Serve the Divine: Chant the Name

What can Kali or the forces of evil do 
To one whose heart is filled with compassion, 
Who wears the jewel of truthful speech, 
Whose limbs are devoted to the well-being of others?

If man is to be free from the sway of evil forces, he has to achieve the triple purity of thought, word, and deed. It is only when the heart, the tongue, and the body are pure that man can fully comprehend Para tatwa (Supreme Principle).

This world that is inhabited by man is called Prapancha. Pra implies that which is shining or blooming. It is a prefix. It is only when this Pra is prefixed to every sense organ that Prapancha (the world) emerges.

Prapancha And Paramatma

There are the five basic elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth), the five sense organs (relating to hearing, touch, sight, taste, and smell), the five sheaths (Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya), and the five life-breaths (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, and Samana). When the prefix Pra is added to each of these Pancha (five) categories, the Prapancha emerges. This means that the world is made up of the five elements, the five senses, the five sheaths, and the five vital airs. Consequently, wherever you turn, you see in the world differences: differences among material objects, a variety among individuals, in experiences, etc. Wherever such differences exist, there are bound to be likes and dislikes, Raga and dwesha (attachments and aversions). If man has to transcend these differences, he has to recognize the all-pervading Divine principle. Only then both attachment and hatred can be totally eliminated.

The five elements are manifestations of the Paramatma (Over-self). So are the five sheaths and the five vital airs. Hence, man cannot exist without these manifestations. That is why the scriptures declared: “His feet and hands are everywhere; His head, face, eyes, and ears are everywhere.” The omnipresence of the Divine can be experienced in the cosmos.

When a man embarks on some undertaking, he imagines that no one is observing him. But no man can do anything unseen or unnoticed by God. Is it possible to deceive the Divine whose face and eyes are everywhere? “_Sarvam aavritya tishthat_i” (Encompassing everything, He remains). The Divine shines in every object. It is a mark of supreme ignorance to imagine that you can conceal anything from God. Nor is that all. God is described as “Acharam Charameva Cha” (He is non-moving and moving). That is, though appearing to be moving, He remains unmoving. God has no hands, but He can grasp anything. He has no feet but He can move everywhere. He has no eyes, but can see everything. This is the significance of the statement “Acharam charameva cha."

Here is an example. Man in the dream state feels that he is moving about. In the dream he wanders over all places. He experiences many actions done by the body. But despite the movements and activities in the dream, his body is still and motionless on the bed on which he is sleeping. The same body is moving about in the dream. The Divine is in that body. Equally, the Divine is in the body that is motionless. Thus, He is both the unmoving and the moving. It is not easy to recognize this subtle Jnana (spiritual wisdom).

Perception of One Without a Second is Jnana

What does jnana mean? Jna means to know. Na refers to that which cannot be known. Jnana therefore refers to that which cannot be easily comprehended. “Advaita Darshanam Jnanam,” declared the scripture. Jnana (Super-knowledge) is the perception of the One without a second. Only the One exists. There is no second. In such a situation, there is nothing to be known. There is no knowledge, knowing, or knower (in that state). In comprehending the One, the nature of the many has to be properly understood. Every man has to recognize the Divinity that is present in all human beings.

God is one. That One is the Indweller in all beings. Did the Divine fragment Himself in a myriad ways? The answer is: without fragmenting Himself, the Divine is present in all beings. In his ignorance, man notices only the manifoldness around him.

This may be illustrated this way. The sun’s image can be seen in an ocean, a river, a lake, a pond, or a well. Everywhere the sun appears to be shining. Are there so many different suns? No. The objects reflecting the image of the sun are varied and different from one another. Likewise, names and forms may be different, but in all beings, the same God, without being divided, shines as the Indweller. Thus, although bodies may appear with different names and forms, the Divine in them is one.

Develop Love, Nearness, and Obedience to the Divine

To recognize this omnipresent Divine, man has to get rid of Raga, Bhaya, and Dwesha (attachment, fear, and hatred). These three are worldly qualities. But, merely by shedding these qualities, man cannot have God-realization or comprehend the Divine principle. The table before me has no qualities. Can it comprehend the Divine? The mere absence of bad qualities is not enough. There must be love. You must develop love towards God. But love alone will not serve to make one comprehend the Atmic principle. One must move towards the Divine. But, here again, nearness to God is not enough. You have to carry out the injunctions of the Divine. It is only when love, nearness, and obedience to the Divine commands are present that one can realize the Atmic principle. Recognition of the Divinity inherent in the human state calls for spiritual sadhanas (disciplines) of various kinds.

Today man is enveloped in a certain disease. It is Asanthi (peacelessness). For curing any disease, there are normally three methods. One is to take the prescribed medicine. After taking the medicine, the prescribed diet regimen has to be followed. Taking the medicine without observing the diet regulations will not help to cure the disease. Adhering to the prescribed diet, without taking the medicine, will also not serve the purpose. Both medicines and diet control are essential to ensure a cure.

If the disease of peacelessness afflicting man is to be cured, he has to take the medicine of love and adhere to the diet of following the injunctions of the Divine. Only then will the mental unrest go.

Three Different Types of Argument

It is true that many have love for God. But they do not live up to the dictates of the Divine. Those who follow the Divine injunctions in a formal manner, do not act with love for God. It is only when there is a union of love and obedience that man can recover peace of mind.

In this context, a Vedic aphorism declares: “Vaadah pravadatam” (Let the argument be expounded). There are three different ways of carrying on a Vaada (argument). Without attachment or hatred, with the desire to understand the Atmic principle, with a sincere heart, engaging oneself in a spirit of enquiry, is termed a discussion, Vaadah (purposeful argument). This means that one conducts the debate with a heartfelt yearning to know the truth, with a pure mind filled with noble thoughts.

Without such an attitude, if one is keen only to assert his own opinions and defeat the others in the argument by any means, condemning the beliefs of others and defending one’s own views in an egoistic spirit - this type of argumentation is termed Jalpa (wrangling).

The third type of argumentation is condemning everything and indulging in such condemnation habitually, without any regard for one’s own defects, finding faults in others perpetually, magnifying those faults and broadcasting them. Such an attitude is termed Vitandavada (perverse argumentation).

Of these three types, unfortunately, these days we notice only the third type of perverse logic prevalent. Vaada and Jalpa are not very much in evidence. One pretends to be all-knowing in any argument. Such people enter into an argument only for furthering their selfish ends. These persons can never realize the Atmic principle even after any number of lives.

Strive to Understand the Inherent Divinity

The first requisite is the urge to comprehend the Atmic principle. Only when this arises in man will his humanness become worthwhile. In spite of human birth and the inherent Divinity in them, men are failing to recognize their Divine nature. Man is learning all about other things, but is making no effort to understand himself.

What is the real meaning of Jnana? It is to know the truth about one’s self by a process of refinement. What is spirituality? What is the refining of one’s nature? It is discovering one’s true self.

One is searching for something in a room. He sees everything in the room except himself. Likewise in this vast room of the cosmos, man is searching for everything and perceives all things. But he does not know himself and has no perception of what he is. He cries out: “Where is God? Where is God?” This query is like that of a man who asks others where he is. “Where am I? Who am I?” What is the meaning in putting such questions to others? He knows where he is. How can others tell him where he is?

“As Is Your Feeling, So Is the Outcome”

Likewise, it is sheer ignorance to search for God. There is no need to search for God. He is everywhere, all-pervading, inside and outside. You have to know the Divine which is here, there, and everywhere. The Bhagavata says: “Durat dure antike cha” (He is farther than the farthest and close by as well). There is none who is nearer to us than He. But there is also none who is farther from us than He. What is the reason for this nearness or remoteness? One’s feelings alone are the primary reason. If you feel He is near, He is near; if you feel He is distant, He is remote. It is on account of this that the scriptures declare: “As is your feeling, so is the outcome.”

God has been given three names: Om Tat Sat. Man has a fascination for names. When the name of his native place or his own name is mentioned, he feels happy. But with regard to the Divine, the name is not important. If the inner significance of all the different names of the Divine is understood, it will be found that they mean one thing alone. Om is Parabrahma (the Supreme Absolute). Tat is ‘That.’ Sat is the Real. “Om Tat Sat” means “The Supreme Absolute is that Reality.” By describing Om as Pranava, made up of the three letters A, U, M and elaborately commenting in this manner, the pedantic expositors confuse the aspirants.

By such expositions, devotion is weakened. Each one expounds these statements in his own way. When the question is asked whether these exponents practice any of the teaching they preach, the answer is in the negative. When such is the case, how can spirituality grow?

Hence, practice is more essential than preaching. When you practice the teachings, others will follow your example. When you preach to a lakh of people what you don’t practice yourself, all of them lose their faith in the teachings and are indifferent to them.

Three Stages to Attain the Divine

Moreover, the Atmic bliss to be derived from practicing spiritual truth cannot be derived by any other means. No preceptor’s teaching will be of any use. Nor will the reading of scriptures be of any avail. The gain from study or listening is precious little. It is only when you practice what you have seen and heard that you can experience Atmic bliss. In the Gita, Krishna declares, “Jnatum, Drashtum, Praveshtum” (the three stages of knowing, seeing, and experiencing in Self-Realization). You have heard about something: that is Jnatum. You wish to see what you have heard about: that is Drashtum. And then you wish to have the experience of what you have seen: that is Praveshtum. Only when these three take place can the human being attain the Divine. At present, you are merely studying the scriptures or listening to the expositions of scholars.

You must embark on an undertaking to ascertain whether what you have heard can be found and put into practice. You have to begin the quest. But where is the quest to be made? Not outside you. Everything is within you. All that is outside is a reflection of the Inner Being.

Experience of the Sages in Realizing the Divine

In ancient times, the great sages performed rigorous penances to experience the Divine. Some of them gave up the attempt after a time, considering the Divine as unattainable. Some others persisted in their attempts with the determination to achieve the goal. Thereby they realized the Divine. What did they proclaim to the world after their Realization? “Vedaham etam Purusham Mahantam Adityavarnam Tamasah Parastat” (We were able to see the Lord, the Effulgent One, bright as the Sun). Where did they see God? “Tamasah parastat” (Beyond the Tamo-guna), came the answer.

Today man is enveloped in a thick cloud of Tamoguna. The effulgent Lord can be seen beyond the Tamoguna (the quality which is the cause of all man’s ignorance and wrong doings). This Tamoguna, which holds every man in its grip, should be got rid of. For this purpose, men should perform good deeds and render service.

In the Ramayana, during an encounter between Hanuman and Vibhishana, Ravana’s youngest brother, in Lanka, Vibhishana asked Hanuman why he (Vibhishana) had not secured a vision of Rama in spite of his chanting Rama’s name. Hanuman replied that mere chanting of Rama’s name was not enough. Vibhishana had failed to engage himself in any act of service to Rama. He had done nothing to render help to Sita, who was held captive in Lanka by Ravana.

It is not enough to recite the Lord’s name. One has to render service to the Lord. Only then, there is a unification of the Name and the Form, and the Divine is experienced.

People are chanting the name of the Lord today. They are dwelling in the ashram. Why have they come here? To secure Bhagawan’s grace and experience Atmanandam (spiritual bliss). Those who have come may be reciting the name of the Lord. But are you engaging yourselves in any of the Lord’s work? What part are you playing in Swami’s work? Without participating in Divine service, your stay here for any number of years will be as futile as the presence of a frog on a lotus. While bees coming from long distances taste the nectarine sweetness of the honey in the lotus, the frog derives no benefit from its nearness to the lotus. This truth is not recognized by devotees.

Duty of the Ashramites

Hence, it is not enough to come to the ashram. You have to take part in the ashram activities. You must render service according to your capacity. You are not asked to do more than that. Swami does not ask for your services. He is saying all this for your own sake.

Hence, from today everyone staying in the ashram, whoever he may be, should render service according to one’s capacity. There is no use merely in consuming food and taking one’s seat in the Mandir Verandah or the Darshan (audience) line. Everyone must render service to the limit of one’s ability. Those who cannot render such service should quit the Mandir. Why have you come here? What are you doing? Consult your conscience for the answers. You have come from far away places, giving up all things. But despite this renunciation, what are you doing? You are wasting your time. This is a grievous mistake. Time is a manifestation of God. Time is consuming man. God is the consumer of Time itself. Therefore, you should strive to earn the grace of God. If you waste time, you will forfeit God’s grace.

Embark on Active Work

Many persons are wasting their time in this manner. Whatever you tell them, they say: “Sai Ram! Sai Ram!” Even a tape recorder can repeat this. What is the use of uttering the name? Embark on active work. Even for eating a masala dosa, you have to engage your hands and mouth in action. Likewise, you have to use your hands for service. Chant the name with your tongue. And experience bliss in your heart. Only when all these three are done will you qualify for God’s grace.

Therefore, everyone who had joined the ashram should take part in service activities according to one’s capacity. Some are doing this. There is one devotee who is 86 years old. He is engaged in some work or other right up to 10 p.m. in the night. For doing work earnestly, is age a bar? He has difficulty in climbing stairs or coming down. But he carries on his work by using a vehicle. There is another devotee who is also an aged person. According to his strength, he renders service in the Canteen by serving water. There is a third devotee. His energies have declined. Despite this, he is carrying on the editorial duties assigned to him.

Do Service According to Your Capacity

Therefore, each one may do what lies within his power. But there are quite a few younger people who don’t do any work. They take food several times. They sit in the verandah and do nothing. There is no room for such persons in the verandah. You have to work. Those who do not work should leave. This is the import of the Gita declaration: “Karmanyeva adhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana” (You are entitled only to do your duty, not to the fruits thereof). Practice and propagate this Karma Marga (the Path of Action).

When one is told to take up some work, he says: “I won’t be able to do this.” Now, what is it such a person can do? He must at least say what he can do. He is not being asked to build walls or dig wells. No one is asked to do such arduous work in the ashram. All tasks are easy ones. We want persons who will take up such work. It is not for the development of the ashram. It is for the fulfillment of your life. The work can always be got done by wage earners without your service. But if you do that work, get involved in Karma Yoga, aim at Dharma Yoga and merge in Brahma Yoga (union with the Divine), you will have Self-Realization. This is the teaching of Swami.

Grief Follows Happiness Like a Shadow

Dear devotees! All actions should be done with a view to achieving Trikarana shuddhi (purity in thought, word, and deed). Everything is in the heart of man. Divinity is installed in the heart. A foolish person is carried away by the wealth and pomp of the outside world. The conceit that accompanies the fascination for these possessions is not recognized. Grief follows happiness like a shadow. Under the shadow of Adhikara (Authority), flourishes the demon of Ahamkara (egotism). Do not be carried away by the lure of power. Self-conceit, which comes in its wake, will overwhelm you. Beware of its presence. Only then you will be well. Do not gloat over wealth and possessions. There is an ogress that will submerge them. That is durabhimanam (self-conceit). You must take note of such dangers.

When there is lightning, you see a sudden burst of effulgence. This is followed in the next moment by intense darkness. Darkness lurks all the time behind light. Hence, man is advised to treat pleasure and pain, profit and loss, victory and defeat with an equal eye. There is nothing in the world without these opposites. This is termed dwaita (duality). Darkness and light, heat and cold, good and bad, sin and merit, truth and falsehood - these pairs are always there. Man has two eyes, two ears, and two nostrils in one nose.

Thus the world presents a picture of dualism. And because of this, we have the phenomenon of constant change in the Jagat (world). Jagat means that which “comes and goes” (J_a_ + gat). Nothing is permanent. There is only one thing that is unchanging and eternal and that is Divinity. To experience that Divinity man must first of all get rid of his bad qualities. He must suppress his ego and render service to the Divine along with chanting the Lord’s name. That is the way to redeem one’s human life. Moreover, both the chanting of God’s name and rendering of service should be done with a love-filled heart.

Discourse in the Purnachandra Auditorium, on 20-2-1993.