Travel by your temperament

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya|| 

As daybreak steadily creeps into an earlier timeslot on a daily basis... accordingly, lots of frowns are starting to ease into smiles as people feel the stronghold of Winter fade into the anticipated Spring. It is not as though we have much to complain about in sunny Durban where the temperatures dare not venture into the deep single digits. My KwaZulu-tempered-body however received a devastating shock as it was plunged into the midst of the Botswana-Winter last week. I had the blessed opportunity to travel to Gaborone with Revered Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj on the eve of Guru Purnima celebrations, along with a few other devotees, to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

 

 

Apart from my intolerance to the harsh cold -quite relative obviously- I turned green with envy watching many residents strolling about casually adorned like we would do here in the summer months, I have much adoration for the country and her people. Set against the backdrop of the African canvas, it bears many similarities to our South Africa. Bubbling and gurgling like an active volcano, it seems ready to erupt into action and prosperity. I was also very intrigued with the small city of Gaborone playing host to the most beautiful and inspiring temples which at times left me wondering if I was in India. We always say that God is omnipresent referring to His spiritual permeation of the universe... however I now believe it in the literal sense as well, when I was able to worship the majestic and glorious Balaji bedecked in His Tirumala finery in the midst of the African Delta.

Although we enjoyed every moment of the tour... when I questioned some of the devotees as to whether they would reside in this beautiful country, in an unhesitant voice they replied no. Upon my return home as I sat, gathered and reminisced my experiences over the 4 days which got me thinking.  I wondered how that many people will not leave their hometown even at the temptation of wealth and glamour to another place. There is no “one size fits all” and each person will live his life as per his temperament. Some enjoy nature’s wonders whilst others prefer mans wonders.

I was given the task to address the youth of Botswana and on one day even the adults. It was indeed a wonderful experience especially meeting the Minister in the Presidency, the Minister of Agriculture and the High commission of India. But it was my one on one interaction with the youth outside these programs which presented a wonderful perspective. It occurred to me that the challenge of expressing the rich heritage of Hindu Dharma was not exclusive to our country but also within the Indian Hindu nationals. The youth of the world are caught up the wave of this world. The thrill, excitement and glamour of the world appeals to them more that ancient heritage and traditions of our culture. Can we brandish them for that? There is the fear they will drown if we make them counteract the wave. In order words they will rebel and become antagonistic.

The idea is to harness the wave, teach them to surf the wave, not to lay siege by it. Youth should be like the professional surfer - ride the wave to his delight, yet not be drenched by it. That may seem like a daunting task for our leaders and scholars as we try to take our civilisation into the millennium era.

The saving grace comes from the tongue of Swami Vivekananda who presented to the world and especially the youth, the essence of the ancient Vedic traditions that can be practiced whilst enjoying the flavours of this world and proclaiming proudly that you are a Hindu.

I have captured the essence of Swamiji's teachings into the 3 E’s for success in this time. The first being education. Education forms the backbone of any successful life. It is essential and is the basic right of every youth. It is the only way to remove poverty from the world. The second is to be enterprising. Youth need to understand that their education is the mechanism to earn a living and that corruption and stealing will not take them far in life. They must find innovative dharmic ways to earn money. We notice that today many youth have been educated and have become very wealthy and that’s where the process stops.

The last E is to ensure that we inculcate the great and wonderful values from our Vedic traditions so that they become empathetic. If they feel within them the pain and suffering of others, make efforts and avail resources for their emancipation... -even if that youth does not perform a single pooja, or wave a single aarthi in a temple- consider him to be the greatest ambassador of our Vedic tradition. He can raise his head and proclaim to be proudly Hindu.

That was the greatness of Swami Vivekananda! He took all the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita and Tirrukurral and distilled them into one word. He gave Hinduism this new name, especially for us living in this time, and that one word is "unselfishness".

Everyone shall travel their life’s path by their own temperament but if we can teach this one concept to our youth and citizens, we need not teach anything else, because all else shall settle into its place all by itself.

May we practice that one religion relevant in this age... that is love for all and unselfishness, is my sincere prayer. My salutations and sastanga pranaams to my Gurudev, Srimat Swami Atmastanandaji Maharaj on the occasion of Guru Purnima.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

One Universe, One Mother

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

The performing arts has always been a way to relax and lose yourself into a dimension of happiness... hence I do not miss the opportunity to support the youth at the annual Vishwa Shakti show. The show, which essentially brings out wonderful concepts of Hindu Dharma through the arts, has increasingly gained in popularity over the years and stages to sell-out shows. Friday was another one of their outstanding productions called "It's a Mad Pagla World". An interesting perspective on the world I thought, as they portrayed the plot through the lives of contemporary people experiencing the rollercoaster of everyday life. As I lay on my pillow waiting to board the sleep-express, I reflected on the theme... and before I slept, it became convincingly clear that indeed it was a mad world.

 

I once Google-d the word 'Hinduism' and found such hatred and antagonism from some people towards Hindu Dharma. What madness I thought that one could entertain the idea that his or her path was greater or superior to another. It is unbelievable the efforts people make to impose their beliefs on others. I thank God daily for the blessing to be born a Hindu and to be born into the lineage of great saints and sages who have lovingly embraced all and have not even in thought cast hatred towards any other faith. It is the only religion which openly recognises that all faiths lead to the same goal. It has since time immemorial been trumpeting with voices of the illumined sages: ekam sat vipraha, baude vedanti - the truth is one, but seers call it by different names.

 

By merely reading scripts that were the thoughts of great people, many have accepted that as the truth and superior way.  Once Swami Vivekananda was chatting to a monk and was asked what He was reading, to which He replied the yearly forecast for the rainfall in Kolkata. The monk asked Him to squeeze the book and see if any drops of rain came from it. Of what use was the forecast if no rain actually came from it.  Sri Ramakrishna wonderfully explains the validity of all paths in five simple ways:

1. The Ultimate Reality is only one but is known by different names in different religions; it is Personal as well as Impersonal.

2. Realisation of the Ultimate Reality is the true goal and purpose of human life. It is also the central purpose of all religions. It is this direct transcendent experience that gives validity to religions, and not books.

3. There are several paths to the realisation of the Ultimate Reality. Each religion is such a path. Yata mat tata path - As many faiths, so many paths’. As paths to the same ultimate goal, all world religions are valid and true.

4. Each person should remain steadfast in his own path in a spirit of ishtanishthà, without thinking that his path alone is true and perfect.

5. Furthermore, one should show respect to the founders of all religions as special manifestations of God and, knowing that God dwells in all people, one should serve all without any distinctions of caste, creed, race etc.

 

Fundamentalists approach religion like belonging to a soccer fan club. Thousands of supporters belong to the club, buy the branded outfits, and sit around venues in support of the matches. When a goal is scored they can only cheer, but the real joy is felt by the team and players. The rewards of the winnings are also only experienced by the players. All you do is spend your money and experience joy on the back of the players. Religion is like that... of what use is it to you to merely belong to a religion by name or claim to be a part of the biggest religion in the world if through that religion you have not experienced God; you have not rid yourself of hatred, anger, lust, and ego which denies you the opportunity to lead a divine human existence. All the fighting in the world is so futile, all the anger and resentment is futile... when we realise that only in the mind and matter we are different... through the spirit we are united and are the same. That is the truth, however sour it may be to your taste, it is the tonic to the "pagla" or "madness" of the world.



Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi



 

Hence, to save mankind and to cure his madness... Mother came to the world in the month of "Aadi" as Mariammen. It is said when the small pox pandemic was devastating parts of India, She brought rain and offered a femented porridge and syringa leaves to relieve the sick of the disease. Her compassion knows no bounds as She Herself came to nurse Her children.



In this world... the virus of greed, jealousy, envy, anger and hatred is spreading uncontrollably and is consuming the nobility and divinity of man leaving Him in drought of love, compassion, truth and righteousness. As thousands will participate in the Ammen Prayer on Sunday 21 July and partake of the sour porridge, let us take cognisance of the symbolism of the meal. The white porridge is a symbol of purity and truth that we should live by in this world. It may seem sour at first, but it is good for us. It is the tonic for the madness of the world. Know that God is one and we are one. Keep your beliefs to yourself for your own development... but spread love and compassion like how the porridge is freely distributed to all at the prayer.

 

May Mother save us all from this "pagla" world, is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

 

 

Ahalya's Redemption

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 ||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

  

Swami Vimokshananda addressing the audience

 

Normally when people are about to retire , they start their speeches by saying, I stand before you with mixed emotions but today as I sit to write this blog I am also entwined with mixed feelings. One of immense joy as I together with a few thousand people appreciated the wonderful and stellar performances of the youth at the Ramakrishna children’s festival at the UKZN University in Westville Durban. As the stage opened to a super life size canvas of Swamiji my heart was gripped by an intense emotion which welled my eyes instantaneously as I recalled the 4^th of July 1902 when Swamiji left his body.

 

At seven o'clock in the evening, the bell rang for worship in the Chapel. The Swami went to His room and told the disciple who attended to Him that none was to come to Him until called for. He spent an hour in meditation, then called the disciple and asked him to open all the windows and fan His head. He lay down quietly on His bed and the attendant thought that He was either sleeping or meditating.

 

At the end of an hour, His hands trembled a little and He breathed once very deeply.There was silence for a minute or two, and again He breathed in the same manner. His eyes became fixed in the centre of His eyebrows, His face assumed a divine expression, and eternal silence fell.. Swami Vivekananda passed away at the age of thirty-nine years, five months, and twenty-four days... thus fulfilling His own prophecy: 'I shall not live to be forty years old'.

 

On Thursday, 111 years on, the heavens’ still shed tears in honour of Her great son Vivekananda. The sun lay hidden behind the dense clouds of sorrow and as the rain washed away the helpless soil, it reminded me of how they all stood around the pyre throttled by intense grief and watched helplessly as Swamiji's mortal remains were consigned to the flames.

 

There is a story of Ahalya (one without any deformation) created by Brahma as the most beautiful woman on the earth. She was desired as a wife and lover by all men, creatures and Gods. Even Indra could not suppress his lust for her. She was however, given in marriage to Sage Gautama. One day while the Sage was gone to undertake His penance, Indra disguised himself as the Sage and entered the hermitage. Ahalya being fooled and bewildered by 'maya' was dishonoured by Indra.

 

Sage Gautama returned unexpectedly from His penance and caught Indra in His home. The Sage was overflowing with rage and cursed His wife such that for her indiscretion, she will be turned into a stone and during the Treta Yuga shall be redeemed from the curse by the touch of Sri Rama’s feet. Whilst in the forest, Sri Rama did place His feet upon the stone and she was freed back to her former glory.

 

Nivedita began to weep like a child, rolling on the ground. Suddenly the wind blew into her lap a piece of the ochre robe from the pyre, and she received it as a blessing. It was dusk when the flames subsided. The sacred relics were gathered and the pyre was washed with the water of the Ganga. The place is now marked by a Temple, the table of the altar standing on the very spot where the Swami's body rested in the flames.

 

Gloom and desolation fell upon the monastery. The monks prayed in the depths of their hearts: 'O Lord! Thy will be done!' But deep beneath their grief, all felt that this was not the end. The words of their leader, uttered long before His death, rang in their ears: 'It may be that I shall find it good to get outside my body — to cast it off like a wornout garment. But, I shall not cease to work. I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God.'

 

And: 'May I be born again and again, and suffer thousands of miseries, so that I may worship the only God that exists, the only God I believe in, the sum total of all souls.'For centuries to come people everywhere will be inspired by Swami Vivekananda's message: 'O man! first realise that you are one with Brahman —aham Brahmasmi— and then realise that the whole universe is verily the same Brahman —sarvam khalvidam Brahma-.

 

History will always show to the world one of the most perfect Guru-Disciple-relationships of modern times, as that of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji lived and died by the instructions of His Guru. Once, Swami Vivekananda spoke to Master in this strain: "I want to remain immersed in samadhi for three or four days, continuously, breaking it only for a little food." But Master reprimanded him: "Shame on you! You are seeking such an insignificant thing. There is a state higher than that even. Is it not you who sing, 'Thou art all that exists?' I thought you would be like a banyan, sheltering thousands from the scorching misery of the world. But now I see you seek your own liberation." It was during His wandering years when Swamiji came across the appalling condition of the masses, that He found resonance with His mission and His Master's words. His heart began to churn with empathy and His life no longer became about Himself, but for the millions of suffering 'jivas' of the world.

 

Swamiji's mission is to save us. Like Ahalya, we are all perfect souls, being tricked by the 'maya' of the world; lured by lust and greed, our hearts have been turned to stone. We enjoy this world for self and sense pleasure alone. Like how Sri Rama redeemed Ahalya, Swamiji left His mortal coil to permeate this universe through His spiritual form. Through His great and grand ideas that permeate the world and as people come into contact with them and start to digest it, His grace shall flow and our hearts will turn from stone to the beautiful lotus abode of the Lord. It shall feel love again, it shall empathise again and we will understand that we are one with God... and that we will only be freed when all are freed.

 

Until that day when every 'jiva' understands that... Swamiji will be true to His word and shall never rest until it is achieved. Last Sunday when Swami Vimokshananda was expounding the glorious gems of the Tirukurral, He spoke of how envy, jealousy, anger, etc. were terrible obstacles in the spiritual path. I was foolish to have been jealous and envious of all those who lived and served Swamij; to those who had the opportunity to sit at His feet and those who took the dust off His feet... because now in this time, after He gave up His body, He is our eternal companion. Like how Hanumanji was at the side of Sri Ram, Swamiji is with you.

 

Take up His ideas of strength and fearlessness and go about your journey of life with firm faith in Him... and victory will surely surrender to you.

 

My salutations and eternal surrender at the feet of Swamiji always.

 Some children who participated

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

descriptions of swamijis last hours from various writings on swamiji from the net.

Natures Nature

Ganga Aarthi
courtesy Google images

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

It was a few years back... I recall how I made my way with much resistance through the madding crowd. Unable to even hear my own thoughts, my feet panicked for some ground to land on. Amidst the bargaining and yelling I tried to manoeuvre towards the stall to purchase my offerings. Finally, bereft of any energy to continue, I made my way back to the hotel foyer and explained my predicament to the hotel assistant who immediately smiled and offered to make the purchase for me. I gladly accepted his offer. Within 10 minutes, he returned with the provisions for the Ganga Aarthi which was scheduled to start in the next 15 minutes. I rewarded him handsomely for his efforts and made my way towards the bank of the Ganga.

The hotel was only a few blocks away from the Temple and Ghat where the pooja was to be performed... but the journey was prolonged as I had to find my path around thousands of devotees who had planted themselves at vantage points to make their offerings. The heat of the day still hung over the air, but the gushing waters of Ma Ganga brought forth a breeze from the Himalayas. The chimes and gongs blared from the direction of the Temple, huge flames were then waved... and immediately in chorus everyone started to sing the Hanuman Chalisa followed by the Ganga Aarthi. At the conclusion, with immense faith, devotion and appreciation -thousands of devotees including me- lit our ghee lamp, held it to our heads, and offered it at Her feet. It was such a glorious scene to watch as thousands of prayers, love and devotion floated like tiny illumined bubbles towards the 'ocean of mercy'.

This week... I stood in horror as I watched that very river become the destroyer - carrying on Her lap buildings, bodies and causing extensive damage to infrastructure... leaving thousands stranded and marooned along Her causeway. It is only the ignorant, who devoid of any understanding of the nature of nature, who will see the Ganga in a negative light. Nature has its own way of evolving and maintaining a balance in the eco-system. If we out of our ignorance choose to defy the laws of nature and out of our own convenience operate dangerously within Her areas of flexibility, we have but ourselves to blame. Like Mother Ganga, we offer salutations and prayers to the sun, wind, ocean, rain and other forms of nature. We have also seen apart from their contributions to our wellbeing, that they can also be very destructive. It is only by a proper understanding of the nature of nature that we can live comfortably and safely.

Lord Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita:

yuktaharaviharasya yuktacheshtasya karmasu
yuktasvapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkhaha

"The path of meditation requires a moderate, regulated life, avoiding too much or too little food, work,and sleep, or use of the senses. The attention must abide in the soul all the time. For such a person,yoga destroys all sorrows."

It's a beautiful lesson we take from the incidents that unfolded over the past week. Over thousands of years, we have placed so much of emphasis on the external worship and we have become so fixated upon it, that when such calamities face us, we become disillusioned and loose our faith. We have failed to understand that these paths of worship are a means to an end and not the end itself. They help us through our evolutionary process, but many people have based their lives on it.

As Bhagwan Krishna explains above, we should not become extremists or fanatical about things we do, but should approach all things in moderation with most of the emphasis being placed on the inner-self.

This is where the beauty and brilliance of Swami Vivekananda’s practicality and brilliance as a Guru comes out. His words come with a punch of reality because He was a knower of Brahman. Swamiji said: "If you have faith in the three hundred and thirty millions of your mythological Gods, and in all the Gods which foreigners have now and again introduced into your midst, and still have no faith in yourselves, there is no salvation for you. Have faith in yourselves, and stand up on that faith and be strong; that is what we need."

The external shall provide joy as per its temperament, but within us is the nucleus of this universe which is eternal and a constant source of peace and bliss. Utilise whatever we need for our sustenance from the world, but tap on the internal for peace and joy. Swamiji went further to say that the ideal of 'faith in ourselves' is of the greatest help to us. If faith in ourselves had been more extensively taught and practised, I am sure a very large portion of the evils and miseries that we have, would have vanished. Throughout the history of mankind... if any motive of power has been more potent than another in the lives of all great men and women, it is that of faith in themselves. Born with the consciousness that they were to be great, they became great.

Swamiji added: “There is a great tendency in modern times to talk too much of work and decry thought. Doing is very good, but that comes from thinking. Little manifestations of energy through the muscles are called work. But where there is no thought, there will be no work. Fill the brain, therefore, with high thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great work. Talk not about impurity, but say that we are pure. We have hypnotised ourselves into this thought that we are little, that we are born, and that we are going to die, and into a constant state of fear".

There is a story about a lioness going about in search of prey; and seeing a flock of sheep, she jumped upon them. She died in the effort; and a little baby lion was born, motherless. It was taken care of by the sheep and the sheep brought it up. It grew up with them, ate grass, and bleated like the sheep. And although in time it became a big, full-grown lion, it thought it was a sheep. One day another lion came in search of prey and was astonished to find that in the midst of this flock of sheep was a lion, fleeing like the sheep at the approach of danger. He tried to get near the sheep-lion, to tell it that it was not a sheep but a lion; but the poor animal fled at his approach. However, he watched his opportunity and one day found the sheep-lion sleeping. He approached it and said, "You are a lion." "I am a sheep," cried the other lion and could not believe the contrary but bleated. The lion dragged him towards a lake and said, "Look here, here is my reflection and yours." Then came the comparison. It looked at the lion and then at its own reflection, and in a moment came the idea that it was a lion. The lion roared, the bleating was gone. You are lions, you are souls, pure, infinite, and perfect. The might of the universe is within you. "Why weepest thou, my friend? There is neither birth nor death for thee. Why weepest thou? There is no disease nor misery for thee, but thou art like the infinite sky; clouds of various colours come over it, play for a moment, then vanish. But the sky is ever the same eternal blue."

That is our foolish nature, when all that we need is within, we place faith on the external nature, which has the tendency to bring but symptomatic relief. The cure for all our misery is right within us.

May we all make the effort to know ourselves, is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always
Yogan
www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Murali Mayam!!!

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

Bhagawan Sri Krishna
Google Images

I am yet to see anyone or anything disprove the timeless knowledge of our ancient religion and way of life which has over millennia turned many Jivas into Shivas. "Athithi Devo Bhava" - treat all guests invited or uninvited as God Himself... that is one of the instructions that came from the ancient seers. I had two such guests over the last two days. The drastic change in weather conditions saw me play host to a virus of flu which left me resigned to my bed, saturated with hefty doses of medication. Concerns on how to displace the boredom that may set in were removed when I received my second visitor in the form of a book from my very dear friend - "God lived with them". Being an avid collector of books from the Vedanta Bookshop, it surprised me how even at the behest of Swami Vimokshananda who read wonderful accounts from this book during sathsangs, it did not form part of my collection. The book delves into the life stories of the sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Although feeling a bit embarrassed about not making a concerted effort in reading their lives on account of  placing much emphasis on Master and Swamiji, I took to the book 'like a little child to candy'.

 

Here again, I skipped the introductory chapters of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda and approached the Life of Swami Brahmananada or Raja Maharaj with uncertainty as to how would it compare with Master and Swamiji.... but enroute, was left dumbstruck at the greatness of these disciples... who were regarded as "Ihswar Kothis" (inner circle with an avatar). The life of Raja Maharaj came as a tonic to my convulsing mind that failed to cognise the reality of life. The very questions that  taunted my peace were dealt with by Maharaj in various accounts of His life.

Google images

 

Once, Maharaj wrote in a letter to a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna: Who can understand the divine play of God? Man experiences happiness and misery according to his karma. This is true of every man whether he is learned or ignorant, good or wicked. Rare indeed is a person in this world who enjoys uninterrupted peace or bliss! Blessed is he who is free from desires, for he lives in the kingdom of peace. There is more misery than happiness in the world, and most people live in misery. If God is all mericiful then why do His children suffer so much? Only God knows the answer to this mystery, and not ordinary human beings. Man suffers because of his ignorance which manifests as 'I' and the 'mine'. The really happy and fortunate man is he who has given up his ego and has surrendered his life, mind and intellect to God... and ultimately, has nothing to call his own. The nature of the mind is to dwell on worldly objects, because it is created out of three gunas which also constitutes the outer world. It is only through divine grace that a man can withdraw his mind completely from external objects and fix it on God.

 

In reading this letter, it comes to light that the question as to why is there so much of suffering and pain would have been entertained by one, at some time or another. Taking note that the letter was written by Maharaj whilst He was on pilgrimage in the holy city of Vrindavan -where Bhagawan Krishna grew up-  I paused for a while in contemplation on the beautiful Lord and came across a divine idea which I would like to share with respect to the above conundrum.

 

Deep in the woods of Vrindavan which were lined with rows of flowering trees and lakes... streams and hills were buzzing with bees maddened with flower nectar and chirping with many kinds of birds. The Lord, whilst tendering His cattle began to play His flute (murali). The woman hearing the notes from the flute -some engaged in milking- put down the milking pail and ran; some kept the milk on the hearth for warming , but forgot to take it down; and others forgot to remove the pot of porridge from the stove... all stopped whatever they did and hurried towards the sound of the flute.

 

Just as Sri Rama is adorned with His bow and Mahadev His trident... Krishna Bhagawan is never seen without His flute. The flute is a symbolic representation of this creation. Life can be described as the momentary moment when our attention deviates from being absorbed in the Lord towards the 'Murali Maya' or the enchanting sound of the flute. The little session that the Lord plays His flute is creation, and when He stops, creation ceases. It is all a period of illusion or maya which I like to call 'Murali Mayam'.

 

Ignorant of joy, peace and the Lord who is right with us always - we run after this in the enchanting world like a donkey carrying hay on its back to feed the cows. Inebriated by the stimuli of the senses and the sojourn of pleasure it returns we find ourselves on our knees banging our heads on the temple floors asking God: “But why have you abandoned me? Why do you let me suffer this way?” To this question, He never answers but simply smiles, because He was always there offering His unconditional love and attention. It was us who ran away from Him enchanted by 'Murali Mayam'.

 

As a tree deepens its roots lest it be uprooted in a gale... cling to the Lord lest you be found suffering apart from Him. We see even Swami Brahmananda felt a great depression and agony after Sri Ramakrishna’s passing... for it is only in union with God and in His company that we really are in peace.

 

May we all find that peace, is my sincere prayer.

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan 

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Parampara!!!

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

Get well Tata Madiba
Image-Google Images

 

A sombre cloud hangs over June 16th once again, as the country prays for the ailing health of struggle hero and human rights icon, Tata Madiba. A sense of uneasiness seems to condense on everyone’s spirit. The euphoric mood that normally accompanies a long weekend has been substituted with welling emotions as we recollect the tremendous self-sacrifices made by the great Grandfather of our nation. The collision of Youth Day and Father’s Day gives us an opportunity to also pay special homage to our Fathers who have played / play a very significant role in our lives.

 

There are many different roles of the Father. The dictionary refers to one who procreates a progeny as a Father; one who is an elder in the society as a Father; even the leaders of nations are referred to as Fathers. We find sometimes... a man can barely show affection, love and care for his own child, yet there are some who are prepared to give their life for people they have not even met. That is the manifestation of a special Fatherhood - the Fatherhood of God.  Hence, when a nation such as ours tumbles into sorrow and grief at the news of a former President’s health - it is an affection that the nation shows towards a Father that expressed super love for them, returned their dignity and respected them as his own. When Swami Vivekananda said that "each soul is potentially divine", it was in reference to the potential of that Fatherhood of God within each of us: the ability to express selfless love and make immense sacrifices for the wellbeing of all.

 

Within the spiritual tradition, there is a 'Guru Parampara', where each Guru has transferred knowledge to His disciples in unbroken succession and this lineage can be traced back to Brahman itself. Spiritual strength and power has flowed through this great line and continues today through various monastic orders throughout the world. In the very same way, there is a 'parampara' within the family tree. The traditions of great grandfathers have been passed down generation after generation, up to a certain point. Like Sri Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita -Chapter 4, Verse 2-  that over a period of time the knowledge He had given to Vivasvat had been broken... in the family context, it is because of the changing times that this great tradition has been broken.

 

The times of opulence and pageantry show contempt towards traditions and value systems that were held in high esteem by our forebears. The material age nurtures and fertilises the ego and creates a reflective mirror for affections of the heart. Youth who grow up in this environment and who are potential  Fathers perpetuate this... thus the cancer of selfishness and lack of empathy engulfs society. The process of developing from a  potential Father to Father to Grandfather and Fatherhood of God stops abruptly at the Grandfather stage.

 

Why should we manifest that Fatherhood of God within us? Why did the youth of 1976 sacrifice their lives for others? Why should people like Tata Madiba, Gandhi, Steve Biko, Chief Albert Luthuli sacrifice their lives at the cost of their own enjoyment for others?

 

Swamiji proclaims: "Man is not travelling from error to truth, but climbing up from truth to truth, from truth that is lower to truth that is higher". The doctrine that "man is to become divine by realising the divine", that religion is perfected in us only when it has led us to Him who is the one life in a universe of death, Him who is the constant basis of an ever-changing world, that One who is the only soul, of which all souls are but delusive manifestations".

 

It is the awakening to this consciousness that we are all one beating through different hearts and being that one who is the seed-giving Father, as proclaimed by Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Helping others is merely helping oneself because when others suffer, you alone suffer. That is the truth. You may not understand it when you are engrossed with the gross body, but when you have awakened that supreme consciousness within that you are divine, the veil of maya is lifted, where you have a vision of the truth and reality as stated by Swamiji that all worship is but preliminary when one sees God only in an image... he who sees Shiva in the poor, hungry and downtrodden really worships.

 

Great souls like Swamiji who don’t sympathise but express unalloyed empathy towards others have come to resurrect the broken Parampara to Godhead. They have come to show that the way to progress cannot be found around others, but through others... in that all must be raised and then alone progress shall come.

 

As youth - when we stand before the mirror, let us see the great responsibility that has been placed upon our shoulders... let us see our duty to raise the condition of the masses, let us see that duty of being the Father not only to our children, but to humanity at large. Let us understand that if it were not for the selflessness and the great sacrifices from icons like Madiba, we would not be able to enjoy the liberties we enjoy now and in order for the future generations to enjoy greater liberties, prosperities and bliss... we will have to play our role in society.

 

On this Youth Day, I offer prayers for the health of the great "Father of our Nation" and ask that every youth be inspired and motivated by the lives of our grea saints, sages and leaders. May we continue in the parampara of divinity, is my sincere prayer.

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

 Merisha has reminded me that today Sudarshana Vidya turns 2 years. I offer my pranaams at the feet of Master, Mother, Swamiji and our Revered Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj, who is the inspiration behind the blog. Maharaj not only inspired me through His own writings but mentored me and guided me to look and decipher the spirituality and Vedanta that is infused into everything in this world. I bow to Maharaj for His continuous blessings and grace upon my spiritual life.

Picture Perfect Moments

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

Picture Perfect- Google Images

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

A collage of white and yellow daisies bordered the pristine lake that mirrored the beauty of the majestic heavens ruled by the glorious solar star. A carpet of vibrant yet elegant lawn invited and welcomed many ducks and other game to quench their thirst and then take refuge under the bowing bottle brush - the perching station for a family of hummingbirds that anxiously gaze into the glistening ocean of wild flowers screaming out to be tapped for their nectar. If only these 'picture-perfect' moments sustained themselves I thought... as I tried to wrap my duvet more securely around me in defence of the obnoxious, advancing cold. Sometimes you wish photos had a portal through which you may go and enjoy those delightful moments. But alas, a realisation dawns that it is just that a moment that has passed.

 

I was never really in tune with the fine arts movement, but when I was in Paris a few years back, I was caught overwhelmingly by a few colleagues to visit the Louvre Museum in this most enchanting city. I was more enthralled by the street violinists and the Champs Elysees than the thought of walking through a museum the size of a little town with so many artefacts, that our guide said if you spent a minute at each artwork without any breaks it would take you 200 days to complete the tour. There are many old and wonderful paintings in the museum, which was once a palace, depicting the sorrow and joy of the time. But my attention and interest took a little nap until we reached the most visited and famous piece - Da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa".

 

Even though I was not an expert admirer of fine art, I was able to connect and interpret a message from the painting. I realised that Da Vinci had an understanding of life.  The most unique feature of this piece is her enigmatic facial expression. At one moment you will see her smile and the very next she will frown. Absolutely amazing and stunning as I could not believe what I saw - in total contradiction to the other artworks which in essence simply captured a moment in time. We all wish sometimes that our life was that polaroid moment of happiness... but in reality it is a motion picture of uncut scenes that can leave you bewildered. The "Mona Lisa" was the interpretation and representation of life: a scale of joy and sorrow balancing on the fulcrum of uncertainty.

 

Every one of us wants happiness to preside over us yet it eludes you somehow. It can only be captured in a picture but cannot be tied to you using ropes or chains. Then how do you keep it? Swami Vivekananda said: "There is the desire to be happy. We run after everything to make ourselves happy; we pursue our mad career in the external world of senses. We find at last that our desires cannot be fulfilled. Wherever we go, there is an adamantine wall beyond which we cannot pass. Every sense-activity results in a reaction. Everything is evanescent - enjoyment, misery, luxury, wealth, power, and poverty, even life itself, are all evanescent."

 

Our problem is that we root our happiness in the future rather than the present. We say that if this or that happens, I will be happy. 'If I win the Lotto, I will be happy' etc. etc. Hence, we are basing our happiness on something that is not certain. We are not sure if tomorrow will be there... how can we be sure that that which we are basing happiness on will happen... hence that which we pin our happiness on becomes the cause of our grief as well. How paradoxical, that our very pursuit for happiness results or becomes the foundation of our grief.

 

An eclectic analysis of teachings and thoughts but most profoundly from the words of Sri Krishna Himself says that rather than trying to derive your happiness from the results of your action which have no guarantee, you should rather derive your happiness in the action itself.

 

In our lifetime, we have seen how people have saved and sacrifice so much in their lives in order to enjoy their retirement, but passed on at a very young age. Even in spirituality, there are thousands who want to enjoy post-mortem-heaven. A debate on its existence can span an entire 'kalpa' with no conclusive answer. Even in the remote past, where recorded history cannot help us, in the mysterious light of mythology, back in the dim twilight of civilization, we find the same question was asked -said Swamiji.

 

Since actions can only take place in the present, and we want to enjoy happiness in the present and now, we must therefore enjoy all the actions we perform. Swami Tejomayananada said that "the present is a gift from God; we must cease and exploit it for our benefit". The secret lies then in taking whatever situation you in, and turning it into a happy movie not a moment. Swami Tejomayananda also said that "if you grumble, you crumble and eventually tumble".

 

This dear friends, is absolutely impossible if you cannot see God in everything and take every action as worship itself. It must be with the same attitude that you perform the aarthi and make offerings to the deity, that you must undertake your work, seva and other activities... and then only will you experience the happiness and bliss that will cling to you unassisted like a magnet clings to metal. 

 

May happiness inundate us all, is my  sincere prayer.

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Marathon of Life

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

I really can’t figure it out now... but 'back in the day' when I was growing up, most things we did was pursuant with the seasons. Like clockwork there would be a seamless transition with pretty much everything... from clothes, food and even activities that would boisterously advertise the period we were in. Like around this time, we would be gearing up for the French Open Tennis followed hot-on-the-heels by the Wimbledon Championships. The guava and mango trees would be abandoned for the succulent mandarins, nectarines and the butter soft avocadoes that used to burden the arthritic branches of the aged trees. Adorned with fleece jerseys, socks and beanies; nursing a chesty cough and congested nose - we would take delight in tearing apart an orange bursting with juice that would intently trickle down our chapped lips. The winter sounds warm, fuzzy and cosy but also elaborates some idiosyncrasies - like alighting from bed in the grating cold at the rooster’s hour to watch the start of a road race. 

 

Comrades Marathon- Google images

As South Africans, we take pride in this event though - it is regarded as the "ultimate human race" and attracts thousands of people, both locally and internationally, to test their entire being between two cities: Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

 

This event was a must watch for many of us! It gripped our attention as we applauded the determination, strength, courage and camaraderie of the participants. As much as winning the race may be the objective of some competitive entrants... for the majority of runners... it is a test of passion, the human spirit and the ultimate feeling of crossing the finish line - not alone... but by inspiring, carrying and lifting others along the way. I think it is in this spirit that the race continues today, true to the ideology of the founder Vic Clapham who decided on the event as a living memoriam to the heroes of the war who showed much camaraderie despite suffering pain, agony and death in the searing heat on the parched eastern savannah of Africa. Today, in its 88th year, all roads led to Maritzburg as it’s locally known, to celebrate and appreciate the conquest of human frailties against all odds.

 

There is indeed a great spiritual lesson that can be derived from this ultimate human experience which dovetails into the ethos of Vedanta and especially the practical Vedanta philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. Whilst thinking of this marathon, I took up a deeper analysis of one of Swami Vivekananda’s sayings which may have sparked some sort of controversy by the traditionalists. However in this time of the widely read and aspiring spiritual seekers, Swamiji's thoughts planted during His time ripen as revelations for the emancipation of the shackled joy and happiness.

 

Swamiji without any hesitation proclaimed: "You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through study of Gita".

 

Yes! Apart from the fitness and physical stamina that is attained through practice and playing of football, some fundamental life skills are attained. To underpin my thought, please read now a commentary from a football match.

 

"Pillay bursts down the right flank but is brought down by Govender mid-flight. Moodley stands over the free-kick. Awesome ball in from Moodley - right in the mixer - and Naidoo meets it with a header that finds the back of the net."

 

The stats shall show that Naidoo scored the goal which took the team to the finals, but as a player each one realises that only through teamwork and the effort of others,  Naidoo had the opportunity to score the goal. Without the labour force there can be no industrialist; without the voting citizen there can be no President; and without the army there can be no King. Like how the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas etc by its own nature contributes to the wellness of the body... like that, in life we must realise that the welfare of each and every jiva shall bring about a healthy society. There cannot be real progress when but a few progress at the expense of others. There will come a time when such a system will collapse.

 

Our development and progress must be invested in the welfare of others. We must strive to succeed and prosper whilst ensuring that we raise the lives of others. It is only then that we can think of such ideals like moksha and liberation. That is what Swamiji meant when He said: "You are nearer to Heaven through football".

 

"Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making, assimilation of ideas", He said. It is the practical use of the information that is important. Going to satsang every week and saying  that you read the Gita is of no use if you cannot put one idea into practice or if that idea cannot deliver peace and improvement in one's life. Swamiji also commented: "The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion – is it worth the name?"

 

Taking cognisance that we come from the same source and we are all after the same goal, as declared by Bhagwan Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita,  that "all creation emanates from Him", we can perspicuously call ourselves comrades in the struggle for absolute eternal bliss. And like how liberation movements worked and fought together as a single organism against the oppressive forces, we too must help each other and work with each other to attain love, peace and moksha.

 

May we be inspired by such events like the Comrades Marathon to bring about victory for all in the Marathon of Life, is my sincere prayer.

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

 

Apparent Man vs Real Man

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

 

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

Gurudev

It would be extremely inappropriate if I commenced this blog without offering my sastanga pranaams at the holy feet of my Gurudeva -Srimat Swami Atmastanandaji Maharaj- on the occasion of His birthday yesterday -the Thrice Blessed Day of Lord Buddha- also known as "Janmo thithi". I must also offer my respects, pranaams and gratitude to our Revered Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj for regularly facilitating dharsan with my Gurudev who is in Belur Math, India through pictures sent by His devotee friends.

 

I must be candid here that up until 4pm yesterday evening, I was clasping at various strands of thought to write about... much like how a dehydrated delusional who having been marooned in the dessert for many days dives expectantly into mirages with the aim of quenching his thirst.

 

Gurudeva didn’t let me suffer long on His birthday... He sent forth His blessings and grace through His General Secretary, Srimat Swami Suhitanandaji Maharaj. Maharaj is on a 10 day visit to South Africa. He very modestly and humbly conceded to the audience that He is a better administrator than an orator, but His remarks remained just that -modesty- as His words and presence were enough to flood and emancipate all negative and regressive tendencies -- all with a deluge of Master's grace... like how a single wave can wipe away the impressions on the shore. 

Swami Suhitanandaji Maharaj

 

Whilst listening to the three papers that were delivered, I was pushed off balance by a very powerful idea of  Swami Vivekananda that was discussed... where He said that if there is one word that can describe or define God, it is unselfishness. When our hearts can feel the pain of another’s suffering and immediately dispatch the mind and intellect to find ways and means to alleviate their suffering then you have experienced or understood God.

 

It is our infatuation with the 'apparent man' - the socialite, doctor, lawyer, politician, movie star and other circles of prestige that robs us of the experience of our divine nature. What is the 'divine man' then? Is it a title strictly set aside for the Yogi in the cave or the sadhu in the forest? Absolutely not! With all gratitude to Swami Vivekananda who dusted off the sophistication of the scriptures and transformed them into practical vedantic action, we understand that all man who has transformed his education into a mechanism to empathise and raise the levels of society to his own with the understanding that this is worship in itself, has manifest the divine man. Selfishness is living in the realms of ignorance.

 

Recently, a missionary of another faith visited our town with claims of being able to heal the sick. I was really surprised at the amount of people that flocked to this crusade over the month-long session. Many Hindus and followers of other religious dominations also attended and it was disheartening to see the many people who thought they were going to be cured, easily crush and discard their faith in an instant. I am however still left bewildered at how in the wave of this crusade that took place next to a huge hospital... it still continued to do thriving business and certify many deaths.

 

It is for this reason alone the Lord Himself has come and great saints and sages lived amongst mankind to practically teach us that the body must perish and that our focus must be on the manifestation of the divinity within. We have seen how they have all suffered various diseases which debilitated their bodies, yet they remained poised in their faith, devotion and love for God.

 

Once while in the state of divine ecstasy, Sri Ramakrishna slipped on a rail and hurt His shoulder and was in severe pain. Find here an excerpt from the 'Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna': a conversation between Himself and a devotee.

 

-start-

After His arm was bandaged, He said: "I haven't very much faith in your Calcutta physicians. When Sambhu became delirious, Dr.  Sarvadhikari said: 'Oh, it is nothing.It is just grogginess from the medicine and a little while after, Sambhu breathed his last."

 

It was evening and the worship in the temples was over.  A few minutes later Adhar arrived from Calcutta to see the Master.  Mahimacharan, Rakhal and M. were in the room.

 

ADHAR: "How are you?"

 

MASTER (affectionately): "Look here.  How my arm hurts! (Smiling) You don't have to ask how I am!"

 

Adhar sat on the floor with the devotees.  The Master said to him, "Please stroke here gently." Adhar sat on the end of the couch and gently stroked Sri Ramakrishna's feet.

 

MASTER: "It will be very good if you can practise unselfish love for God.  A man who has such love says: 'O Lord, I do not seek salvation, fame, wealth, or cure of disease.  None of these do I seek.  I want only Thee.  Prahlada had this unselfish love, this pure love for God without any worldly end."

 

Mahimacharan sat silent.  The Master turned to him.

 

MASTER: "Now let me tell you something that will agree with your mood.  According to the Vedānta one has to know the real nature of one's own Self.  But such knowledge is impossible without the renunciation of ego.  The ego is like a stick that seems to divide the water in two.  It makes you feel that you are one and I am another.  When the ego disappears in samādhi, then one knows Brahman to be one's own inner consciousness.

 

-end-

 
 
One would immediately denounce the idea of anything pure growing in a stagnant, decaying pond playing host to bacteria, pests and other vermin. Yet to the utter astonishment of many, we see the divinely associated, extravagantly beautiful lotus thriving in such habitats without being stained.

 

Like that... Swamiji said: "We have to seize this unstable mind and drag it from its wanderings and fix it on one idea. Over and over again this must be done. By power of will we must get hold of the mind and make it stop and reflect upon the glory of God.”

Life is the gymnasium where we come to work out our karmas and like a good workout, there will be injuries and pain, but all for the long term good of us. Let us not focus on the body and the setbacks that come with it, but rather strive to enjoy the joy within.

 

May we all strive to drop off the 'apparent man' and project the 'real man' that we all are, is my sincere prayer.

 

With love and prayers always

Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com