Shivrathri Day Sandesh by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba at Prashanti Nilayam
March 4, 2000 - Part I
Embodiments of Love!
One who has recognized the truth that the same Atma exists in all, is
always in union with God and experiences Divine bliss, be it a renunciant
or a householder, and whether one follows the path of action or not. The
principle of Atma cannot be understood by merely going through the Vedas
and sacred texts or listening to the discourses. Just as a gigantic tree
originates from a tiny seed, so also the entire universe has its origin
in the principle of Atma.
Embodiments of Love!
You are verily the embodiments of bliss and happiness. Is it not sheer
ignorance on your part to search for bliss and happiness in the external
world when they are very much present in you? True spiritual transformation
lies in understanding one's own real nature. The present and former Vice
Chancellors of our Institute have prayed to Me (in their speeches earlier)
that I should explain in detail the Pancha Kosas (five life sheaths). The
physical body, which is temporary in nature, is referred to as the Annamaya
Kosa (sheath of food). The Vedas have given this gross body a name Viswadu
as it is associated with the senses of perception and action. As this body
is involved in various external activities, it is also known as Vyaavahaarika.
Thus the Vedas have given various names to the physical body. The food
sheath i.e. the physical body is known as Sthula Sareera, (gross body).
The combination of life sheath, mind sheath and wisdom sheath is referred
to as Sukshma Sareera (subtle body) as they are not visible to the naked
eye. It is referred to as Praathibhasika. Mind in its subtle form is all-pervasive.
That is why it is said, Manomoolam Idam Jagat (mind is the basis
for the entire world). Anandamaya Kosa (bliss sheath) refers to the Kaarana
Sareera (causal body). One should go beyond all the five sheaths in order
to experience bliss. This state is known as Turiya or Mahakaarana Swarupa
(supreme causal aspect). This comes after Sushupti (deep sleep state).
This is also referred to as Paaramaarthika. The bliss experienced in the
state of Turiya is the true bliss. This bliss cannot be obtained through
senses, mind or intellect. There are five types of Kleshas (obstacles),
which come in the way of experiencing this bliss. They are : Avidya Klesha,
Abinava Klesha, Asthitha Klesha, Raaya Klesha and Dwesha Klesha. Man is
unable to have the vision of Atma and experience Atmic bliss due to these
five Kleshas.
One who has excessive attachment to the body suffers from Avidya Klesha,
which leads to various desires and diseases and makes one's life miserable.
The Abinava Klesha arises when one does not exercise control over one's
mind. Man gives undue importance to the body and gets carried away by the
vagaries of the mind and as a result is put to suffering. The Asthitha
Klesha arises out of interest in worldly pleasures. The Raaga Klesha
results from attachment towards wealth and material objects.
The Dwesha Klesha arises when one's desires are not fulfilled. Some
devotees worship God expecting something in return. They are happy if their
desires are fulfilled or else they will start hating even God. The do not
enjoy the fortune on hand. On the contrary, they desire for something more
which they do not deserve. As a result, they are subjected to restlessness.
In order to understand the principle of Paaramaarthika, one should
get rid of the mind or at least have control over it and gradually give
up body attachment.
The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish some time
or the other. But the indweller has neither birth nor death. He does not
have attachment or bondage. Truly speaking, the indweller is God Himself.
(Telugu poem). One cannot realize the indwelling divinity unless and until
one gives up body attachment. Body attachment is an obstacle in the path
of spirituality. Just as a gigantic tree is contained in a tiny seed, likewise
the five Kleshas are ingrained in body attachment in the subtlest manner.
Attachment to the body is the main cause for man's misery and restlessness.
One should consider the body as an instrument and lead a life of truth
keeping in view the indwelling divinity. The entire world has a primordial
basis. Here is a silver plate and a silver tumbler. Silver is the basis
for these. The name and form of the object can be changed, but silver remains
the same. Likewise, all names and forms are bound to change, but the primordial
basis remains changeless.
The principle of Atma is ancient and eternal. It has neither birth nor
death, neither beginning nor end. (Telegu Poem). It is the primordial basis
for the body, the mind and the life principle.
The water of the ocean becomes vapour due to sun's rays. The vapours
in turn become clouds. The clouds come down in the form of rain flowing
down as rivers and streams, which ultimately merge in the ocean. Nadinaam
Saagaro Gathihi. Just as the rivers, which originate from the ocean, ultimately
become one with it, so also all the living beings and objects, which originate
from Divinity, will ultimately merge in it. This in Vedantic parlance is
called Mukti (liberation). Even the Bhagavata says, it is but natural for
all living beings to go back to their place of origin. The life principle
has originated from Divinity. It is bound to merge in it.
The individual soul in the waking state is known as Viswa, as it is
associated with Karmendriyas and Jnanendriyas. In the dream state, it is
called Taijasa (the effulgent one), as it is associated with the effulgent
principle of Antahkarana (inner instruments). In deep sleep state, it is
known as Praajna. It is associated with the sheath of bliss. What is the
reason for dreams? Some attribute dreams to their thoughts and feelings.
But actually speaking, sleep is the main cause for dreams. You will understand
that this world is but a dream. Once you wake up from the sleep of ignorance.
All that you experience in the waking state get imprinted in the Antahkarana
in the form of Samskaraas (tendencies).
Embodiments of Love!
Spirituality does not mean a life of solitude. Ture sprirituality lies
in understanding the unity of the entire humanity, giving up the sense
of attachment and hatred. The principle of Atma is the same in everyone.
What is the form of Atma? Sugar has a form, but can anyone describe the
form of sweetness? Sweetness can only be experienced, it cannot be explained.
Similar is the case with Atmic principle too. It is ancient, eternal, attributeless,
formless, pure, unsullied and immortal. The sweets such as Mysore Pak,
Gulab Jamoon, Burfi, etc may vary in name and form, but sugar is the same
in all. Likewise, names and forms are different, but the principle of Atma
is one and the same. Today, man undertakes various spiritual practices
such as Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (chanting)
Padasevanam (serving the Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam (worship),
Daasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship) and Atmanivedanam (self-surrender),
only for temporary satisfaction. As long as one gets sleep, it hardly matters
where one sleeps, be it on a hard rock or on a cosy bed. Similarly, one
should have purity of mind whatever may be the spiritual practice one undertakes.
Once the mind is pure, one can achieve anything in life. In order to purify
the mind, one should develop the principle of love. The light of love can
never be extinguished. Once you develop the principle of love, you will
transcend the three states of Viswa, Taijasa and Praajana and attain the
ultimate bliss.
Amarasimha, the scholar par excellence composed many verses describing
the principle of divinity. But some people unable to understand his sacred
nature put him through hardships. They set all his books on fire. Of all
his works, only Amarakosha could be retrieved due to the timely intervention
of Sankaracharya. The works of Amarashimha can be compared to the
Vedas. Unfortunately, people are not making any effort to understand the
teachings of the Vedas and sacred texts. They are drowned in ignorance
and have forgotten their true Self.
The nights you experience on other days are ordinary nights. They are
nights of darkness. But Sivaratri is an auspicious night. How is it auspicious?
There are sixteen aspects for the mind. The moon is the presiding deity
of the mind. Of the sixteen aspects of the moon, today, fifteen are absent.
The remaining one aspect can be merged in the Divine by diverting the mind
towards God. If you sing his Glory throughout the night wholeheartedly,
even the remaining one aspect can also be merged with the Divine. On this
day it is possible to get full control over the mind by contemplating on
God. Hence it is considered as an auspicious day. Unfortunately, in this
Kali Age, people observe the vigil of Sivaratri by seeing cinema shows
all through the night or playing cards. This cannot be called Sivaratri.
Every moment of the night should be devoted to the thoughts of God and
chant His name wholeheartedly.
God has thousands of names. Of all those names, 'Satchitananda' is the
most important and significant. 'Sath' stands for the changeless eternal
principle and 'chith' denotes total awareness. The former can be compared
to sugar and the latter to water. When sugar and water are mixed, what
results is syrup. Likewise the combination of 'Sath' and 'Chith' results
in Ananada. Fill your heart with love and chant the Divine name. Only then
can you attain Divinity. Perform all your activities with love. Love would
originate from the source, i.e. the heart and not by force. Today people
chant the Divine name, not from source, but out of force. No benefit accrues
from chanting the Divine name unless it is done wholeheartedly. Chant His
name wholeheartedly at least for half a minute, that is enough. One teaspoon
of cow's milk is better than barrels of donkey's milk. God is interested
in quality, not in quantity.
Man should travel from the food sheath to the life sheath. Life sheath
is referred to as vibration as it is responsible for the movement of the
body. What is mind sheath? Mind is all-pervasive. Mind can travel any distance
in a trice. Man has death but not the mind. Mind will follow man life after
life. What is wisdom sheath? It is not connected with material world. The
material world is associated with reaction, resound and reflection. For
example, you hit the table with your hand. Then the table also hits you
in turn. As is the action so is the reaction. This is the principle of
Praathibhaasika. That which is related to Praahibhaasika is only worldly
and secular knowledge. It cannot be termed as wisdom. True wisdom lies
in understanding the constant integrated awareness. It leads to the changeless
eternal bliss. This can be experienced only after transcending the five
sheaths, viz, Annamaya (gross form), Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya (subtle
form) and Anandamaya (causal form). Then you reach the state of Turiya
(supreme causal state). In order to attain this state one should understand
very clearly the nature of five sheaths. I have explained all this to you
at length because our present and former Vice-chancellors requested Me
to enlighten the boys about the nature of five sheaths.
Students!
You should understand that body is but an instrument and Atma is the
doer and the enjoyer. Give up body attachment. What are you studying for?
You want to earn money and lead a happy life. But, are you getting happiness
from your studies? No. After your studies, you want a lucrative job, then
a promotion and so on and so forth. There is no end to your desires. Then
how can you expect to be happy? True and permanent happiness cannot be
attained in the physical world. It can be experienced only in the state
of Turiya.
One day, Adi Sankara, along with his thirteen disciples was going to
the river Ganges for a holy dip. He came across a Brahmin sitting under
a tree and repeating the rules of Panini grammar, Dukrunkarane, Dukrunkarane….
Sankara asked him what he would gain by repeating the rudiments of grammar?
The Brahmin replied that he would become a great scholar, join the royal
court and earn money. Then Sankara questioned him, how long would the wealth
ensure him happiness? The Brahmin said, he can lead a happy life till his
death. Then Sankara asked him what would happen after death. The Brahmin
replied he did not know. The Sankara sang the following verse:
Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodamathe
Sampraapthe Sannihithe Kale
Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrunkarane
(Oh foolish one, when the hour of death approaches, rudiments of grammar
will not come to your rescue. So chant the name of God.)
Only God's name will protect you in all periods of time and under all
circumstances. Everything in this
world is like a passing cloud. Only bliss and love are permanent. Love
is God. God is Love.
- To be continued. |
