Discourse on Yoga Vasishtha
Day 75, November 11
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
There is nothing that cannot achieved by individual effort. Even Indra was once a human and achieved the status of Indra by his own effort. Similarly, the positions of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva are attained by individual effort, says Vasishtha. Saaroopya, Sameepya, Saalokya, and Saayujya are the stages one goes through and finally gets the position. Thereafter their sadhana must continue by the study and practice of Veda to merge into Paramatman. Effort must be persistent, continuous, and determined. There is no such thing as luck. A similar effort yields liberation also.
It is wrong to think that we are not great souls like Suka and Vyasa. They also began like us and grew in stature to attain liberation by their own individual determined effort. If we draw a curtain, in spite of there being light, our room will remain dark and will not receive illumination. Even great souls like Suka achieved liberation gradually by acquiring practicing and perfecting the Sadhana chatushtaya (the four-fold procedure of spiritual practice), attaining chittasuddhi, and then total spiritual enlightenment, by going through the required stages. Until the contamination from the mind is removed, the light within will not shine; it will remain obstructed. Good thoughts and good deeds lead to cleansing of the mind to lead eventually to the acquisition of spiritual wisdom. Jnana gives peace and calm. The body and mind must fill with comfort and coolness like the moon. These should spread to others from us after we obtain them.
People get tempted to do things their own way, take short cuts and deviate from the rules given by the elders and the scriptures. They do not know right from wrong. It is important to follow the guidance given by guru. What the scriptures tell us is the truth. You must have faith. People think that the sages and seers have no knowledge. Even by eating the leaves containing their words of wisdom a goat will gain knowledge. Their knowledge and wisdom are immense.
People express all kinds of doubts and ask questions like, how can a stone give us benefit if we offer it worship. Our life span is short. Very few people live to be a hundred years old. 25 years is spent in education and the rest of the lifetime is spent in other things. Without making any effort to gain spiritual knowledge how can one question like that? Sage Bharadwaja spent 3000 years to learn the Vedas. What we know is nothing. We have no time to search for truth and without making the effort, we cannot question and criticize and brand it as blind faith. Vedas declare that definite benefit is gained by worshiping Mother, Siva, Hanuman, and other deities with firm belief.
Search inside the mind for Truth. It cannot be found outside. Offering worship to God in the form of different deities and singing the praises of God, the seers say, are guaranteed to produce favorable results. This is a declaration given by the Vedas. We must have faith. The proof is there, that many have already benefited. This is not blind faith. This is not like some superstitions the tribals are practicing without any logical basis.
Saligrama Puja will certainly give benefit if the procedure is properly followed. As per your intent, whether you want relief form illness, poverty, unemployment, etc., do what is required as prescribed in the scriptures, such as performing Annadana. By following strict procedures, results will be obtained.
Sometimes people get discouraged that the desired results are not occurring or there are hurdles in performing the desired good deeds. Why do people who are doing good deeds facing hurdles? Past karma’s bad results are more powerful and hence, they are blocking the present efforts. We must increase the present effort. Unless the procedures are followed as stipulated in the scriptures, you will not gain the benefit. If you do as per your wish, you do not obtain the fruit of the effort. In the end you must offer the results of your efforts of God. Say Sri Krishnarpanamastu or Brahmarpanam. When you do any good deed, that it should be done with the remembrance of God is most important. Every step in the instruction given in the scriptures must be followed. Give food gladly with a smile, not with irritation. Rama gave this instruction to all the participants at the time of the Coronation. Whatever little you can give, give it happily.
Swamiji says, no matter how give, Swamiji will accept gladly.
Veda has stipulated that when the procedure is followed strictly, the benefit is certain. A deity should be properly invoked and then offered worship after proper consecration with mantra. If such strict procedures are followed, the power of the deity will certainly be present there.
Other statues and idols placed on display do not command such powers.
If unknowingly we follow an improper procedure, we are not only deprived of any gain, but we may even get unfortunate results. Arjuna asked Krishna whether devotion alone will not suffice in offering worship and why sastras should be followed. Krishna said devotion is of several types and degrees. Devotion has to be pure and one-pointed.
If it is pure and pristine devotion like that of Kannappa it will give good results. But what do common people know about devotion and how is strong is the devotion? If devotion is half-hearted, you will get deceived. It is fool-proof if you follow the instructions given in the Sastras.
Vasishtha does not give a list of benefits. He says the ultimate position of Indra also can be achieved by proper effort. Nahusha became Indra and the previous Indra merged with Paramatma after continuing his effort. the highest position as a deity is also not permanent. Nahusha fell when he displayed arrogance when he became egotistical, but by Dattatreya Sadguru’s grace rose again. Arrogance causes downfall, regardless of one’s position. Some creature somewhere has risen to the status of Indra and even the status of Brahma by mere sincere and proper effort.
First the form of Brahma is acquired, and sadhana will then continue after going to Brahma Loka, and gradually merging with Paramatman occurs. This sadhana must continue. One may acquire the form of Brahma and arrive at Brahma Loka/location of Brahma but will not have Brahma’s powers. Similarly one can become like Vishnu and live in His proximity. All such exalted persons in Vishnu Loka will look like so many Vishnus but even in Vaikuntha, the real Vishnu must be located and recognized as Maha Vishnu. A human, by effort can become Lord Siva Himself, says Vasishtha.
Therefore, Sri Rama, make your efforts.
Coming to the ashrama requires effort. Getting Swamiji’s darshan also required effort.
Now, a most important note. there are two ways of understanding about Paurusha. Praaktanam is whatever effort was put in during the past lifetimes. Whatever efforts are done now in this lifetime is Adyatanam. Adyatanam can overcome the past karma’s results. Hence, do not say that you have no luck. Keep making an effort.
By constant effort, by determined persistence and practice, one can achieve the desired results. Regular practice done every day is important. Ten minutes of Yoga performed daily will give good health. Doing for four hours once a month will not help. Do what you do with enthusiasm. Such ones can digest even the Mount Meru. Mount Meru is bigger than the Everest and supports the Earth. The Sri Chakra is called Sumeru. It does not mean physically lifting the mountain. Such strength and power are inherent in sincere effort. Great things can be achieved. We have the accumulated karma from numerous janmas. How is it possible to overcome that with present good karma? A good deed, Satkarma is like a strand of hair that can tie up an elephant; it is like a spark of fire that can burn a heap of sins.
There are negative thinkers who gain nothing. You must place faith in the methods prescribed in the scriptures to remove your troubles.
verse
Paurusha is not growing muscles and dominating over others. Paurusha has nothing to do with maleness or masculine virility.
Perform good deeds as endorsed by the Sastras. The results will be more than satisfactory. they are not incomplete results. What is the use of getting a good job if the company closes down the next day. Then there is no benefit.
Guru’s words are absolute. They are locked. You cannot unlock and reorganize or change the words. They are stated firmly. If you manipulate the instructions and vary them, then you have transgressed the command of the Emperor, who is God here. This will cause you harm. Therefore, always follow what is prescribed in the Sastras. When at crossroads, follow the instructions given by the Sastra. If you have no one to advise you, rely on the voice of your conscience. That takes the place of Sastra. The intellect must guide you, not emotions which preside over the heart. If you get swayed otherwise, and do not follow what is admissible, unfortunate results will occur.
verse
A lengthy concluding verse gives the essence of what has been stated previously. One has boils over his face and cannot even open his mouth to drink water to quench his thirst. One drop of water or even steam cannot enter his mouth to help him. Such an extreme condition will occur to one who breaks the rules given in the scriptures. Thirst cannot be quenched if one goes against the injunction of the scriptures. It is easier to bear hunger than thirst.
What happens if you follow the Sastras? For example, one person who strictly followed Dharma as given in the Sastras was born as a king and enjoyed all the comforts and luxuries of royalty. Then it was time for him to retire (go into Vanaprastha). The king gave away all his wealth to the sons the subjects of the kingdom as if it were as tiny as a miniscule seed. He never felt that it was a big deal.
The other day, in an instant, Swamiji gave away one and half crores at the rate of 50 K to help each of the ashramites who serves him. The procedure to complete the transaction took a couple of days.
Priyavrata was such a king. The entire earth was like a small island for him. He gave away this entire earth and looked around to see if there was anything else, anything more that he could give away. Such royal pleasures as were enjoyed by this king will occur to those who follow the stipulated procedures in the performance of good deeds. By going against prescribed rules one suffers untold miseries.
Adharma’s victory is transient. it is poison. Amrita may yield its benefit gradually but its result is certain. God inspires us. Listen to the divine wisdom. Do not go after fashion. The modern day youth are seeking delicacies offered by other faiths/religions, thinking that it is fashionable to do so. If you have to, pretend, to get on in society and try to persuade others to follow your good path. Die in your own Dharma. But never change sides to follow another’s path. Never convert to a different religion or change your faith. You will suffer from extreme thirst and will be deprived of even a drop of water to quench your thirst. You must place faith in the scriptures and the words of Guru. Trust the Vedas. Make your effort as per the guidance given by Guru, the Vedas, and the scriptures. Vasishtha is quoting the Vedas. Vedas claim that they are the words of God. We must follow the divine lineage.
Navagraha Santi Yajnas and Yagas are taking place here at the ashram. Today homa is Subrahmanya Homa. The last two days of the rituals are very important. For the good health and wellbeing of our Sadguru Sri Swamiji, please chant the Navagraha mantra for 108 times today and tomorrow.
Navagraha mantra:
Namah Suryāya Chandrāya mangaḷāya budhāyaca
Guru śukra śanibhyaśca rāhavē kētavē namaḥ
Witness the Maha Purnahuti on both days. If you have the time, do the japa for 1008 times. This is the least that we can do to pray for our Sadguru. It is our duty. If Sadguru is well, the worlds will be well.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Om santissantissantihi