Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 101, February 14
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
mrityor ma amrtam gamaya
Om Santissantissantihi
Please lead me from untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. May there be peace.
Yoga Vasishtha Dhyana Slokas:
yatassarvāṇi bhūtāni pratibhānti sthitāni ca
yatraivōpaśamaṁ yānti tasmai satyātmanē namaḥ || 1
jñātā jñānaṁ tathā jñēyaṁ draṣṭādarśana dr̥śyabhūḥ
kartā hētuḥ kriyā yasmāt tasmai jñaptyātmanē namaḥ || 2
sphuranti sīkarā yasmāt ānanandasyāṁbarē vanau
sarvēṣām jīvanam tasmai brahmānandātmanē namaḥ || 3
Om santissantissantihi
Yesterday we did not have the discourse. The day before yesterday in Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana, we learned about the benefit of associating with holy persons. No one should ever ridicule sages and seers. Treating them frivolously will lead one to hell. The description of hell given here is very frightening. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Sadguru. It is Sadguru who attracts disciples who are eligible. It is not by our effort, but by Guru’s grace that we have come to Sadguru. In some past life we have prayed for association with Sadguru. That is why out of love and compassion He has gathered us to Him.
It is the duty of a disciple and a devotee to record each and every word uttered by Guru. All devotees are related. To help all future devotees to derive benefit from Guru’s words, the words of wisdom have to be recorded and shared. Today we are technologically advanced and so through various media we spread the messages. We listen. We appreciate. But we forget what we have heard and understood. We must keep a diary. I advice all of you to keep a diary as to how many times you had darshan of Sadguru, how many discourses you have heard and so on for future generations to get inspired.
Sage Vyasa recounted every word uttered by Lord Krishna. That is how we now have the Bhagavad Gita. Sastras are recorded scriptures. The source is Vedas which have emanated from Brahma. Smriti, Puranas, the epics. Yoga Sastras are all recorded words of wisdom given to us by Gurus and seers of ancient times. Looking through old Bhakti Mala magazine will makes us realize the great guidance given by Sadguru since the past several decades.
Scholars who have studied the Sastras, need not all be recipients of honors and rewards. Every one of us can be a scholar if we show interest and dedication.
Sri Rama, you must do sadhana to obtain enlightenment. We always see Sadguru smiling and happy. Those who are possessed of knowledge of Truth are unperturbed by any worldly events.
How do people who do not have a guru find their answers? They do so by studying the Sastras, the scriptures with dedication and interest, and also they associate with great souls and seek advice and guidance.
With the Garuda Mantra called Yoga Sadhana, one can remove the venom called ignorance. Yoga is in different aspects, Jnana, Karma, Bhakti, and Study of Sastras, Raja Yoga, Pranayama, practicing Truth, Sankhya Yoga, and so on.
How does one find the Garuda Mantra? We must associate with holy persons. What is the use of simply marking attendance and then stepping out to gossip about others? It is wrong to do so. If you are here to participate in the Hanuman Chalisa chanting, you must stay and chant. Constant company of good souls is essential. If there is no one to give us knowledge and if we are not qualified to engage in deep study, then even dedicated Nama Sankeertana itself will act as our inner guide. Many of us do not even feel a desire to learn higher wisdom. But unknown to us, Guru feeds us wisdom. The way mother gives medicine hidden inside a sweet dessert or a banana, Guru mixes Jnana inside the Nama Sankeertana. Truth will then become revealed to us. If you are given a banana, you must eat it.
Keeping it on a shelf will only make it rot. It will not benefit you. What you have in your hand, you must utilize. You must steadily pursue. By the merit earned from past lives, we have come to the ashram, we have obtained a Guru.
Now we must realize the value of what we have acquired and must utilize this opportunity by the constant practice of Yoga Sadhana. Otherwise, the great fortune of having Sadguru in our lives will become a waste.
Vasishtha is giving us this valuable secret, as if he is teaching Sri Rama, who really does not require this caution.
avashyamiha
Now, Vasishtha, who had so far given his instruction in verse, switches to prose.
Without any doubt, all troubles will be removed, Sri Rama. If here, and now, you follow the instructions of Guru and do your duty, all your unhappiness will be removed. Do not entertain any doubts.
If you are still in sorrow, despite that, it means that you have not fully understood the principle of Truth.
Many devotees who come to the ashram are very light-hearted in dealing with their troubles because of their immense faith in Sadguru. It is because they forget their difficulties in their preoccupation with service to Guru. They speak lightly of their difficulties. It is a sign of their since Sadhana. There is no need to keep pondering over problems. Once knowledge is gained, not even a trace of grief will remain. One must have faith.
In spirituality unhappiness is equated to spiritual ignorance.
mantavyam is the source for the word matam/religion. It means faith. Each person requires to have faith. Our elders have paved a path for us to follow. It is good to follow the proven path tread by wise persons. One must never ridicule our scriptures or words of Guru. One must never make silly jokes about serious topics. One must treat scriptures, and any books with respect and reverence. Whatever be the subject, a letter containing alphabets represents Goddess Saraswati.
Whatever book you may be reading, you must never leave the book open, when you take a break or are finished reading it. It is an insult to Goddess Saraswati to leave a book open. It will also physically spoil the book. We do not touch a paper with our feet, or a pen. We treat them as Goddess Saraswati. We do not sit on books or papers. The Sastras have prescribed these rules. If even accidentally our feet touch a piece of paper, we touch it to our eyes and pray for forgiveness. Those of other cultures may find it strange to see our behavior. But we respect Mother Saraswati. She must reside on the top of our head. We must not be sitting on the Goddess. Ignore the comments of ignorant persons.
People argue whether people who work in a printing press never touch paper with their feet. Such useless arguments are a waste of time and serve no purpose. But the consequences of breaking the rules given in our scriptures will lead to grave consequences.
vicharana
Once our intellect has developed and our discretion has ripened, we are then able to grasp the deep meaning, then all mental and physical ailments will be given up, the way a serpent leaves off its sheath.
It is a secret in nature. A snake peels off its skin as we remove a shirt and hang it on a hook. Those with skin diseases pray to the God of serpents since they have special powers. They apply the mud from a snake pit because it has healing powers. We do abhishekam to Lord Subrahmanya with such mud. It is a very special ritual. But the process of shedding the sheath is a tough procedure for a snake. Fear of death will be gone. Leaving the body will not cause fear any more.
When fear is given up, all troubles will be gone. Even after taking medicines if one is afraid of not getting well, then, the medicines will not help.
The heart must be at peace. Calmness of mind is the fruit enjoyed by properly understanding Truth. Bliss is the result of deep contemplation and proper grasp of Truth.
We watch a magic show for entertainment and amusement. The magician appears to cut a woman’s body into different parts. Although severed, the head and the limbs appear to be moving. We applaud with glee because we know that it is only a magic show. If a similar thing occurs elsewhere, we will be horrified.
Some horrible consequences also occur in magic procedures. One must never watch videos of such events. It will have a lasting negative effect on the brain. Once, I was forced to watch such a video. It made such a bad impression that I never watch magic shows anymore. Never watch horror shows because it will permanently damage your brain.
These days, luckily the abuse of animals has been banned. We clap merrily to see a huge elephant balancing on a small stool. But the animal belongs in a forest. We laugh to see circus animals such as lions doing tricks. But it is torture for the animals which need to be freely roaming in the wilderness.
The magician magically makes the girl come back in one piece after cutting her to bits. He does not really restore life to a dead girl. It is only an illusion. We watch with surprise and wonder.
Yoga Vasishtha is the first scripture that likens the world to a magic show. Sadguru knows that this whole Creation is an illusion. That is why nothing troubles him. He watches everything with an amused smile.
If we learn to view life as a magic show, then we will not be troubled by difficulties. Some people are so deluded by the world that when you hear them speak of their affairs, you wonder at their weird way of looking at things.
Many times by developing a yoga perspective, acquired through spiritual wisdom, troubles can be easily overcome.
The multiplication tables appear easy to a grown up but not to a youngster who is struggling to learn them. But with practice, once the child masters the tables, he will no longer be troubled by them.
Such a Yogic vision comes from gaining spiritual wisdom. If you are afraid of your cold that you have caught, it will torment you. If you remind yourself that the previous time you had a cold, it was gone in a few days, it will give you confidence that in a few days you will again be well.
Fear and disease are close friends. If you distance one, the other will leave also. It is best to give up fear through practice. Once Guru sees that you are putting in an effort, then, his grace will flow upon you. Guru is not obligated to show compassion on you. You must earn it by your dedication and interest.
Without discretion a needle will appear huge as a mountain. But with discretion, even mountains will appear as mole hills.
View this world as if this world is nothing but a magic show, and illusion. Then the worldly life will appear amusing and entertaining. Only if the eyes are healthy, you can see clearly. Similarly, the mind should have clear vision. Clarity of mind has to be developed with practice. It is called Samyakdarshana.
Now Vasishtha says, those who see this life as an illusion, are never troubled by it. They are the ones who view the world as it is.
Children are afraid of even watching a magic show. They close their eyes. The adults then force them to see, assuring them that it is not real and only a show. Similarly, Guru assures disciples that this world is only a make-believe world. He forces us to see reality.
Those who have asamyakdarshana – a wrong way of seeing the world, will see nothing but a heap of grief in this world.
This life also has pleasant things in it. Obsessed with fear, unfortunately we miss out on enjoying the good things in life. The sunrise every morning, for instance, is something so glorious. Yet, most people who are engrossed in their troubles, fail to witness and enjoy it.
The one who is wise remains happy, at ease, and comfortable, while the deluded ones are ever drowned in sorrow.
vishamo
The attachment to the world is horribly troublesome. Unless that is given up, this cycle of birth and death stings like a serpent, pierces like a sword, like a weapon cuts to pieces, like a rope binds in tight knots, burns like fire, and like a dark night, throws us into blinding darkness. The one who completely lacks discrimination in his perception of this world, suffers as one who is made motionless by the placement of a huge boulder on his head. The traces of intelligence he may have, will also be destroyed. It will not allow a person to remain as he is.
The self-inflicted sorrows will throw one into the deep well called delusion.
Thrishnaa is thirst that is unquenchable and limitless, and demonic in its magnitude will destroy a person. We discussed this earlier. One with such thirst does not even care about his own safety in his pursuit of what he desires for his own personal enjoyment. One who is obsessed, like Ravana will be destroyed. The Ramayana shows us the contradictory attributes between Rama and Ravana. It shows that we should be like Rama, and avoid the qualities of Ravana.
Even warned of danger, the obsessed ones like Ravana remain unchanged in their pursuit of desire-fulfillment. Such a thirst grinds to pulp a person in mind and body, and will subject him to all kinds of torture. The list of such torments such a person will be forced to endure, is endless.
duranteyam
One is born. One must do good deeds. One must attempt to reach higher levels. One must use the present birth to attain wisdom. This disease called thrishna or thirst will not give a happy ending to life. It will end life on a tragic note. One must control such obsessive desires. Unless a disease is treated in the early stages, it will go out of control. It will become a horrible disease leading to hell. One must seek enlightenment by serving Sadguru. One must seek a happy ending.
One must avoid proceeding towards hell. Those who only are concerned about enjoyments here and now are the most ignorant of people. They are the most unfortunate. Their stories will end tragically.
tam nikaram
Thirst or thrishna will take us directly to hell.
Is there really a hell?
Do we not enjoy heavenly peace here at this ashram? Do we not suffer from hell when our trust is betrayed right here?
Some remain happy despite committing great sins. Why?
This is a common question that is asked and leads to an unnecessary discussion. This question is an indication that by such a comparison with an evil person, you are expressing an inclination to also commit sin, following a bad example. It is a horrible tendency. Never imitate a wicked person who is unconcerned about causing sorrow to others as long as he himself gains enjoyments. Such a temptation must be curbed. If such a tendency is encouraged, hell will descend upon you. Do not think that Swarga/heaven is filled with only celestial dancers. There are places in heaven where holy souls are engaged in prayer and contemplation for reaching spiritual heights.
The description of a place of enjoyment is created only to motivate individuals to do good deeds.
One who realizes the Truth lives in heaven. He does not engage in useless arguments. The enlightened will have no questions or doubts and will know that all that exists is only an illusion.
We must avoid the torments of hell. Both heavenly enjoyments and hellish tortures are faced right here. We do not need to go anywhere.
Why is hell described in detail in Vedanta philosophy?
Perhaps the descriptions given in Yoga Vasishtha, the most ancient of scriptures, are the source material for the moviemakers who depict the sufferings of hell. The secrets of Upanishads are given in this great work. This gives us the teachings of the Vedas.
Now we proceed to Sri Chakra Puja. Hanuman Chalisa Parayana is going on continuously. Please participate. This evening is Sri Venkata Makhi and Sri Thyagaraja aradhana. Tomorrow is mass singing of bhajans. Please attend. Sri Swamiji will be present there. On the 16th there is a concert by Sri Swamiji. Then it is Maha Sivaratri.
The World Cup begins today. India should win. We will pray that our country will gain recognition.
There are many, like Bhagat Singh, who have sacrificed their lives on this day, February 14, for our country. Let us pray for them.
133 crore times Hanuman Chalisa should be chanted. Everyone should participate in this great Yajna and fulfill our Sadguru’s commitment.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi