Raja Rishi of Relevance

 

 

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Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam

Aum Namo Narayanaya!!!!

 

There are many who would proudly occupy any platform and bellow out that they belong to the oldest religion in the world, or that their organisation has celebrated 100 years of existence. Lots of prestige is assigned to practices or places that have stood the test of time. In contemporary times though, we are starting to see this infatuation fizzle out with the heat of reason and relevance. On a quick cross reference to the Bhagavat Gita, we are made aware of the pitiful state that Arjuna found himself in, in a real-life situation despite receiving the best education available at the time. We should always ask the relevance of anything that we practice. The one who was able to neatly and seamlessly retrofit the ancient Vedanta into contemporary life with rationality and relevance was the Raja Rishi of this age: Swami Vivekananda.

In a week from now, we will be commemorating his 158^th birth anniversary and it is astonishing how his every spoken word is drenched with practicality and relevance. Swami Vivekananda was not afraid to clash with ancient ideas if it did not resonate with his own life experience and most importantly if they did not have the power to raise you and make a positive impact on you. Swami Vivekananda did not invent his own doctrine or philosophies. He was in fact a very disciplined pupil of his Guru - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swamiji was the Vyasa who etched and crystallised the practical Vedanta of an unlettered Paramahamsa on the modern mind.

As I pen this blog, the world is caught in a whirlwind that has shattered many practices that we thought were core to our religion and life. The Corona Virus or Covid 19 brought a halt to Temple visits, prayers, services and rituals that people participated in as the end rather than the means. In the face of this calamity, undeniably like Arjuna, many are drinking from the trough of despondency. It is easy to read inspirational quotes daily, but without assimilation would these quotes support your falling morale and hope at the time of distress? Swamiji gave relevant methods to live and worship that would ensure you can stand amid the state of nature confidently and gracefully.

I would be arrogant and disrespectful if for one moment I think that these meagre words can dare capture the effulgence of a personality that is beyond the midday sun. Therefore, with utmost humility, I nimbly touch on one teaching that is very relevant to the crisis we face currently.

Swami Vivekananda said: "he who worships Shiva in the weak, poor and diseased (he who worships God in man) really worships, those who only worship Shiva in an image, his worship is but preliminary." 

Right now, in South Africa the infection numbers are in excess of 18000 per day and climbing at an alarming rate. This is very difficult to digest because it is a known fact that the virus is only able to spread through contact. If we were able to reach a level of consciousness to understand and see the Lord like Swamiji in every human being, then our decorum would like how we stand before the deity in the Temple. Love, respect and service is a default demeanour to the divine. Then the most relevant ritual that we can all practice right now is wearing a mask, sanitising our hands and social distancing. This will please the Shiva in all.

The other important teaching that Swamji gave us is that we need character-building man-making education. Those who have only passed through the secular system have failed to see the bigger picture and how their efforts of pure material accumulation are in vain. So many people enriched themselves by exploiting the situation at hand - such as price gauging and preventing critical PPE and equipment from reaching the most vulnerable and frontline workers. Money that could have been used to serve so many are in the hands of the greedy. I pray they are starting to see how useless the money in their accounts are when they can't buy a hospital bed or oxygen when they are lying there gasping for breath. Even the deity in the Temple has no use for the bargaining currency. If people stand back and do nothing as masses fall dead - all that one has accumulated will equate to zero. The fight is not a fight of the government or the frontline workers. This is a collective fight. Dish out as per your means resources to setup extra beds and oxygen points at hospitals, buy medicines for those who can't afford it and feed those who are weakened by hunger. This is the abhishegam the Lord needs now. The fragrance of your generosity and the rituals of self-discipline (mask, sanitise, social distancing) will please the Lord greatly.

On this birth anniversary, let us always chant out Swamiji's call "Arise Awake"!!! Arise from our ignorance and Awake to the reality. May the Lord who dwells in every human and morsel of this universe bless us, is my prayer.

Jai Swamiji! 

With love and prayers always,

Yogan

Purutassi to Perfection!!! The P's of Purutassi

 

 

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Thursday heralds the month long fast that is predominately undertaken by the South Indian community. The auspicious period is dedicated to the worship of Lord Narayana, affectionately known in the south regions as Perumal or Srinivasa. It is rather disappointing that over time the focus has shifted from transformation to diet. This very auspicious period which has the necessary components to speed up your spiritual transformation and growth has been unjustly relegated to a diet phenomenon. Lets look at the P’s of Purutassi:

Pause: Do we ever take the time to stop and ask ourselves some very relevant questions. Who am I? What am I doing here? Why do I lie? Why do I hurt people? Why am I envious? Why do I possess anger? Why do I want more than I need? The questions can pile up a mile long and the astonishing thing is that we don’t have the answers. Essentially, we are ignorant people living in the information age. Within our inner being we know what truth is, yet we continue to deviate from it with impunity. Hence our lives tend to border on the animalistic side where the facility of discrimination is non-existent. We have allowed our senses and base instincts to run havoc upon us. The senses are like starving animals ready to pounce upon any prey without discriminating its capacity and consequences of its hunt expedition.  

Prayer: Undeniably, man has made some significant advances in science but is still completely deluded to see the limitations of his discoveries and thinking. There is still a vast area of unknown that man is struggling to explain with his science. There is a power and consciousness that keeps this creation ticking and for those of us that are born into religion and have faith based upon our experiences and interaction with this force, we reference it as GOD. There is nothing in this creation that can be undertaken without the grace of GOD. It is therefore important if we have decided that we want this Purutassi to be a transformative experience which must yield answers to the many unanswered questions we must develop a sankalapa or intent in this regard. Therefore, we must offer our sincere prayer to Lord Perumal or Srinivasa for His grace, support and blessings for this journey.

Prepare: Motivational Gurus and coaches have advanced evidence that success is reached through positive attitude and cultivating the correct mindset. It is therefore important to prepare oneself mentally and physically to ensure that the entire being starts to veer and gear towards a sublime and motivated mood to achieve. It is within these ambits that special cleansing of the environment takes place to help generate this mood. We should prioritise our goals so that we choose battles in which we can achieve victory. We don’t want to create obstacles but rather achieve our goals and victories in stages, instead of setting insurmountable goals and ejecting the process despondently.

Purify: It is said that friction is necessary to make metal shine or to make a diamond sparkle... therefore it is not going to be easy to purify the mind which essentially entails curtailing all that the senses lust after. Things like good food and the elements of good character are abrasives that help in the purification of the mind and heart. This is an important process because our journey becomes clear with purity of mind and heart.  However, the most important abrasive in this process is daily meditation and communion with the divine within to develop courage and strengthen the will to achieve our objectives. Keeping the company of the pious and noble is also important as they inspire and help maintain your path rather than distract you.

 

Practice & Perseverance: When actions become habitual, they are mechanically executed. The status quo has been sedimented as a way of life, therefore any intention to disrupt it is going to be confronted with a barrage of resistance. Your sadhana and new routine needs to be practiced daily with intent and one must persevere against all odds until it becomes the new normal. The more you practice the easier it becomes to persevere.

Perfection: Our goal of life is perfection. Although it is a tough ask, taking small steps in the right direction will bring us closer to perfection and in this world of varied influences and circumstances the idea would be to move as near towards the locus of perfection as one can.

Sri Ramakrishna said that the grace of God is always blowing... it is up to us to unfurl our sails. Purutassi is this opportunity to attract the grace of God into your life and initiate transformation from pain to paradise. The most recent pandemic upon the world that brought the entire world to a standstill was a rude awakening to man that our purpose is beyond the rat race that we are preoccupied with. The efforts we are investing into controlling the world is futile. That very energy and time should be invested in self transformation. The ten avatars of Lord Vishnu are the perfect example of evolution and transformation which is the basis of life. From the Fish to Srinivasa - the most adored and loved in the world... this process should be internalised and emulated. We should not remain as fish and boars but ensure that we manifest the potential divinity within us as encouraged by Swami Vivekananda.

I take this opportunity to pray to Lord Srinivasa to guide and help us on our spiritual transformation and to make this Purutassi fruitful for all those sincerely undertaking a spiritual journey and transformation towards the ultimate perfection. May we all have a blessed and rewarding Purutassi by Lord Narayana's grace, is my prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan Naidoo

 

Adapt Adjust Akshaya( all the time)

Adapt Adjust Akshaya !!!!( all the time)

Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam

Aum Namo Narayanaya

I cannot but ponder at times if God has turned a deaf ear to the pleas and cries from Africa. Evidently non bis in idem or double jeopardy as we know it does not apply to the masses of African people. Persecuted for centuries via various agencies, the continent now must face an unknown enemy that has moved the goal post of development miles off.

Ironically when a step is taken to rise from the ashes of oppression, subjugation or unleash economic emancipation on the fallen morale of the nation we are reset to the start on the backfoot. Strangled and left for dead, African nations have further suffered haemorrhaging through graft and corruption leaving African people desolate and isolated save of taking aid, baited with herds of conditions that once again leave us rendered fresh bait in a shark infested tank. As South Africa commemorates Freedom Day tomorrow, we acknowledge the vast amounts of work and effort put into addressing the plight of the people, yet 26 years later it has still remained mere electoral freedom for many.

When one is fully absorbed in the body consciousness and when the pangs of hunger, pain and suffering have burdened the body for such an extended period of time, it becomes involuntary to adorn blinkers on utilitarian ideals and see to the needs of one’s own body comforts. Coupled with greed, this dangerous combination has been the achilles heel in positioning Africa as a force to reckon with despite her abundance of natural wealth. Therefore, it is of vital importance in how your consciousness is developed. This provides an understanding on how you would address challenges in front of you.

Let’s not make the mistake to think that when we are devout congregants of God that no challenges will present before us. That is why Vedanta as a practical religion or should I say Vedanta as a skill set, enables one to diligently and confidently pass through the phase of life breaking down challenges piece by piece.

Swami Vivekananda who through my lens is the crown prince of modern Vedantic thought said: "In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are travelling in a wrong path." A little reading tracing history since civilisation would easily provide evidence for the above statement. Great things are simply accomplishments against the backdrop of challenges. Challenges are a reality and the way they are manoeuvred determines the character of an individual or nation.

Conquering challenges requires innovative and lateral thinking underpinned by boisterous confidence in yourself and in your ability to outsmart the circumstances. This leads my thoughts to an exhilarating episode within the plethora of Hindu literature. In the ensuing week or two we will be observing the appearance day of Lord Narashima - an incarnation of Lord Narayana. This most enigmatic yet mighty form of the Lord is a direct result of a challenge placed by Hiranyakashipu in order preserve his life and prominence in the world. He acquired out of severe penance the boon that he could not be killed by human or animal, from inside or outside, by day or by night, and that no weapon could harm him. Thinking that he had constructed a failsafe way to protect his life and maintain his dominance over the earth, he began to wreck unrelenting havoc upon the earth.

So, there is the dilemma - how does the Lord eradicate this menace from the Earth without dismantling the rewards he had honestly and sincerely earned. This is where the concept of innovative, inventive and inspired unorthodox thinking comes to play. The Lord did not collapse into despondency but having analysed the challenge at hand devised a solution that resulted in unadulterated victory. Lord Narayana descended upon the Earth in the form of Lord Narashima - a half man, half lion form - and grabbed Hiranyakashipu to the centre of the doorway and using only his claws he killed Hiranyakashipu in twilight (neither day or night). Without dwelling too much on the literal aspect of this scene, one much try to derive the profound message of heightened thinking.

Incidentally today is the holy Akshaya Tritiya wherein we also celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Parashurama who is also an avatar of Lord Narayana who appeared in a time the Earth was overwhelmed by military forces owned by ruthless kings. As his name literally means 'Rama with an axe', he had to use force at a time when required, and the same Parashurama appears as Lord Rama in another time armed with a bow and arrow and later as Lord Krishna with a highly evolved mind and diplomatic skills - so the adaptability of the Lord during the different circumstances guides us to evolve our own consciousness to a point that we can also clearly identify the challenges and conquer them with relative ease. We should never back down from a challenge. Swami Vivekananda said: “Face the brutes." That is a lesson for all life - face the terrible, face it boldly. Like the monkeys, the hardships of life fall back when we cease to flee before them.

In concluding, I am convinced that it is our inability to adjust, adapt and be agile in Akshaya( all the time or eternally) that has failed to position the continent at the forefront. Currently in this crisis, I am particularly proud of our President, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, whose utilitarian consciousness and good sound decisions are helping South Africa with limited resources manage this pandemic. It is this type of leadership under normal circumstances that can inspire and elevate a nation out of its dipped morale. Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna said: "The winds of God's grace are always blowing, it is for us to raise our sails.” As Africans, we need to raise our consciousness to the reality at hand. Swami Vivekananda always said: “Arise! Awake! Stop not till the goal is reached." Raise our consciousness to awaken to the reality and stop not till the dignity and morale of every African is raised through economic and spiritual emancipation.

Rama Rajya

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

For those who observed Ramayan Week programmes last week, the above topic would immediately strike a chord. For others to whom this may be utterly alien,  it refers to a period of absolute peace, righteousness and prosperity. In other words, like heaven on earth during the period in which Bhagwan Ramachandra ruled over the kingdom of Ayodhya. 

Today on this Hanuman Jayanthi thithi, it is with a rather melancholic quill that I pen this blog - albeit an auspicious day - but ironically, we find the world forlorn with grief and anxiety during the biggest pandemic to hit us since the Spanish Flu of 1918. 

In an unprecedented move almost, the entire world is in isolation. Even at this distressing time in our lives we find our havens of peace, solace and comfort - our places of worship closed off to devotees. Major temples like Tirumala Tirupathi, Madurai Meenakshi, Palani Murugan, etc. which attract hundreds of thousands of devotees on a daily basis - today stand desolate. Everyone is confined to the four corners of their homes with no way out to venture, but inward. 

In the coldface of a deadly virus that is ravaging the earth, humanity unable to seek divine assistance anywhere beyond the boundaries of our homes seems to be forced into a detour within and inwards. For millions if not billions of people of all religions, an external regiment of attending places of worship, participating in rituals or retreating that has provided spiritual sustenance for many aeons has come to an abrupt suspension. Even the basic offering of fruit and milk has become a challenge with shops not able to  supply some of these items. 

Placed in this helpless situation yet still hankering for a channel of communication with the divine, there is a forced transition from the gross ritualistic religion to the subtle Vedantic religion. Suddenly the words of Bhagwan Krishna start to become practical and rational... offer me a leaf, flower, drop of water, o' child just even think of me and I will be with you. 

We should never discount the central value and role that ritual worship has played in the spiritual sustenance of humanity by  extending hope, succour and strength to those who have engaged it. But that’s just it, it has plateaued and the failure to translate into inner transformation and awakening of our consciousness leaves us in the wake of a world always in chaos teeming with atrocities like murder, rape, fraud, greed, falsehood, hatred, etc.Until the internalisation of our religious practices takes place it would simply be a mechanical practice.

Swami Vivekananda said: "Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison; there is no life in it, it cannot be true". Many of our ritualistic practices have been weaved with superstition and at our most vulnerable moments failed to arm us with an arsenal effective enough to traverse it. Hence in the past few days amidst the grave challenge confronting the world Swami Vimokshananda through online broadcasts emphasised the need to identify the philosophy in the various puranic stories and practices to equip ourselves to effectively deal with the world. After reading Swami Vivekananda, we are inspired never to just accept anything... it is important to dive deeper and test the matter for yourself before blindly accepting anything.  

It is with this view that I started an inquiry as to why Lord Hanuman is depicted as a monkey. The Lord could have appeared as a human which is believed to be the most evolved being and thus would be practical and efficient form to assist Bhagawan Rama on His mission. Persuaded by Revered Swami Vimokshananda, I travelled deep within to search for the philosophical message in Lord Hanuman.

I put forth the following: 

The depiction of Lord Hanuman as a monkey gives us a wonderful idea. The word Hanuman of Sanskrit origin means one with an enlarged jaw indicating something which is highly expressive. We all have come to know that a monkey can never sit still and is always hopping around from place to another. The story goes that Lord Hanuman's jaw was enlarged after it was struck with a weapon by Lord Indra. The punishment was evoked when Lord Hanuman sprang towards the Sun and swallowed it. In order to restore the Sun and reinstate the balance, Lord Indra acted such. I want you to try a little experiment after you conclude reading this paragraph. Close your eyes and imagine that you have grown into a gigantic form and leap towards the Sun, swallow it, now go forth towards all the planets and devour all of them, then fly around releasing all of them back to their places. 

See you have done it!!!! 

The human mind is very expressive and at will can manifest or destroy anything, it can travel to far flung places and also help you find solutions to many challenges... but we are warned by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita that the mind can be man's best friend or greatest enemy. Hence, spiritual practice encourages one to tame the mind and keep it engaged and focused in good work. Meditation is a technique used to reign in the mind. You would have by now realised that Lord Hanuman is symbolic of the human mind.

Referencing the Ramayana, Bhagwan Ram only meets Lord Hanuman in the Sundar Kand before which Lord Hanuman wandered in the forest with the other monkeys (thoughts) without any purpose. Bhagwan Rama in light of His divine, astute and righteous leadership is indicative of the intellect which acts in the interest of the atman (Mother Sita). When the intellect acts in unison with the atman the goal of life is apparent (Laksmana derived from lakshaya meaning goal) and is prominent. When the mind is not focused and is roaming aimlessly in the forest of thoughts it is very easy for desires (Ravana) to play havoc with the intellect. The individual becomes a wreck when the atman is polarised from the intellect by desires. This is referenced in the Ramayan when Ravana deceives Bhagwan Ram by becoming a deer and then capturing Mother Sita. 

Things change when the intellect engages the mind (the meeting of Bhagwan Rama and Lord Hanuman in the forest). The engaged mind starts to become focused and conscious (this is the part in the Ramayan when Jambavan enlightens Lord Hanuman of his capabilities). A conscious and focused mind becomes an envoy and messenger between the atman and the intellect. Thus Lord Hanuman is referred to as Ramadhoota (messenger of the Lord).

Now that the battle is won and Bhagwan Ram and Mother Sita are ruling over Ayodhya - peace, prosperity and purpose have returned to the land. The mind finds no interest in the trivial things of this world and unhesitantly merges with the intellect, which is known as enlightenment. This is referenced in the Ramayan when Mother Sita offers Lord Hanuman a string of pearls as a gift but He completely destroys it because He cannot find Bhagwan Ram in it. Involuntarily, He rips open His chest to expose His Lord and Mother. This is when the distinction of the mind and intellect ceases to exist which draws inspiration directly from the atman. 

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As I was growing up, this picture was very familiar during the times of Ram Naumi, Purutassi and Deepavali - as simple and beautiful as it is, carries a great idea to ensure an ideal world can exist... a world of peace and love free from dishonesty, hatred, crime and suffering. Man must elevate himself to the highest efficiency first for this to happen. The path to this level is possible  when the intellect rules the being with divine inspiration from the atman, with the goal of life in firm sight and  the mind humbled in deep devotion and service at its feet. 

On this auspicious day, I pray Lord Hanuman assists to raise our mind to become conscious and through our conscious minds we lead conscious lives and play our part in restoring Rama Rajya to this world.

With love and prayers

Yogan Naidoo   

Boat to Benares

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Boat to Benares

Sunrise at Varanasi- google images

With much trepidation I stepped out into the narrow, grey and chilly alleyway, as I proceeded to the pavement where animals were scattering on account of the increasing pedestrian traffic. There was a sense of urgency in the gait of everyone but that did not deter many making a brief pit stop at the chaiwala who enticed the lot by waving his urn filled with strongly brewed chai. The exchange was brief though, 2 to 3 swigs and the cup was disposed, upon which the journey resumed. It felt like we were all hypnotised by the notes of the pied piper, a mass migration of sorts to one part of the city. It was not long before hundreds if not thousands from their different pathways arrived upon the ancients ghats. There she was in all her majesty embracing one of the oldest cities in the world, Mother Ganga. It was to seek her compassion and blessing in bounty at the auspicious sunrise that so many fled their homes to the Ghats. 

Standing tall within the premium inches on the ghats which are sanctified and hallowed by the touch of great and enlightened saints and sages, it’s not long before a wave of solemnness engulfed the banks. Cupping small amounts of water for purification we all then joined our hands together eyes fixated on the horizon in anticipation of  the sun's arrival. This was no flash-mob but a morning regime that inspired hope, confidence and contentment in thousands by placing God at the centre of their beings. That has been the life-buoy of India, through all her difficulties God is always the first port of call. I recall Swami Vivekananda who said:  "Hidden under the ashes of apparent death, the fire of our national life is yet smouldering and... the life of this nation is religion, its language religion, and its idea religion. If you succeed in the attempt to throw off your religion and take up either politics, or society, or any other things as your centre, as the vitality of your national life, the result will be that you will become extinct.”

With the mind deeply lost in contemplation, time seemed irrelevant, a deep connection was negotiated between the earth and heaven by the coursing river. In that moment all differences dissolved and just the vastness and nothingness felt real and then the striking glow of the sun started to claw the mind back in. The rising ball humbled the assembled and in an instant they all bowed their head in reverence ceding all superiority to the divine. The sun now seated on the throne in the horizon signalled the start of the secular day.  My moment of beating with the pulse of India faded with the post midnight darkness. The sun convincingly identified me as an inquisitive tourist who was togged and kitted with a Bisleri in one hand for the morning cruise on the river. 

My tour guide made conscious gestures to lure me towards the chartered vessel lest I remain lost in the bustling assemblage. It was a modest craft powered by 2 oars. My disquieted gaze immediately prompted a response from the oarsman who reassured me through head and hand gestures that he had floated heavier people along the Ganga before. As I stepped on board and occupied my seat, the boat set off with some melodious singing by the oarsman. His singing was set to music by boat cutting through the murky waters.

As the boat made its way from one end to the other, I received a panoramic view of the city from the other bank. It's such a disruptive scene from what I thought would be a seamless run. The view from this side was grim and sulky for the untrained mind. The entire stretch was consumed by cremation grounds. It was a vulgar contradiction that convulsed me into utter bewilderment at how a city teeming with the stench of death can at the same be the epi-centre of bliss and peace. Varanasi or Benares is the terminus station, it's where millions have come to cast off their bodies yet in the very cold face of death everyone adorns a smile and maintains their humanity. Here for certain death is the kind and friendly version!!!

There is space for research and investigation here because to the rest of the world death manifests as the most feared concept so much so that multibillion-dollar industries have thrived making people believe they can fool the inevitable. From tonics, medical procedures, apparatus, miracle crusades -you name it- have had the attention of the world, even extracting substantial financial resources from people but to no avail eventually.

Today, as this blog is being penned - the world is being harassed and tormented by a very micro form of death which ironically within weeks has the entire world in a shut-down. It is not possible to conceive that in the 21st century, not an army or an arsenal of weapons but a microbe has literally brought the globe to a standstill. Death seems to be roaming unleashed upon the earth with many countries succumbing to the virus with lots of fatalities. 

But as I pointed out above, humans have this inherent fear of death, but when placed in a crisis we start to see the extremity of this fear is so great that peoples actions start to defy rationality and logic. When governments of the world ordered a lockdown to create social isolation, it was with the intention to flatten the curve and ensure the containment and spread of the virus to prevent deaths, yet people in the fear of running out of food and dying defy the lockdown and gather in large numbers at supermarkets and stores for long periods to get supplies. This social interaction is counter to the aims and efforts to flatten the curve and brings people closer and in direct contact with infection. 

Whilst this pandemic is ravaging the world Hindus are observing Ramayan Week and in the course of this great scripture we come across an episode where Sri Rama's  brother inscribed what is known as a Lakshman Rekha around the homestead and instructed Mother Sita not to cross the line for her own safety. We are all aware of the danger and hardship the Mother had to face when she defied the order. This valuable lesson is very apt and relevant to us now. 

Governments have ordered a lock down for our own safety. Please adhere to this call for the preservation of your own life and the rest of the country. Stay at home!!!! Be responsible!!! Grab this opportunity to take an intrepid journey inwards, to explore the uncharted territories of the universe within. In this journey you could find that great amounts of joy can be found in the simplest of things like a nice cup of tea in your own garden, or playing with your pet than in the rat race you are used to pursuing. Bring God back to the centre of your life so that He can bear the weight of your burdens, thus freeing you to adorn your smile and sail to Benares because death is a friendly citizen there!!!

With love and prayers always!!!

Yogan Naidoo

Deepavali:Dazzling in the Dark

It’s a few days before nearly a billion people on the earth will observe the Deepavali festival. After a scorching day, the mystical waning moon gently rose in the heavens struggling to counterbalance the brilliant sun as it dipped in the aqueous horizon. It did not take long for the fleeting colours of dusk to fade away and darkness to envelope the landscape. Darkness took charge and with its rule came a sense of peace, tranquillity and a sense of calmness. In many descriptions of Mother Kali - poets have emphasised beauty, splendour, compassion and tranquillity through Her dark complexion. Unlike the rigidity of certain schools that in the contrast of light and darkness tend to stigmatise darkness with all evil and light with all good. I am grateful and appreciative to be born to a lineage of great saints and sages who have dedicated their life’s breath to the study and understanding of the fundamental nature of the universe and have presented to us a very objective, unbiased and indifferent view that seeks not to destroy unity and harmony but to unite.

Google images

The collective scripts of all these experiences and study catalogued under the subject called ‘Hinduism’ is an expansive library which seems to be slowly relegated to ineffectiveness taking into consideration the experiences and struggles by practitioners of Hinduism. On the backdrop of rising income levels and the rising middle class - at the very edge, success or progress is defined merely on material advancement. Paradoxically, there is an accompaniment of stress and discontentment fuelled by the terrible twins of lust and greed. After being associated with teachings and philosophy of Hinduism for as long as I could cognise, I am currently ready to deduce for myself that there is a common message that courses through all festivals, celebrations and observances or maybe put forth that all these festivals, fasts and rituals were created to convey that message to humanity.

Preceding Deepavali, there was a concentrate of religious fervour through Gita Week, Purutassi, and Navarathri. As much as the flavours differentiated over the 3, the sweetness or nectar is consistent. So even with Deepavali - where there is confusion amongst many as to whether Deepavali is about Lord Rama, Lord Krishna or Mother Luxmi - there is a resultant distilled truth and that is the goal of our sadhana.

My deduction is that religion is a tool to assist one lead a conscious life. That it is the precursor or prerequisite for any form of idea from the philosophy to help transform and elevate one spiritually. It is therefore not surprising that Sri Ramakrishna on that auspicious Kalpatru Day when His spiritual mood was at its highest, gave blessing to the devotees: “Tomader Chaitanya Houk” which translates to “let your consciousness be spiritually illumined”. Swami Vivekananda thundered the iconic words: “Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached”. These words refer to the rising and awakening of our consciousness.

Human beings are supposed to exhibit very high levels of consciousness which should enable them to easily transcend the manifest world and dwell in the realm of spiritual ecstasy.  Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Holy Mother and many other saints at will could enter into a state of absolute bliss. That potential lies within every man and woman equally. That is why Swami Vivekananda time- and-time-again said that “each soul is potentially divine”.

The challenge is that we have attained like Mahishasura (the demon with buffalo head and human body vanquished by the Divine Mother) a human body but operate at the consciousness of an animal. The consciousness of an animal is to satisfy its hunger and procreate. Many human beings also just work to feed themselves and procreate. They engage in no higher activity that can benefit themselves or society to achieve that level where one experiences the absolute truth, consciousness and bliss which essentially is the oneness with God (satchidananda).

Joy found in this world is ephemeral, joy found in the divine consciousness is eternal. There is no doubt about this and by reading the lives of these great highly conscious beings, one can get a true grasp of this concept. Swami Vivekananda suffered terrible hardships in His life yet He had such an inspired positive outlook. Sri Ramakrishna was in excruciating pain because of His illness yet his joy, compassion and love flowed unbound for the service of all.

Our great saints and religious practices are here to teach us this art - the art of conscious living. No matter what situation this world may place before you, you will always exhibit love, be positive, compassionate and steadfast in your goal of spiritual growth.

Every parent on this earth has the power to produce the avatar or a menace to society by raising a child to become a Lord Krishna or Duryodhan, a Lord Rama or Ravana. It all depends on the level of consciousness you raise your child with. The world we live in is the sum result of all parenting. Should every Mother and Father raise a Lord Rama or Lord Krishna then peace, harmony and prosperity will always be present.

As we light the lamps for Deepavali this year or fireworks into the dark sky… let us remember there is a source of ecstasy deep within all of us being subdued by the extensive gratification of the senses. Let the light of Deepavali awaken this consciousness within us. Let it rise to the surface and help us to live like divine beings in a human experience, is my sincere prayer. Be truthful, be conscious and be in bliss. A blessed Deepavali to all of humanity!!!

Skanda Shasti !!!!

Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam

Pic - Google images

 

The dawn is always alight with positive energy when a special festival is being celebrated. For the bhaktas the enthusiasm is like a popcorn kernel awaiting to pop in the pan of the day. The South African diaspora of Indians are South Indian in the majority and as such have a keen affinity to the traditions of Lord Shiva of which Lord Murugan and his festivals form a big part off. Today is Skanda Shasti and after a 5-day fast and observance devotees will celebrate the victory of Lord Muruga in battle with Asura Surapadman.

Growing up at the doorstep of the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple with its roots at the erstwhile Maidstone Shree Emperumal Temple where both my maternal and paternal lineage played instrumental roles, it is no surprise that we are a household of Narayana Bhaktas. However even during the month of Purutassi a month dedicated to the adoration of Lord Venketeswara I am accustomed to awaking to the melodious recital of the Skanda Shasti Kavacham. Like the unflinching and unassuming joy of a Liverpool supporter in a house full of Man United supporters my mother has a great and unshakable attraction to Lord Muruga.

Unlike in football though, in Hindu Dharma we are not concerned with the Ishta Devata (personal deity) each follows, because it does not play out in the forecourt of rivalry as our sages through their experiences have always proclaimed that God is one. God appears to us as per our level of perception and consciousness. In the sageous words of Swami Vivekananda at the World Parliament of religions 125 years ago, challenging the leaders of the assembled religions to put an end to uncharitable feelings towards each other, persecutions with the pen or sword of all peoples wending their way to the same goal.

Last night I was invited to the Stonebridge Mariammen Temple to address the congregation on the Skanda Shasti observance. It was my first time to visit this quaint cosy temple situated on the periphery of the Phoenix Industrial park. Although the evening was a gust with a chilly wind the petite shrine was packed to capacity. The air was infused with the deep fragrance of the samagree and ghee that emanated from the havan fire dancing in tune with the melodious bhajans from the Ayappan prayer group. The crisp and veridical devotion left Lord Muruga with no option but to preside at the function. His presence was palpable by the escalating emotions whilst the priest chanted the mantras amidst loud and animated bursts of “Aro hara”

It is said at the holy place of Tiruchendur sanctified as one of the six homes of Lord Murugan, a fierce battle of six days ensued between a Surapadman and Lord Muruga. The resultant victory of the Lord on the sixth day is the reward celebration of Skanda Shasti. I had to start off my talk by explaining that these puranic episodes are merely a means to convey a deep philosophical message. A message that will help man to lead a life that is conducive to attaining the goal of life being god realisation. The episode in its literal form may present with many shortcomings. An example would be, how would a great and devout Murugan Bhaktan reconcile the idea that his supreme Lord who is creator of the universe take six days to vanquish an asura which is far inferior in composition. Therefore, there must be some deeper message that needs to be extracted from this story.

The idea that I presented was couched around my recent contact with readings from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and lectures by revered Swami Vimokshananda during his sojourn in New Delhi. Our experience of the world before us is perceived through our senses. In the absence of our senses the world would cease to exist. Although each of us is potentially divine as declared by Swami Vivekananda the Ego which lies in between our mind, actions, intellect and divine consciousness if left unchecked can polarise our divine nature and steer us on a dangerous path to self-destruction. Examples of this can be gleaned from the lives of Ravana, Kamsa and Hiranyakasipu whose quality of life deteriorated devilishly because of an unbridled ego. 

Sri Krishna mentions in the Bhagavat Gita that the mind can be one’s best friend or ones worst enemy. If the senses and mind is the lens through which we see the world it would be important that they are bleached with purity and divinity. These six days of battle thus represents the cleansing and strengthening of the mind and 5 senses by weakening the unripe ego and allowing the ripe ego to flourish. Sri Ramakrishna explains that the unripe ego can be associated with a bound soul that identifies itself with the body, passions, self-importance, and the world while the ripe ego is associated with illumination through divine knowledge, devotion, servant of god, thus knowing all else to be false and completely surrenders to god alone.

We learn that on the sixth day Surapadman was not killed but was split into 2, the peacock and rooster. The two represents the concept of ripe and unripe ego given to us by Sri Ramakrishna. The peacock which is associated with pride and worldliness is the unripe ego and as such becomes bridled and restraint as his vehicle which represents the quelling or curbing of the unripe ego. The rooster on the other hand becomes the symbol of the flag of Lord Murugan, flying high unbridled symbolic of the ripe ego which must be given free rein to flourish and express itself. Under the condition of the ripe ego alone, our divine nature, intellect and discrimination would be able to have influence of our organs of sense and action and will contribute to bringing about peace, harmony and joy in the world. In all we would be Murugan which means absolute beauty (Azhagan- Tamil) born out of the eye of discrimination and in possession of the Vel of knowledge with the unripe ego under control our beauty would be eternal and evergreen which is the state of eternal bliss we all seek.

Make Lord Murugan bless us with his grace and guidance this Skanda Shasti is my sincere prayer.

Vetri Vel Muruganikka Arohara!!!!!!!

With love and prayers

Yogan Naidoo