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Original in Telugu
Sadhaka: Swami! We do not find, today, feelings that produce such prayers, anywhere among men. People repeat these Vedic prayers as gramophone records do, without any knowledge of their meanings, out of sheer habit. Is it not so? Do they get the Wisdom that is the most precious treasure of God?
Sai: My dear fellow! You yourself said, now, that they recite the Veda as gramophone records do, didn’t you? So, they gain as much wisdom and Aishwarya as those gramophone records get. How can they acquire the treasure of fully potent Wisdom? Planting a branch that has been severed, can one claim that it is a tree growing there? Those who recite the Vedas with Ardha bhava (the awareness of their meaning) and Bhava-shuddhi (experiencing at the same time the feelings embedded in the hymns), they alone are granted the Brahma-vidya, the Highest Wisdom by the grace of Almighty, the embodiment of Sakalaishwarya (Supreme Treasure).
Sadhaka: Swami! Only the Vedic Mantras or should every Mantra be recited with Ardha bhava and Bhava-shuddhi?
Sai: My dear fellow! Every person does not know Vedas. Isn’t it? But that does not mean that those who do not know Vedas cannot earn the Brahma-vidya or attain the supreme state of Brahman. Whoever recites any Nama (Name of God) or Mantra with Ardha bhava and Bhava-shuddhi will attain Brahma-vidya with the Grace of Almighty, the embodiment of Sakalaishwarya.
Sadhaka: Swami! Generally speaking, there will be no one who does not crave for wealth. But, what form of wealth is to be craved for? Which form of wealth will be approved by the Veda? What has the Veda said about this? Please instruct me.
Sai: “Vedam Parameshwaram (Veda is the highest authority),” “Vedayateti Veda (That, which gives instruction, is known as Veda),” “Sah Vedastvam (Get instructed by that Veda)”. Dhana (Wealth) is desired and sought-after as a means for the attainment of Shubha (Prosperity). So, it is named Arthah, that which is the object of desire sought through the struggle and strain of Sadhana. The Almighty (Parameshwara) is sought to be known and gained through Sadhana. So, He, too, is known as Arthah.
The Veda announces that the Jnana (Intuitive Wisdom) constitutes the Dhana (riches), the means by which the Almighty is attained; this alone deserves the name “Vedas” or Vedic truth. Shruti (Vedic scripture) asserts that such wealth alone can confer Trupti (Joy of Satisfaction) to both the Aradhaka (Worshipper) and Aradhya (Worshipped).
The Rig-veda extols this form of wealth and refers to it as Shrutyam, for it is the type described and recommended in the Shruti. The Veda approves as Vedic only that wealth, which is earned through Dharmadyacharanam (adherence to the moral codes) laid down by the Vedas clearly for human guidance.
Sadhaka: Shrutyam? What does that mean, Swami?
Sai: Shrutyam means endowing Eishwarya (treasure) in the form of sons and grandsons and attaining unsurpassing heights through that treasure. Moral excellence is a more valuable possession. This wealth is the concrete result of Vedic injunctions. It is called Dharma. Hence, Parameshwara is also known as “Dharmah”. The Ramayana extols Lord Rama as “Ramo vigrahavan Dharmah” (Rama is Dharma personified). “Sarva bhutanam dharanat Dharmah” - Dharma sustains all beings.
Dharma is the Dharana (support) for all beings. The Almighty is that support and sustenance; the most effective mode of worship is the offering of Dharma. So, the Parameshwara, the Almighty Itself is identified with the word Dharmah. That name is, therefore, meaningful. “Dharmo Vishvasya Jagatah Pratishtha” - the entire Cosmos projected by the Almighty is established on Dharma. The Dharma imbued with profound sanctity is being interpreted by persons, in accordance with their whims and fancies, their selfish interests. Hence, it has been severely distorted. The words, Veda and Deva excelled as synonymous words, and this can be clearly recognized in the Shruti (Vedic scripture). “Svayam Sarvam Vetteti Vedah (Itself It Knows All)”. This statement reveals that the Almighty, who is the embodiment of Veda, is Omniscient.
Original in Telugu
Sadhaka: Swami! We do not find, today, feelings that produce such prayers, anywhere among men. People repeat these Vedic prayers as gramophone records do, without any knowledge of their meanings, out of sheer habit. Is it not so? Do they get the Wisdom that is the most precious treasure of God?
Sai: My dear fellow! You yourself said, now, that they recite the Veda as gramophone records do, didn’t you? So, they gain as much wisdom and Aishwarya as those gramophone records get. How can they acquire the treasure of fully potent Wisdom? Planting a branch that has been severed, can one claim that it is a tree growing there? Those who recite the Vedas with Ardha bhava (the awareness of their meaning) and Bhava-shuddhi (experiencing at the same time the feelings embedded in the hymns), they alone are granted the Brahma-vidya, the Highest Wisdom by the grace of Almighty, the embodiment of Sakalaishwarya (Supreme Treasure).
Sadhaka: Swami! Only the Vedic Mantras or should every Mantra be recited with Ardha bhava and Bhava-shuddhi?
Sai: My dear fellow! Every person does not know Vedas. Isn’t it? But that does not mean that those who do not know Vedas cannot earn the Brahma-vidya or attain the supreme state of Brahman. Whoever recites any Nama (Name of God) or Mantra with Ardha bhava and Bhava-shuddhi will attain Brahma-vidya with the Grace of Almighty, the embodiment of Sakalaishwarya.
Sadhaka: Swami! Generally speaking, there will be no one who does not crave for wealth. But, what form of wealth is to be craved for? Which form of wealth will be approved by the Veda? What has the Veda said about this? Please instruct me.
Sai: “Vedam Parameshwaram (Veda is the highest authority),” “Vedayateti Veda (That, which gives instruction, is known as Veda),” “Sah Vedastvam (Get instructed by that Veda)”. Dhana (Wealth) is desired and sought-after as a means for the attainment of Shubha (Prosperity). So, it is named Arthah, that which is the object of desire sought through the struggle and strain of Sadhana. The Almighty (Parameshwara) is sought to be known and gained through Sadhana. So, He, too, is known as Arthah.
The Veda announces that the Jnana (Intuitive Wisdom) constitutes the Dhana (riches), the means by which the Almighty is attained; this alone deserves the name “Vedas” or Vedic truth. Shruti (Vedic scripture) asserts that such wealth alone can confer Trupti (Joy of Satisfaction) to both the Aradhaka (Worshipper) and Aradhya (Worshipped).
The Rig-veda extols this form of wealth and refers to it as Shrutyam, for it is the type described and recommended in the Shruti. The Veda approves as Vedic only that wealth, which is earned through Dharmadyacharanam (adherence to the moral codes) laid down by the Vedas clearly for human guidance.
Sadhaka: Shrutyam? What does that mean, Swami?
Sai: Shrutyam means endowing Eishwarya (treasure) in the form of sons and grandsons and attaining unsurpassing heights through that treasure. Moral excellence is a more valuable possession. This wealth is the concrete result of Vedic injunctions. It is called Dharma. Hence, Parameshwara is also known as “Dharmah”. The Ramayana extols Lord Rama as “Ramo vigrahavan Dharmah” (Rama is Dharma personified). “Sarva bhutanam dharanat Dharmah” - Dharma sustains all beings.
Dharma is the Dharana (support) for all beings. The Almighty is that support and sustenance; the most effective mode of worship is the offering of Dharma. So, the Parameshwara, the Almighty Itself is identified with the word Dharmah. That name is, therefore, meaningful. “Dharmo Vishvasya Jagatah Pratishtha” - the entire Cosmos projected by the Almighty is established on Dharma. The Dharma imbued with profound sanctity is being interpreted by persons, in accordance with their whims and fancies, their selfish interests. Hence, it has been severely distorted. The words, Veda and Deva excelled as synonymous words, and this can be clearly recognized in the Shruti (Vedic scripture). “Svayam Sarvam Vetteti Vedah (Itself It Knows All)”. This statement reveals that the Almighty, who is the embodiment of Veda, is Omniscient.