Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 116, March 25
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 Yoga Vasishtha, in the Mumukshu Vyavahara Prakarana, Vichara Niroopanam is the topic we are discussing.
Intellectual analysis, when applied properly, will enlighten the mind. When it is not applied, a man feels afraid of this world as a man in darkness is afraid of lurking evil spirits. Whoever is averse to using the intellect to learn the truth, should be kept at a distance for our own protection. This great sadhana/effort, called intellectual analysis will help us to perceive things as they are. Just as one would be wary of sitting under a huge lone tree on a large field, one should be wary of associating with a person who is unwilling to use his thinking capabilities.
Today we are being taught the principle and nature of intellectual exploration. Vichara is enquiring about what is unknown and what needs to be known. One should ask and obtain the required knowledge. Either one should learn on one’s own, or else one should ask another who knows. Each individual must learn about himself, about his true nature and purpose. It is a must. Some people have that knowledge by birth. Some who are born with lots of past merit will get the inclination early in life to know about themselves. Some will make an effort later in life and will realize the Truth about themselves. In this manner, it varies with each individual based on various reasons. Getting this knowledge is most essential. For this, intellectual activity is most important.
vichara vikala
Earlier we learned that if this Truth unveils within us, the way the moon rises over the sacred Lake Manasarovar, thereafter life will be totally peaceful and blissful. Now we are informed what will happen if this desire for inquiry is lacking in a person. A mentality that lacks this inquisitiveness is a sign of foolishness and idiocy. If a person is not ready to even listen, how will questions arise in his mind? Whoever lacks this desire for inquiry into Truth will even fear that a thunderbolt might strike him from the moon. Has anyone ever heard of the moon giving anything but coolness and comfort? Yet, the foolish person will entertain such needless fears that he may get destroyed by a lightning that strikes from the moon. A child imagines and fears that there is a devil hiding in the dark. One must have the interest to find out what is true to dispel such undesirable fears.
duhkha
It is very important to know whom to associate with, and whom to stay away from. In the spiritual pursuit the company one keeps is most important. Sadhu sangama is itself a great boon and a merit. The company of the enlightened, the pious, and the sincerely service-minded should be sought. The lowest amongst people should be shunned. If they do not leave our company, then we should distance ourselves from them. Just because an infected person is a relative, if we remain close to him, we will also catch the infection. Similarly, the negative qualities of the ignorant persons will have a negative influence upon us. Therefore, one should remain at a distance from those who speak ill, who do evil, and who think wicked thoughts. Only when you have the power to transform the person, you may associate with him. Sadguru alone has that power, where without getting influenced by the negativity of the wicked person, he can successfully transform the individual. That power we lack. So we must keep doing our own sadhana within ourselves, secretly, if necessary. We should not discuss with others who will not understand, who will make fun, or who will try to dissuade us from our worthwhile occupations.
Some people are stuck in certain situations where they are unable to distance themselves from bad characters, who can neither think, speak, or do good. In the work situation, one is sometimes forced to engage in interactions with such people. These persons may be colleagues or superiors. Sometimes one may need to pretend to be otherwise, but still remain firmly glued to one’s own strong and noble convictions.
There are some seeds which is sprout. But the grains which have been husked do not sprout. The evil person is like a pot of seeds which will sprout into poisonous plants which generate sorrow. He should be kept away. Otherwise, he will transfer the most intense sorrow to us. He will sprout new shoots called a variety of sorrows, like new plants that sprout in springtime. You must sacrifice the company of such persons. As if advising Rama, Sage Vasishtha is cautioning all of us. Nirviveko naraadhamaha — you may try to transform a person once or twice. But if he is not amenable to change, and ridicules your opinions, it is best to stay away from him. Such a person who lacks discretion is the lowest among humans.
ekechana
If one is not interested in asking questions and learning, such a mindset leads to all kinds bad habits, and terrible sorrows. It is as if they see ghosts in the dark where none exist. It is important to ask Guru for answers to know the Truth.
avichara
O Sri Rama, you must shun the company of the evil minded, who are averse to knowing the truth. Sometimes a huge lone tree exists on a large field. You are afraid that it may be harboring snakes or other harmful creatures. You feel unsure if it is safe to remain in its shade. It is advised that we should be cautious about approaching such a tree. All the carbon dioxide is exuded by it at night. Sometimes, when a person sleeps under a Peepul/Aswattha tree at night, he feels heaviness on his chest due to a shortage of Oxygen in the air. He feels afraid that a ghost is sitting on top of his chest. Sometimes one even sees apparitions. It is advised not to sleep under such trees at night and not to do pradakshina/go around the trees at night.
Naga Devatas are installed under a Peepul Tree by those who wish to have children. They should not be approached at night for the purpose of doing Pradakshina. The reason is that the Oxygen levels will be low at that time and people begin to go out of breath. They will feel weakened.
It is good to go to them in the morning to do Pradakshina.
The same tree that was noticed and recognized during the day, will appear in the night like an evil spirit, because one forgets having seen the tree earlier. It disturbs the mind.
Those who remain in ignorance will be forced to keep performing bad deeds. They are not capable of doing anything good. While on a pilgrimage, we seek accommodation in buildings but ascetics and sadhus choose to sleep under trees. But they too avoid lone trees. Similarly, we must avoid the company of those who have no desire to seek the truth.
viviktam hi
What is the benefit you get when you feel inspired to ask questions about Truth? It is being explained to us. Those whose intellect is actively seeking to know the truth are not slaves to their desires but are free. Their minds are drawn towards permanent bliss. Everyone is seeking happiness but the intellectually bright seekers who seek eternal bliss, find comfort as what is given by the full moon.
vivekito
Discretion takes root within us after constant churning of the mind. It comes only from deep and constant intellectual analysis. It does not occur overnight. Spiritual sadhana is never ending. It should be continued lifelong. Every single day it should be carried out until one falls asleep. Penance with a specific purpose to achieve a certain benefit is different. But spiritual pursuit to reach the ultimate level has no stoppage or end. As long as one lives, it should be carried out. Service is the same way. It never ends. If one type of service ends, seek another opportunity to serve.
Once the power of discrimination is gained, happiness is earned. All sorrows will be removed. Life will be decorated by discretion which is like an ornament. The person himself will then turn into a jewel. Moonlight is beautiful. But when you see a tree or a building in the moonlight, it acquires a fresh beauty. One must develop discretion by using the intellect.
verse
Even if the moon appears as a thin crescent, still it adds great beauty to the night sky. On the day after the new moon, like a pencil line the moon may appear and still it gives beauty to the night by its mere presence. We see God in the moon. New moon is like Kalaratri – a dark night.
Paramartha is the ultimate gain. It should keep waving in the intellect like a flag. All worldly obligations are performed at a certain superficial level. Job, marriage, children, their marriages, grandchildren, house, possessions, and so on are all a part of life, no doubt. But, they are not the ultimate goal in life. The happiness that they give is fleeting. It does not endure. What is the happiness that endures? It is the ultimate bliss. That is what should be sought. The question arises in people’s minds sooner or later for most people as to what the true purpose of life is. Of course, to some it never occurs. It is important to keep one’s focus on the supreme goal at all times, while going through life and experiencing all these fleeting joys.
The pure intellect is like a decoration that is placed around the mantapa for worship or around a king’s throne. Several objects like an umbrella, various weapons, flags, fans, and so on are placed.
The Vel/spear held by Lord Subrahmanya is not a sign that he is always engaged in battle. It is a symbol for peace as well. Siva always holds the trident. Vishnu always holds the disc. They mean different things. The Wheel in Vishnu’s hand symbolizes the Wheel of birth and death. It is ever spinning. It is the Sudarshana Chakra. Vishnu shows that He is in control of this Creation. The Wheel spins around His finger, without the finger even touching it. It does not touch or affect Him. The trident indicates that with the three Gunas the Creation manifests. It also signifies the Omkara. Ganapati’s broken tusk is a sign of destroyed ego. When teeth fall out, the arrogance that one is very good looking will be gone. Ganapati is teaching us to be rid of ego. Subrahmanya shows the spear to tell us to become one-pointed in our focus in order to gain peace. The fan indicates peace and comfort. Around Sadguru’s throne also we keep these objects as decorations. He establishes the kingdoms of devotion, knowledge, and dispassion in our hearts and grants us peace and bliss. When the mind/intellect becomes pure, discretion will glow with radiance.
vichara
Those who are thoughtful and wise not only benefit themselves but they benefit others also. Only when a question arises in the mind as to what may be eaten and what may not be eaten, research on that subject begins. A list is made of what is edible and what is not edible. It helps us now. Because we are provided a system now which has already been established, we are saved from worry and anxiety. If we had no such established list, how greatly we would suffer not knowing what to eat and what not to eat. We would not know what is poisonous and harmful to us and what is beneficial. This is the boon given to the world by the seers. They have provided us the guidelines. They help the entire humanity. They became liberated by their intellectual questioning. They have no desires. They have nothing to gain. Yet, they help those who approach them and they help also those who do not approach them. Light falls on all things whether the objects approach it or not. A pillar offers support whether or not you choose to take its support. The sun’s rays light up the world. Similarly, the enlightened ones light up this world with their knowledge.
Darkness is dispelled by the sun. That is why every morning we must express our gratitude to the sun. We should offer him prayers. It is best to do Surya Namaskara.
The Realized souls destroy all types of fear. The common man is always in the clutches of fear. He is afraid whether or not his business will thrive, whether his children will thrive, Whether his health will continue, and so on. The wise, with their wisdom, destroy our fears. Sadgurus and Sadhus give great benefit to society.
bala
A child saw a shape and became afraid that it is a demon. It was only an imagined shape. The moment the light was turned on, the shape disappeared. Such an intense fear felt by a person sometimes becomes life-threatening also.
Once, some children took a bet. One of them had to go to a graveyard where three lemons were placed on a grave and bring one marked lemon back with him at midnight on a new moon night. This happened in Mysore. Have you heard of this incident? The boy went to the graveyard and picked up the lemon. On his way back, the fifteen year old had a heart attack and dropped dead. Upon inquiry, the parents found out with help from the doctors that the child died from fright because his shirt got hooked on a nail as he was walking along and he believed that a dreadful evil spirit had captured him. There were signs of a struggle as he tried to free himself from the nail. Ignorance can take lives. It causes delusion. Either in the sky or on the earth one can imagine the presence of terrible entities. Proper intellectual analysis and understanding has sufficient power to prevent one from falling prey to such false notions. It will prevent such mishaps and such slavery to all types of fear. Sadguru helps in this regard with his guidance.
Sarva
There are all kinds of objects and things in this Creation that we see and experience. How can one declare that these are non-existent? This question is asked by many. Yes. In the day to day existence we behave as if all these things and creatures have a real existence. But in reality they are all a myth. Parabrahman is the only real entity. He alone exists in all these shapes. But we assume the shapes and creatures to be real and we forget the Almighty who is the basis and the substance behind this entire Universe.
Ignorance is very powerful. We have carried it with us over so many lifetimes. Intellectual analysis is like a boulder which can crush to dust all our mistaken notions which are like clods. Therefore, proper thinking and analysis are most essential for the understanding of the Truth about this entire existence. We need the discretion that develops only out of proper inquiry and churning in the mind.
pumso
We will continue this discussion tomorrow.
Now during the Sri Chakra Puja, Hanuman Chalisa Parayan will be taking place. Please participate without fail.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om Santissantissantihi