Vedanta Sandesh - April 2015
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Transcript of Vedanta Sandesh - April 2015
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Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission
Year 21 Issue 10Bqs!3126
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Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission
Apr 2015 : Year 21 / Issue 10
Editor: Swamini Samatananda Saraswati
Published by
International Vedanta Mission
http://www.vmission.org.in / [email protected]
When the mind is free from the desires & obsessions of the
sensual objects, and abides peacefully in its heart, then the mind
is said to have attained mindlessness. In that one realizes that
which is the truth of oneself - that is indeed the highest state, and
one is verily free.
fujLrfo"k;klaxa lfUu#)a euks gfnA;nk ;kR;qUeuhHkkoa rnk rRijea ine~AA
Amrutbindu Upanishad - 4
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Section Index
1. Message of P. Guruji - 5
2. Tattva Bodha - 6-7
4. Letter - 9
5. Gita Reflections - 10-11
6. Jivanmukta - 13
7. Yoga Vasistha - 14-15
7. Story Section - 17
8. VM News - 18
9. VM Activities - 19
10. Album - 20-21
11. VM Programs - 23
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Advaita Vedanta reveals that there is only one truth, and this truth exists as the Self of everyone
- Atma satyah, tad anyat sarvam mithya iti, and everything else is all an illusion. Every perceptible thing
is continuously changing and are thus ephemeral & perishable. It was not there earlier and shall not be
there after a point in time. On the other hand our Atma, the self-effulgent I, alone reveals all our objects
of experience. It is always there. This consciousness alone is the one, non-dual, infinite, timeless reality.
Whoever realizes this fact clearly is an enlightened one. The perceptible world is certainly an illusion
from our point of view, but so are we from the point of view of others. The point to be noted here is that
this realization is necessary by every person. There is a seer and the seen objects. Seer of all is of the
nature of consciousness, and everything apart from it is changing. There are some people who try to
extend the proposition of Vedanta to such absurd limits. Such people propose Ek-Jivavada. That when
I will realize the truth then everything shall disappear too - because it is all my illusion. Such propositions
were not only imagined in earlier times - in the form of ek-jivavada; but even in modern times too, some
philosophers propose similar hypothesis and this is called as Solipsism. Vedanta does not accept
Solipsism. These both are very different.
Solipsism says that the perceptible world is just a projection & presentation of my mind. You all
are creation of my mind alone. You have no independent existence apart from my mind. So the implication
is that when I will get the vivek of nitya & anitya, and thus negate all my illusions, then there will be no
jiva & jagat left in the world. This is obviously never seen. There are so many enlightened people in the
world even today, but their realization has not physically effaced others in the world. Vedanta very clearly
says that this knowledge is required by every person, not just by one-person. Realization of the changing
nature of the world around simply removes our dependence on the world and, the realization of the
changeless nature of our Self effaces all fears, seeking & sense of limitations. Both these together bring
about a paradigm shift in our perceptions & identity. It is this viveka which liberates us from endless &
baseless dependences, expectations & limitations. It is our inflated values on things outside which are
the real culprits. They are called adhyaropa, superimposition, and valid knowledge just negates that -
not the perceptible forms of this beautiful world, which together constitutes the various individuals &
objects. So even after our Self-Realization the world, with all its problems & beauty, shall continue to
exist, and everyone will have to personally realize this truth personally for their individual empowerment
& liberation. Realization by just one person is not enough, what we need is a system of education to
educate & enlighten everyone.
Advaita & Solipsism
from Poojya Guruji
-
Vedanta Sandesh
Tattva BodhaSix Divine Qualities: Uparama
What is 'Uparama'?
The word Uparama literally means to revel in
something near(Upasaameepye, Ramanam-to
revel). It indicates someone who is reveling in his self.
Uparama is an external manifestation of peaceful
introvertedness. It points out to a person who revels in
his own Self as God has made him. He is at home with
himself translating his aptitudes in the field of action
lovingly as a service to God.
'Uparama' is Swadharma Anushthanam:
The Acharya defines Uparama as 'Swadharma
anushthanam' which is living as per one's dharma,
one's natural inclinations and aptitudes. As an individual
each one of us is a very unique human being having
certain intrinsic qualities which in the Gita Sri Krishna
calls 'Swadharma'. In Sanatan Dharma this is also
uniquely called as one's 'Varna'. At the level of the body,
mind and intellect we all are unique. Each one of us
has a physical appearance unique to one's own self &
at the level of the mind each one of us has intrinsic
inclinations and aptitudes exclusive to the self. Not one
person on earth is a copy of another. God has created
all of us being unique in our own way. Children may
have certain traits similar to their parents physically &
mentally, twin siblings too may look very much alike
yet they can never be a true copy of another. In this
sense when a person recognizes his natural inclination
and not only accepts himself the way he is but also
respects it, working lovingly in his field of action as an
instrument of God, it is having the quality of Uparama.
A person having this quality lives a life of contentment
with what he is and has no regrets, but makes the
most of what God has given him.
'Uparama'is being honest to one's Swadharma:
In the Gita Lord Sri krishna says 'swadharme
nidhanam shreyah paradharmo bhayavahaha'-It is
better to die living ones natural inclinations than living
by false inclinations which only bring about fear and
anxiety. The concept of swadharma or varna in
Sanatan Dharma is the most unique idea which is
found no where in the world or any other religion. Living
as per one's swadharma is a journey inspired from
within. Often we tend to take up a field of action
prompted by the 'in-thing' factor or that which brings
about more money, fame & success. When someone
choses his work field which reflects his passion and
The Acharya has discussed the first two qualities in this section of the six divine qualities. Shama and
Dama. Shama is the mastery of the mind and bringing it back from its distractions. Dama is the restraint of the
sense organs and bringing them back from their distractions and focusing them. In this edition we shall see what
the Acharya explained as the next divine quality which is Uparama. Uparama is indicated as a capacity to fully
apply oneself in doing his or her duties.
Q: What is Uparama ?A: Answer: It is indicated as a capacity to fully apply oneself in doing his or her duties.
-
- 7 -
love for it then action performed in it is an expression
of joy, love & creativity. Not only this but a person
goes about it tirelessly coming out more refreshed
and recharged. One enjoys the journey of performing
the task and the fruit of the action is like icing on the
cake. On the other hand any work taken up by blindly
following another person, or is motivated by factors
like money and fame comes with a family of anxiety,
fear, insecurity, a sense of limitation, jealousy, stress
and incompatibility to perform well in that particular
field. It only reflects sheer attachment to the fruit of
action rather than enjoying the journey of performing
the action. By practising one's swadharma one enjoys
living in the present moment whereas a person only
fascinated by some glamorous job is stressed out by
the pressures of attachment towards the results of
action. Energy is thus dissipated by worrying more
about the future and result of the action, incapacitating
the person to enjoy the present moment fully. There
is no creativity or love to enjoy the moment but a
hastiness to somehow reach the goal of success. If
in case success is achieved by practising something
against our intrinsic inclinations then too it only brings
about an egoistic sense of achievement and
arrogance. Hence from the worldly point of view and
even as a preparation for Self-knowledge practising
Uparama is an important prerequisite to bring about
a pure, intelligent and subtle mind.
Uparama-Being an instrument of God:
Uparama is lived by first associating one's
existence with God. I am a creation, a part of God
and it is my privilege to serve him is the soul of
Uparama. There is a deep sense of gratitude and
every action becomes a joyous expression of the
gratitude within. I not only see myself as a creation of
God but the entire world and all it's living & non-living
beings as his creation and therefore consider myself
as a part of the whole. My actions are thus motivated
by a sense of an offering towards this totality, being
untouched by a sense of individuality which results in
an attitude of selfishness. My aptitudes in the field of
action are a medium to serve God hence whatever
my field of action small or big is an expression of
worship, love and gratitude. I am proud to be an
instrument of God whatever my field of action working
for the welfare of the Self and at the same time being
sensitive to other people and mother nature as well.
In Uparama the motivation comes from within. Outside
it is acceptability of every situation & responsibility and
their sincere effort to give out their best. Their sincere
belief in God being their best well wisher insulates
them from all worries and life for them is a continuous
shower of blessings from God.
Discover your love:
Uparama is the blessing of Karma Yoga.
Karma yoga is the art of selfless action where
work is elevated to the level of worship. For Action
to be translated as karma yoga it is extremely
important to discover ones love in the field of
action. Although ones passions can also be
pract iced wi th a se l f -cent r ic a t t i tude yet
recognizing ones love in the work field is the only
step forward to associating ones actions with
God and making karma a yoga. Karma Yoga helps
one discover that joy lies within and all creation
is an expression of the joy within. In fact such
people alone seem to really believe that Atma is
of the nature of Ananda. They alone will be ready
to see this fact directly having translated this
concept primarily in the field of action.
Hence it must be a top priority of parents,
teachers and the Self as well to help discover
ones swadharma and help one revel in the real
peace within irrespective of all situations outside.
Om Sri Ramaya Namah!
Wishing all our Readers a very auspicious, enthusiastic & devoted
Hanuman Jayanti
-
Vedanta Sandesh
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and
how things were so hard for her. It seemed that, as one problem was
solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled
three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came
to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs,
and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty
minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots, the eggs and
the coffee in three seperate bowls.Turning to her daughter, she asked,
"Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the young woman
replied. The mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg
and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.
Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted
its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the
same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot
went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to
the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through
the boiling water, its inside became hardened! The ground coffee beans
were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had
changed the water. "Which are you?" the mother asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a
carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
The Carrot, Egg and the Coffee Bean
-
Sewa of a Sanyasi
S a n y a s i s
basically study life,
and wish & pray for
the well-being of
everyone. Lets say
they are Wellness
Specialists.
- PoojyaGuruji
Hari om !
Sanyasis basically study life and wish & pray for the well-being of everyone. Lets
say they are Wellness Specialists. They always did this sewa earlier and even today
work silently to help bring about the well-being in the life of everyone - rich or poor,
educated or the uneducated, young or old. Their target crowd is the whole world,
and such is the importance of their work that they are pretty busy people too. Some
time motivating people and at other times enlightening them about secrets of life.
Wellness is a very broad word and the understanding of the source of wellness
differs from person to person. Even though the understanding of wellness may differ
but the factors facilitating this are fundamentally same. There is a whole science
behind it and ultimately it all boils down to our positive mind & right understanding.
Having a positive mind too is easily said than done. What is a positive mind, what all
factors help bring this mind. what is right understanding? etc. These specialized
masters go deep into these factors and try to get valid answers, so that wellness is
brought about in everyone. Life is complex, and every query has so many propositions.
Everyone needs to appreciate life in right perspective. This is the role of a Sanyasi,
and obviously these people play an extremely important role.
There are some people who are extrovert - fascinated & obsessed with the world,
they already have such conditioning, they seem to already know what they want,
and all what they wish is the sureshot ways to fulfill their dreams. They think that
their wellness depends on some securities, comforts & gratifications; but they are
also aware that the competition in the world is tough, it is literally the survival of the
fittest. So they just want some guidance for being the so called successful person
in the world. The prescription given to such people for wellness is however not
applicable to others. Others either already have all they wanted, so in some cases
have seen the baselessness of such conditionings that this is the real way of getting
lasting & deep-rooted wellness. They discover that inspite of everything they are still
a wanting & insecure person. What is required for such people is some deep-rooted
knowledge about our mind & self. Sanyasis study all this and then they guide or
enlighten their subjects appropriately.
The work of a Sanyasi is indeed very noble & subtle, and no wonder all those who
come in their contact feel so blessed. Where ever a sanyasi lives, everyone there should
definitely be blessed with wellness.
Lots of love & om
Guruji
- 9 -
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by
SwaminiSamatananda
The mind is the most beautiful, powerful and dynamic instrument a human being
has. A human being is looked up upon as the most superior living beings only because of
the mind. But this mind as much as it is the glory of a human being so also it is the cause
of great struggle if handled incorrectly. The mind being the inspiring source of all our
actions seems to have earned a more notorious reputation of being a hyperactive and
restless mechanism. In the sixth chapter of the Gita when Sri Krishna explained to Arjuna
the art of meditation and the art of being able to sit quietly with one's Self, Arjuna came up
with a question that most commonly crops up in our minds too reflecting an obstacle
faced by all of us. Arjuna says, "O Krishna! This mind is extremely unsteady and it is as
hard to control the mind as hard it is to control strong winds". Inspired by this question of
Arjuna let us try and understand the dynamics of the mind.
What is the Mind?
Mana or mind is defined as that faculty where a 'sanakalpa' & 'Vikalpa' takes
place. Sankalpa is a resolve to do something and vikalpa is an alternative to the resolve.
So the mind thinks to do & then becomes conscious of the other alternative too, weighing
the pros & cons in a given situation. Initially there is a vacillation between sankalapa and
vikalpa until the intellect comes into the picture & takes the final decision. All resolutions
born in the mind are the products of our past impressions on the mind and the impressions
created by our environment. Our past experiences create impressions of likes & dislikes
which thus lure us into having various desires and their alternatives. It is the mind that
opens the world in front of us. In fact the Scriptures thunder that the entire creation is
borne of the mind. Any creation first takes place in the mind and then it is translated in the
objective world. The entire play of the world is actually a play of our thoughts, our convictions
and our dreams. Superficially we all are aware of this but only at the level of fulfilling our
dreams and ambitions. We know we have a desire in the mind and this desire in the mind
will be translated as a fruitful situation in our life. But we havn't dived deep enough to see
that this reveals the mind as the soil where the seeds of desires are sown and from where
this entire creation is created. Another significant truth about the mind is that not only it is
the driving source behind all creation but it is a humble instrument of the Self which can
be mastered or directed as the Self directs it. The only irony is that we are not aware of
this art of educating the mind and in this process we do not realise when the control of the
mind slips out of our hands and soon the mind becomes the master and we become the
slave. At the end of it we land up having a constant tug of war trying to control the mind
forcefully, or through suppression, through fear or even by bribing it. Hence when ever
there is a strong need felt to have a controlled mind it is extremely important to understand
what is the mind, how it functions & what is the nature of mind-control?
Controlling the Mind:
Mind being the perpetual soil of sprouting desires and their alternatives is never a
problem as long as these resolves are intelligently directed by a well educated intellect
having the right knowledge of life and its various facets. In fact an active mind having
some goals in life is a sign of a dynamic and living entity. It is never possible nor is it
required for the mind to be totally desire less or inactive. What is needed is to educate the
mind in a manner that it functions as per the directions of the master which is the intellect.
If the intellect itself is veiled and unclear about the ways and means of life then we will
Chan
chal
am h
i M
anah
Vedanta Sandesh
-
Any creation
first takes place in the
mind and then it is
translated in the
objective world. The
entire play of the
world is actually a
play of our thoughts,
our convictions and
our dreams.
- Samatananda
surely have a mind which is like a spoiled child. A child is never born uncontrolled, it is the
upbringing of the parents and teachers who first spoil the child with misdirections and
then beat up the poor child to forcefully bring it under control. As said our mind is a
humble servant it will only become what we make of it.
Abhyas & Vairagya help to control the mind:
Sri Krishna very compassionately agrees to Arjunas statement as the mind being
extremely unsteady, & having a powerful control over us, as though pulling us away from
our goal like the powerful winds and so he gives Arjuna a formula of two words extremely
potent in handling this state of mind.
Abhyas: Abhyas means Practise. It is a costant repetition of doing something
until we have mastered it. Nothing in the world is mastered in the first effort or if taken in
a lose manner. Musicians, sportsmen, artists, anything in the world is mastered through
practise. Due to wrong practises our mind too has been trained to be hyperactive, unsteady,
restless, jumping from one subject to another. As a spiritual student this mind has to be
trained to focus in the chanting of the Lords name, in devotional practise and in the seat
of meditation. As a habit the mind will get distracted by its predominant impressions on
the mind. But a sincere student needs to compassionately bring the mind back to its focus
again and again. We need to remember that it is our wrong knowledge and practise that
has created this spoilt child like mind. The mind is not to be blamed for it. So we need to
be calm, compassionate and patient with it and re-train it to become an introvert mind. In
fact this is the a role of all sadhanas which begins primarily in the field of action, and then
japa, puja & meditation. So consistent practise is a key sadhana that Sri Krishna gives us
here.
Vairagya: Vairagya is Dispassion from ephemeral worldly things and exclusive
passion towards God and the truth of that which is permanent. Such vairagya goes hand
in hand with practise. Practise by itself can become a mechanical act after sometime. In
fact the very motivation to live up to something consistently is love for it. Sri Krishna
reveals here that if one wishes to invoke deep love towards God and sincere motivation
towards this knowledge it is extremely important to see the limitations of worldly pleasures
and bring about Vairagay or dispassion for all such momentory things
in life. One must understand that the mind only goes to things
which we give much importance to. On the hand
knowledgeable masters also reveal another beautiful
meaning of Vairagya which is having special
attachment or love for God and his knowledge. It is
equally important to discover and invoke such
love for god and our relationship with him. The
mind is a faculty of love, emotions and desires
so it is never possible to have a mind which is
devoid of love and sankalapa. What the scriptures
suggest is to have a Saatwik mind, a pure mind. An
unsteady and hyperactive mind is a product of Rajoguna. One
should not strive to have a suppressed, thoughtless, desire less mind but one should
upgrade the mind from Rajo guna to Sattwa guna which is a selfless, devotional and
inquisitive mind available for knowledge. A sattwik mind alone can sit calmly with the self
on the seat of meditation and also go through the various ups and downs of life in a
balanced way. Such a mind alone can aquire knowledge of the Self to awaken into a
state beyond the limitations of the mind and its self-centric desires. A calm & poised mind
cultivated by Abhyas and Vairagya overcomes all obstacles of an imposing and unsteady
mind and soon we become the masters of the mind and the mind becomes our humble
instrument.- 11 -
-
Vedanta Sandesh
Your time is limited so dont waste it living someone else's life.
Do what you fear and your fear disappears, otherwise it remains
a False Event Appearing Real.
If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never
been in the dark with a mosquito. Never underestimate the power
you have within to make a difference to the world.
You can suffer the pain of change or suffer remaining the way
you are.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there
were only walls.
Its not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life,
its what you whisper to yourself that has the most power.
Gratitude doesnt change the scenery. It merely washes clean
the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.
Enjoy the little things in life for one day youll look back and
realize they were big things.
Quotes
-
Wanderingin Himalayas
Kedarnath
Excerpts from
the
Travel Memoirs
of
Param Poojya
Swami
Tapovanji
Maharaj
33
Kedarnath :
The way continues to rise along stretches of rock until it reaches Kedarnath. As
devotees draw near their destination, cries of "Kedarnathji ki jai!"(Victory of Kedarnath!")
rise from their throats in unison. The whole place reverberates with those shouts. Even
the people whose main object is sightseeing feel supremely happy. As for devotees,
they are in a state of ecstasy. No longer mindful of physical discomforts, they plunge
into the cold water; then filling their waterpots with water and gathering a few flowers on
the way, they enter the temple shouting, "Har Har Mahadeva!" Forgetting all the world
outside, they press forward into the presence of Kedarnath for a darshan for which they
have dared all the dangers and discomforts of the pilgrimage. At the door of the temple
all distinctions between man and woman, rich and poor disappear. Here all are equal.
miraculous indeed is love. Its sweetness and power ae alike great. Great poets like
Valmiki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, with their powerful imagination, have portrayed in their
immortal works, a few aspects of love. Love and devotion are not two different things.
Love for those above us is called devotion; love for the Gods or God is of this type. Love
for one's equals is called friendship. When stainless devotion to God gets deep-rooted
in the mind of man, we consider the object of his existence already attained.
Badrinath :
In 1924 I travelled from kedarnath to Badrinath for the first time. On this occasion
I could not stay long at Badri. Fortunately, since then I have visited the place again and
again. In 1930 and 1931 I travelled to Badrinath from Rishikesh, and on both occasions
I spent some time there in devotion.
Even while I was passing my days in Badrikashram and other holy places in the
Himalayas, I came to feel, every now and then, that the wonderful power of maya(illusion)
was at work everywhere. It was not inactive even in the peaceful solitudes of these
remote regions. Grasses and plants and trees flourish on water, blossom and bear
fruits, streams and rivers flow on, winds blow, the sun shines. If the inanimate things
are themselves so active , what about the animate ones?
Birds fly and sing; cows graze on the meadows, roam about and rest. Men, too,
whether ignorant or enlightened , eat and play and sleep. Thus everywhere you find
ceaseless activity. And no wonder. Action is the natural order of the world. The life-
forces continues to stir all living bodies at all times. There is no state of inaction. A
desireless peaceful state of existence where the distinction between the Knower and
the Known disappears, is difficult to attain, wherever men may be. That distinction
fades awayonly when man has crossed the stream of action which shows itself in the
activities of the physical senses producing pleasure and pain. But crossing the stream
means the complete conquest of illusion, and illusion is certainly very difficult to overcome.
- 13 -
-
Rama asks - O Lord, is there only one jiva that is cosmic, or are there many
jivas or is there a huge conglomerate of jivas?
And his question seems perfectly reasonable. We all see other beings
around us, other people and animals, birds and bugs and even plants. Are they all
separate beings, are they all conscious or is there just one cosmic jiva and
everything else is just his perception? But this is a valid question only if you did not
understand or forgot that which was said previously! And Vasishtha immediately
puts the things straight. He answers - Rama, there is neither one jiva or many nor
a conglomerate of jivas. Jiva is only a name! What exists is only Brahman.
There is only one reality, without divisions. And because there is nothing
besides it, it cannot be even called one, because existence of one pre-supposes
existence of another and many. In that reality of the pure Consciousness there
is no one or another or many, big or small, far or close. That One alone appears as
many because of the ignorance. Brahman, or the pure Consciousness, alone is
the cosmic Mahajiva and the millions of jivas. There is nothing else, nothing at all.
That what I really is, is cit, the pure Consciousness, complete and peaceful in
itself. That what you really are, is cit, the pure Consciousness, complete and
peaceful in itself. That what a plant or an animal really are, is cit, the pure
Consciousness, complete and peaceful in itself. There is no real transformation
or even a deluded appearance, for there is nothing other than Consciousness.
The ocean is water, the waves are water, and when these waves play upon
the surface of the ocean, ripples (also water) are formed. When water is water
and wave is wave and their play is just a play, no problem exists. Water does not
have any problems being water. Wave, as such, also dont suffer or has any other
problem. The problems and desires and cycles of birth and death starts only when
a wave, being always water, looks upon itself and thinks I am this small wave!
This is the moment a jiva, or limited being is born! It is born with a notion of being
something else besides its reality (water). Before this notion, wave does not suffer,
Vedanta Sandesh
Adhyatmic
Teachings
of
Guru
Vasishtha
to
Sri Ramji
by
SwaminiVidyananda
27
-
- 7 -
and after this notion is gone, the wave does not suffer. Suffering exists only for the
one who has wrong notion of being a separate and limited. A wave which takes
itself to be a wave, has a birth date and will surely have a death date. It can
compare itself with other waves and think Oh, I am small! (or crooked, or dirty, or
too fast or too slow). Now, it becoming limited, it will have problems with size,
weight, relations, appearance, inner content and outer surrounding, with things
missing and things which have to be acquired. This is the story of the limited being
and its desires and problems. Trying to be whole and complete, the wave will run
after others, imagine ways to fix its problems and trying to fix them, and fear its
end. But these problems of the
jiva cannot be solved till its
ignorant notion of being separate
from water continues to
exist. Whatever it thinks and
whatever it does, it cannot reach
perfection being a separate wave.
But the perfection of untouched
water, where are no problems, is
already the nature of that wave! It
does not need to be reached or
obtained, it just have to be
realized. The wave, realizing
itself to be water, is free from all
shackles of the l i m i t e d
existence, all its problems of a
separate wave are gone forever. Water is untouched by whatever happens to
wave, ripple, bubble, swirl or foam. Water was always here, and wave was always
water, but it just imagined to be itself separate. All what is needed is to drop this
notion of separation and see the whole, which is you.
O Rama, give up all these false notions of I and you, by renouncing
even the notions of a jiva and its own cause, separate from pure Consciousness.
This can be done only by accurate analysis and negation of all transient notions
and qualities. When all these have gone, you will realize the truth which eternal
and self-evident.
Nega
tion
is
the w
ay t
o th
e T
ruth
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Vedanta Sandesh
Pilgrimages have a very important role to play in bringing
about greater devotion towards God, getting satsang of
various saints, interaction with other devotees, purity of
mind, integration of society, and bringing about greater
proximity with nature etc. There are pilgrim centers of
every deity. Most of the pilgrim centers were in remote
places, so that a devotee had to really believe in God to
go there. Going there itself was a great tapasya. The
three great sadhanas of Yagna, Dana & Tapasya were
integrated into this package. Earlier, in the Teertha Yatra,
the yatra was important sadhana, now it is just the place
which has become more important. The government too,
wants to just encash the tourist potential of the place,
and thus lots of facilities & commercial development has
taken place in all these places. So because of ignorance
the original objective & spirit is very rarely seen.
Pilgrimages
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Once up
on
a time
...
StorySection
In a mountain known as Brahmagiri there used to live a hunter who was very
cruel. He not only killed birds and animals, but brahmanas and sages as well. The
hunter once went on a hunt. He killed many animals and birds and some he put in his
cages. He had penetrated so far inside the forest that he was far from home. It became
night and also started to rain. Hungry and thirsty, the hunter lost his way. He climbed up
a tree and decided to spend the night there. But his mind kept going back to his wife and
children at home. For many years a dove and its family had lived happily on that tree.
Both the male and female had gone out to look for food. But although the make dove
had returned to the nest, the female dove had not. In fact, the female had been captured
by the hunter and was now inside a cage. The male did not know this. He mourned for
his wife.
These words of mourning were heard by the female dove inside the cage and
she made her presence felt. The male dove came down and discovered his wife inside
the cage. "The hunter is sleeping now, " he said. "Now is the time for me to free you."
"No," replied the female dove. "You know how it is with living beings. One living being
lives on another. I can find not fault with the hunter, he is merely collecting his food. He
is like a guest to us. And it is our duty to offer up our bodies for the sake of a guest." "You
are quite right," said the male dove. "I lost my sense of propriety. We have to serve our
guest. But how do we serve our guest? We have nothing that we can call our own." "At
the moment the hunter is suffering most from the cold," replied the female dove. "We
have to light a fire to warm him up. Go and find a fire and bring plenty of dead leaves and
branches so that the fire may burn."
The male dove found a flaming branch. He also brought many dry leaves and
branches so that the fire could burn. The rain had stopped and the fire warmed up the
hunter. "Now," said the female dove, "free me so that I may immolate myself in the fire.
My roasted flesh will serve as food for the hunter." "Never," replied the male dove. "It is
my right to serve the guest first". Saying this, the male dove hurled himself into the fire.
The hunter had heard the entire conversation and marveled that two doves could be so
altruistic. The female dove now requested the hunter to free her from the cage. And as
soon as he did this, the female dove also hurled herself into the fire.
This selfless deed of the two doves was so wonderful that a space vehicle (Vimana)
came down to take the two doves straight to heaven. The cruel hunter was also impressed
and repented his past misdeeds. He told the doves, "You are indeed blessed. Before
you go to heaven, please tell me how I may perform penance for my sins." "Go to
Goutami Ganga and bathe there for fifteen days," replied the doves. "Your sins will also
be forgiven." The hunter did as he had been asked to. The place where the doves
immolated themselves became a holy tirtha known as kapotatirtha, since the word kapota
means dove.
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The Doves
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Vedanta Sandesh
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Tbutboht!bu!Cibsvdi!0!JQDM!Tdippm!jo!Wbepebsb;On 1st Mar, right after the GGY at Vadodara, Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji was
invited for a Satsang at Bharuch. The satsang was organized in the palatial bunglow of a
well-known businessman of the city, Sh Manojbhai Kulchandani. The satsang was on the
topic of Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam. It was an interactive session wherein she asked for
the views of everyone, including the enthusiastic youngsters. It was an enlightening
experience for all.
Earlier at Vadodara, Poojya Swaminiji was invited to the well known IPCL School to
address the children. The occasion was Rashtriya Vigyan Diwas, and the topic of her
address was Dharma & Vigyan. Later she was taken around the labs by the teachers &
staff, wherein she saw various creative work being done by the students. A satsang was
also organized at the house of Sh Ajitbhai Kalaria in Vadodara.
Hjub!Hzbob!Zbhob-!Mvdlopx;Poojya Guruji conducted a week-long discourse series at Hari om Mandir, Lucknow
from 11th to 17th Mar. The subject-matter of theGyana Yagna were Gita Chapter 6 and
Hastamalaka Stotram. On the last day there was a loving Bhandara offered by the Mandir
authorities. This time Poojya Guruji was hosted by the Dubey family staying in the Aliganj
area of the city.
Sbn!Obwbnj!Dfmfcsbujpo!bu!Btisbn;Ram Navami was celebrated at Vedanta Ashram on 28th Mar. A special altar was
made & decorated inside the Ashram Mandir with a photo of Bhagwan Sri Ram. Right at 12
noon the Ashram inmates and few devotees celebrated the birth of Bhagwan first with Aarti
and then with the chanting of dohas of the janam section of Ramayan. Later everyone
sang some bhajans.
Ibovnbo!Dibmjtb!Tbutboh!.!Nbs!3126;On 29th Mar, the Mar15 edition of the Hanuman Chalisa Satsang by Poojya Guruji
was organized at the Satsang Hall of the Vedanta Ashram. The summers have started and
with the morning temprature crossing 35, the satsang was shifted to the ground floor. In
this session Poojya Guruji first recapitulated the essence of the 2nd chaupayi. He said that
creation of great men is not a matter of chance, but involves not only the right purushartha
of the person concerned, but also the tapasya of ones parents, teachers & mentors. Starting
the discussion on the third chaupayi - Mahavir bikram bajarangi, he said that Hanumanji is
an embodment of strength at all levels of personality. This will continue next time.
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Vedanta Sandesh
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Tbutboh!bu!Cibsvdi
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- 21 -
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Vedanta Sandesh
Isnt it strange how a 20 rupee note
seems like such a large amount when
you donate it to temple, but
such a small amount
when you go for shopping?
Isnt it strange how 2 hours seem so long when
youre at Temple, and how
short they seem when youre
watching a good movie?
Isnt it strange that you cant
find a word to say when youre praying,
but you have no trouble
thinking what to complain to God?
Isnt it strange how difficult
and boring it is to read one chapter
of the Bhagwad Gita, but how easy
it is to read 100 pages of
a popular novel ?
Isnt It Strange
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- 23 -
Gita Gyana Yagna, Bhubaneshwar :
The first week-long Gita Gyana Yagna will be organized at the Sivananda Ashram
Satsang Hall at Bhubaneshwar from 6th to 12th April by P. Swamini Samatanandaji. The
subject-matter of the discourse series will be Gita Chap 1 and Kathopanishad 1-1. The
discourses will be in Hindi. She will also be visiting the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Jalgaon :
A week-long Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Swamini Poornanandaji will be organized
at the Dutta Mandir, Jalgaon from 14th to 20th Apr 2015. The subject matter of the discourse
series (in Marathi) will be Gita Chapter 4 and Kathopanishad 2-1.
Youth Camp, Indore :
A four days Youth Camp has been planned at Vedanta Ashram, Indore from 8th to
11th May. There will be groups from Vadodara, Bharuch, Ahmedabad & Lucknow. The
subject matter of the Camp is Holistic Living. All Ashram Mahatmas will conduct it.
Gujrati Camp, Indore :
A four days Sadhana Camp (In Gujrati by P. Sw Amitanandaji) will be organized at
Vedanta Ashram, Indore from 23rd to 26th May. There will be usual sessions of Meditation,
pravachans (Bhaja Govindam), discussion, bhajans & puja.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Mumbai :
A week-long Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Guruji will be organized at the RK Missions
Vivekananda Auditorium at Khar, Mumbai, from 25th to 30th May. The subject matter of
the discourse series will be Gita Chapter 12 and Mundakopanishad 3-1.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Ahmedabad :
A week-long Gita Gyana Yagna by P. Swamini Amitanandaji will be organized at the
Ramkrishna Kendra, Maninagar, Ahmedabad from 13-19th May. The subject matter of
the discourse series will be Gita Chapter 11 and Kathopanishad 2-2.
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International Vedanta Missionhttp://www.vmission.org.in/
Vedanta Mission Blog:http://blog.vmission.org.in/
Indian Cultural Foundationhttp://icf.vmission.org.in/
Earlier Vedanta Sandesh issueshttp://bit.ly/1oGD4TK
Om Tat Sat