajna chakra. Please correct me if I am wrong.

This last post of Guru Kripa yoga is very comforting.

#19

mann is not actually mind.In hindi mann and manas are used as follows
My mann wants to eat mango’s, mera man ho raha hai ki i should visit hill station(i want to visit a hill station).A mann is used for expressing desires but these desires are wishes like suddenly you feel like doing some thing.To express it exactly in english is difficult b’cos a mann is not a storong desire or an outcome of deep thinking or intellect.it is a casual instantaneous wish.

thanks hubert for replying

om

#20

what is dharma ? Dharma is a sanskrit word which can be associated with righteousness , but dharma has a deep spiritual meaning.Every living organism/matter has an inherent underlying dharam as created by God.For eg the dharam of mango trree is to give mango trees, the cow gives milkand eats grass that is its natural dharma.Lion eats flesh it will not eat grass that is its dharma. similarly a soul has its dharma.
On dharm i would quote this beautiful explanation from the vedicresearch foundation :

"The word dharm is formed from the root word dhryan (dhryan dharne); it means such actions and such spiritual or religious practices that finally result in all-good for a soul. A general description of dharm is:
[SIZE=3]
[SIZE=3]It means that such actions, thoughts and practices that promote physical and mental happiness in the world (abhyudaya) and ensure God realization (nishreyas) in the end, are called dharm.

There are two kinds of dharmas: (a) Apar dharm, or varnashram dharm, or seemit dharm, or general dharm, and (b) par dharm or bhagwat dharm.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][SIZE=2]apar dharm means good karmas with sattvic motivation where a person is devoted to God in a conventional manner, which means a general faith in all the forms of God. Such good karmas pacify the mind of the doer in the existing life, and in the next lifetime they create a good destiny which is called ‘abhyudaya’ that brings physical and mental well-being in a person’s life.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][SIZE=2]Apar dharm is the general dharm for all and is only a preliminary dharm, which is like the preparatory practice for entering into bhakti for those who cannot accept it in their life right away. Bhakti is above all the religious formalities, rituals and intellectual practices of meditation. In one sentence you can say that bhakti is the true ‘love’ for your soul-beloved God. It could be observed by any person of the world. It is universal; it is for every age; it is said and revealed by God Himself; and it is sanatan which means eternal. Thus, the dharm which is based on such bhakti, which is eternally established in bhakti, and which establishes bhakti for God as a universal religion of the world, is called Sanatan Dharm.

God is: “dharmadhishthan.” It means that the Sanatan (eternal) Dharm is established in God and resides in God as a Divine power. It is revealed by God through Brahma before the human civilization and is represented through the Vedas, Upnishads and the Puranas."[/SIZE][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][SIZE=2]Every creation of God has its underlying dharma.As souls our dharma is to work hard, acquire knowledge both worldly and spiritual, fulfill duties towards parents,child,wife,nation etc., and aspire to realise God by the study of scripture and hard practice of Yoga.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
Today the world is afflicted from lot of sorrows it is primarily becoz of lack of self realisation, ego/i, proving ones supremacy over others due to the illusion of Maya.We as souls has to think what is our dharma, is it sectarian violence, superirity complex, hatred or to promote peace, love and progress worldy taking care
[SIZE=3][SIZE=2]of all the creation of God .So you as an individual soul relate what is your dharma and follow it.Dharma is always constructive never destructive.Like the mahabharat war was fought to establish Dharma.Dharma is truthfulness, peace, love, looking after lower species and fellow human beings and taking care of sufferings.Lord Rama in Valmiki ramayana is described as dharmanisht i.e one who always follow his dharma irrespective of situation.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
Om

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#21

Dear friends ,
Namaste,

Rigveda mantra for you all, the explanation is by my pujya gurudev Swami Ramswarup ji,

[B]Rig Veda mantra 10/90/7[/B]

[B]TAM YAJYAM BARHISHI PRAUKSHAN PURUSHAM JAATAMAGRATAHA.
TEN DEVA AYAJANT SADHYA RISHYASHCH YE.

[/B]“AGRATAHA JAATAM” famous since eternal times, “TAM” that “YAJYAM” adorable “PURUSHAM” Almighty God “BARHISHI” within heart “PRAUKSHAN” originates/makes him happy “CHA” and “TEN” by the God “DEVAHA” other learned of yoga philosophy i.e., Yogi “YE” who “SADHYAHA” the worship which is complete in all respects which results in realization of God (accomplished worship) “RISHYAHA” he who sees Ved mantras within him “AYAJANT” they do adhyatmik (spiritual) Yajyen.

[B]Meaning & Idea:[/B] God is eternal. He is true. Nobody makes God. God is Swayambhu. i.e., neither He is made nor anything is made out of God. He was always in the past, is in Present and will ever remain in the future after final destruction too.

The rishis originate God within their hearts and make Him happy and having the aim of God, the other learned persons of Vedas i.e., Yogi who have done accomplished worship of God i.e., the worship which is complete in all respects and resulting in realization of God and have attained the stage of seeing Ved mantras within them, they do adhyatmik Yajyen i.e., spiritual Yajyen.

Adhyatmik Yajyen means to follow the path of Vedas especially path of Samveda. In short the Vedas state to worship God by listening Vedas from a learned acharya, perform daily Yajyen/havan, name-jaap of God. Hard practice of Ashtang yoga philosophy etc.

In such a way, aspirant, at a stage becomes ascetic and knows Prakriti, soul and Almighty God. He attains Asampragyat Samadhi wherein he realizes God within him. The said worship is according to Vedas and Vedas are eternal knowledge which emanates direct from God. Therefore the present man-made worship does not tally with Vedas.

I hope explanation of veda mantras enlighten you and serve the purpose of understanding of yoga philosophy.

om

#22

Dear Friends,
namaste,

One spiritual seeker has posed a following question to my Guru, i would like to share this question and my gurus reply to his querry, this is useful for all soul who are in search of Truth:

[B]Question:[/B] Scientists have common knowledge that pretty much the right side of the human brain gets utilized the most, the left side does very little if nothing at all. Is there any yoga practise or anything mentioned in the Vedas, that we can use to train ourselves to use both sides of the brain thereby giving us a higher level of intelligence and therefore a better understanding of God?
[B]Swami Ramswarup:[/B] Actually only some important cells of brain work daily of a normal person. When an aspirant does Yajyen and ashtang yoga practice then a day comes when his several cells of brain and even body are awakened and at this stage the whole mind starts working. In yog shastra, the said stage of a Yogi is stated, “RITAMBHARA TATRA PRAGYA” i.e., the mind of a Yogi at this stage has attained truth.

“TAJJAHA SANSKAROANYASANSKARPRATIBANDHEE” i.e., the stage of such a Yogi is not now ordinary but is changed totally. He is no more considered ordinary man.

dear friends i hope now you understand that spirituality, vedas and yoga is science not myth.I hope now you understand that how a yogi brings back life to a person, performs miracle in the true light of patanjali yoga sutras and vedas.Yoga philosophy stems from vedas.Now you can very well understand Lord Rama, krishna, Jesus and other great yogis and siddha purush.
God manifests in a yogi after realisation so these realised one are above petty diferrences of cast, creed, religion and nationality and they do not have lust, i/ego, there 5 indriyan and perception are controlled

In this regard i would quote words of lord swami narayan, this great soul manifested in earth for welfare of ignorant masses in 1650’s in India

 "He reveals: 'From the day of my birth to 
 this day, never has an evil thought of 
wealth or woman ever crossed my mind, 
neither in my dream nor waking state.

Revealing the equanimity of His mind, He
says: ‘To me, the higher and lower
pleasures of the world are one and
equal; a king and a beggar are equal;
ruling over the throne of the three worlds
and begging with a bowl are equal;
being worshipped with flowers and
insulted with dirt are equal. Both honour
and dishonour are equal to me.’

His mind was always steady in His Atman.
He reveals: 'Even if externally, I may have
been involved in innumerable activities,
internally, when I introspect and look
within at my Atman, all my energies are
withdrawn into my Atman like the limbs of
a tortoise.
And there I experience the ultimate Bliss "

Om

#23

Dear friends,
namaste to all

I had earlier said about yajen.In the ancient times, Yajya was given utmost importance and any aspirant who went to the learned to get Deeksha used to carry Samidha (a twig to be offered in pious fire of havan) in his hand. Prashnopnishad states that six Rishis including Satyakaam went to Piplad Rishi with a Samidha which is a clear indication that everybody must perform Yajyen. Whereas it is our bad luck that now the people go to present saints without samidha and even present saints tell against the Vedas and Yajyen. History also states that Sri Krishna Maharaj went to jungle along with Sudama to fetch samidha during his stay in Guru Sandipan’s ashram.
God Himself declares in various mantras, for instance in Yajurveda mantra 1/2, "Vasoho Pavitramasi"i.e., Yajyen beholds the entire universe. Further, it spreads materials and spiritual purity and is the bestower of eternal happiness on the entire world. Hence, in the said mantra, the organizer and performer of Yajyen along with learned are advised never to give up Yajyen, in fact they should ask this knowledgeable question as to who orders us to perform true deed of Yajyen?
Yajurveda mantra1/6 gives the authentic reply to this question that “Tasmai Twa Bhunakti” i.e., God Himself orders all human-beings to perform this true, pious deed of Yajyen.
Hence Yajyen is supreme worship of God. It also purifies air, water, environment since the offerings put in the pious fire of Yajyen contains antiseptic, antibiotic, nutritive (energetic), fragrant materials that disintegrate into smaller molecules when put into fire and spread rapidly in the atmosphere thereby purifying it. In fact these molecules of ghee etc., are carried by sun rays and spread into atmosphere. When these molecules reach into upper layers of atmosphere, it has been proved scientifically that they play a vital role in causing timely rains which is a blessing to the farmers, animals and public at large. When, in India, Mumbai was, hit by plague then people from all sects and sections of society started performing havan on the advice of the scientists and were benefited to a large
extent.

French scientist Tri, has made commendable research in the pure smoke that emanates during the performance of Yajyen. On the analysis, he found that Yajyen is usually performed by burning twigs of mango tree that generate, “formaldehyde” gas on burning. This gas has the property to kill the germs and purify air and water. In fact this research
inspired the scientists to make the disinfectant, “Formaline” used widely in households in the form of harpic, lizol, phenyl etc.
Another scientist named Tautlik proved that the resins (seedless) like currants mixed with in the offerings made in pious fire of Yajyen are capable to kill the germs of typhoid even, when exposed to the smoke of Yajyen for half an hour daily. The effect of smoke of Yajyen is deadly on germs of smallpox, tuberculosis, cholera, when the offerings put in the fire contain jaggery, raw sugar (molasses) besides resins and currants. The small quality of carbon dioxide so produced is beneficial as it causes green house effect.
Shatpath Brahmin Granth 14/4/2-3/29 beautifully describes that, “Soul (Jeevatma) desired to have wife, to be get children, to have money and to perform Yajyen. Person harbouring such pious desires should not ask for more.” The underlying meaning is that when person is blessed with living assets in the form of family and material assets like money etc., such assets are means to perform Yajyen. It is every one’s duty to utilize these assets in performance of Yajyen. Due to lack of true knowledge of Vedas, ignorant person indulges in attachment, allurement, laziness, inactivity, sensuality, worldly pleasures etc. on possessing money and family and does not utilize these assets in the performance of Yajyen and adopts a conduct which is contradictory to the Vedic tenets and teachings of shastras. As a result, he never achieves eternal peace. In spite of possessing materials assets, he is never contended and wanders like a deer misted by mirage in desert and the lust grows for more. Hence, keeping in view the experienced and
authentic speech of Rishis, all must remain attached to pious deeds like Yajyen etc., on being blessed with family and other assets.

#24

Dear friends,
On the above post i have mentioned about yajen as told by my Guru.
ANcient indians till mahabharat the india was vedic india.Post mahabharat the vedic knowledge was not lost but dwindled slowly in ashrams due to ignorance.Yajen itself is a science.In this kaliyug we are worried about health, environment,global warming, diseases,pollution,floods and many more things.If you can do yajen nothing like it not only you, as a soul , family but the entire universe will be benefitted by it.In Vedas and geeta best form of worship to god is Yajen and practice of Yoga.We should do yajen at sandhi kaal i.e transition times.Morning(when sun appears), evening(time when sets in) for the benefit of humanity, for spiritual benefit night is the best time.If a single person does havan entire humanity gets benefitted.You can do yajen with gayatri mantra.As many times you want as per time and space.There are special mantras with beautiful meanings which are also used.I do yajen as told by my guru with my husband,son in morning hours or evening before sun sets in.It purifies your mind,atmosphere and gives serenity to you.

further you can read about yajen/agnohotra and its vast benefits to humanity, environment at following sites:
[B]Vedic Society[/B]

http://www.shivapuri.com/agnihotr.htm

AWGP - Gayatri And Yagna

Vedmandir :: www.vedmandir.com

may god bless us all

#25

Dear friends
namaste,

Human body is the only body amongst all the creations of God which can realise Self and god by the preach of Vedas and hard practice of Astanga Yoga.In the blessed soil of india many souls have achieved this ultimate aim of human life by preach of vedas and hard practice of Astanga yoga.I am pasting excerpts from Sai Chartra (Biography of sai baba of shirdi), the great siddha purush of Shirdi conveys the worth of human body in following stanjas:
The most effective and speedy way to gain our object is to approach a worthy Saint or Sage - Sadguru, who has himself attained God-vision. What cannot be achieved by hearing religious lectures and study of religious works, is easily obtained in the company of such worthy souls. Just as the sun alone gives light, which all the stars put together cannot do, so the Sad-Guru alone imparts spiritual wisdom which all the sacred books and sermons cannot infuse. His movements and simple talks give us ‘silent’ advice. The virtues of forgiveness, calmness, disinterestedness, charity, benevolence, control of mind and body, egolessness etc. are observed by the disciples as they are being practiced in such pure and holy company. This enlightens their minds and lifts them up spiritually. Sai Baba was such a Sage or Sad-Guru. Though He acted as a Fakir (mendicant), He was always engrossed in the Self. He always loved all beings in whom He saw God or Divinity. By pleasures He was not elated. He was not depressed by misfortunes. A king and a pauper were the same to Him. He, whose glance would turn a beggar into a king, used to beg His food from door to door in Shirdi, and let us now see how He did it.
[FONT=Arial]In this wonderful universe, God has created billions (84 lacs according to Hindusastra calculation) of creatures or beings (including Gods, demigods, insects, beasts and men) inhabiting heaven, hell, earth, ocean, sky and other intermediate regions. Of these, those creatures or souls, whose merits preponderate, go to heaven and live there till they enjoy the fruits of their actions, and when this is done, they are cast down while those souls, whose sins or demerits preponderate, go down to hell, and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds for so long a time as they deserve. When their merits and demerits balance each other, they are born on earth as human beings, and are given a chance to work out their salvation. Ultimately when their merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of) completely, they get their deliverance and become free. To put the matter in a nutshell, souls get their births or transmigrations according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their minds). [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]I hope we all who are practicing yoga be steadfast and achieve the highest aim of human body by devotion and following eternal wisdom[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]OM[/FONT]

#26

Dear friends,

Namaste,

I was down with eye infection.The best name of God as described in Vedas is OM . I am pasting the different meanings of OM with respect to God and keeping in view Vedas as told by my Guru:

OM has three Hindi words. Aa,Uu and Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three names of God are built, Viraat, Agni and Vishwadi. From Uu= uukaar from which Hirnyagarbh, Vaayu and tejas names occurs and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar, Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occurs. Rig ved mantra 1/164/ 46 says the God is one but His names are several. But here only the said names are given. Viraat means he who creates the universe. Therefore His name is Viraat.

Agni means he who is knowledgeable, omniscient, to be known and adorable. Therefore His name is Agni. Vishw means in whose the space, fire etc., i.e., all bhoots are entering or he who is in all these bhootas and is omnipresent. So His name is Vishw. Hirnyagarbh means in whose these sun, moon i.e., dyulok reside and originated i.e., why His name is Hirnyagarbh. Vaayu means by which the universe is held , gives lives and destroy and is the supreme power, that is why His name is Vaayu. Tej means who is a shape of light Himself, i.e., God does not take light from anywhere else. But gives light to sun, moon, stars etc., So the unbroken, unconstrcted/unproduced and eternal shape of light is Almighty God and not sun, moon, stars, candle or any lamp of the world or any light of the world. Because all these lights are broken one day, but not God. Ishwar means who and whose knowledge is always a never dying truth and who has unlimited pleasure or merriment in Him. Aditya means who can not be broken in to pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So His name is Aditya. Praajyan means He who knows the every manner and behave of whole of the universe without misunderstandings. So His name is Praajyan.

I hope this will help us in understanding real spiritual knowdledge.
OM

#27

Dear friends,

Namaste to all,

These excerpts from Sai Chartra on Great siddha purush sai baba of shirdi i am am putting for every body’s contemplation. Its long do read it and try to understand the wisdom imparted in this :

These was a rich gentleman (unfortunately his name and whereabouts are not mentioned) who was very prosperous in his life. He had amassed a large quantity of wealth, houses, field and lands, and had many servants and dependents. When Baba’s fame reached his ears, he said to a friend of his, that he was not in want of anything, and so he would go to Shirdi and ask Baba to give him Brahma-Jnana which, if he got, would certainly make him more happy. His friend dissuaded him, saying, "it is not easy to know Brahman, and especially so for an avaricious man like you, who is always engrossed in wealth, wife and children. Who will, in your quest of Brahma-Jnana, satisfy you that won’t give away even a pice in charity?"
Not minding his friend’s advice, the fellow engaged a return-journey tanga and came to Shirdi. He went to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell at His Feet and said, “Baba, hearing that You show the Brahman to all who come over here without any delay, I have come here all the way from my distant place. I am much fatigued by the journey and if I get the Brahman from You, my troubles will be well-paid and rewarded.” Baba then replied, "Oh, My dear friend, do not be anxious, I shall immediately show you the Brahman; all My dealings are in cash and never on credit. So many people come to Me, and ask for wealth, health, power, honour, position, cure of diseases and other temporal matters. Rare is the person, who comes here to Me and asks for Brahma-Jnana. There is no dearth of persons asking for wordly things, but as persons interested in spiritual matters are very rare, I think it a lucky and auspicious moment, when persons like you come and press Me for Brahma-Jnana. So I show to you with pleasure, the Brahman with all its accompaniments and complications."
Saying this, Baba started to show him the Brahman. He made him sit there and engaged him in some other talk or affair and thus made him forget his question for the time being. Then He called a boy and told him to go to one Nandu Marwari, and get from him a hand-loan of Rs. five. The boy left and returned immediately, saying that Nandu was absent and his house was locked. Then Baba asked him to go to Bala grocer and get from him, the said loan. This time also, the boy was unsuccessful. This experiment was repeated again twice or thrice, with the same result.
Sai Baba was, as we know, the living and moving Brahman Incarnate. Then, some one may ask - "Why did He want the paltry sum of five rupees, and why did He try hard to get it on loan? Really He did not want that sum at all. He must have been fully knowing, that Nandu and Bala were absent, and he seems to have adopted this procedure as a test for the seeker of Brahman. That gentleman had a roll or bundle of currency notes in his pocket, and if he was really earnest, he would not have sat quiet and be a mere onlooker, when Baba was frantically trying to get a paltry sum of Rs. five. He knew that Baba would keep His word and repay the debt, and that the sum wanted was insignificant. Still he could not make up his mind and advance the sum. Such a man wanted from Baba the greatest thing in the world, viz., the Brahma-Jnana! Any other man, who really loved Baba, would have at once given Rs. five, instead of being a mere onlooker. It was otherwise with this man. He advanced no money nor did he sit silent, but began to be impatient, as he was in a haste to return and implored Baba saying- “Oh Baba, please show me the Brahman soon.” Baba replied - "Oh my dear friend, did you not understand all the procedure that I went through, sitting in this place, for enabling you to see the Brahman? It is, in short this. For seeing Brahman one has to give five things, i.e. surrender five things viz. (1) Five Pranas (vital forces), (2) Five senses (five of action and five of perception), (3) mind, (4) intellect and (5) ego. This path of Brahma-Jnana of self-realization is ‘as hard as to tread on the edge of a razor’.

#28

Sai Baba then gave rather a long discourse on the subject, the purport of which is given below
[B]Qualifications for Brahma-Jnana or Self-Realization [/B]
All persons do not see or realize the Brahman in their life-time. Certain qualifications are absolutely necessary. (1) Mumuksha or intense desire to get free. He, who thinks that he is bound and that he should get free from bondage and works earnestly and resolutely to that end;and who does not care for any other thinks, is qualified for the spiritual life. (2) Virakti or a feeling of disgust with the things of this world and the next. Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments and honors, which his action would bring in this world and the next, he has no right to enter into the spiritual realm. (3) Antarmukhata (introversion). Our senses have been created by God with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outside himself and not inside. He who wants self-realization and immortal life, must turn his gaze inwards, and look to his inner Self. (4) Catharsis from (Purging away of) sins. Unless a man has turned away from wickedness, and stopped from doing wrong, and has entirely composed himself and unless his mind is at rest, he cannot gain self-realization, even by means of knowledge. (5) Right Conduct. Unless, a man leads a life of truth, penance and insight, a life of celibacy, he cannot get God-realization. (6) Preferring Shreyas, (the Good) to Preyas (the Pleasant). There are two sorts of things viz., the Good and the Pleasant; the former deals with spiritual affairs, and the latter with mundane matters. Both these approach man for acceptance. He has to think and choose one of them. The wise man prefers the Good to the Pleasant; but the unwise, through greed and attachment, chooses the Pleasant. (7) Control of the mind and the senses. The body is the chariot and the Self is its master; intellect is the charioteer and the mind is the reins; the senses are the horses and sense-objects their paths. He who has no understanding and whose mind is unrestrained, his senses unmanageable like the vicious horses of a charioteer, does not reach his destination (get realization), but goes through the round of births and deaths; but he who has understanding and whose mind is restrained, his senses being under control, like the good horse of a charioteer, reaches that place, i.e., the state of self-realization, when he is not born again. The man, who has understanding as his charioteer (guide) and is able to rein his mind, reaches the end of the journey, which is the supreme abode of the all-pervading, Vishnu (lord). (8) Purification of the mind. Unless a man discharges satisfactorily and disinterestedly the duties of his station in life, his mind will not be purified and, unless his mind is purified, he cannot get self-realization. It is only in the purified mind that Viveka (discrimination between the Unreal and the Real), and Vairagya (Non-attachment to the unreal) crop up and lead on the self-realization. Unless egoism is dropped, avarice got rid of, and the mind made desireless (pure), self-realization is not possible. The idea that ‘I am the body’ is a great delusion, and attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and attachment therefore, if you want to get to the Self-realization. (9) The necessity of a Guru. The knowledge of the self is so subtle and mystic, that no one could, by his own individual effort ever hope to attain it. So the help of another person-Teacher, who has himself got self-realization is absolutely necessary. What others cannot give with great labour and pains, can be easily gained with the help of such a Teacher; for he has walked on the path himself and can easily take the disciple, step by step on the ladder of spiritual progress. (10) and lastly the Lord’s Grace is the most essential thing. When the Lord is pleased with any body, He gives him Viveka and Vairagya; and takes him safe beyond the ocean of mundane existence, “The Self cannot be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by much learning. He, whom the Self chooses, by him It is gained. To him the Self reveals Its nature”, says the Katha Upanishad.
After the dissertation was over, Baba turned to the gentleman and said - “Well sir, there is in your pocket the Brahma (or Mammon) in the form of fifty-times five(Rs.250/-) rupees; please take that out.” The gentleman took out from his pocket the bundle of currency notes, and to his great surprise found, on counting them, that there were 25 notes of 10 rupees each, Seeing this ominiscience of Baba, he was moved and fell at Baba’s Feet and craved for His blessings. Then Baba said to him, "Roll up your bundle of Brahma viz. Currency notes. Unless you get rid completely of your avarice or greed, your will not get the real Brahma. How can be, whose mind is engrossed in wealth, progeny and prosperity, expect to know the Brahma, without removing away his attachment for the same? The illusion of attachment or the love for money is a deep eddy (whirlpool) of pain full of crocodiles in the form of conceit and jealousy. He, who is desireless, can alone cross this whirlpool. Greed and Brahma are as poles asunder, they are eternally opposed to each other. Where there is greed, there is no room for thought or meditation of the Brahma. Then how can a greedy man get dispassion and salvation? For a greedy man there is no peace, neither contentment, nor certainty (steadiness). If there be even a little trace of greed in mind, all the Sadhanas (spiritual endeavors) are of no avail. Even the knowledge of a well-read man, who is not free from the desire of the fruit or reward of his actions, and who has got no disgust for the same, is useless and can’t help him in getting self-realization. The teachings of a Guru are of no use to a man, who is full of egoism, and who always thinks about the sense-objects. Purification of mind is absolutely necessary; without it, all our spiritual endeavors are nothing, but useless show and pomp. It is, therefore, better for one to take only what he can digest and assimilate. My treasury is full, and I can give anyone, what he wants, but I have to see whether he is qualified to receive what I give. If you listen to Me carefully, you will be certainly benefited. Sitting in this Masjid, I never speak any untruth."
When a guest is invited to a house, all the members of the household and other friends and relations that happen to be present, are entertained, along with the guest. So all those that were present in the Masjid at this time, could partake of the spiritual feast, that was served by Baba for the rich gentleman. After getting Baba’s blessings, one and all, including the gentleman left the place quite happy and contented.
[B]Special Characteristic of Baba[/B]
There are many Saints, who leaving their houses, stay in forest, caves or hermitages and remaining in solitude, try to get liberation or salvation for themselves. They do not care for other people, and are always self-absorbed. Sai Baba was not of such a type. He had no home, no wife, no progency, nor any relations, near or distant. Still, He lived in the world (society). He begged His bread from four or five houses, always lived at the foot of the (Neem) tree, carried on wordly dealings, and taught all the people how to act. and behave in this world. Rare are the Sadhus and Saints who, after attaining God-vision, strive for the welfare of the people. Sai Baba was the foremost of these and, therefore, says Hemadpant.
“Blessed is the country, blessed is the family, and blessed are the chaste parents where This extraordinary, transcendent, precious and pure jewel (Sai Baba) was born.”

May we all understand these jewels of wisdom imparted by Sai Baba of shirdi during his lifetime at Shirdi, India to common masses makes us spiritually wise, we all are worldly wise.

OM

#29

Dear friends,
namaste,

My salutions to God, guru and all the realised souls.Sai baba of shirdi, this perfect master by incidents have shown to ignorant masses the fruits of actionOne more incident of his i am putting for your contemplation, this brahma gyani and his leelas is a spiritual feast:

[B]Two Goats [/B]
Baba was once returning from Lendi, when He saw a flock of goats. Two of them attracted His attention. He went to them, caressed and fondled them and bought them for Rs.32/-. The devotees were surprised at this conduct of Baba. They thought that Baba was duped in this bargain, as the goats would fetch Rs.two each, at the most Rs.3/- or 4/- each, i.e., Rs.8/- for both. They began to take Baba to task for this, but Baba kept calm and cool. Shama and Tatya Kote asked Baba for an explanation. He said He should not store money as He had no home, and any family to look after. He asked them to purchase at His cost 4 seers of ‘dal’ (lentil) and feed the goats. After this was done, Baba returned the goats to the owner of the flock and gave out of the following reminiscences and story of the goats.
“Oh, Shama and Tatya, you think that I have been deceived in this bargain. No. Listen to their story. In their former birth they were human beings and had the good fortune to be My companions and sit by My side. They were uterine brothers, loving each other at first, but later on, they became enemies. The elder brother was an idle fellow while the younger one was an active chap and earned a lot of money. The former became greedy and jealous and wanted to kill his brother and take away his money. They forgot thier fraternal relations and began to quarrel with each other. The elder brother resorted to many devices to kill his younger brother, but all of his attempts failed. Thus they became deadly enemies and finally on one occasion the elder gave a deadly blow with a big stick on the latter’s head while the latter struck the former with an axe, with the result that both fell dead on the spot. As the result of their actions, they were both born as goats. As they passed by me, I at once recognized them. I remembered their past history. Taking pity on them I wanted to feed them and give them rest and comfort and for this reason I spent all the money for which you reprove me. As you did not like My bargain I sent them back to their shepherd.” Such was Sai’s love for the goats!

The pefect masters like Swami nityananda, Lahiri mahashya, neem karoli baba, ramkrishna paramhanas, trailanga swami, Swami Samrath of akkalkot, sai baba, Pad vallabh and many more have explained to his devotees the karma and birth theory like this.How our actions affect us.Their lives are marvellous, awe inspiring and legends for followers of vedas and astanga yoga.So friends think about our actions .
This theory of karma and birth is intiguing we do not know what karma will lead to what birth …

OM

#30

Thank you Rashmi for sharing all these stories, I really love to read them. I especially like Sai Baba’s explanation about qualification for Self-Realization. This way, even I never met Him, I can benefit of His wisdom.
For those of us who does not have fates good enough to meet such a Master, mumuksha (desire to get free) is often taught by pain and suffering.

#31

Thank you hubert for your words of appreciation.Infact i daily read the biographies of these perfect masters, to keep me on the path of astanga yoga and veda.This knowledge belongs to humanity, given by God to four rishis of unsexual creation Agni Aaditya, Angira and Vayu at the begining of this creation.There First disciple was brahma.the guru shishya parampara started by brahma is continuing since then.My efforts are to alievate the darknes or misconceptions in the mind of all the practitioners of astanga yoga regarding vedas/yoga by quoting the examples of these perfect masters.And to make you understand the spirituality of Yoga, its origination, which will benefit all.On the path of yoga and devotion to god i have gained this knowledge.
These perfect masters will guide you in your journey of self realisation depending on your faith, devotion and steadfastness if you pray to them.indian mind is devoted due to spiritual vibrations.But in this age of darkness(kaliyug) truth is distorted and we have to dispel this darkness from our minds.as and when time permits these jewels of wisdom by these siddha yogis.

om

#32

Dear friends,
namaste,
we often discuss in this forum regarding Guru. in this regard we should always listen to vedas and brahma Gyani.Brahma means God. One who himself after preach of vedas, practice of astanga yoga has realised self and god is called brahma Gyani.God reveals himself to others through these brahma gyanis and Gurus.Further what to read regarding spiritual emancipation ,vedas and shastras, commenties by mantradrishta rishis and brahma gyanis to be read .Due to internet/printing press the knowledge Given by our mantradrishta rishis is now available to us, read it .Those brahma gyanis, philosopher of vedas and yoga have left these valuable knowledge in the form of sutras. If possible do acquire knowledge of sanskrit which is a divine language and mother of all language.Never get disheartened be steadfast in practice of Yoga. God is called athiti in vedas you never know when he plesed with you and reveal you, but you have to sincere urge to seek him.Now the grace of guru by sai baba of shirdi:

[B]Mrs. Radhabai Deshmukh [/B]
There was an old woman by name Radhabai, She was the mother of one Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing Baba’s fame, she came to Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She took Baba’s darshan and was much satisfied. She loved Baba intimately and resolved in her mind, that She should accept Baba as her Guru, and take some Upadesh from Him. She knew nothing else. She determined to fast herself unto death, so long as Baba did not accept her, and give her any Upadesh or Mantra. She stayed in her lodging and left off taking any food or water for three days. I was frightened by this ordeal of the old woman, and interceded with Baba on her behalf. I said, “Deva, what is this You have started? You drag so many persons here. You know that old lady. She is very obstinate and depends on You entirely, She has resolved to fast unto death, if You don’t accept and instruct her. If any thing worse happens, people will blame You, and say that Baba did not instruct her, and consequently she met her death. So take some mercy on her, bless her and instruct her.” On seeing her determination, Baba sent for her, changed the turn of her mind by addressing her as follows:-
"Oh mother, why are you subjecting yourself to unnecessary tortures and hastening your death? You are really My Mother and I am your child. Take pity on Me and hear Me through. I tell you My own story, which if you listen carefully, will do you good. I had a Guru. He was a great Saint and most merciful. I served him long, very long; still he would not blow any Mantra into My ears. I had a keen desire, never to leave him but to stay with and serve him; and at all costs receive some instructions from him. But he had his own way. He first got my head shaved and asked Me two pice as Dakshina. I gave the same at once. If you say that as My Guru was perfect, why should he ask for money and how should he be called desireless? I replied plainly that he never cared for coins. What had he to do with them? His two pice were (1) Firm Faith and (2) Patience or perseverance. I gave these two pice or things to him, and he was pleased.

Om

#33

“I resorted to My Guru for 12 years. He brought Me up. There was no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love nay, he was love incarnate. How can I describe it? He loved Me most. Rare is a Guru like him. When I looked at him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation, and then we both were filled with Bliss. Night and day, I gazed at him with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I felt restless. I had no other object to meditate, nor any other thing than My Guru to attend. He was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him. This is one pice Dakshina. Saburi (Patience or perseverance) is the other pice. I waited patiently and very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence. Saburi is manliness in man, it removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways, and casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you success. Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good thought. Nishtha (Faith) and Saburi (Patience) are like twin sisters, loving each other very intimately.”
"My Guru never expected any other thing from Me. He never neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I lived with him, and was sometimes away from him; still I never felt the want or absence of his love. He always protected Me by his glance, just as the tortoise feeds her young ones, whether they are near her or away from her on the other side of the river bank, by her loving looks. Oh mother, My Guru never taught Me any Mantra, then how shall I blow any Mantra in your ears? Just remember that Guru’s tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness. Do not try to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody. Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions; and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life). Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I in turn look at you similarly. Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth, nothing but the truth. No Sadhanas, nor proficiency in the six Shastras, are necessary. Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe fully, that Guru is the sole Actor or Doer. Blessed is he who knows the greatness of his Guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti) Incarnate."
Instructed in this way, the old lady was convinced; she bowed to Baba and gave up her fast.
Hearing this story carefully and attentively, and marking its significance and appropriateness, Hemadpant was most agreeably surprised. Seeing this wonderful Leela of Baba, he was moved from top to toe, he was overflowing with joy, his throat was choked, and he was not able to utter a single word. Shama, on seeing him in this condition asked him, - “What is the matter with you, why are you silent? How many innumerable Leelas of Baba shall I describe!”

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Then Baba spoke as follows:- "My method is quite unique. Remember well, this one story, and it will be very useful. To get the knowledge (realization) of the Self, Dhyana (meditation) is necessary. If you practice it continuously, the Vrittis (thoughts) will be pacified. Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord, Who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved. Meditate always on My formless nature, which is knowledge incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on My Form from top to toe as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this, your Vrittis will concentrate on one point and the distinction between the Dhyata (meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (this meditated upon) will be lost and the meditator will be one with the Consciousness and be merged in the Brahman. The (mother) tortoise is on one bank of the river, and her young ones are on the other side. She gives neither milk, nor warmth to them. Her mere glance gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing, but remember (meditate upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a down-pour of nectar, the only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the relation, between the Guru and disciples."
When Baba uttered these last words, the chorus of the Arati songs stopped and all cried out loudly in one voice: “Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.” Dear readers, let us imagine, that we are at this time, standing amongst the crowd in the Masjid; and let us join them in this Jayajayakar.
After the Arati ceremony was over, Prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb Jog advanced as usual, and after saluting Baba, gave into His hand a handful of sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this quantity into the hands of Hemadpant and said to him, “If you take this story to heart and remember it well, your state will be sweet as the sugar-candy, all your desires will be fulfilled and you will be happy.” Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored, “Do favour me like this, bless and protect me always.” Baba replied - "Hear this story, meditate on it and assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on the Lord, Who will manifest Himself to you."
Dear readers! Hemadpant got Prasad of sugar-candy then; and we now get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of this story. Let us drink it to out heart’s content, meditate on it, and assimilate it, and be strong and happy by Baba’s grace. Amen!
[/SIZE][/FONT]

#34

Dear friends,
namaste,

The knowledge of Brahma or God is very mystic and an able Guru only can tell you and reveal Him to you.All the ecxerpts i have taken for general guidance of every body in this forum.The sidhha purush like Sai baba of shirdi, swami Nityananda, swami ramkrishna param hansa, lord chaitanaya, Swaminarayan, Pad vallabh, Adi shankara,Buddha, trailanga swami rarely take rebirth , as they have perfected this art of self realisation, if they have come on earth again it is on divines will for the benefit of ignorant masses like you and me.The nectar of their wisdom should be read and read again to understand what they intend to say.all were brahma gyanis and highly evovled souls.But still on taking birth again did tapasya and yoga.Please read this account of sai babas guru from his own mouth as recorded by das ganu and translated in english by hemadpant :

Hemadpant describes the samsara (visible world) by the allegory of Ashvattha (Banyan) tree which has, in the phraseology of the Geeta, roots above and branches below. Its branches are spread downwards and upwards and are nourished by the gunas (qualities), and its sprouts are the objects of the senses. Its roots, leading to actions, are extended downwards to this world of men. Its form cannot be known in this world, nor its end, its beginning nor its support. Cutting this Ashvattha tree of strong roots with the sharp weapon of non-attachment, one should seek the path beyond, treading which there is no return.
For traversing this path, the help of a good guide (Guru) is absolutely necessary. However learned a man may be, or however deep his study of Vedas and Vedangas (sacred literature) may be, he cannot go to his destination safely. If the guide be there to help him and show him the right way, he would avoid the pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey, and everything will be smooth-sailing.
Baba’s experience in this matter, the story which He gave out Himself, is really wonderful, which, when attended to, will give you faith, devotion and salvation.
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][B][COLOR=blue]The Quest [/B]
Once four of us were studying religious scriptures and other books and, being thus enlightened, we began to discuss the nature of the Brahman. One of us said that we should raise the self by the Self and not depend on others. To this the second replied that he who controls his mind is blessed; we should be free from thoughts and ideas and there is nothing in the world without us. The third said that the world (phenomenon) is always changing, the formless is eternal; so we should discriminate between the Unreal and the Real. And the fourth (Baba Himself) urged that bookish knowledge is worthless and added, "Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru’s feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary."
Discussing in this wise, we four learned men began to ramble through the woods in the quest of God. The three wanted to make the quest with their free and unaided intellect. On the way a Vanjari (a man who trades in certain things, such as grain etc. by carrying them on bullock) met us and asked us, “It is hot now, where and how far are you going?”. “To search the woods”, we replied. He enquired, “On what quest are you bound?” We gave him an ambiguous and evasive reply. Seeing us rambling aimlessly, he was moved and said, “Without knowing the woods fully, you should not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and jungles, you should take a guide with you. Why do you exert youselves unnecessarily at this sultry noon-time? You may not give out to me your secret quest; still you can sit down, eat bread, drink water, take rest and then go. Be always patient at heart.” Though he spoke so tenderly, we discarded his request and marched on. We thought that we were self-contained men and needed nobody’s help. The woods were vast and trackless, the trees therein grew so close and tall, that the sun’s rays could not penetrate through them; so we lost our way and wandered here and there for a long time. Ultimately through sheer good luck, we came back to the place from were we started. The Vanjari met us again and said, “Relying on your own cleverness you missed your way; a guide is always necessary to show us the right way in small or great matters; and no quest can be successfully carried out on an empty stomach. Unless God wills it, no one meets us on the way. Do not discard offers of food; served dish should not be thrust away. Offers of bread and food should be regarded as auspicious signs of success.” Saying this he again offered us food and asked us to be calm and patient. Again we did not like this good hospitality and discarded his offer and went away. Without doing any quest and without taking any food, the three began to move out. So obstinate were they. I was hungry and thirsty and I was moved with the Vanjari’s extraordinary love; we thought ourselves very learned but were quite strangers to pity and kindness. The Vanjari was a quite illiterate and unqualified fellow and belonged to a low caste. Still he had love in his heart and asked us to eat the bread. In this way he who loves others disinterestedly is really enlightened and I thought acceptance of his hospitality was the best beginning of getting knowledge. So very respectfully I accepted the loaf of bread offered, ate it and drank water.
Then to! The Guru at once came and stood before us, “What was the dispute about?” He asked and I told him everything that had happened. Then he said, “Would you like to come with me? I will show you what you want; but he alone, who believes in what I say, will be successful.” The others did not agree to what he said and left him; but I bowed to him reverently and accepted his dictum. Then he took me to a well, tied my feet with a rope and hung me - head downwards and feet up - from a tree near the well. I was suspended three feet above the water, which I could not reach with My hands, nor which could go into my mouth. Suspending me in this manner he went away, no one knew where. After 10 or 12 ghatakas (4 or 5 hours) he returned and taking me out quickly asked me how I fared. “In Bliss supreme, I was. How can a fool like me describe the joy I experienced?” I replied. On hearing my answer the Guru was much pleased with me, drew me near him and stroking my body with his hand kept me with him. He took care of me as tenderly as a mother-bird does of her young ones. He put me into his school; how beautiful it was! There I forgot my parents, all my attachment was snapped and I was liberated easily. I thought that I should embrace his neck and remain staring at him always. If his image were not fixed in my pupils, I would like better to be blind. Such was the school! No one, who entered it once, could return empty-handed. My Guru became my all-in-all, my home and property, mother and father, everything. All my senses left their places and concentrated themselves in my eyes, and my sight was centred on him. Thus was my Guru, the sole object of my meditation and I was conscious of none else. While meditating on him my mind and intellect were stunned and I had thus to keep quiet and bow to him in silence.
There are other schools where you see an altogether different spectacle. The disciples go there to seek knowledge and spend their money, time and labour; but ultimately they have to repent. The Guru there boasts of his secret knowledge and his straight-forwardness. He makes a show of his sacredness and holiness, but he is not tender at heart. He speaks a lot and sings his own glory; but his own words do not touch the disciples’ hearts and they are not convinced. So far as Self-realization is concerned, he has none. How can such schools be of any use to the disciples and how can they be benefited? The master (Guru) mentioned above was of different type. By his grace, realization flashed upon me of itself, without effort or study. I had not to seek anything, but everything became clear to me as broad day-light. The Guru alone knows how the topsy-turvy Suspension, ‘with head down and feet up’ can give happiness!

Om [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]