Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 97, February 9
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
In the Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana we are going to continue the subject of the desirable qualities in a questioner and the speaker.
Seeta ..
Great souls and saints in this world are seen enduring calmly the dualities of cold, heat, fortune, misfortune, pain, and pleasure. How is it possible for them to do so? Jnana is their implement or tool which makes it possible for them tolerate and remain unaffected by the dualities.
aapada ..
Sorrow and the indulgence in sorrowful thoughts are two different things. Everyone faces troubles. Direct misfortune such as bumping into a rock and getting injured is directly painful. But often people worry about potential danger and injury and trouble themselves needlessly. People anticipate trouble and feel pain. Such fears and anxieties burn a person as fire burns dry grass. Fear brings the same thoughts to the mind again and again. It prevents a man from enjoying the happiness of the present. Fear keeps one trapped in a spinning wheel. People hear strange sounds at night and get frightened. Keep the pictures of Hanuman of Sadguru to give strength of mind. It is said in Hanuman Chalisa that Hanuman drives away all evil energies. Keep chanting the name of Lord Siva as protection. These methods divert the mind away from fear.
praajnam ..
How to prevent the fire of fear from burning us? Those who have the faith that Lord Hanuman or Sadguru will protect them from all harm, are wise people. Those who know about the true identity of oneself as the imperishable soul suffer no fear.
When electrical power goes off, a flower vase that the person himself placed in the corner, suddenly appears to him as a strange being with fearsome features. Unless one sees God everywhere and realizes that it is God alone who gives existence and consciousness to everything that exists, one is subject to fear. One who can perceive God everywhere is the one who has the right perception. It is achieved with constant contemplation and practice. Such a perspective prevents all mental diseases caused by fear.
During the rainy season you do not have forest fires. It is only when the atmosphere is dry that raging forest fires occur. At such times the trees are dried up and even a small spark caused by friction will erupt into a terrible fire. One who engages in spiritual sadhana will be shielded from fear.
Now Swamiji has started the discourse on Adhyatma Ramayana which explains from the spiritual perspective, the emotions portrayed in the story or Ramayana. Rama and Sita actually did not weep. All convincing answers are given in this scripture. When we are given explanations through the medium of interesting stories, the subject becomes easy for us to understand.
aadhivyaadhi …
Tornadoes occur frequently in some countries like the USA where there are huge open spaces and deserts. The winds pick up and destroy even houses and cars. Sandstorms in deserts prevent one from walking forward even one step. In the Himalayas also windstorms occur which are frightening. At that time trees get uprooted. But the tree with the strong mother root survives and will sprout again. The Kalpavriksha is unaffected by any storm. Similarly, great souls are not affected by birth and death. They take birth by choice. They are not troubled by these changes. Physical and mental afflictions affect us like sudden windstorms, we, who are subject to birth and death. But if our knowledge of Truth keeps us rooted firmly, then like a Kalpavriksha, we will remain unaffected by the whirlwind called birth and death.
Samsara, the whirlwind, does not destroy the enlightened. Their birth and death are under their wish and control.
Tatvam …
We must attempt to acquire spiritual wisdom. Our sadhana, our upasana, our puja, our japa, our parayana, our ritual worship we do to please our Sadguru. Why does Sadguru urge us to do these things? We must know the reason. You should try to understand the reason behind it.
Those who can explain Truth to us should be approached, and not those ignorant ones who will ridicule our questions because of their lack of faith and devotion. It will harm us to listen to such people’s comments. It is our fault if we seek answers from the ignorant and the irreverent ones. They will destroy our own sense of discretion and judgment. Sadguru will explain giving proofs and with proven authority.
One should approach Sadguru humbly and reverentially to ask questions to clear doubts. When Guru has time to explain, he should be prayed to, for answers, and not when you have the inclination and time. Guru’s convenience is important, not the questioner’s. It is arrogant to demand answers from Guru.
verse
Here we are learning how to properly ask Guru. There is no obligation on the part of the learned person to share the knowledge with the questioner. Great souls have noble and generous hearts and will share their knowledge willingly. They are not happy to just keep the knowledge to themselves.
Just as a white cloth dipped in red dye absorbs the red color, the listener must absorb the knowledge given by Sadguru. Mere attendance at discourses for years on end is not helpful. A child goes to school daily but if he does not learn the lessons, he will not be promoted to the next grade. The one who asks a question must listen attentively and understand the answers. That is the true attribute of a seeker.
anadyeyam
Whom to ask, whom not to ask, is essential knowledge. It is useless to question ignorant persons. You may discuss with an ignorant but good natured person if you wish, but do not get into fights and unfriendly arguments. Such heated debates will spoil the mind. It is best to avoid discussions and conversations with ignorant and irreverent persons. It is a waste of time. It is harmful to our own strong convictions.
praamanika
We asked Sadguru. Sadguru begins to speak. Then, the listener who gets distracted is committing a great sin. Such a careless listener is the worst among human beings. He is not a true disciple. He receives no benefit from the instruction given by Guru.
ajnataa
Whatever has been asked before should not be asked again. One should know what should be asked, what has been asked before, what has already been answered, and what has remained unanswered so far. Such a one who uses discretion in posing question is considered as a wise questioner.
anirneeta
Without knowing the eligibility of the speaker, one who approaches and asks questions without proper judgment, is an ignorant person. He is the worst questioner who asks the unqualified person.
poorvaa
What has been said, what has been left unsaid, what is yet to be learned, all these should be clear in the mind of the questioner and the listener. What answer was received for which question, and what answers are still remaining to be spoken, should be kept in mind and recollected constantly. A seeker who is diligent and alert in his questioning, and also in absorbing the answers, is a true disciple.
In this Kali Yuga, in Satsangs everyone is addressed and offered information. The speaker invites listeners and shares his knowledge. In the earlier Yugas the rules were different. Then, the seeker had to approach the Guru.
Dattatreya Swami is the mobile teacher. Like an ambulance, he comes home and treats our disease called ignorance. He feels compassionate towards seekers and offers his services readily.
Those who are lacking in faith and who have the tendency to ridicule valuable information, should not be given precious information.
praamaanika
One who speaks to answer questions without earning the eligibility to speak on the subject, and the one who speaks to the undeserving questioner, is also at flaw. In Kali Yuga, in a satsang, the instructor hopes that perhaps one in many will capture the meaning, and by imbibing the teaching will help others, even though he knows that the majority of the listeners will remain ignorant. The speaker hopes that at least a few among thousands will grasp the message and in turn will be of benefit to the public at large.
verse
If one is always stern and strict and scolds while teaching a subject, the student is likely to lose interest in learning the subject.
Vasishtha is now praising Rama. Guru will give praise sometimes to motivate the disciple. The disciple should still remain humble and treat such a praise as encouragement to do more service. The student must never become arrogant and complacent when receiving praise.
O Rama, there is no disciple or questioner to excel you. I am also a good teacher. I know how to teach you.
Which Guru will declare so confidently that he knows how to clear the doubts of the disciple? It is not arrogance. It is confidence in his own knowledge. Such self assurance is required. Pride and arrogance are wrong. Here Vasishtha is not being arrogant. He recognizes that these are not common everyday questions that are posed by Rama, and he is qualified to answer them.
This dialog has brought together Vasishtha and Sri Rama. This is the common interest that has bound the speaker and the listener. The speaker must encourage a good questioner to pose questions clearly. Rama is good at posing questions. Vasishtha is good at giving answers.
Sometimes Sadguru solicits questions from the audience. The one who is not eloquent must encourage one among the audience who can enunciate clearly, to ask on behalf of others.
verse
Sometimes our own vocabulary is in question. We are sometimes unaware of the meaning of the words we use. Being unsure of the vocabulary one uses, is a weakness. One should be certain of the word and its meaning. That is why language is taught at the very beginning. Vedanta has its particular terminology. Professional terminology is different in each profession and field of study. Now that we are studying spirituality, we must learn this vocabulary that is used here in this field of study.
Rama, you are proficient in language and are capable of expressing yourself clearly. Whatever I am going to teach, you must deliberately register in your mind after deep analysis and proper understanding. You must contemplate on the truth of my statements and must put the instructions into practice.
mahaanasi
Vasishtha is giving more encouragement to Sri Rama. At the same time, we are informed of the greatness of Rama. Mahatma is he, who follows his inner Self. He is ever calm. Lord Dattatreya is referred to as a Mahatma. It is a title given to him. His heart is filled with compassion and wisdom. We hear the words mahatma, antaratma, and so on.
Rama, you are a mahatma, and you are dispassionate. You have understood the principle of spirituality. Rama, you are in the midst of luxuries. Yet, you have renounced pleasures. You know the Truth. You are the most deserving for receiving spiritual initiation. You have a genuine interest in learning and will be successful in absorbing the teaching.
ukta
People do Avadhanam. It means remembering various things and handling 8, 100, or 1000 different things simultaneously. In a battlefield, one must protect oneself from attack from different sides.
Rama, your sharp intellect has the capacity to penetrate deeply and to grasp the inner, invisible meaning. What is not readily apparent also, you can perceive.
We must also develop this ability to delve deeply into a subject.
Sometimes what is said is not immediately apparent. By seeing a pot, you do not know whether it is hot or cold unless you touch it. One must go deep into the subject, the way the sun’s rays penetrate deep into the waters of the ocean. Rama, your mind is capable of deep study. Rama belongs to the Sun dynasty.
yadyad
First, we must listen to Sadguru’s words and gather the entire speech. Thereafter, we should bifurcate, differentiate the various points and accept whatever is important for us. Everything must be first saved and registered in the mind.
verse
Rama, do not keep asking me to repeat my statements. Whatever is spoken, try to understand. Ask only when you have a particular doubt. If you keep interrupting me, the lesson will not proceed smoothly.
Within a week, Vasishtha had to convey the entire subject, before Viswamitra took Rama away with him.
Do not ask irrelevant questions. Do not be inattentive while I speak.
The mind is like a wild monkey that wanders in the jungle called Samsara. Even a caged monkey is difficult to catch. It will avoid capture. How to then catch a monkey that is wandering wildly in a huge jungle? The mind is such. Rama, you must capture this mind and focus it on this subject. Filter the words and grab the essence.
Children should be urged to concentrate on the teachings at school, without any distractions. Children get easily distracted. They become impatient to ask their questions without first listening to the entire lesson.
This is a subject about Paramatma, about one’s Self. It is an intricate and deep subject.
avivekinam
How to develop concentration and the power of retention? The answer is given. Keep ignorant persons at a distance. Avoid the company of undesirable persons. Associate only with good souls. You must deliberately avoid bad company. Bad company corrupts us very quickly.
Sneezes and yawns are rapidly contagious, but not the repetition of God’s names.
Worship and offer service to great souls. It will benefit you. Vasishtha is giving this valuable advice to us.
nityam
Why is it important to associate with great souls? What is the benefit? Our power of discretion improves. The tree called good company which develops discretion produces two fruits called comfort and liberation.
verse
This is a wonderful verse. This is the first verse that I ever read in the Yoga Vasishtha. After reading this, I made the resolve to read the entire text. Liberation is imagined as a kingdom or a house. It has a doorway guarded by four watchmen. They are Sama, vicharam, santosha, sadhu sangama.
An officer has a name board. To get your work done, always use the name to address the person. They will certainly be more inclined to help if you address a person by his name. It always pleases a person when you make the effort to address him by his name.
One must be familiar with these four. Sama, vicharam, santosha, and sadhu sangama. At least with one of them be friendly, then by his recommendation, the others will cooperate with you. It is good if one is close to all four of them. All are security guards and all are important and powerful.
What is Sama, what is Vichara, what is Santosha, what is Sadhu sangama? We will learn tomorrow.
Everyone is chanting repeatedly the Hanuman Chalisa. Please chant and report your count. In the evening, Swamiji is explaining the Adhyatma Ramayana. Please attend and listen attentively.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi.