Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 123, April 26
Sri Sadgurubhyo namaha
Om Santissantissantihi
Last night we witnessed the outstanding Siddha Yoga Raga Sagara Healing Music Concert conducted by Sri Swamiji in Pune. We experienced great happiness last night during the concert. Now, this morning we continue to discuss the topic of Santosha, happiness. Those who are happy will not be disturbed with loss of property or the bereavement of loved ones. These days depression troubles many people. It destroys health. We must learn how to avoid succumbing to it. We must do it by maintaining mental balance and equanimity.
Not only in the worldly sense, but also in the spirituals sense, we must understand the meaning of happiness. It is wrong to think that bodily pleasures and physical comforts alone grant happiness. Spiritual practices give true happiness. Physical comforts are actually like poison. Those who are truly happy, consider them so. One who is truly happy disregards and rejects even royal luxuries. Those who are happy in their minds and are contented disregarding wants and comforts, are the truly happy ones. Those upon whom the rays of sunshine called happiness fall, are never in want.
Yesterday we heard the terrible news about the earthquake in Nepal causing great loss of lives and property. We pray that God’s blessings should be upon all those who have suffered in the tragedy. Let us pray for strength to be given to all the survivors to bear their losses and grief. Let us pray to Sadgurudeva that in the future such calamities should not occur. Let us observe silence for a minute praying for the departed souls, the surviving grief-stricken ones, for World Peace and Universal Well Being.
Natural calamities sometimes cannot be prevented. No one can go against Nature. Sadguru also allows natural events to happen as destined. But it is our duty to pray every day for the welfare of the whole world.
Sarve ca sukhinassantu ..prayer, and the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa recommended by our Guru, should be chanted daily. Sab ko sanmati de Bhagavan, is a prayer that pleads that everyone should be blessed with a good mind.
Santosham – what is it? Why do we need it? It is most essential. It is the gateway to Liberation. Those who are drowned in sorrow today must get out of their grief in a few days. The departed ones should be remembered and prayed for. But one should not deprive oneself of happiness permanently.
One must not permanently dwell in despair. I am not recommending that one should always engage in foolish and meaningless laughter.
Happiness is of different levels based on people’s nature. Some people are happy only if they themselves are comfortable. Some are happy if they and the others around them, such as family members are comfortable. Sadguru’s level of happiness is higher. He strives for the happiness of everyone in the world, disregarding His own comfort. Not everyone can reach that level.
The spiritual definition of happiness is given here. If the spiritual level of happiness is not achieved, then all the fleeting joys of worldly happiness would be of no value. Yoga Vasishtha tells us clearly what our aim should be, as we seek happiness.
We do all our actions because we expect to derive happiness. There is no one in this world who dislikes happiness. Performance of one’s duty must itself become a source of happiness. Some dutiful actions in themselves may not be pleasurable. But regardless of physical or mental discomfort or strain, one must perform duties, because in the end, the satisfaction of having done so gives happiness. It leads to Liberation even if the path is devoid of enjoyments. One’s prescribed duty, service to Guru with devotion, social service, and the prescribed traditional activities that one is born into, must be performed without fail.
Even while one is sick, if one is unable to take a bath, one should at least apply vibhooti, or sandalwood paste, or kumkum on the forehead, and at least while lying down, must offer prayers, and at least once, chant the mantra given by Guru. It is very important. It may be a strain to do so, but it leads to happiness and it must become a source of happiness.
We mentioned yesterday that to those who oppose your following Guru, you should only say that you follow Guru because it gives you happiness. Later on, after such people develop their own devotion and interest in learning about Sadguru, then when they ask you, you may share your experiences with Guru with them repeatedly. Not sharing your knowledge with them then, will be a mistake. In the beginning they may be derisive. At such times you should not share your thoughts with them. Only tell them that you are happy and so you go to visit your Guru at the ashram. Tell them that earlier, you also were on a search for happiness, just like them. Tell them that you failed to find it in cinemas, clubs, and other entertainments. But now, you have found your happiness with Sadguru. Then, they will understand. Is there anyone in this world who rejects happiness? Search with a flashlight if you can find someone who is like that. We will honor them.
Happiness is of different levels as per the tendencies that people are born with. Some situations give happiness to some people and some other things give happiness to some other people.
You must not force your children to come to the ashram. Instead, you must persuade the children to come to the ashram, tempting them with the enjoyable activities which they will find here. Children like going to Fantasy Parks and Amusement Parks. They feel happy there. Praise the ashrama surroundings and the enjoyments which they will find here. Describe to them the activities and the pleasant atmosphere that is found here. Once they come here, they will realize it for themselves. But initially to bring them here, this is the approach that you should follow.
A good devotee must share with others his happy experiences. Write your experiences and share them with Bhakti Mala magazine. Swamiji encourages us to do it. If you do not do it, others will not know. If you tell others, it will then be an eye-opener for them. You will also forget your experiences in course of time, if you do not document them for later reference. Just like Share Your Food, you must Share Your Happiness.
santosha..
He, whose mind is filled with happiness, O Sri Rama, does not always remain grinning throughout his life. In the uneven path that he travels through life, where sometimes he finds himself in dire poverty and at another time in excessive wealth, he does not forget to either pray or to share his resources.
Sometimes loved ones get distanced, or pass away. Like the Ugadi Pacchadi, all types of tastes are experienced in life. Some people even add hot chillies and seasoning to Ugadi Pacchadi for a hot and salty taste.
A mind without equanimity, when faced with calamities, degenerates and falls into an abyss and becomes numb. Therefore, one should practice keeping the mind ever balanced. One should remain unperturbed. Allowing the mind to remain unbridled in excitement, and run away like an uncontrolled horse when good things occur, is also wrong. We lose both ways. The mind should ever be kept serene.
Such enduring happiness is earned through spiritual practice. Such happiness is true happiness which does not go through ups and downs during joys and sorrows. Only one who keeps his mind under such control will succeed in his spiritual pursuit, Adhyatmika Sadhana. Guru’s grace is earned by such persons who follow this method.
santoshamrita..
Those who have consumed the nectar of happiness, are always at peace. They are contented and are free from anger. We set targets and forget to enjoy satisfaction even after attaining our goals. Enjoy the fulfillment of attaining your goals. Those who are contented are the wealthiest of all. Worldly luxuries are considered as poison by those who are easily contented.
Those who go on a pilgrimage, and still complain about lack of comforts are misguided. During pilgrimages many people deliberately prefer to sleep only on the bare ground. During Ayyappa Swami Deeksha, it is stipulated that one must walk only barefoot, no matter whether one is rich or poor. Sabarimalai pilgrimage is very tough to endure. The trekking path is strewn with rocks and thorns. Why have they prescribed such a tough discipline? One must avoid at all times a dependence on comforts. Swamiji may schedule a yoga class early in the morning. When you are hurriedly trying to take a bath, hot water may not be available. You pour cold water on yourself, and get ready quickly and attend the class. If you delay, waiting for a comfortable bath with hot water, you will miss the class.
During a pilgrimage, it is easy to make the body adjust to lack of comforts. Like an intoxicated elephant, the body resists adjusting to discomfort. Even doctors tell us to develop our immunity. “O, I drank tap water and I fear an infection,” one may feel on a rare occasion when one is forced to do so. It is your fear that makes you sick, not the water. During a pilgrimage you have to adjust to circumstances.
Be happy that your stomach is full when some food is offered to you when you travel. If you are fussy about getting only your favorite foods, you will end up starving. You should not insist on what is palatable for your taste. Accommodate to whatever is available, while on a pilgrimage. When you travel to the Himalayas, you may not get your choice of foods to eat.
peeyusha ..
We believe that Amrita is only available in heaven. Just a drop of nectar is sufficient to fulfill one’s life. But, even an ocean of nectar does not compare to the experience of true happiness enjoyed by an individual.
Everyone raced for and chased after Amrita when it emerged from the Ocean of Milk after strenuous churning. Vishnu, who was distributing the Amrita, and Siva, who consumed the terrible poison Halahala, before the Amrita emerged, were the only ones who were disinterested in consuming the nectar. Even Sanaka and some other rishis were not interested in drinking Amrita, the Nectar of Immortality. They were the ones who were fully contented and immersed in their own inner happiness.
One who is in bliss is not interested in visiting a new cinema, a new park, or any other new entertainment in town. Such a person is happy engaged in chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, studying Vedanta, or being engaged in penance.
Vitamins are required for those who have a deficiency. A healthy and robust person does not require added vitamins.
This type of spiritual happiness destroys greed, selfishness, and self-pity. Insecurity and discontent are absent in such happy people. Pray for a life free from destitution, and for a painless death. Live without begging. Always pray to be in a position to give to others. Die without troubling others and getting served by others.
These two are the most important things to pray for. They are granted only by the divine grace of God and Guru.
apraapya ..
Now, contentment is defined. Santushtaha is one who is filled with satisfaction. Give up the desire for what is unattainable. Do not desire what is not available. Be happy. This is the higher step in spirituality to remain satisfied with what is obtained. One should not feel arrogant about what one has, and show off to others in order to put them down. Do not tell others, see I have it, and you do not, the way some small children do, while eating ice cream. Do not feel proud of what you have. Do not tease others of what they lack. Practice even-mindedness.
Be free from both joy and sorrow. Such a person is contented. At least once, you must experience it. Once you have experienced it, keep praying for maintaining that state of mind. It is like learning to pedal a bicycle, or playing a musical instrument, or learning a new language. At least once, you must experience success and then you must master this feeling. Once you have it, share the happiness that comes from contentment with those others who do not have it.
Such a person is the truly happy one. That is why the Santoshi Mata Vratam is performed. It is more popular in North India than in the south. Even the story of the Vrata tells of one who is happy while in poverty, and miserable while affluent.
apada ..
Why do difficulties and depression come to people? One who lacks happiness within himself suffers from distress caused by outward situations. One may have everything and yet, is dissatisfied. With 99% per cent success if one weeps, then he will lose even that. The mind must learn to be happy within itself. Like a dark, deep well where thorny bushes grow, an unhappy mind generates mistakes, and those lead to the experience of difficulties. Therefore, first, learn to remain happy.
santosha..
Happiness that is derived from spiritual knowledge will keep the mind cool. Do not wish to change Creation. Change your perspective of Creation. How you look at things must change. You cannot change this illusory world. You must change the way you view this world. Once knowledge awakens within you, you will see the world, not with the physical eyes, but from a different spiritual dimension, and happiness of the mind will then begin to blossom within you like a lotus which opens up with the rays of the sun falling upon it.
A spiritual secret has been revealed to us here.
God has given us both Creation and our perspective. Creation is in the hands of Illusion or Maya. The way you view things, is in your control. It is up to you.
Tomorrow, we will discuss this topic further.
Now it is time for the Sri Chakra Puja.
Hanuman Chalisa will be chanted during the Sri Chakra Puja. Please chant along, while you witness the Puja. Those who are able to chant, must chant, unless you are unable to do so because of ulcers in your mouth. Do not simply sit silent listening to the chant. Participate actively in chanting. Then you will also derive the benefit and it will add to the count.
Ganapati Homa is being performed. Later there will be Tailabhishekam performed to Lord Dattatreya. Please also witness the Kakada Harati.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi