The Inner Temple

Twelve years ago, I remember, we had a gathering of the people of Bukkapatnam here, in this temple, in connection with the starting of a high school for this town. The school was started, and thereafter, I have come often, but every time, since the school is outside the town, I have been coming to the outskirts only! I am glad I have again come into the town today, to this very temple, to light another lamp for the benefit of this place.

The group of young men, who collected the funds needed for the illumination of this ancient Temple of Lakshminarayana, struggled hard indeed, as their report indicates. After all, a single, devoted donor could have finished the job.

The temple is the repository of Sanatanadharma (eternal, universal religion); it is the heart and soul of a village. In former days, a newcomer would ask, “Have you a temple in this village?” and if the answer is, “No,” he will move on to some other village, which has one. Today, however, the question has become, “Have you a cinema hall in this village?”

The conservation and promotion of all the traditional institutions, customs, and habits have become imperative, and I am glad that in this place, the young men have taken the lead and are proving good examples to the elders.

Knowledge Is Growing, But Wisdom Lags

I shall switch on the electric lights in a few moments, but remember, it is not the Lord within the temple that needs illumination, it is the worshipper. This material temple of stone and mortar might be lit up using a few bulbs, but really speaking, everyone is a moving temple with the Lord installed in the shrine of the heart.

That shrine has to shine bright and clear; now, it is plunged in the darkness of falsehood, injustice, cruelty, and pride; it is infested by poisonous, nocturnal birds of prey. The lighting up of this structure is but the symbol of the illumination of the heart, the destruction of the darkness of ahankara and ajnana (egoism and ignorance) so that the Lord might be revealed in all His glory.

Lately, there has been everywhere progress in the material field, schemes and plans to increase prosperity and comforts. Schools, hospitals, and factories are multiplying everywhere. But there is no peace in the heart of man, or of society. This is because there has been no corresponding increase in the moral conduct of man. A stick will help a man to walk up an incline, but of what use is it to a person, whose legs have become defunct? Material prosperity is the stick and virtue the strength of the feet.

The trouble is that knowledge is growing, but wisdom lags. There is an infection of envy, cynicism, and conceit everywhere. Man has become the slave of passion and pride. He lets his mind drag him wherever it listeth, though the word Man means, “He who has control over Manas.” The control of the mind can be achieved through spiritual discipline and training. To remove dirt from white cloth, the dhobi soaks it in water, puts in soap flakes, warms the water, and beats it on a stone. He does not make it white; it is white. He only removes the non-whiteness by a certain process. So too, the jeeva (individual soul) is pure, but it has got soiled. It has to be soaked in good conduct and pure character, soaped with meditation on Godhead, warmed in discriminatory wisdom helped by reason, and beaten on the slab of renunciation. Use the temple and the worship of the Lord done here as per traditional rites, for this end. Light is holy, sacred. Do not misuse it for lower ends, but give it its proper value and engage yourselves in holy pursuit.

Take Cheerfully All That Comes To You

I was away in Uttar Pradesh, from the 5th of last month to the 28th, and I found people there, full of devotion and faith. Thousands, every day, go on pilgrimage to the shrine of Badri Narayana, in spite of the expense, dangers, and difficulties, animated by the bhakti, which gives them strength and courage. When you see them, you feel that the country is still green, that the path of God and dharma is not given up, and that India is alive and strong.

Moreover, the people there, though they are far away from Puttaparthi, do feel the warmth, showing thereby that they are really near, while you here see only the light and are unaware of the warmth. Devotion and faith are the results of culture and not mere physical contiguity. But, I must tell you one thing. The names Puttaparthi and Bukkapatnam, surrounded by these little hills, are resounding even in the Himalayas and it is up to you to justify that fame and that respect. A life lived in love and humility will gain the respect of all and will also be full of peace. Do not ask of life only joy and happiness, but take cheerfully all that comes to you. You cannot insist that the doctor gives you only sweet medicines. Have the hardihood to bear sorrow as resignedly as you bear joy. Remember that death is inescapable, that life is but an interlude, that the world is but a caravansarai and you will get the strength to pass through the pilgrimage of this birth.

Bukkapatnam, 18-7-1961