Love Of God With Service To Society

Without a charitable disposition, and not following the principles of righteous conduct, devoid of compassion and love, man is ruining himself.

(Telugu poem)

Three Types Of Humans

In this wide world, amongst the vast humanity, we find three types of people. The first is pusti jivas, the second samashti jivas, and the third is pravaha jivas.

The first type, the pusti persons, are those who, because of their meritorious deeds in the past life, enjoy the grace of the Divine, though they do not engage themselves in auspicious rites, study of scriptures, contact with saints, undertaking pilgrimage, etc. The merit of past life makes them always happy in the company of the Divine. They dance in delight, experiencing Divine benediction. Just as you do not have a need for firewood after the cooking is finished, these people do not need any spiritual sadhana, as they have already attained the goal of all sadhana. You may not find this type of person doing any spiritual exercise. But he is leading a true life and experiences Brahmananda, Nityananda, Advaitananda, and Paramananda. There is no need for such a person to undertake any spiritual pursuit.

The second type, the samashti persons, read a lot of scriptural texts and are keen on earning name and fame as a scholar. Since they become proud of their scholarship, they make themselves unfit to be recipients of Divine Grace. When one goes on reading till the end of his life, where is the time for practicing the ideals? They may participate in seminars and may meet noble souls, but they are far away from God’s grace because they have no time to think of God and enshrine Him in their hearts. This is the plight of this second type of persons termed as samshti jivas.

The third type, classified as pravaha jivas, are always engaged in mundane activities in pursuit of physical comforts and worldly pleasures. They do not think of God; they think that they are capable of achieving whatever they want. At least wicked people think of God in some difficult situations. The pravaha persons have no chance of realising the Divine at all. They are born again and again. They have no chance of liberation. Some may have good feelings latent in them. But they do not join satsang (good company), do not adhere to good conduct and righteous action, though some may be conscious of the Divine residing in the heart.

There is a small story to exemplify some exceptional cases of this type of persons. There was a family of a wife and husband; the wife was very devoted to God and was always in thought of the Divine. She was worried that her husband never uttered the name of God even once. She believed in the truth that uttering the name of God is the best way to get liberation and that repeating God’s name is a boat to cross the ocean of life. She was praying to God, entreating Him to show mercy to her and make her husband utter God’s name. She even questioned the Lord as to whether it was her misfortune to have such a husband and the Lord being compassionate, could He not transform her husband to be a devotee like her. The same night when she was contemplating on such entreaties to God, she heard her husband suddenly utter “Rama Rama” in his sleep. Her joy knew no bounds when she heard her husband utter Rama’s name which he had never done before. She thought that her prayer to God was answered. She got up earlier than usual in the morning and decorated the entrance of her house with rangoli (colorful designs) and arranged for mangala vadhya (auspicious music) to be played. When the husband got up, he was surprised to see the decorations and to hear the auspicious music and was wondering whether it was a festival day. When he asked his wife, the cause for these extraordinary arrangements made by her, she said that all along he had never uttered God’s name but the previous night he said, “Rama, Rama” in his sleep. So she was profoundly happy and decided to celebrate this event in a fitting manner. On hearing this, the husband got perplexed and exclaimed, “Have I let out the Lord enshrined in my heart so carefully all along? What a pity!” So saying, he breathed his last.

In this way, a few pravaha type persons (addicted to sensual pleasures) may not be uttering God’s name or doing external worship but may have the thought of God enshrined in their heart.

Remember God At All Times From An Early Age

Some among the modern youth sing bhajans and participate in Nagarasankirtan. Looking at this, some elders questioned, “Why should these youth take up this sort of activity in this early age? They should do this only after they retire from service, in their old age.” This is totally wrong. Remembering God and chanting His name should be done always, at all places, and in all situations (Sarvada Sarvakaleshu Sarvatra Harichintanam). There is no restriction of time or place for chanting the Divine name. You cannot say when, where, and how the end will come. You should be able to chant the name at that last moment!

It is very difficult to think of God when the messengers of death are tightening their noose around the neck. It is only the good that you had done previously would come to your rescue. So you should start doing meritorious deeds from the early part of your life. (Telugu song).

Love Of God With Service To Society

There was a priest in a temple, who by virtue of his long experience used to hold the arati (waving light before God) in one hand and ring the bell with the other hand. When he passed away, a new priest succeeded him. But this priest could not do both the things simultaneously. If one hand was handling the bell to ring, the other hand could not wave the arati. If arati was done properly, the bell could not be made to ring. This was due to his lack of practice. So the practice of chanting God’s name should be started from an early age. You may be aware of the way a soldier in the Army has to take training in all aspects before he could be fit to take part in active service at the front. Anyone joining the Armed forces, whether a washerman, cook, or sepoy, has to qualify compulsorily in two things. One is handling a rifle and the second is drill marching. Whatever be his vocation in the Army, one should be trained in these two fields. Similarly, in the spiritual field, one should compulsorily undertake two things, namely, love of God and service to society.

These are the two prime components of divine life. They help in the realization of the Divine. You have to take up this practice at an early age so that you can have realization before you leave this world. You do not know when the end will come. You should be prepared for it at all times. The photographer asks you to be steady before he takes a snap of you. But the Divine cameraman will not give you any notice. You should be always ready to meet the situation.

If you engage yourself in bhajan and daivachintana (singing the glory and remembrance of God) you will not be caught unawares. Supposing you have a master who has an Alsatian dog at the gate, while he is on the first floor upstairs. There are two ways of reaching him. One way is to befriend the dog and enter into the house and the other way is to call out for the master from the ground in a loud voice so that he will come out and allow you to come in by controlling the dog. Maya is the dog. God is the master. Either you should control the Maya, or chant His name and sing His glory loudly, so that He will come down. We have to treasure Him in our heart, as that is His altar.

Draupadi prayed to Krishna when she was humiliated in Duryodhana’s court. She said, “Oh, Dwaraka vasa, Brindavana sanchara! Help me!” She could not get the response and became tired. Finally, she pleaded in a faint voice, “Oh, Hridayanivasa! (Indweller of heart). Will you not come to my rescue?” Immediately, Krishna saved her from the trouble. On a later occasion, when she asked Krishna why He took such a long time to respond when she was in distress and prayed to Him sincerely. Krishna responded, “You said Dwaraka vasa, Brindhavana sanchara etc.” I have to respect the devotee’s words and so I had to go from your heart all the way to Dwaraka and Brindavan, which are so far away. When you said, “Hridayanivasi”, where I am actually residing, I came to your help instantaneously.

So everyone should install the Divine in their heart with full faith. It is not correct to think that God resides only in a mosque, a church, or a temple. The seat of God is the devotee’s heart. That is why Gita says, “Pashyannapi Napashyati.” Though he sees, he is not conscious of God in his heart. Everything you see outside is only a reflection of the inner being. “Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvatokshi Shiromukham.” All feet, hands, eyes, heads are all His. What does this mean? He is in every being.

Hear God’s Footsteps In Utter Silence

One devotee was asking God, “You say you are in me, around me, above me, below me. How is it you are not protecting me?” God answered, “I am always in you, around you. Do not look for me externally.”

The devotee asked, “Are you behind me, really?” The Lord replied, “My shadow is your body.” When the devotee turned around to see whether God was behind, he could not see Him. He asked, “Are you speaking an untruth? I am unable to find you.” God replied, “When you turn back, I too have to turn back. So you could not see me. You have not understood the truth.” Supposing you stand before a chair, the chair is in front. If you turn around, the chair is at your back. God manifests according to your bhavam (feelings). When you pray, “can You not hear my prayers?” You visualise Him, hearing with His ears. When you pray, “can You not see my suffering?” you see His eyes only. When you pray, “Why do You not stay with me!” you hear His footsteps. You have to maintain perfect silence. The ancient seers spent their time in listening to the voice of God, which is pranava or Om. Even now you can experience this. Close your eyes tightly. You will hear the sound “Om” from within. God proclaims, “Oh, devotee! You are seeing with physical eyes and listening with physical ears. Be in utter silence. You can listen to the footsteps of God.” Such holy paths have been shown by great devotees. One who does not understand this is in ignorance.

Consider Everything As God’s Gift

Surdas, a great devotee of Krishna, once went behind a woman and followed her to her home. Her husband chastised him, saying, “What for have you been given eyes? Is it for this unholy pursuit or another man’s wife? Why don’t you concentrate on God?” Immediately, Surdas got enlightened and pierced his eyes with the thorns of a lime tree. He proceeded to Dwaraka to Krishna’s temple. On his way, he was about to fall into a well, Krishna came in the form of a cowherd boy and caught hold of his hand and asked him, “Where are you going?” Surdas said, “I am going to Dwaraka.” Krishna said, “I shall show you the way and lead you.” The next day, they rested in a choultry. Krishna wanted to go, but Surdas would not leave Him. Surdas said that he would put his hand over the boy while sleeping and asked the boy to put His hands on him. Because of this Divine touch, he was released from all his sins. (Sparshanam Papanashanam). Then Krishna told Surdas, “I am Krishna to whom you always pray. I played this drama to show you My form.” He touched Surdas’ eyes and he got back his sight and beheld the Divine form and got into blissful ecstasy.

When Krishna asked him to retain his vision, Surdas said, I have seen you. I do not want to see anything else with these eyes. I do not want my sight. Many people have eyes. Have they seen You? Many have ears, they are not fortunate to hear your melodious music. I want only Jnana chakshus (the eye of knowledge).

Krishna kept His hand on Surdas’ head and the latter merged with the Divine. No one can know when God will bless! You must consider everything as God’s gift and be happy. Swami referred to the story where the king cut his finger and the minister said, “It is for good.” The king got annoyed and ordered the minister to be sent to prison. The minister accepted it with a smile saying, “It is also for my good.” Later on, it was proved true because when the king went alone to a forest to hunt, he was caught by tribals to be given as sacrifice. Because the king was not having a perfect body, with a portion of the finger cut, he was saved. Later, the minister said if he was not in the prison, he would have accompanied the king and could have been sacrificed, for his body had no defect.

With Love Of God Comes His Grace

Whatever God does is for the good of the devotees. He is selfless. When you have the wish-fulfilling tree in your backyard, why do you go in search of fruits? Pure thoughts of love should flow from you to God. Then love of God will flow to you. When you post a registered letter to another person, the proof of this letter having reached the addressee, is the acknowledgment slip you get. The proof of your sincere love, will be the flow of God’s grace to you.

With intense longing for God’s grace, you must wait patiently, chanting His name ceaselessly. You will surely perceive God’s Form manifesting before you.

Bhagawan concluded His discourse with the bhajan: “Hare Rama! Hare Rama! Rama Rama Hare Hare! Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna! Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!”

(From Bhagawan’s Discourse on 22nd April, 1988 at “Sai Sruti”, Kodaikanal)