The Egoli Miner

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

SA FLAG- Google images

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

On this very day 20 years ago, like an anxious child that is fighting off sleep to welcome Christmas, determined and focused to ease his appetite of mystery about his Christmas present, South Africans waited impatiently for this day to dawn. The country was in the corridors of winter, yet warmth radiating from the hope in the hearts of millions of disenfranchised South Africans fell like morning dew on their faces, visible through a defined smile representing their joy and underlying emotions. Yes, South Africa was freed, a result of arduous and persistent dedication by selfless souls who could only dream that one day every man will be given the dignity of being human and be able to walk the soil of his birth without fear. But as we stood in the reality of this freedom... it unveiled a new chapter of struggle and a fight. In the past 20 years... many people have benefitted from the free South Africa - sanitation, drinking water, roads, schools, incubator programmes for business, hospitals and many other projects that have empowered previously disadvantaged South Africans.

However as the years progress, the ideals, vision and mission remain entrenched... but the hope of South Africans from April 27 1994 slowly liquefied into a mirage... from the heat of dishonesty, lack of integrity, greed, theft, sincerity and the selfless empathy and compassion that is needed to make the ideals and vision of the fathers of our freedom a reality to all. Slowly every day resources that should be used for the benefit of the people are funding the exuberant lifestyles of those who have been entrusted to serve the people. It is wrong to only single out the ruling party; however it is easier to point out their wrong doings because of their massive presence - but within all parties, all circles and influences of power there are opportunists waiting to strike and give vent to their weaknesses and flaws in character.

Yesterday, a special sankalpa was held at the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple where chanting of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra was held for healing South Africa; that the elections are peaceful, free and fair and that the Lord blesses South Africa with prosperity and peace. The choice of the mantra is quite significant as it is also known as the Maha Sanjivini Mantra or the life-giving mantra. At a time when the values of righteousness, truth, strength, steadfastness, compassion etc. wither away on the oak of South Africa, we pray to the Lord of auspiciousness -  Shiva -  to restore life back to this fledgling tree in Africa.

There is a very interesting story behind this mantra which has profound and relative significance to the period we are in now. It is said that Sage Sukracharya accepted a challenge of Lord Indra and took up a rigorous penance of hanging upside down from a tree with his face being fanned with fumes of a fire directly beneath his hanging body. And after Sukracharya did this for Vimsottari dasa period (twenty years), Lord Shiva appeared before him and give him this Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to restore his physical condition. Hence the name, Maha Sanjivini Mantra.

 

Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pusti vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan mrtyor mukshiya mamritat

Meaning

Om. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, which nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.

 

 

The incident in the life of Sage Sukracharya bears prolific relevance in our lives. Suspended upside side on a tree is symbolic of the challenges, obstacles and hardships and karmic baggage that one is born into this world. Notwithstanding all this we face the flames of all the vices and agents that try and weaken the grip on our focus (being peace, joy and bliss). But through his unrelenting positive attitude, perseverance and single pointed devotion the strain of hanging and the heat of the fire proved futile in bringing him down. The end result was the vision of Lord Shiva who is the embodiment of auspiciousness.

Finding ourselves in that very situation we must adopt a change in attitude. We should never be dejected and become arm chair critics to the problems in our society. Swami Vivekananda has reminded us always, that as we think so we become. We must at all times project a positive attitude and become agents of change by participating constructively in making the society ideal and what we want it to be. We are not weak; we are lions with the strength to create our own destiny.

The mantra given by the Lord to the Sage glorifies the three-eyed-one. On one level, it refers to Lord Shiva. However on a more relevant level it speaks to humans who like the Sage have attained wisdom and knowledge (third eye). Once you have attained this wisdom, a divine fragrance of strength, positivity and fearlessness emanates from you that restores your ailing body and mind against the sickness and disease of all adharmic qualities. So much so that you will stand up fearlessly to champion the cause of righteousness without fear. Similar to how the cucumber in due time detaches itself from the vine... once we have attained this wisdom and knowledge; we are detached from the cycle of pain and suffering, weakness and fear. We have attained liberation.

Freedom is attainable, but with it comes the harder task of sustaining it. Therefore blame lies with all citizens who upon freedom put their legs up and decided to relax. The work had only begun. A miner who has found gold needs to continue the struggle against the earth to sustain his income. If he rests he may run the risk of being caved in, or being robbed of the find by others. Liberation and freedom is a work in progress... one can never rest until all have been freed.

Happy Freedom Day South Africa! I offer my sincere prayers to the divine that our country be blessed with peace, happiness and prosperity. May all citizens be patriotic to this great nation. I leave you with these cogent words of a patriot par excellence, Swami Vivekananda: Freedom can never be reached by the weak. Throw away all weakness. Tell your body that it is strong, tell your mind that it is strong, and have unbounded faith and hope in yourself.

Yours patriotically

Yogan Naidoo

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

www.google.com/+yogannaidoo

The Truth shall set you free!!!

Sri Ramachandra
pic- google images

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

According to the internet, competition in biology, ecology and sociology is a “contest between organisms, animals, individuals, groups, etc., for territory, a niche, or a location of resources, for resources and goods, mates, for prestige, recognition, awards, or group or social status, for leadership”. Competition is the opposite of co-operation. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared or which is desired individually but not in sharing and co-operation. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For example... animals compete over water supplies, food, mates and other biological resources. Humans compete usually for food and mates, though when these needs are met deep rivalries often arise over the pursuit of wealth, prestige, and fame. Competition is also a major tenet of market economies and business is often associated with competition as most companies are in competition with at least one other firm over the same group of customers, and competition inside a company is usually stimulated for meeting and reaching a higher quality of services or products that the company produces or develops.

It’s the Easter weekend and as the tourists flood the City, we are found competing for recreational space, eating space, parking space and for events to attend. Despite the inconveniences experienced, we appreciate the positive spin-off on the economy and its impact on creating and sustaining jobs in a province that significantly relies on tourism for its livelihood.

Although many options were milled through the minds of many during this weekend, it was encouraging to note that the competition was tipped in favor of spirituality rather than rudimentary, mundane activity. Thousands of devotees queued patiently from early hours of the morning at the famous Mount Edgecombe and Isipingo Temples to receive dharshan of the Divine Mother with others also making their way to the local Ammen Temples to worship as well as share in the sacred porridge prasad. Her grace will ensure that our lives are full of joy and peace. Our brothers and sisters of the Christian faith would have thronged to their Churches to commemorate the crucifixion of Lord Jesus... and thousands of residents and tourists alike joined in the colorful and jubilant Festival of Chariots hosted by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness; singing and praising the glories of God on the streets of Durban. Amidst all these crowded outdoor activities are groups who quietly gather to study and intensify their spirituality at retreats. The Ramakrishna Centre held its annual Easter retreat where 300 devotees where taken through a journey and process by our Revered Swamijis and Mataji that will assist in concretizing their faith and experiences through life.

If you thought that these offerings were enough to challenge your mind into making a choice, our attention is also being sort by the most high profile court case in our recent history. The Oscar Pistorious trial - which has been brought to easy reach of the globe and citizens of SA via internet, social media, radio, television and dominating the print media as well at present. The drama unfolding the courtroom with event re-enactments, grueling cross examinations and emotional breakdowns cannot avoid the fact that no matter which side the verdict swings on the scales of justice, the truth shall and will only be known by Mr Pistorious... and if he is innocent, he would have no fear, remorse, anxiety or guilt... and if guilty will have to live with that for the rest of his life.

Every day and every moment in our lives we live out the allegory of the Bhagvad Gita. On a daily basis, we experience a relentless battle and competition between the ignoble and noble tendencies within us. The results however overwhelmingly in favour of the former... statistically backed by the cases of fraud, corruption, murder, abuse and other atrocities that plague our lives.

Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj illustrated through His inspiring blog: ‘The power and glory of Lord Rama’s name’ which essentially underpins His divine and flawless character. Lord Rama is the collective repository of virtue, truth, righteousness, love, compassion and all that is pure and auspicious.

With Hanuman Jayanti still dominating my thoughts, I am reminded of a specific incident in the Ramayana.

tatah ca hanumaan vaachaa shlaksnayaa sumanojnayaa

viniitavat upaagamya raaghavau pranipatya cha

ababhaase ca tau viirau yathaavat prashashamsa ca

Then on nearing Raghava, that Hanuman voicing softly and well pleasingly like an obedient one, that best monkey befittingly hailed, greeted and praised those two valiant ones.

 This symbolic episode speaks to a very beautiful universal law. When you, like Lord Rama, are an embodiment of truth and righteousness... then strength as represented by Hanuman will come to you uninvited. If you follow a life of truth, you shall have no need for any fear, no need to cover your lies and be afraid of anyone. Truth dispels fear and the strength to speak the truth comes from the name of God. The life of Sri Ramakrishna’s father is an exemplary example of this:

Khudiram’s ancestral home was in a village named Dere in Hooghly district of West Bengal in India. He lived there from his childhood, for about forty years. He lived happily with his wife Chandra Devi, son Ramakumar, daughter Katyayani and his beloved deities.

He was moderately well-to-do. He had one hundred and fifty bighas of land, a pond and a house—in fact everything to meet the needs of the family. A pond known as Chatterji Tank and a Shiva temple built by them are still there.

The landowner of the area was Ramananda Roy. He lived in Satbere, a neighbouring village. Once he asked Khudiram to testify falsely against somebody in the local court. How could Khudiram do it? He did not tell a lie even by mistake. He knew that God loves truth. He, who loves truth dearly, sits on the lap of God.

When Khudiram refused to tell a lie the landowner threatened him saying: “I’ll grab everything you have and drive you out of the village.” But Khudiram felt no fear. He would go through any kind of suffering for the sake of truth. He would not tell a lie and go far away from God. Isn’t realization of God the only purpose of life?

The landowner filed a false case against Khudiram and seized everything he had: his land, garden, house, everything. With firm faith in God he went to Kamarpukur where his friend helped him get on his feet.

In that same way lord Jesus did not fear His life when His persecutors asked Him to deviate from the truth He believed in. He took the harshest beating and sacrificed His body and life for the truth, that TRUTH which is eternal and nothing but Satchidananda.

May the truth set you free and may your life be liberated by the grace of God is my wholehearted prayer. Be safe and if you on the road this festive season, travel with the grace and name of GOD.

Affectionately Yours

Yogan Naidoo

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

www.google.com/+YoganNaidoo

story of Sri Ramakrishnas father- Belur Math Website

Memories Fond and Frowned

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Sri Hanumanji
Pic- Google images

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

 

 

The distinctive cry from the squabble of seagulls formed the percussion to an ensemble backed by the treble of the crashing waves and the gentle whistle of the sea breeze potent enough to initiate a noon-time ball between the towering coconut palms and the dainty bougainvillea that flourished unrestricted along the shoreline. Mauritius was captivating in the sun, whilst taking in the aromas emanating from the array of spices simmering over open fire earthen mounds created on the beach. You cannot remain content while the wafting breeze carrying with it the scent of the fragrant foliage challenges your sense of complacency. My artistic appetite was inspired by a feast of artwork as the canvas of the shore was regularly rearranged by the hands of the waves. In some way the definition of paradise seems to find meaning here as you are waited upon hand and foot closing in on all your stress with little room left to manoeuvre... with the only choice to leave you until you return to your normal world. The blaring horn of a passing bus came across like scratch marks on a high definition video releasing my mind from the hold of my holiday. Vexed by the sudden intrusion, I paged through the album with the hope of finding paradise once more. My scepticism of time travel diminished to an extent as I found myself being transported back in time through a photo taken during a holiday. Photos have the inherent and uncanny ability to transport one to the space, time and place of that which was photographed.

 

Our salutations to Nicephore Niepce who is the inventor of Photography - who enabled us to have an accounted glimpse into history and from the spiritual perspectives gives us the opportunity to view rare photos of our Gurus, Saints and important events that occurred a century ago. People are always appreciative of good photography, I note with keen interest how Swami Vimokshanandaji takes so kindly to exotic and colourful pictures of nature on Google+. These types of pictures inspire and motivate us to be happy and joyous. When I was little, quite ignorant of many things, I asked my parents as to why people don’t take pictures at funerals yet would contract a photographer for all other functions. On maturity, one realises that such morbid pictures shall invoke unpleasantness, distress, pain and partition one from happiness. The beauty of a photo thus lies in the mind of the photographer. His discrimination and focus of the lenses helps create a work of art that has the potential to evince the ebullience of the viewer.

 

Over the past week, we had the blessed opportunity to relive and share in the lives of Lord Rama and His contemporaries of Ayodhya through the nimble yet illustrious pen of Sage Valmiki or through the consequence editions by other Saints. The trials and tribulations presented through this scripture have presented invaluable life lessons for humanity. Each character in his or her unique way epitomised the highest ideals of dharma or the current weakness of character manifesting in the world. One character who definitely stands out and who has won the hearts of youth and adults alike is Sri Hanumanji. Essentially a monkey, but with super-human strength and unrivalled devotion to Sri Rama, His presence is rather intimidating and unsettling to humans who have all the developed faculties and intelligence, yet cannot match Him in all aspects.

 

I feel a bit of envious but remain in awe about the absolute bliss that Sri Hanumanji constantly lives in. Although He is not central to the early part of the Ramayana, His heroic deeds, strength, devotion and compassion in the latter part sets the Ramayana alight with intrigue and lustre. For Hanumanji... no task was too small or too big, no task was impossible. He was never sad and lived a life full of perennial joy, vigour and enthusiasm. Today, many in our society invest hundreds of rands taking supplements and engaging in other activities to achieve the same way of life that Sri Hanuman attained.

 

I am sure that many homeopaths might want to audit His lifestyle to ascertain His diet etc. in order to understand the root of His powers and jubilation. With full certainty they would return disappointed and despondent.

 

Our life is like a photograph from the past. Our past actions have created the image that we enjoy now. The actions resulting from the state of mind we were in then controls our emotions in the now. We have the choice to continue in perpetuation or to break the cycle through our change in attitude and bhav. Swami Vivekananda said that it is our own mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thought make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. By performing actions with a pure thought and intention now, the future will result in an inspirational and happy image.

 

If for some reason you find it very difficult to adopt such a change in attitude and bhav, then your salvation comes in the form of Hamumanji. The only secret to His demeanour is His adoption of dasya bhava or complete and total surrender to Sri Rama. In other words, He has accepted the Lord as His Master and His life’s sole purpose is to serve the Lord. Every action word and thought is for the service of Sri Rama and all His needs is left to the will of Rama.

 

We are reminded of this when Lord Rama praised Hanuman when He (Hanumanji) returned after finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy feet of Lord Rama. Lord Rama asked him, “O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?” Hanuman humbly replied, “By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord.” Again the Lord asked, “How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?” And Hanuman replied, “By Thy Grace, my Lord.”

 

If we have to compare this to our photography analogy in discussion then we find that the prints of Sri Hanumanji’s life will be eternally inspirational and blissful because in reality His photographer and lens is Lord Rama. When Hanumanji’s bhav is brought under question, we remember the answer in the hymn Cheer Ke Chaathi Bole Apni Pawan Putra Hanuman – Mere Man Me Base He Ram, Mere Tan Me Base He Ram where Hanumanji tears open His heart and inside reveals Lord Rama and Mother Sita. Like so, may Lord Rama reside in your heart, mind and in every cell of your body and be the photographer of your actions thoughts and deeds.

 

Our untrained eye may at times by co-incidence snap a good photo, but that by no means makes us a professional. For constant and eternally professional photos, surrender your life to the Lord; be like Hanumanji who as a primate because of His dasya bhava enjoyed the pleasure of Sri Rama’s constant companionship. What is the difficulty for you with developed intelligence and faculties to achieve same?

 

Happy Hanuman Jayanti to all and may Lord Hanuman guide and inspire us to have a close association with the divine.

 

Puthaandu Naal Vaazthukal (Happy New Year) to all Tamil-speaking readers.

 With Love and prayers

 Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com
www.google.com/+yogannaidoo

Superlativeness in Sincerity !!!

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

pic google images
autumn fall

 

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

 

How wonderful it is at times just to sit back and marvel at nature. Nobody has to remind her that it is now time for Autumn... and like clockwork as if adhering to our calendar, Summer gently loosens its grip and Autumn dutifully fills the void. Without any resistance, the trees raise their boughs in surrender and one by one shed their leaves carpeting the earth below with material just in time for the creatures to collect them in preparation for the icy Winter to follow. This can only be through the power of a supreme being who can so seamlessly co-ordinate the universe. Sometimes no matter how co-ordinated to organised an event can be, there will still be some element that has been forgotten. This is due to our limitations and imperfections. God, however, is perfect and infinite. Can you imagine, if for an instant, God forgot to maintain gravity or keep the Sun in position? But... forgetfulness only belongs to the realm of the finite and limited.

 

Though we are limited and finite and may not have the power to change the seasons at will, we however do command a greater power. We all have the potential and ability to command God. This may seem to immediately contradict my earlier statement where I proclaimed God to be the Supreme Being yet here I say that we have the ability to command Him.

 

Sri Krishna Himself declares in the Srimad Bhagvatam that He is completely under the control of His sincere devotees. Since the Lord’s devotees are completely devoid of any desires, the Lord resides solely in the core of their hearts and in an instant, responds to their call. This is clearly illustrated by two incidents that immediately come to mind. Firstly, when Draupadi was being dishonoured and de-robed in the Kaurava Kingdom... the Lord came to her rescue and when Maharaja Ambarishi came under attack from a demon created by Druvasa Muni... the Lord at once dispatched His sudarshana chakra. To those who think that this is far-fetched and correlates to fables concocted to keep children occupied before bedtime... then we may study the life of contemporary saints who demonstrated the power of sincere bhakti for the Lord.

 

Within a year of the Temple dedication, the head Priest, who was the brother of Sri Ramakrishna, passed away... and Master was then appointed to take his place. At that time, Sri Ramakrishna commenced a period of intense spiritual transformation. He later said, "In that state of divine exultation I could no longer perform the formal worship. ‘Mother,’ I said, ‘who will look after me? I have no power to take care myself. I want only to talk about thee. I want to feed thy devotees. I want to give a little help to those whom I might chance to meet. How will all that be possible, Mother? Give me a rich man to stand by me.” That is why Mathur Babu did so much to serve me."

 

And so it was Mathur who undertook the role of supporting the Master’s worldly concerns, thereby helping Sri Ramakrishna to fulfil His spiritual mission. Mathur felt that the Temple was filled with an intense manifestation of divinity due to the presence of the Master.

 

In the life of Swami Vivekananda:

Swamiji’s disciple: Swamiji, here’s your train ticket, and please allow me to give you this money to pay for meals along the way.

Swamiji: Thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness. However, I cannot accept the money. I’m determined to live at this time by the precept taught to me by my master, Sri Ramakrishna, that a sannyasin (monk), like a bird, should give no thought for the morrow. A sannyasin should rather depend wholly on God.

Swamiji’s disciple: I’m worried that you’ll suffer along the way. It’s a long trip.

Swamiji: If it’s the Master’s will that this body should suffer, then so be it. Good-bye.

Swamiji’s disciple: May Sri Rama protect you.

 

On the train a trader started to taunt Swamiji about His vow of poverty and how He could not afford to get His own meals and water. He continued to take his meals in the face of Swamiji’s parched throat and hunger. Then Lord Rama entered the dream of a sweatmeat vendor Apurva, and instructed Him to immediately take food and water to Swamiji. Thinking it was a dream, he turned about and slept again. Lord Rama angrily interrupted his sleep again and Apurva immediately got to the task. Taking all the provisions, he met Swamiji at the station to the jaw- dropping reaction of the trader who mocked Swamiji.

 

These little incidents give credence and endorses the words of Sri Krishna in the Bhagvatam that the Lord is at the beck and call of His sincere devotees. Saint Thirnavakarasur who was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva had an intense longing to visit Mount Kailas. Through his sincere and earnest prayer, he had the darshan of Lord Mahadeva and Mount Kailas in his very own village. The secret to wield this power is nothing but unconditional, unalloyed sincerity and devotion greased by faith in your Lord... and He will be at your command.

 

May Shri Rama help us attain this devotion and sincerity as practiced by Him, is my sincere prayer.

 

Love and prayers

Yogan Naidoo

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

www.google.com/+yogannaidoo