Install Padukas In Your Heart

Anapekshah Shuchir Dakshah Udasino Gatavyathah 
Sarvarambha Parityagi Yomad Bhaktah Samepriyah

Embodiments Of Love!

This shloka mentions the qualities of a true devotee as taught by Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga. The first quality is Anapekshah (desirelessness). A devotee should not have any desires. How is it possible for man, being endowed with body, senses, mind, and intellect, to be in a state of desirelessness? He is bound to have some desire or other. On the one hand, there are desires pertaining to the senses that confer momentary joy. On the other hand, there is a desire that transcends the senses. Today, man is filled with various desires.

Then what is the way to lead a desire-free life? Lord Krishna has shown the way for this. He said, "Son, there is nothing wrong in having desires, but all of them must be pleasing to God." "Sarva Karma Bhagavat Preetyartham" (let all your actions be pleasing to God).

Ways To Attain The State Of Desirelessness

You should put into practice the eternal principles based on truth and dedicate all your activities to God. Lead your life without the feeling of ‘mine and thine’ and offer everything to God. Only then can you attain the state of desirelessness. Today man has both worldly desires as well as desires that lead to the inward path, but the number of desires that lead to the inward path pales in comparison to the number of worldly desires in him.

The second quality in shuchi (cleanliness). Is it bahir shuchi (outward cleanliness) or antar shuchi (inner cleanliness)? One has to develop both. Physical cleanliness alone is not sufficient; inner cleanliness is also essential. Bharatiyas are aware of this—if sambar is prepared in an uncoated vessel, it gets spoilt. Likewise, if the vessel of your heart is not coated with love, all that you do becomes unsacred. Sanctify your heart by filling it with Divine love. Never entertain any unsacred or wicked feelings.

The third quality of a true devotee is determination. You should be a daksha (one of determination) to attain Divine grace. Once you have taken refuge in God, never lose faith, come what may. Do not get disheartened by trials and tribulations that come your way. Be equal-minded in times of both pleasure and pain. That is true determination.

The fourth quality is udasina (total detachment). You should lead a life of total detachment without entertaining the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘mine.’

The fifth quality is gatavyatha. A true devotee is one who lives in the present without brooding over the past and worrying about the future. Past is past, forget the past. Do not worry about the future for the future is uncertain. So live in the present. It is not an ordinary present. It is omnipresent. The past can be compared to a tree; similarly the future. The present is the seed. This seed is a result of the past and the basis for the future. Therefore, one should live in the present with firm determination. Only then will success be ensured. It is only a waste of time brooding over the past since it can neither be retrieved nor any remedial action be initiated. Likewise, there is no point in worrying about the future since it is not in your control. So live in the present and discharge your duties with determination.

The sixth quality is sarvarambha parityagi. One should give up all desires and ego. Ego leads to attachment, hatred, jealousy, aggrandisement, and other vices. It is the ego, which is responsible for the downfall of man. One with ego cannot accomplish even a small task. An egoistic person is not respected even by his near and dear ones. Ego is the worst of all the enemies of man. Develop humility to get rid of the ego. No amount of spiritual practices will help a man of ego in attaining tranquillity and bliss.

One who possesses the qualities as mentioned above is a true devotee. Only such a person is near and dear to the Lord — Yomad Bhaktah Samepriyah. You should cultivate these qualities to be a deserving recipient of God’s love.

Live Up To Your Name ‘Manava’

All your outward actions and behaviour should be a true reflection of the inward thoughts and feelings. When you say Namaskaram (salutations), say so whole-heartedly. Do not give room for karam (bitter feelings) in your heart. Ahamkaram leads to aggrandisement, pomp, and show. Some people aggrandisement wide publicity to each and every small act of theirs, be it worship or spiritual practice. God wants only achar (practice), not prachar (publicity). Strive to put into practice whatever you preach and propagate. According to the Upanishats, the word Manava means one with self-respect. Live up to your name.

“Anudvegakaram Vakyam, Satya, Priya Hitam Cha Yat.” He is a true man who speaks the truth in a palatable way. The culture of Bharat says, ‘Satyam vada, Dharmam chara’ (Speak the truth and follow righteousness). It also says ‘Satyam Bruyat, Priyam Bruyat, Na Bruyat Satyamapriyam’ (speak the truth, speak pleasingly, do not speak the unpalatable truth). Man attains sanctity and fulfilment in life only when he puts these teachings into practice. As you think, so you become. If you entertain bestial thoughts, you become a beast yourself. On the other hand, Divine thoughts will transform you into a Divine personality. On this basis, the Upanishats have declared “Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati,” the one who constantly contemplates on Brahman becomes Brahman.

God Is The Only True Friend

Due to the effect of Kali Age, there is no trace of true love in man. The human heart is polluted. People, in particular the so-called friends, pretend to love, but in reality, they do not have true love in their hearts. God is the only true friend. He is always with you, in you, around you, above you, below you, protecting, guiding, and guarding you. But alas! You are distancing yourself from your true friend and reposing faith in so-called friends, who may turn into foes at any point of time. This is bhrama (delusion). What is the difference between bhrama and Brahma? Viewing multiplicity in unity is bhrama, and the unity in multiplicity is Brahma. One should visualise unity in multiplicity. The Vedas say, “Sahanavavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu Sahaveryam Karavavahai Tejasvinava Dheetamastu Mavidvishavahai.”

What does it mean? Let us grow together, move together, let us grow in intelligence, living together, let us live in harmony without any conflict. ‘Vedokhilo Dharma-mulam’, the Veda is the basis for all dharma. Man is misusing his time and energy, disregarding the eternal teachings of the Vedas.

The Practice Is Important, Not The Publicity

Embodiments of Love!

You may acquire worldly comforts and conveniences and earn worldly name and fame. But that is not all in all. All these are passing clouds. Do not get carried away by them. Follow the teachings of the Vedas and attain divinity.

The practice is important, not publicity. Practise at least one of the innumerable teachings of the Vedas and share the bliss derived therefrom with one and all. This is your bounden duty. Human life is highly valuable. So man should lead an ideal, noble, and sacred life. “Satyannasti Paro Dharmah” (There is no other dharma greater than truth). Build the mansion of your life on the foundation of truth. The safety of the mansion depends on the strength of the foundation. Never utter a lie under any circumstances. It is an unpardonable sin to indulge in untruth. This body is gifted by God. Do not fritter away this golden opportunity by misusing it. ‘“Deho Devalaya prokto Jivo Deva Sanatanah.” (the body is the temple, and the Indweller is God).

What is the difference between man and God? Vyasti, (individual) is man and Samashti (collective form) is God. Man should progress from the state of Vyasti to Samashti. Only then can he attain divinity. “Ishavasyam idam jagat.” (God pervades the entire universe). “Ishvara Sarva-bhutanam” (God is present in all beings). “Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti,” (there is only one God, but the Pandits call Him by different names). To understand these Vedic dicta one needs to cultivate noble qualities.

Do Not Degenerate To The Level Of Animal

It is a disgrace to lead the life of an animal, having been born as human beings.

“Aharam Nidra Bhaya Maithunani 
Samanya Metat Pashubirnaranam 
Jnanam Naranam Adhikam Vishesha 
Jnanena shunyah Pashubirsamanah.”

(Food, sleep, fear and procreation are common to man and animals. Only man is endowed with wisdom. Bereft of wisdom man is equal to an animal).

Animals too eat, sleep, and enjoy sensual pleasures. If you too do the same, how can you be called a human being? You are also an animal! The only difference lies in the number of legs, i.e., you are a dvipada Pashuvu (two-legged animal), and that is a chatushpada Pashuvu (four-legged animal). Having been born as a human being, you should strive to become Pashupati (God). Do not degenerate to the level of Pashu (animal).

Divinity stands for the principle of oneness. You are getting deluded by differences in names and forms and are wasting your time not making any effort to understand the principle of unity. Time is God. Time wasted is life wasted. Time once lost cannot be recovered. So never waste even a moment. Cultivate Divine thoughts, undertake noble deeds, and lead a sacred life. Have the welfare of the society, not your self-interest, uppermost in your mind. You may have self-interest, but it should be within the limit. No one in this world has given up self-interest altogether. But one should not waste one’s life wholly in pursuit of selfishness and self-interest.

Make Use Of Your Education To Serve The Society

Embodiments of Love!

There are many students, educationists, intellectuals, and scholars in this country, but how many of them are working for the progress of the nation? Only a few! Aurobindo Ghosh was working as a teacher in Calcutta. Once he told his students, “Children, you are all very lucky to have been born in this sacred land. Youth is very precious. Make proper use of this golden age. You are born and brought up in society. You acquire all your knowledge and skills from society. So make use of your education to serve and support society. Your education is a mere waste if society is not benefitted by it.”

A foolish person boasts of high education 
and intelligence yet does not know himself. 
What is the use of all the education he has acquired 
if man cannot give up his evil qualities? 
All the worldly education will only lead him 
to vain argumentation, not total wisdom. 
It cannot help him to escape 
from the clutches of death. 
So, man should acquire that knowledge 
Which will make him immortal.

(Telugu Poem)

What a shame it is if education is used solely to earn money without serving society. Today people adopt corrupt practices and devise crooked ways to earn money. Just as the earth revolves around the sun, man goes around money. Is this the purpose of human life? No. Money is not important. “Money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows.” So cultivate morality. Educate yourself to serve society and set an ideal for the rest of the world. You receive your education from society. You should, in turn, dedicate it for the welfare of society.

God Accepts Anything Offered With Pure Love

What is it that you have to offer God? Our ancients used to pray thus:

O Lord, I offer You the heart, 
which You have gifted me. 
What else can I offer at Your lotus feet? 
Please accept my prayerful salutations.

(Telugu Poem)

The heart that God has given you must be given back to Him as it is — pure and sacred. This is the offering that God expects. God accepts whatever you offer to Him, provided you do it with pure love. In the Krishna tulabaram episode, Rukmini could weigh Krishna with a small Tulasi leaf as her heart was filled with love. “O Lord, if it were to be true that you are pleased with any offering made with pure love, be it a patram (leaf), a pushpam (flower), a phalam (fruit) or toyam (water), may this Tulasi leaf balance your weight.” So saying Rukmini placed a Tulasi leaf in the weighing pan, which balanced Krishna’s weight. Here patram means body, pushpam means heart, phalam is mind, and toyam is tears of joy. All these should be offered to God. This is the offering that God wants from you. You do not need to spend money or strain yourself in order to make this offering. It is rather strange that you find it difficult to make such a simple offering. You are reading many sacred texts, learning many shlokas by heart, but what is the use? You are not able to get rid of your shoka (misery). The only way to overcome misery is by offering yourself to God.

Criticising Others Is The Worst Of The Sins

Sage Valmiki, after having composed the epic Ramayana, convened a congregation of saints and sages and wanted to know if there was anyone who would propagate the story of Rama to the people. The saints and sages expressed their inability to do so as they lacked the physical strength on account of their advanced age. Then Lava and Kusa, who were sitting at a distance and watching the proceedings came forward and expressed their willingness to undertake the task of spreading Rama’s story far and wide. They took tambura in one hand, wore garlands of Rudraksha around their necks, smeared Vibhuti on their foreheads, and went to each and every street singing the glory of Lord Rama. They sang, “Oh people, listen to the sacred story of Lord Rama. Let your life be His Story.”

But the modern youth feel shy to spread the message of the Lord. Not merely do they feel shy to participate in Bhajans and even to smear Vibhuti on their foreheads. Some of them smear Vibhuti only at home and wipe it off as soon as they step out on the street. They do not feel ashamed to do things, which they are not supposed to. Why should anyone feel ashamed to participate in sacred activities and chant the Divine name? Some people feel ashamed to spread the Divine glory but do not hesitate to talk ill of others and ridicule them. They do not understand why the tongue is gifted. It is gifted to chant the Divine name. Criticising others is the worst of the sins. Never criticise anybody for everyone is essentially Divine. You all know that in present-day politics, each one accuses and abuses the other. It is nothing but the result of the accrued sins from past lives.

Embodiments of Love!

Never indulge in slander. Sanctify your lives by undertaking sacred activities. This is the true purpose of human life. The human body is gifted to serve others. The story of Rama is suffused with great ideals and noble values. Yesterday the idols of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman were installed. Everyone should follow their ideals. Even Ravana acknowledged the nobility of Rama before he breathed his last. He gave a message to the people in his last moments, “Oh people, I lost my sons, brothers, my entire clan, and kingdom as I could not control my desires. Do not become slaves to the senses, like me. Follow the ideal of Rama and sanctify your lives.”

Ramayana Is Replete With Inner Significance

Once the mother of Lord Rama, Kaushalya; the mother of Anjaneya, and the mother of Agastya met each other. Kaushalya questioned them as to who they were. Anjaneya’s mother introduced herself, saying, “I am the mother of the one who jumped across the ocean and went to Lanka in search of Mother Sita.” Agastya’s mother said, “I am the mother of the one who drank the entire ocean in one gulp.” On hearing this Kaushalya laughed and said to them, “Your sons could accomplish such stupendous feats only because they chanted the name of my son, Rama.” Exactly at that moment, Rama entered the scene and told Kaushalya, “Mother, Hanuman and Agastya could accomplish those feats due to their sincerity and devotion. Hanuman is Shantudu, Gunavantu and Balavantu (one of peace, virtue, and strength). Agastya is no less.” So if you chant the Divine name, you can achieve anything.

The epic Ramayana is replete with inner significance. All the ideals propagated by the Ramayana should be properly understood and put into practice by one and all. Only then will human life find fulfilment. The name and form of Rama are highly sacred. Ramayati iti Ramah, (Rama is one who pleases everyone). So all should emulate Him. Rama is the synonym for Atma, hence the term Atma-Rama. So in essence, all are the Embodiments of Rama principle.

Sarvatah Panipadam Tat Sarvatokshi Shiromukham 
Sarvatah Shrutimalloke Sarvamavritya Tishtati.

Offer Yourself To God That Is The Goal Of Your Life

God is all-pervasive. It is a great mistake to forget the all-pervasive God and get immersed in mundane, ephemeral pleasures. You may not get this human birth again. So work for the redemption of your life by chanting the Divine name. Offer yourself to God. That is the goal of your life.

Embodiments of Love!

You all have come from different places for worshipping the Padukas and deriving the bliss therefrom. It is indeed a good act. It is not sufficient if you merely worship the Padukas. Concentrate on them. Without concentration, what is the point in worshipping Padukas? Here is a glass of water. Your thirst is quenched only when you drink water. Likewise, you will be blissful only when you install the Padukas in your heart. Share the bliss with one and all.

God is the embodiment of love. So you can be a recipient of His grace only when you develop love for God.

Discourse on 1-10-1999 at Prasanthi Nilayam