Kasturi Thilagam (inner fragrant beauty)

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

Lord Narayana  -Courtesy: Google Images

As human beings, we practice a very unique characteristic that encourages us to doubt the facts presented before us until we view tangible proof or evidence on the matter. In the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, I recall an incident where two gentlemen were having a conversation and the one refused to believe that an incident occurred because he had not read about it in the local news tabloid even though the person relating the story had seen the incident occur. Even the great Swami Vivekananda who had unconditional faith and devotion in His Master... at the very last moments in Master’s life entertained some doubts about Master’s qualities... but these were immediately put to rest by Sri Ramakrishna who provided an immediate answer to Naren’s mental enquiry.

 

Although Vedanta and various scriptures and Saints have provided solutions and methods to mitigate the quagmire of challenges that plague humanity, we have not taken them into confidence due to insufficient empirical evidence of their results. The tragedy of our lives is that we are like the musk deer that chases the wonderful smell that is actually inside its own body. We tend to run from one external pleasure to another trying to find happiness and satisfaction. Although exposed to the knowledge that the great fragrance of Divinity is within, we defy the truth and wander the world fruitlessly.

 

Swami Vivekananda taught the world that there is no liberation for the self until every soul is liberated and that progress and peace can be attained only when the condition of the masses is raised. The light in these teachings of Swamiji came to revelation during the past six months when South Africa experienced the longest industrial action undertaken by the mining sector in its entire history. In January, the miners in the platinum sector appealed to their employers for a basic salary of R12 500 per month. The failed negotiations between the parties saw the miners down tools and a resolution to the impasse was only drawn up last week.

 

At first, the plight of the mass of ordinary labourers who dug and shovelled the earth for a living did not catch the attention of the other citizens. However six months later when investor confidence, economic ratings, exchange rates, etc. took a dip attenuating the pace of the economy... South Africans raised their heads and noticed the earth digger’s contribution the prosperity and peace of every citizen. Their action had in fact affected the ability of people across South Africa to transact and do business as usual.

 

Hence we now find so much appreciation for the teaching of Swamiji and tend to resonate with His words. We must therefore take the time to read and understand these teachings of great souls within the context of our lives. They have gained the experiences and understanding of this world and life through severe penance and austerity and have selflessly passed them unto mankind so that we need not have to suffer. However our ignorance, foolishness and pride force us deeper into the jungle of life.

 

The aspirant should rather dive deep inside and know the inner... which is the fragrance of spiritual self-knowledge. Having found the glorious perfume of Divinity inside, never again will the aspirant rely on externals or be disillusioned by the world, knowing that all is the play of the Divine.

 

Lord Narayana is glorified as one who adorns the Kasturi Thilagam [Kasturi Thilagam Narayanam link embedded]: the symbol on the forehead of the Lord which oozes with the fragrance of kasturi identifies Him as the one who has the knowledge of the self. We are mere aspirants and seekers of the knowledge. If we follow and emulate the practices of the realised ones, then we as well will not be like the musk deer running aimlessly in the world seeking the fragrance that emanates from its own body. We also will stand gloriously in the world adorning the Kasturi Thilagam.

 

 

There is no need to suffer and hanker for perennial joy that is always within you. Let us all translate the wonderful glorious teachings of our Saints and Seers into a life full of bliss, is my sincere prayer. As we approach the auspicious period of Guru Purnima, let us make a concerted effort to study the works of the bona-fide teachers for our own salvation.

 

With love and prayers Yogan

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

The road travelled, a path transformed

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

||Aum Namo Narayanaya||

 

It has been an exhausting few weeks as the preparations and final touches to the Arise Awake Fun Run was put in place. By the grace of the divine, the event was a mammoth success and continues to improve and grow each year. It is delightful to note increased participation from families as well. Swami Vivekananda’s idea of developing the body as a means to a strong mind seems to gel well with the community... however, post the event I feel like a flotsam battered from the barrage of variables from the onerous task. The mind accedes to the body’s request for a little getaway to rejuvenate and settle itself.

 

It was therefore with a little envy that I attended a small gathering of devotees of the Tongaat Sabha who came together to say ‘bon voyage’ and extend their best wishes and blessings to Brother Soobrie who was embarking on the retreat of a lifetime to Mount Kailas. The sacrosanct mountain embellished at the foothills by Lake Manosarover has been glorified since time immemorial as the abode and earthly residence of Lord Shiva. As the well-wishers came forth one at a time, you could sense a yearning in their hearts to one day touch this hallowed ground themselves. The elegantly be-suited Soobrie seated at the front of the hall like an epergne, surfaced like a blessed buoy amongst the drowning devotees caught in the tidal wave of life.

 

Mount Kailash   -Pic courtesy Google Images

 

It struck me at that time that although many of us may have a similar itinerary whilst boarding a plane, there is a distinctive difference in our goals. When we depart the aircraft at the destination, some are immediately separated as tourists and others as pilgrims. A pilgrim is on a sacred journey where God is encountered at every path of the journey and in all situations; whereas a tourist merely sees sights, discovers new places, learns interesting facts, takes photographs  - returning home more or less the same, just a little educated about the place visited.

The pilgrim on the other hand embarks not on travel but on transformation of the inner being. The pilgrim will never return the same person. Through the arduous and difficult journey, the pilgrim will journey inwards to find the incredible storehouse of strength and power challenging his faith and identity along the way. He will return with deep impressions on his consciousness rather than impressions on his camera.

Without removing the grandeur and glory of the holy sites... we could consider our life to be an incipient pilgrimage. The physical world has its own laws, and by understanding these laws and exploiting them man has made tremendous progress age after age. Chemistry, physical science and other sciences have used Mother Nature to catalyse the revolution of mankind. In a similar manner, the spiritual world has its own set of laws. Therefore it becomes imperative that we understand these laws should we wish to advance our spiritual life. In dealing with a realm that is abstract, it is on the word and guidance of the seers that we travel. Man’s incessant obsession with joy in the physical world has been all but ephemeral.

 

The journey to the soul and the subsequent identification and connection with it is the ideal that has been the bedrock of our religion. The journey however is not without its fair share of obstacles and challenges as found on the trek to Mount Kailas. Being choked with an inadequate level of oxygen, and maimed by weakening muscle strength against the harsh inclines and rocky terrain puts the physical body through its paces against nature. The triumphant feeling at the summit immediately floods out any feeling of languor.


We are all potentially divine beings, and we are reminded of this fact all the time... but our journey to reach this divine force is thwarted and frothed with obstacles like jealousy, anger, hatred, falsehood and adharmic tendencies that chokes the mind and maims the heart.

Every person has the opportunity to reach the abode of Shiva from wherever they are. They simply need to face the challenges of the mind with tenacity and temerity and oxygenate themselves with love and faith in God. The road to the Himalayas begins with the first step... so too, the path to transformation and happiness starts with a simple commitment to find the self in the jungle of the world.

As millions around the world pack the miles in the hope to find that island of bliss amongst the land mass of the world... a little introspection will tell you that the abode of joy and absolute bliss is only moments away within you.

May we all endeavour to transform from tourist to pilgrims at some stage in our lives, is my fervent prayer.

 

With love and prayers

Yogan Naidoo

www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

Editor's Note: Happy 3rd Anniversary

Salutations at the feet of Swami Vivekananda
I greet the divinity within each of you
Jai Shri Ram

 
Mbuyisa is or was my son, but he is not a hero. In my culture, picking up Hector is not an act of heroism. It was his job as a brother. It was his duty.

-Mother of Mbuyisa Makhubo... the boy who together with Antoinette Sithole carried the body of Hector Pieterson moments after he was shot... in the iconic picture we’ve come to associate with Youth Day in South Africa.

 

The iconic picture of Mbuyisa Makhubo & Antoinette Sithole with Hector Pieterson @ site of the 1976 protest in Soweto.

 

The Class of 1976 and indeed others during that time endured many a sacrifice for universal education, that we so liberally enjoy today. On a visit to Soweto last month, I stood at the spot where the 1976 Uprising happened, took it all in and glanced at the various monuments. I thought... even with her child’s life in danger, a Mother could have such humility and sincerity, saying it was her son’s duty. So today, on June 16^th - in the year we celebrate 20 Years of Democracy... in the year ‘born-frees’ voted for the first time... in the year we mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela – I ask: are we doing our duty?

 

By now, regular readers would have noticed a change in the tone and writing style of the blog. I’m here to share a few thoughts and send collective wishes from all readers... as on Youth Day, this blog Sudarshana Vidya, also celebrates its Anniversary... this year turning 3 and reaching close to 30 000 hits! As the honoured Editor [no, I’m not qualified to edit content J], I’m touched to pen a few words on this milestone. Being the humble soul the author is, he always downplays the impact his weekly dose of inspiration, motivation and enlightenment has on readers. At the second instalment of the Arise Awake Fun Run hosted by the Tongaat Hindu Unity Forum held today, I mentioned to a group of people that the blog celebrates 3 years today, to which the resounding response was... “we eagerly await the mail in our Inbox every Monday morning”. Why am I choosing to heap praise and celebrate this milestone you ask?

 

When Sudarshana Vidya turned 2, I asked Revered Swami Vimokshananda who Yogan (hereinafter referred to as Unna) seeks guidance, ideas and blessings from... to send a message for inclusion in one of the pieces.

 

He said: “Yogan is definitely an inspired youth. That he could energise himself with those irrepressible ideas of Swamiji and channelise in the right direction for the increasing number of avid readers of his blog "Sudarshana Vidya" shows how blessed is he as an instrument in the mighty arms of Swamiji. The unique aspect of his writings lies in his penetrating analysis of the problem at hand chiselled especially in the day-to-day context. May Mother Saraswati bless my dear Yogan more and more with mighty thoughts that would flow from his pen like a cooling stream, quenching the thirst of the parched souls ever is my prayer.” Thank You Maharaj.

 

I come back to my earlier question about duty. Swami Vivekananda said: “My faith is in the Younger Generation, the Modern Generation, out of them will come my workers. They will work out the whole problem, like Lions.” This for me is sufficient proof that the ability lies within each of us to do great things, be great people. Swamiji had faith in us... who are we to doubt it?

 

The word “youth” is trending increasingly on social media. Why has it become the new buzzword? Are youth feeling the pressure of the pressure? What are their expectations? What do adults expect of them? At a Youth Day address in 1995, Nelson Mandela said: “I am confident that South Africa’s youth is more than ready to meet the challenge of freedom. We are firm in our conviction that you deserve a better future.” 20 Years later and even after the deaths of Mandela, Biko, Vivekananda and others... their visionary ideas and ideals still hold true. The question remains: Are we doing OUR duty?

 

I work with young people daily. I am young too. Youth are mould-able. They need to be treated with care (sometimes forced-care). We will make you proud. Thank You for the opportunities. Stop the negative speeches about youth apathy and how youth have gone wrong. We will change. Call me ridiculous... call me unrealistic and idealistic and impractical. We must be positive. Change will come. We must believe.

 

By Swami Vimokshananda's grace, I attended a World Youth Conference in India last year, in commemoration of Swami Vivekananda's 150th Birth Anniversary. 600 youth... 24 countries... 1 common belief... The belief in the vision of the revolutionary Vivekananda. How could so many diverse people believe 1 "man"? Why? Because Swamiji's thoughts were practical, ideas universal and messages meaningful. Many participants could not even speak English... but the language of Vivekananda spoke to them. Again, we ask: "how" and "why". Because it simply speaks of two things: duty and action.

 

 

But... duty, sacrifice and other such beautiful words in the literary pantheon can only be given true meaning if we attach respect and action to them. Action – another pretty word... that has no meaning... if the verb is not carried out. So herein lies our answer... as proclaimed by Swamiji... “out of them will come my workers” – ACTION.

 

Leo Buscaglia said: “the time for action is now, and only you can make the difference.” Thank You Unna for championing this difference and inspiring so many of us to action! May Sudarshana Vidya long live to guide, inspire and awaken every young person in their quest to remember the legacies of those before us... and forge ahead creating their own. 

 

 

May Master Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda keep you in their golden embrace always!

 

Your chief follower & biggest supporter

Merisha Lalla

Editor: www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com

 

-Thank You to all readers for your continued support, encouraging emails and messages. Keep reading and keep inspired!

 

*Happy Youth Day South Africa!

*Sudarshana Vidya sends belated Fathers Day greetings to all Dads for yesterday.

Idol vs Ideal

|| Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

celestial wedding ceremony of Narayan
pic- google images

|| Aum Namo Narayanaya||

The breaking news last week that revered Swami Vimokshananda was now being posted to Singapore left me drained of thoughts to pen a blog… hence you would have noticed an absence of any posting. The week seemed prolonged and cast over by a shadow of despondency and despair as not only me but many who showed deep and sincere affection for Maharaj tried desperately to understand this play of Master. We speak of attachment as the bane of our lives; yet hypocritically we tend to manipulate it for our own ends. Sri Krishna was quite clear in the Gita when He said that He who is unmoved in good or bad is a yogi. Hence it is Master who teaches the lesson of attachment here.

Maharaj has this wonderful ability to bring to life and allow the devotees to feel and experience the moods and experiences of devotees during the days with Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Swami Vivekananda or any of the direct disciples or senior monks. The treasured few hours spent with Maharaj at a retreat at Botanical Gardens last Sunday brought nostalgic memories of the accounts with Swami Vivekananda at the Thousand Island Park.

In the midst of the Winter it turned out to be a very hot and humid morning. The well laid out gardens carpeted with well-kept lawns and stocked with an abundance of inspiring plant and animal life seemed to play an apt setting for what turned out to be a spiritually uplifting morning. The enthusiastic devotees from far and wide packed their baskets with delectable vegetarian treats and meandered through what seemed like a thousand hills till we reached the summit of the gardens. We made camp under the canopy of an expansive tree that could very easily be the grandfather of the park. Couched between the tree and the blooming lily pond, the air facilitated the osmosis of spiritual energy and ideas from Maharaj to the seated eager vessels of truth.

The troops were first led through an exhilarating and educational walk through the gardens by Maharaj Himself, assisted by brother Kamal, feeling the touch of Mother Nature in all Her glory. Maharaj in His gerua cloth was like an effulgent flame of compassion and strength dispelling the shadows of ignorance and despair that were cast on many. Lunch at the park was preceded by invocation mantras, reading from the Gospel, singing of devotional songs and a very robust question and answer session. It was during this session that Maharaj strategically calmed the anxiety of all by giving an articulate explanation about the true nature of the world. The underlying truth of the matter is that whatever is created will live and eventually must die. Therefore attachment to the transient creation will lead to anxiety and despair.

Although May was unfortunately the bearer of this sad news, I think it will hurriedly point our attention to its spiritually laden days that will assist to destalk the stigma of it being the conveyor of bad news. The birthday of my Guru - most revered Sri Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj (my eternal pranaams at His feet), Buddha Jayanti, Sita Jayanthi, Tirukalyanam of Lord Balaji and Tirukalyanam of Lord Sudareshwara; and Narasima Jayanthi give divine prominence to May. It was during one exchange of thoughts on Google+ between Maharaj and myself of the Tirukalyanam (celestial wedding) that Maharaj had given instruction that I should write on this subject matter. Most definitely not by any means an expert on the matter, I recall how once when Swami Vivekananda was ill… at the earnest request of Swami Niranjananda, He had been taking Ayurvedic medicines for six or seven days. According to this treatment, the drinking of water is strictly forbidden. He had to appease His thirst with milk. The disciple had come to the Math early in the day. Swamiji on seeing him spoke with affection, "Oh, you have come? Well done, I was thinking of you." Disciple: I hear that you are living on milk for the last six or seven days. Swamiji: Yes, at the earnest entreaty of Niranjan, I had to take to this medicine! I cannot disregard their request.

When the lion amongst mankind acceded to the instructions of His brother disciples, there was no room to manoeuvre but to following humbly and obediently the request of my “chotta Guru”. For many centuries the world has branded us Hindus as idolaters -that is people who worship images or forms of God-. Those very people have failed to see how they themselves have become enslaved in idolism. They have for time in memorial been trying to extract happiness through forms and objects. Society through objects of sense pleasure, through gambling, places of interest, art, performing arts, and many other forms derived pleasure but only to be thrown into disarray and  disillusionment in the absence of such objects or on the other hand in the presence of these objects have also experience anxiety and discontentment after time. Therefore it stands to reason that these objects are not in itself joy or happiness but idols of joy.

Hinduism has never been the advocator for idolism but are in fact ‘ideal-ators’. We have always stood for an ideal. That ideal is truth, existence, knowledge and bliss, collectively called Brahman. As explained in the Mundaka Unpanishad… like a spider that weaves its web from itself and thereafter absorbs it within, this entire creation is an expansion of that very same Brahman. Fixed firm on this ideal, we humbly pay homage and glory to that supreme energy through any form which is verily itself.

Swami Vivekananda lucidly explained Brahmin as:

the Brahman, the God of the Vedanta, has nothing outside of Himself; nothing at all. All this indeed is He… He is in the universe… He is the universe Himself. "Thou art the man, Thou art the woman, Thou art the young man walking in the pride of youth, and Thou art the old man tottering in his step." He is here. Him we see and feel: in Him we live, and move, and have our being.

What then has made us so foolish to seek the happiness and bliss outside ourselves and through objects… when we ourselves are that Brahman?  The answer is relatively simple. Once the great sages were inquisitive as to whom they should make their sacrifices to. Sage Bhrigu then made his way to the abode of the trinity, Brahman, Shiva and Vishnu. At both Shiva and Brahmas abode, he was infuriated as they had not given him any attention whilst they were busy with their activities. In this anger he approached the abode of Maha Vishnu or Srinivasa. Noticing the Lord sleeping on Adishesha and oblivious to his presence, his anger now escalated and he involuntarily kicked the Lord on His chest. The Lord immediately awakened and massaged his feet asking if he was injured. This appeased him greatly and he left Vaikunta with joy and took back the message that Vishnu Bhagavan was the greatest and all sacrifices should go to Him.

However in Vaikunta, another drama unfolded. Maha Luxmi was thoroughly insulted and asked the Lord in an aggrieved manner how he could be hospitable to the sage after he had kicked her resort in the Lord’s chest. He explained that by massaging his feet he had removed his ego which had allowed such an act to take place. Like any other domestic tiff, no explanation calmed the Mother and She immediately left Vaikuntam. The entire abode was immediately set into darkness, misery and gloom. Understanding well that His life and world could never exist without the Divine Mother, the Lord came to earth in pursuit of Her. They were subsequently united and married at Tirumala, where to this day that celestial marriage is re-enacted and many couples go to Tirumala to engage in their marriage vows.

The lesson, philosophy and spiritual lesson from this event teaches us that our very own ego has polarised our knowledge of our true nature. Thus, that absolute bliss is displaced from within us. Attending the celestial marriage ceremony at annual festivals and listening to the story of the marriage of Sri Balaji and Padmavathi must remind us, to remove or subdue our ego and humble ourselves. By resigning ourselves to God, our inherent divinity and joy wells and all our experiences are married with the spiritual energy within and our lives become prosperous and blissful.

May we all reunite and marry the spiritual consciousness within us, is my sincere prayer

 With love always

Yogan Naidoo

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