Wealth for Good Purpose

Meaning: The line of Rigved 10/117//6 has given us about the instruction that - "Wealth should not be with man with bad tendencies. He is not able to do good to his associates with wealth. Thus a man who enjoys the wealth alone is certainly a thief and a sinner".

Message: The emotions of greed, attachment, a feeling of intoxicated superiority and arrogance are created with wealth. Even the most intelligent people get trapped in the net of these emotions, then what to say about men with bad tendencies? They become 'mad' with the intoxication of money and immerse themselves in indulgence of desires without thinking of what is proper or improper. We see all around us men with sinful intelligence who have the treasure of household necessities like grains, money and plenty of means of comfort and luxury. They seem to be very wealthy and happy. But is it so in reality? Not at all. They are not able to enjoy all the material comforts, and in reality those material comforts make them their executioner for them. The wealth accumulated with sinful and bad tendencies is like their death.

Such a man always remains unsuccessful in putting that wealth to good use. He wastes away the wealth in eating, drinking and in fulfilling his desires. There is a total lack of the feeling of spending it for societal welfare. Such a man does not feed anyone else on this earth and is not able to use that wealth for any welfare work also.

If such a man uses his wealth in religious works like yagya and in deeds for the benefit of the world, then that same wealth becomes like pure nectar and gives him beneficial results. The birth of wicked immoral conduct and wrong customs starts with money earned sinfully. Criminal activity also increases in the society with that. It supports wicked activity and spreads anarchy.

One who enjoys alone, one who eats by himself without feeding others becomes sinner. When all-round there are countless men who do not get even one full meal, who are hungry and not fully clothed, passing their days wretchedly in huts, and then who can be a bigger sinner than a person living in indulgence and eating rice food? Seen extremely, these men appear very happy, but if observed carefully they are merely undergoing the punishment for their sins and become partners in sins. Such men by not living a life of 'yagya' (i.e. distributing their money, grains, etc for societal welfare), are living with the burden of sins. When they are in need, nobody helps them and scorned by the society, they lead lonely lives.

We must develop the intelligence for discretion between the wealth that satisfies the body, mind and the soul and the wealth that sends a person to quick destruction. It is a thousand times better to eat dry bread or even to remain hungry than food dripping with sins.

The same wealth can prove either deadly or nectarine.

Thrust of Willpower Makes Your Sadhana Miraculous

The Life Energy (PRANA)

A person's identity remains the same when he is dead. You would continue to refer him by the same name; his face in the photographs would remain what it was when he was alive. Every one who knew him will recognize the face, as before. Unless it is damaged due to some accident or so, the face of a dead-body looks the same as what it was when the person was alive. Those of you who have seen some relative's or acquaintances dead body must have noticed it! A person, who was alive moments before, is now dead; no change in the appearance of his body, but it in now his dead-body. Why? What has changed? You may say that his heart is no longer beating; his body is not moving, etc. But you see the biochemical activities inside continue in the dead-body as well! That is what accounts for its gradual biodegradation. So instead of heartbeat and other normal reactions, some new activities start in the body. If no preservatives are applied, these reactions progress very rapidly. What was that which used to prevent these degrading reactions earlier? What was that because of which there was auto-regulation of the body-functions including the heartbeats and the brain impulses?

It is the energy of consciousness-force (chetana or chit-shakti) that is no longer available to the body. It is this vital spiritual energy (prana) because of which the body (and the person who was identified by the name given to the body) was alive. The physical components, material form, appearance, and the name and identity of the body are the same but it is dead and cannot do anything, cannot even prevent its degrading, if there is no chit-shakti in it. You may keep it in the graveyard, build Samadhi (tomb) on it, take its photograph, save its external physical existence (as mummy) by filling it with chemical preservatives and applying medicines on the skin, but by no means you can make it do anything on its own. Because, it is dead!

Do you notice a somewhat similar difference in the idols/statues or the pictures of gods kept in a shop or in a sculpture museum and those enshrined in a temple? Both the kinds are made up of pulp-papers, metal or wood, but those in the shop or museum are not worshipped. Why?

The Universal Joy of Music

In this universe there are two means of finding God that is -- Hearing and listening. One who speaks something can be hear by our ear if the sound is effective our mind plays the vital role on that effective sound that effective sound may be the music. In other words it can be expressed as "Sabdabrahma" another listening sound is denoted by "Nadabrahma". From these two points we can enter into the depth of our eternal body. Here I am going to express some musical events.

Music consists of a variety of ups and downs and tuning and fusing of different streams of sounds waves that trigger specific flow of swaras (musical notes). The rhythm of musical composition regulates its currents to generate specific effects on the jada (inanimate) and chetan (animate) forms of the world.

Like the Doppler effect of the superimposition of coherent sound waves, the physical impact of certain compositions of the seven notes (the sapta swaras) of music could be so powerful that it might even quiver a concrete building or stir the waters in a pond or sea. The effects of music on the chetan are more wonderful. Be that a tree, plant, animal or a human being, they can never remain untouched by the flow of swaras present in the Nature. No living entity could be indifferent to the marvelous effect of music.

Music is an expression of the joy of Nature and has an intimate relationship with every vibration of Nature. The functions of the human body and mind, being most prominent among the ever-active centers of the expression of chetan, are naturally the most sensitive targets of the force of music.

"Music gives relief from insomnia" - this effect seems to be well known and is existing in practice since the time of yore in the form of the tradition of singing of a lullaby by a mother to make her child sleep well. With the advancement of technology, recorded lullaby and audiocassettes of especially composed music are also found in common use. Adults too listen to music to relax their body and mind by 'bathing' these conscious faculties in the soothing shower of the sonorous swaras.

Dr. Atkinson's established method, in which he used to advise the patients of insomnia to repeat the counting and reverse counting of numbers - has become less attractive before the music-based treatments because the latter also offers joy along with sleep. In the spiritual healing methods, the mental recitation of omkara is advised for total relaxation of the nerves - leading to deep sleep. The continuous chanting of oam itself generates a unique flow of Nada (music, in its eternal form). Therefore, this practice also falls under the music-based therapies.

If we pay little attention we will find that all species of birds and animals around us have 'musical' voice; be that the tinkling of the beetles, singing of a nightingale or the grumbling of a frog or raring of a lion - each has its own natural rhythm.

Experiments on many animals have shown that they can be trained within a period of 3 to 35 days in listening to music so that they would ever forget about their food while listening to their favorite musical tune. Gorillas, chimpanzees and other apes are used to some habits that are also common among human beings; for instance, they can be cheered up by good music. It has been observed that the melody of flute and violin are the most favorite music of these animals. The animals like hippopotamus and rhinoceros are known for their deadly sleep. Only the sharp pinch of hunger can break their lethargy and sleep. Interestingly, music has also been successful in doing so. It is observed that when certain type of music is played near them they get up and instead of moving elsewhere; they sit quietly and listen to the music until it is over. They find the music of Saroda so amusing that they start swinging their heads in the rhythm and some unusual expressions are noticed on their faces on such occasions.

The Paradox of our Times

George Carlin, comedian of the 70s and 80s, wrote the following eloquent and appropriate piece on our times.

The paradox of our times in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicines, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much and pray too seldom.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to ears. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember; say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember; to give a warm hug to the one next to your loved ones, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember; to say, "I Love You" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember; to hold hands and cherish the moment for some day that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And Always Remember:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

The Importance of Prana Pratistha

You may go to a ship or exhibition of sculptures or idols in the shape and images of manifested forms of gods; you will find they are also laying there as other artifacts, statues or effigies. Be that of Lord Ganesha, Lakshmi, or any other manifestation of divine powers, they are nothing except some archetype of carved stones, metals etc. At times they might be kept haphazardly, even upside down, or crowded on a stand or even on the floor………! But no one - including the idolaters or idol worshippers finds anything unusual in it. No one cares whether the place around is cleaned, whether there is dust on the statues or images. In fact, one hardly even notices it.

But what if the same idol was there in a temple, in the sanctum sanctorum of a holy shrine, or at a worship center? Same face, same form, same image of the manifestation of a god. But now it is worship-able! One won't tolerate or forgive anything trying to touch or displace it? Now it is well decorated, worshipped, looked after by the believers as a god personified. Earlier it was only a physical object. But now it is a deity! Why?

The deities worshipped in the holy shrines are often revered by the devotees as incarnated divine powers. Many of them have been blessed by and have experienced miraculous powers of the deity. it is the devout faith (sraddha) of the pure heart of a devotee that makes god appear before him /her. Many authentic incidences of saints affirm such possibilities. Most people including non-believers also find great peace in the vicinity of the idols enshrined in a temple. Fine! What concerns us in today's discussion is-not why it happens, rather, when does it happen? When does an idol or an image of god-form become Worshipable? The devotees, the believers, Worship only these forms of deity and not the statues kept in the museum or shop. What is the difference between the two stone-carvings/images of the same god-form?

An idol or sculpture of a god-form is enshrined and Worshipped in a temple only after the sacred process of prana-pratistha. To an onlooker, it Would appear like yet another 'customized ritual' of invocation. If it were so, anybody would have been able to utter some prayers and perform the enshrinement steps of the ritual. But that is not correct. In fact this sacrament is a spiritual experiment. Only saintly priests who have devoted themselves to spiritual endeavors for ultimate light, only the dedicated devotees with enlightened hearts that pulsate with sraddha can do prana pratistha. With this, the transcendent divine power of god is invocated and established in the idol. Then the same idol, which was earlier like a toy, would work like god personified for a true devotee. Depending upon the depth of his sriddha, a devotee can communicate with the deity as though one is talking to a living god. I hope you have got a hint of what I am trying to convey. It is the awakening of chitsakti the Prana which makes all the difference. This principle applies everywhere in the world, in every aspect of life.

See Beyond Superficial Activities of Sacraments

Friends! Whatever you have learnt so far in this sadhana course amounts to following some disciplines, doing some ritualistic activities, chanting some mantras and attempting some meditative practices. But, without the prana pratistha of your sadhana, all these would be nothing more than superficial activities, mere sacraments and exercises of the mind and body. Without prana, these will only constitute a Skelton of upasana; these will only be mechanical activities but no spiritual flow.

Have you seen the toy-top? It rotates with great speed. But does that movement make it lively? Does it evolve or improve its condition? A pendulum keeps oscillating but reaches nowhere. Your attempts would also lead you nowhere without the force of your inner spirit.

Have you ever seen a game of cards? In varieties of these games people 'cut' (defeat and 'kill') the opponent's King by the 'weapon' of an Ace or a Queen, or by an attack of another King, etc. But does the opponent file a case of murder against them? Does the conquering king get any treasure or empire? No, nothing a means of time-pass or entertainment for some people. Your attempts of Sadhana should not be hollow. These should not be a new mode of time-pass, fu or activity of interest. Many people find joy in devotional practices and feel as though they have had supernatural experiences. But most often these turn out to be hallucinations. Please note, devotion is not mere fantasy or emotional tumult excited by crying or by singing a prayer before the deity.

So far you have known only the name and form or skeleton of Sadhana. Haven't you? Yes! You have been taught how to do pavitrikarana and achanmana by sprinkling or drinking few drops of water with chanting of some Vedic hymns, how to do the breathing exercise of pranayama, how to hold the rosary and move its beads, how to de japa (rhythmic enunciation) of the Gayatri Mantra, how to count the japa with the help of a rosary, how to perform the fire-ritual of yagya (havan), how to sing the devotional araties, etc. What are these? These are only external activities; only movements of the body using some sense organs.

One more thing you have been introduced to is 'names and forms'. Yeah! You have seen the image of the Divine Mother Supreme - "Gayatri" enshrined in the temple here. You know the syllables of the Gayatri Mantra, you know how to chant it, you know the word meaning of "anusthana", you also know how many japas are to be completed with what kind of disciplines of fasting, etc. So you have passed three exams! The ritualistic procedures (karmakanda) and the name and form (nama-rupa) associated with Gayatri Anusthan.

Now you may be eager to experience the astonishing results or to be blessed by divine boons and all that which you might have heard from some yogis or read in the scriptures. Yes my dear children, you can see the miracles, can attain the supernormal benefits, provided you infuse life in the skeleton of your sadhana (spiritual endeavors). How?

You may wonder, what I mean by making your karmakandas alive. Can the 'actions' be also dead or alive like a being? The ritualistic procedures of upasana-sadhana you are practicing at present are only like physical exercises. Your mind and body may soon get accustomed to do these automatically. But this means it is happening almost mechanically! This way a machine, a robot may also be trained to give oblation, offer flowers, recite (or play a pre-recorded cassette of) a mantra, sing a prayer etc. That is what I call as dead karmakandas of sadhana. Similarly your upasana (devotion) is also confined only to the worship of nama-rupa of god.

Unfortunately most devotees get trapped into only the superficial acts of upasana-sadhana. Many of you also keep asking for learning more types of rituals or methods of worship, cramming more and more mantras and prayers, etc. Many of you like to read and talk about the allegoric depictions of god forms narrated in the scriptures. However, all this lead you nowhere. It is unnecessary. If you continue to go ahead only with the dead practices, either you will dump yourself in the mire of blind-faith and superficial religion, or get frustrated and defected from upasana-sadhana because of your wrong approach. On the other extreme, some of you get attracted by the complicated terminology of philosophical text and want to master it and debate on the logics of different schools of philosophy merely for intellectual satisfaction. This way you may inflate your ego with illusory interpretations of philosophy and get engulfed in the imaginary world of words without any glimpse of the true light.

What is important now is to complete the task in hand: First you should grasp the meaning and purpose of making your efforts lively. Then adopt it in action. Whatever has been taught to you so far is sufficient for initial conditioning of the mind-body system. The real upasana-sadhana should begin now. I am going to discuss that in today's discourse.

Practice for Good Moral

Meaning: The line of Rigved 10/71/5 gives us the instruction to do practice for good moral character. According to the mantra -"Those who do not practice moral conduct, they do not get benefit despite being educated, just as a cow produced by a magician does not give milk."

Message: How surprising it is that it does not occur to us to take advantage of the invaluable opportunity of human life and we waste it away just like that in childish games. Not only that, but we utilize the human life in various wicked activities and take way with us the heavy burden of mountains of sins and hellish tortures for our next birth. On the contrary, the animals are better, who leave just as they came into this world. Is this the only intelligence of man? Is man incapable of using proper direction after obtaining so much knowledge, wisdom and education?

We may boast of ourselves as knowledgeable, cleaver and shrewd by knowing the ways of success in the material world, but it is not the less important that we understand the fundamental aim of life and seriously think about it. We should also think 'Who Am I'? And how do I achieve meaningfulness of my existence? If man does not develop this knowledge, then he will be forced to live a contemptible life similar to an animal.

Every man with discretion must think on his current situation. They are not willing to replace wicked conduct with good conduct and they expect God to fulfill their desires. They are doing ritual worship, sing humans etc with desires. They think that praising God, prostrating before him, by imploring or by making offerings, they can get their work done through Him. The real meaning of worship is that God's qualities be firmly impressed on our memory, and to create maximum cleanliness, discretion and purity in our minds.

Depending on his situation, every man can contribute in some way to raising the level of sentiments of the world's humanity. The extent to which we can devote our time, labor, intelligence, money etc for this purpose, to that extent we have ventured for fulfilling God's wish. For that we should include the maximum purity, generosity and excellent ideals in our thinking, attitudes, qualities, deeds, nature and activities. Simultaneously we should be dedicated to surrender with enthusiasm and feelings our insight and capacity for people's welfare.

[Formation]

"Charitra nirman" or the formation of good character: For the upliftment of the soul, the foremost requirement is the excellence of character. Lucid explanation of the mantras highlighting the importance of good qualities in life is essential.