Vidvan Mahasabha

The strength-giving, peace-creating culture of Bharat has been submerged by the flashy, glittering ideals introduced from the West during centuries of foreign rule. The attention of the people of this land is drawn from the heights to the lowly needs of the senses and the stomach. Even after Indians have regained the power to shape their own future, the situation has not improved, for the same injurious attitude is being perpetuated. The beliefs and practices of the past are condemned as superstitions by the inheritors of that very heritage! I won’t agree with people who dismiss them as superstitions; for, they gave those who believed and acted according to the belief, the most precious treasure of Ananda and Shanti. They helped to pull out the poisonous fangs of karma, fangs which inject greed, egoism, and hate.

They taught man to do karma (action) as a sacred duty and leave the result to Gods, thus avoiding two evils: the evil of pride and the evil of frustration, pride that the act was a success, frustration when it did not succeed. It also contributed some positive good; the karma was done well, as well as the individual could execute it, for all karma was transformed into worship of the Supreme. Man was saved by this emphasis on Niskama-karma (selfless action) from unending desire and inexplicable sorrow. Now like water, man flows ever downward, and at the least disappointment, he breaks into bits and drops.

Faith In The Divinity Of Man Has To Be Restored

Once again, that attitude must be implanted in Man. He has acted the role of clown or servant or an extra much too long; it is time he took on the role of a Hero for which he is destined and equipped. So like the garland maker who selects flowers of various hues, sizes, and fragrances for preparing a garland, the Prasanthi Vidvan Mahasabha too has selected these Pandits and prepared a Garland. The purpose of this Sabha is to remind everyone of the role of the Hero he has to play. Of course, I am the sustainer of the flowers, not the garland maker! The heroism of the wise man has gone from this land, and the weakness of the ignorant has overwhelmed the people. This has to be corrected. Sloth has taken the place of earnestness; hesitation has halted courage. Even in other lands, the sense of values has to be restored and faith in the Divinity of Man has to be restored. That is the task for which I have come.

Even the Pandits who have great scholarship have no happiness; the scriptures that they have mastered are designed to confer peace of mind, contentment, and unshakable joy, but the repositories of that scholarship are a very discontented group today. They have the umbrella in their hands, no doubt, but it does not protect them against rain or shine! So even they have to be made aware of the excellence of the knowledge they are carrying, and its curative property. Know thyself, not the Sun and Moon, is the specific for man’s ills.

Act Up To Your Professed Declarations

Watch the mind, just as you watch the cable through which the current flows. Do not establish contact with the mind; it is as bad as contacting the cable. Watch it from a distance; then only can you derive Anandam; search for the cause of Ajnanam (ignorance) just where it resides. Then you will find that the Mind in association with Visaya (sense objects) is the cause. Cut it off from the vision of Visaya and jnana (wisdom) dawns.

There was a person who proclaimed himself a Sthitaprajna (established in super-consciousness) and an adept in Yoga. He went into Samadhi in a trice and sent his Kundalini Shakti (inner cosmic energy) to the Brahmarandhra (crown of the head)! Then he got himself buried in the river bed; but he rose after a few days and started asking for cash contributions from onlookers! It was a descent from the sublime to the ridiculous. You must guard against that. Be consistent; act up to your professed declarations. The members of the Prasanthi Vidvan Mahasabha have to share their learning and their experience and their joy with the people. That is their elementary duty. For this, they are not to receive any monetary benefits, for, they are only doing their duty, increasing their own joy, sharing their own enthusiasm.

I am sure this Sabha will move from victory to victory, for it is contributory to My Work. This huge auditorium was erected, would you believe it, in 15 days! It was all done by the Bhaktas; not a coolie was employed. The Chitravathi river helped a good deal, for it supplied the sand with which the place was filled. No Government, no force of authority could have achieved this so soon; only devotion can inspire this consistent shraddha (firm faith). It is all the effect of Sankalpa (Will). The Sankalpa is there and so, the Mahasabha also will carry on its great task, unhindered.

Prasanthi Nilayam, 20-10-1963