Ramana Maharshi Says Self-satisfaction Is The Driving Force Behind All So-called Selfless Work

Some People say "My love is not for myself; I work in this world not for my own happiness but for the welfare of other people. In fact, I live for others. To
care only for my own happiness is selfishness – that is not my aim. My aim is the happiness of others”.

This is superficial talk, betraying a lack of sincere and serious analysis! People do not realize that every so-called selfless act which they do brings happiness only to themselves!

Let us take the example of a man who is prepared to undergo,throughout his lifetime, all kinds of sufferings for his son just to maintain, educate, and keep him above needs and wants; in doing so it is he alone who gets satisfaction from seeing the prosperity of his son. He worked for this satisfaction alone. Is not this satisfaction his own? Is not this self-satisfaction the driving force behind all his socalled selfless work?

The former American President Abraham Lincoln once saved a pig by lifting it out of the mire in which it was caught, and while doing so his body and clothes became very dirty. The onlookers asked him why he, the president of such a vast country, should dirty himself just to save a common pig. He replied : “I got involved in this action not so much to relieve the suffering of the pig, but to relieve myself from the suffering I experienced at the sight of the pig, I did this only for my own peace of mind!” What Lincoln said then is the practical truth of the matter.

It is only this self-satisfaction – one’s own happiness–which is the hidden motive behind all kinds of selfless acts! This can in no way be denied.

Source: The Path of Sri Ramana PART ONE The Jñana aspect of the teaching By Sri Sadhu Om

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Updesa Saram Or (Upadesa Undiyar) Of Sri Ramana Maharshi

I request my readers to listen to Sri Sundara Chaitanya Gari pravachanam in telugu.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=UpadesaSaram+Volume1&aq=f

There are totally 14 volumes and each volume contains 7 videos.

With English Translation and Notes BY B. V. NARASIMHASWAMI (Author of “SELF REALISATION”)

Payiram – Prefatory Verse

Know that Upadesa Undiyar is a light of knowledge [jnana] which our Father Ramana composed and bestowed upon Muruganar, who entreated, ‘[Graciously] reveal the secret of spiritual practice [sadhana] so that [the people of] the world may attain liberation and be saved by giving up the delusion of action [karma]’.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami garu says karma gives results but not absolute happiness.So we need to iradicate ignorance in us which is nothing but moksha/liberation.When we get jnana self-realisation then our so called ignorance will be lost.

He says for fulfilling karma it is called adesam and for jnana it is called upadesam.Here problem is we are in ignorance in not knowing that happiness is our nature only and we are unable to know it.He says man has no problems and man himself is only problem.

Raja yoga,Yoga,Pranayama are all related to karma only.Moksha is related to jnana only.

During Mahabharat war arjuna's and krishna's age was around 75 yrs.Sravanam is very much important as arjuna was also listening to lord krishna's bhagavad gita and asked any doubts if required.

Sundara Chaitanya Swami in Volume2 From Parts2 - Part6 beautifully describes the life history of Ramana Maharshi which brought almost tears in my eyes.

Upodghatam – Introductory Verses

1.

Those who were performing austerities [tapas] in the Daruka Forest, were heading for their ruin by [following the path of ] Purva-karma.(‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.70)

Note: Purva-karma here means the path of kamya-karmas (actions performed for the fulfillment of temporal desires), which is the path prescribed by the Purva Mimamsa, a traditional school of thought which interprets the Vedas in its own way, emphasizing only the Karma Kanda (the portion of the Vedas which teaches the path of ritualistic action).

This school of thought elevates action or karma to a level of such paramount importance that, as expressed in the next verse, it even goes so far as to deny that there is any God except karma, that is, except the actions which are performed by an individual. This doctrine that there is no God except karma is emphatically refuted by Sri Bhagavan in the first verse of Upadesa Undiyar.

2.

Because of their deceptive self conceit they became intoxicated with excessive pride, saying, ‘There is no God except karma. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.71)

3.

They saw the fruit of actions done spurning God [the karta or Ordainer], who gives fruit of actions [karma-phala], and [hence] they lost their pride. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.99)

Note: As explained by Sri Bhagavan in the first verse of Upadesa Undiyar, an action cannot bear fruit (that is, it cannot give the desired result) unless and until that fruit is ordained by God.

4.

When they wept [prayerfully], ‘Graciously save us,’ Siva bestowed the glance of His Grace [upon them] and graciously gave these instructions [upadesa]. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.100)

5.

[By one’s] imbibing and following [this] Upadesa Saram [The Essence of Spiritual Instructions], bliss will rise from within and the miseries within will be destroyed. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.101)

6.

May the import [saram] of Upadesa Saram enter our heart; may abundant joy be attained; may suffering cease, may it cease. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.102)

Nul – Text

1.

kartur ajnaya prapyate phalam
karma kim param karma taj-jadam


Karma must ever yield its proper fruit,
For thus it is ordained by God, Himself,
Supreme Creator. Then is Karma God?
No, for it is itself insentient.

Micheal James Note: Karma giving fruit is by the ordainment of God [the karta or Ordainer]. Can karma be God, since karma is insentient [jada]?

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says There is an order in this world which we see in our daily activities like sun always raising in the east etc. So the karta of the world in god.

karma may get result but our desires will never get result as always our desires are not completed and we keep getting new desires.

He says god is there in dharma.Hence dharma is god.

Example: If we throw a ball in air then by rule of dharma ball has to return to the earth because earth has attraction force.if we want to grow a plant then we need to pour water but not kerosene.

Also karma is dependent on time.

Example: Only in rainy reason plans will grow healthly.

Result is not at all dependent on us and hence that is the reason why we pray to god for maybe male child and for many other desires.

So we cannot decide the results of our karmas.That is the reason why in bhagavad gita it is written that we should do our duty and we should not have any attachment with our results.

Success and failures are not dependent by us.

Incidently, In navagraha temples all grahas will not see each other.


2.

krti-mahodadhau patana-karanam
phalam asasvatam gati-nirodhakam

Of Karma the results must pass away,
Yet it leaves seeds which in their turn will sprout
And throw the actor back into the flood
Of Karma’s ocean. Karma cannot save.

Micheal James Note: The fruit of action having perished [by being experienced in the form of pleasure or pain], will as seeds make one fall into the ocean of action and [hence] will not give liberation.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says When karma is done result will automatically follow.For some karmas result will not come immediately and for few karmas result will come immediately.

Example: When somebody slaps us result will be immediate but when we plant a new plant seed result of getting fruits from the tree will be a prolonged operation and the karma results are not immediate.

He tells "Brahma Rata" means which we cannot understand.Just like Fruits are perishable so also karma phala(fruit) i.e result is also perishable.

When anyone says "i am not doing any work" he means he is not doing any good meaningful work only and it does not mean that he is not doing any work at all as talking these words to us itself means he is doing some work.

Also it is not possible for any one to be without karma as even breathing itself is also one act of karma.

But still we should karma like japa,mediation as they will help us to reach our goal and eradicate ignorance in us.

Cow does not get any punyam by giving us milk.because once karma is done by giving grass then karma phalam is given by god in the form of milk.

Suppose if cow beats hardly when someone going near her to get milk then does the cow really get papam?

People only advice us asking why did you go near the cow when she has not happy.

For stula(gross) karma we get stula(gross) palitam and for sukshma(subtle) karma we get sukshma(subtle) palitam.

As karma itself is insenient so karma fruits also are insenient which makes us to desire once again.


3.

isvararpitam necchaya krtam
citta-sodhakam mukti-sadhakam

But acts performed without attachment’s urge
And solely for the service of the Lord
Will cleanse the mind and indicate the way
Which leads at length unto the final goal.

Micheal James Note: Desireless action [nishkamya karma] dedicated to God will purify the mind and it will show the path to liberation.

If liberation is really gained by our karma result then it is only temporary.So mukti or liberation is our nature and there is nothing new to gain by us.

So only we need to eradicate ignorance in us.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says there is nothing like desireless action at all.

Even ramana maharshi would not have written this "Updadesa Saram" without any desire.

Without desire we cannot do any karma.

Having desires is nothing wrong like it is not wrong for businessman to desire some profit.

But we should follow that happiness or distress are like summer and winter seasons.SO we should learn to tolerate it.

We are all suffering only because of our reaction based on our karma.

Suppose 2 students write exam and both fail exam. Seeing the result one student comitted suicide and 2nd person does not bother much and he thinks it is ok to write exam next time again.

So the way we reaction is very important and is the reason for all our miseres.

Another Example where 2 businessman started business and first businessman aims at 30% perfect and 2nd businessman does not have any target profit percentage.

After both get 25% profit first businessman cries that he is in loss because he expected 30% perfect while for the same profit 2nd businessman is very happy.

So we can undestand that expectations are the reason for misery.

When We take the result of the action as a prasadam of god then our karma themselves becomes naivedyam(prasadam) to god.

WE generally donot care of the taste when someone gives aivedyam(prasadam) of god because we feel sacred.

Taste of prasad can sometimes be good or bad which can be compared to the results of our karma.

Our results of our karma maybe sometimes as expected or sometimes as not expected but we should treat them equally.

We should welcome whatever comes to our life happily.

4.

kaya-vah-manah karyam uttamam
pujanam japas cintanam kramat

Worship, reciting of God’s Holy Name,
And meditation, mainly are performed
By body, voice and mind, and they excel
Each other in the order here set down.

Micheal James Note: This is certain, puja, japa and dhyana are actions of the body, speech and mind [respectively]; rather than [each preceding] one, [the succeeding] one is superior.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Even though karma would have done long ago but its effect will be there in us for quite sometime.

When we do charity we get only punyam but not god's grace. We may go to svargam because of punyam gained and return again once the punyam is completed.

Only in dharma god recides.

He accepts ramana maharshi always give apt answers for questions given by devotees.

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says as suggested by ramana maharshi we should do dhyanam until we remove the thought that "We are doing dhyanam".

5.

jagata isadhi-yukta-sevanam
asta-murti-bhrd-deva-pujanam

If we but recognise this Universe
Of eightfold form as form of God, Himself,
And serve in adoration all the world.
This is of God most excellent worship.

Micheal James Note: Worship [any of the eight forms] thinking that all the eight forms are forms of God, is good worship [puja] of God.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says

First 5 forms are pancha butalu(fire,earth,air,water,ether).

6th form is swayam-prakasam sun because it shines by itself and not dependent on anyone.

7th forms are moon,stars which are dependent on sun for their light.

8th one is jiva because all the above are evident to us.Because only because of us we are able to know the above 7 forms.

So he says that worship of any of the 8 forms of god is good worship.


6.

uttama-stavad ucca-mandatah
cittajam japa-dhyanam uttamam

Constant repeating of the Holy Name
Is more than praise, at length the voice will sink
To silent repetition in the Heart,
And in this way is meditation learnt.

Micheal James Note: Rather than praising [God], [japa is good]; [rather than japa done in] a loud voice, [japa faintly whispered within the mouth is good]; and rather than japa within the mouth, that which is done by mind is good; this [mental repetition or manasika japa]is what is called meditation [dhyana].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Atisayokti(praises) will be there normally in all hymns and all Strotrams in which we describe god.

Ideally purpose of all the Strotram and other hymns which praise god like Vishnu Sahasranamam,Lakshmi Strotram..etc is to understand his nature,abilities and his greatness and glories.

7.

ajya-dharaya srotasa samam
sarala-cintanam viralatah param

Better than meditation that recurs
In broken fits and starts is that which is
A steady ceaseless flow, like to the course
Of falling oil or a perennial stream.

Micheal James Note: Rather than meditation interrupted [by other thoughts], uninterrupted meditation [upon God], like a river or the falling of ghee, is excellent to do.

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami garu says that initially though he felt that our real nature is found between the gap of utterance between 2 mantras but finally we will come to know that our real nature is same even though mantras are recited or not.Let we receite mantra or not we should remain as ever consciousness.mantras are like waves in the ocean which are not different from the ocean.

Few examples in bhagavan's life

1) After Bhagavan's mother Mahanirvana that entire night passed in the singing of devotional songs.

2) "On the evening of 14 April 1950 At about 5 o'clock, Precisely at that moment devotees started chanting 'Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva'. When Sri Ramana heard this his face lit up with radiant joy.

3) Bhagavan as known himself wrote any devotional songs in praise of arunachala siva like Arunachala Aksharamana Malai, Appalam Song ...

4) The daily routine at Skandashram was subject to strict regulation.At four o’clock in the morning Alagammal would rise and sing devotional songs, while the other community members meditated.Then Akshara Mana Malai (The Marital Garland of Letters) was recited.

5) At five in the afternoon in ramana ashramam music begins from the radio in the hall. The songs of Tyagaraja, the poet, singer-bhakta, siddha, can be heard with enjoyment. The Sage is a lover of the fine arts. He is an aesthete who can appreciate the sweetness of music.

6) Devaraja Mudaliar says,When touching songs were recited or read out before him, or when he himself was reading out to us poems or passages from the lives or works of famous saints, he would be moved to tears and would find it impossible to restrain them.

7) Bhagavan's famous devotee murugunar wrote many songs in praise of bhagavan.

Moreover Adi sankara himself has wrote N number of stotras in praise of many gods.

Sri Sundara chaitanya swami says does not agree with mahatma gandhiji's book "My experiments With Truth" as truth should be experienced and there should be no experiments.

He does not agree with J.K as J.K says "There is no need of sastras etc and my experiences are sufficient."

He also criticised J.K as J.K seems to said that in his final life that "no body should eloborate or reconvey my teachings".

Sri Sundara chaitanya swami says he does not understand why he said like that maybe he himself did not understand his teachings.

He says it is nothing wrong to tell that to point and update people that there are some false theories/religions or else people may fall into trap.Hence that is the reason he has pointed out faults in Mahatma Gandhiji, J.K.

8.

bheda-bhavanat so’ham ity asau
bhavana' bhida pavani mata

Worship of God as in no way distinct
From him who worships, or in other words
Thinking that “He is I”, is better far
Than any other kind of worshipping.

Micheal James Note: Rather than anya-bhava, ananya-bhava [done with the conviction] ‘He is I’ is indeed the best among all [the various kinds of meditation].

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami garu says Jnana will not come even though a jnani like Adi sankara comes and teaches us unless we are a sincere sadhaka.

Example: Bhagavad gita was also told to Dhutarastra by Sanjaya but Dhutarastra failed to get the essence.

9.

bhava-sunya-sad-bhava-susthitih
bhavana-balad bhaktir uttama

To rest in the Real Being, that transcends
Our every thought, by reason of the strength
Of our devotion to some thing conceived;
This of supreme devotion is the truth.

Micheal James Note: By the strength of meditation [that is, by the strength of such ananya-bhava or Self-attention], abiding in the state of being, which transcends meditation, alone is the truth of supreme devotion [para-bhakti-tattva].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami finds fault with Vishitadviata theory where they say we should like ant and eat sugar but not become sugar only.

10.

hrt-sthale manah-svasthata kriya
bhakti-yoga-bodhasca niscitam

To be absorbed again into one’s Source (Heart)
Is Karma, Bhakti, Yoga, Jnanam, all
These things in truth. Or put in other words
Good works, Devotion, Union, Gnosis, too.

Micheal James Note: Abiding, having subsided in the place of rising [in one’s source, the real Self] – that is karma [desireless action] and bhakti [devotion], that is yoga [union with God] and jnana [true knowledge].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Mind staying in heart(self) is only real bhakti,jnana,yoga,karma.

He says Atma is all pervading which means it is there in jadam like mike,ocean.Inshort it is all pervading.But he should recognise atma in our heart.


11.

vayu-rodhanal liyate manah
jala-paksivat rodha-sadhanam

As by the fowler birds are caught in nets
So by the holding of the breath within
The mind can be restrained. This a device
That will effect absorption of the mind.

Micheal James Note: By restraining the breath within, the mind will also subside, like a bird caught in a net. This [practice of breath-restraint] is a device to restrain [the mind].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says pranayama is temporary restriction of mind control.Only by jnana can completely control of mind.

12.

citta-vayavas cit-kriyayutah
sakhayor dvayi sakti-mulaka

For mind and life expressed in thought and act,
That is with thought and action as their function,
Diverge and branch like two boughs of a tree,
But both of them spring from one single stem.

Micheal James Note: Mind and breath are two branches which have knowing and doing [as their respective functions]; [but] their origin is one.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says

jnana is related to satva guna.
karma/sankalpa is related to rajo guna.
body is related to tamo guna.

When given anestisia our mind will become dull.The link between body and mind is life.

Example: when our leg gets hurt then our mind gets automatically known by life which acts like courier service.

13.

laya-vinasane ubhaya-rodhane
laya-gatam punar bhavati no mrtam

Suppression of the mind in two ways comes,
Absorption and extinction; mind absorbed
Will live again, but mind which is destroyed
Will never more revive, for it is dead.

Micheal James Note: Subsidence [of mind] is of two kinds, abeyance [laya] and destruction [nasa]. That which is in abeyance [laya] will rise. [But] if the form dies, it will not rise.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Mano Nasam means only destruction of ignorance in the mind but not destruction of mind.

14.

prana-bandhanal lina-manasam
eka-cintanan nasam etyadah

When, by the means of restraint of the breath,
The mind has been controlled, then make it flow
Along a single current, that achieved
Its form will then entirely disappear.

Micheal James Note: When one makes the mind, which has subsided by restraining the breath, go on the one path [of knowing and becoming one with Self], its form will die.

15.

nasta-manasotkrsta-yoginah
krtyam asti kim svasthitim yatah

For the Great Sage for whom all form of mind
Has disappeared and who is ever one
With the Reality, there is no Karma more,
For He, indeed, the True Self has become.

Micheal James Note: For the great yogi who is established as the reality due to the death of the mind form, there is not any action [to do], [because] He has attained His nature [His natural state of Self abidance].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says even though he stay in silence for many years without jnana we cannot remove ignorance of mind.

Sri Tyagaraja swami says in one of his songs,

kalpana lenni kalavaadee maa raamudu
sankalpam leni vaade maa raamudu.

So there is nothing wrong in having thoughts but it is important not to have sankalpas.

Mind having good thoughts are fine but only ignorance thoughts are only to get vanished.


16.

drsya-varitam cittam atmanah
cittva-darsanam tattva-darsanam

When mind has given the sense-objects up
Which are external and has drawn within,
And has perceived its own refulgent form,
Then verily alone True Gnosis is.

Micheal James Note: The mind knowing its own form of light [its true form of mere consciousness, the real Self], having given up [knowing] external objects, alone is true knowledge.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says there is no need to stop waves to understand about ocean.

Similarly there is no need to supress/kill the mind but only required to understand the nature of mind.

Non-identification with waves in the first example and non-identification with mind is required.

If we want to know nature of pot there is no need to break the pot.

Mithya means which is neither true nor false and which is dependent on other thing.

Pot is Mithya as it is dependent on mud.

Jagat/World is Mithya as it is dependent on brahman.

Mind is Mithya as it is dependent on our nature i.e concsiusiness.

Mithya is Also truth but truth is not Mithya because truth is only one and not dependent on any other thing.

Waves are not independent of ocean but are only part of ocean.

But we cannot declare that ocean is nothing but waves.

So here mithya can be compared to Waves and Truth can be compared to Ocean.

As there is no need to stop the waves similarly there is no need to kill the mind to know our nature i.e sat-chit-ananda.

Problem is though we are satyam(truth) i.e ocean in the above example we think we are mithya(waves) and start thinking of all the problems of waves as we compare ourselves with waves and then we start trying to solve our problems related to waves.

Here waves relate to mind and our nature is ocean on which everything(mind,indriyas..) is dependent.

17.

manasam tu kim margane krte
naiva manasam marga arjavat

When pondering with constant vigilance
Upon the actual nature of the mind
One finds that there is no such thing as mind;
This, of a truth, is the straight course for all.

Micheal James Note: When one scrutinizes the form of the mind without forgetfulness [that is, without pramada or slackness of attention], [it will be found that] there is no such thing as mind; this is the direct path for all.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says problem is not because of thoughts.

If really problems solve by killing our mind then it can be solved by taking some injection like anaesthesia.

So solution is to know that we are not the mind and it mithya i.e dependent on our real naturre i.e sat-chit-ananda.

It is very important to know that Mind is Mithya but not truth.

Also Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami here gives example of famous "Hindu marraige" of ramana maharshi.

Again, in a Hindu marriage function, the feasts continue five or six days. A stranger was mistaken for the best man by the bride’s party and they therefore treated him with special regard. Seeing him treated with special regard by the bride’s party, the bridegroom’s party considered him to be some man of importance related to the bride’s party and therefore they too showed him special respect.

The stranger had altogether a happy time of it. He was also all along aware of the real situation. On one occasion the groom’s party wanted to refer to him on some point. They asked for him.

Until then he was given all kind of facilities and given good treatment by the relatives of both parties in a marriage.Similarly we are giving good treatment to mind/ego thinking it to be our important guest.

He scented trouble and made himself scarce.So it is with the ego.If looked for, it disappears. If not, it continues to give trouble.How it is to be looked for is learnt from those who have already done so. That is the reason why the Master is approached.


18.

vrttayas tvaham vrttim asritah
vrttayo mano viddhy aham manah

The mind is nothing but a lot of thoughts,
Of all these many thoughts ‘tis the thought ‘I’
That is the root. So we can see by that
The mind in truth is only the thought ‘I’.

Micheal James Note: The mind is only [the multitude of] thoughts. Of all [these thoughts], the thought ‘I’ [the feeling ‘I am the body’] alone is the root. [Therefore]what is called mind is [this root-thought] ‘I’.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says aham-bhavana(ego) is between idam-bhavana(normal thoughts) and aham-chaitanyam(sat-chit-ananda).

Sri Sundara chaitanya Swami says there is no problem in Idam Vritti(normal thoughts) but Ahamkara Vritti should get eradicated.

He says Jnana cannot come from karma.

Radheya(karna) is actually kounteya in Mahabharata but he does not know because of ignorance.

Similarly we are aham-svarupam only but not aham-bhavana but we donot know because of our ignorance.


19.

aham ayam kuto bhavati cinvatah
ayi pataty-aham nija-vicaranam

Whence, therefore, does this ‘I-thought’ have its birth?
With vigilant and ever active mind
Seek this, and crestfallen the ‘I’ becomes.
The search, itself, the quest of Wisdom is.

Micheal James Note: When one scrutinizes within thus, ‘What is the rising-place of ‘I’?’, the ‘I’ will die. This is Self-enquiry [jnana-vichara].

20.

ahami nasabhajy-aham-ahamtaya
sphurati hrt svayam parama-purna-sat

This search pursued till ‘I’ has disappeared
There now vibrates the ‘I-I’ all alone,
The quest is finished, there’s no more to seek.
For this is really the Infinite Self.

Micheal James Note: In the place where ‘I’ [the mind or ego] merges, the one [existence-consciousness] appears spontaneously as ‘I-I’ [or ‘I am I’]. That itself is the Whole [purna].

21.

idam aham pada’bhikhyam anvaham
ahami linake' py alaya-sattaya

This is eternally the true import
Of the term ‘I’. For in the deepest sleep
We do not cease to be. We still exist
Even though here there is no sense of ‘I’.

Micheal James Note: That [‘I-I’ or ‘I am I’, the whole] is always the import of the word ‘I’, because we exist [literally, because of the absence of our non-existence] even in sleep, which is devoid of ‘I’ [the thought ‘I’, the mind].

22.

vigrahendriya-pranadhi-tamah
naham eka-sat tajjadam hyasat

As I am pure Existence, I am not
The body nor the senses, mind nor life,
Nor even ignorance, for all these things
Are quite insentient and so unreal.

Micheal James Note: Since the body, mind, intellect, breath and the darkness [of ignorance which remains in sleep] are all insentient [jada] and unreal [asat], they are not ‘I’, which is the reality [sat].

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says In one upanishad it is written beautifully that

"Andhaha anando bhavati"

which means in deep sleep blind person is also not blind.


23.

sattva-bhasika cit kvavetara
sattaya hi cic-cittaya hy aham

As there is not a second consciousness
To know Existence, it must follow that
Existence is itself that consciousness;
So I myself am that same consciousness.

Micheal James Note: Because of the non-existence of another consciousness to know that which exists, that which exists [the reality or sat] is consciousness [or chit]. [That] consciousness itself is ‘we’ [the real Self].

24.

isa-jivayor vesa-dhi-bhida
sat-svabhavato vastu kevalam

In their real nature as Existence both
Creatures and the Creator are the same,
The Unique Principle. In attributes
And knowledge only is a difference found.

Micheal James Note: By existing nature [that is, in their real nature, which is existence or sat], God and souls are only one substance [or vastu]. [Their] adjunct-knowledge [or adjunct-consciousness] alone is different.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says both god and individual soul are counsciness(chit) only.

Both are like bulbs only but differ only in volts.God is like 1000 voltage bulb and we are like 60 voltage bulb.Both electricity is common.

Hence our aim should be to eradicate ignorance in us.

Our aim should be to know "i am brahman" and not to think that one day we will link with brahman.


25.

vesa-hanatah svatma-darsanam
isa-darsanam svatma-rupatah

Realization of the Self alone,
Eliminating all its attributes;
Is God-Realization of a truth,
As it is He that shines forth as the Self.

Micheal James Note: Knowing oneself having given up [one’s own] adjuncts [upadhis], is itself knowing God, because He shines as oneself [as one’s own reality, ‘I am’].

26.

atma-samsthitih svatma-darsanam
atma-nirdvayad atma-nisthata

To be the Self that is to know the Self,
As there is no duality in Self.
This is Thanmaya-Nistha, or the state
Of absolutely being That in truth.

Micheal James Note: Being Self is itself knowing Self, because Self is that which is not two. This is abidance as the reality (tanmaya-nishta).

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says we should remove 'i am the doer' attitude.

27.

jnana-varjita ' jnana-hina-cit
jnanam asti kim jnatum antaram

That knowledge is true knowledge which transcends
Knowledge and ignorance both equally.
And this alone is truth. For there is no
Subject or object there that can be known.

Micheal James Note: The knowledge which is devoid of both knowledge and ignorance [about objects], alone is [real] knowledge. This is the truth, [because in the state of Self-experience] there is nothing to know [other than oneself].

28.

kim svarupam ity atma-darsane
avyaya' bhava’ ‘purna-cit sukham

If one can only realize at Heart
What one’s true nature is, one then will find
That ‘tis Infinite Wisdom, Truth and Bliss,
Without beginning and without an end.

Micheal James Note: If one knows what one’s own nature is, then [what will remain and shine is only] the beginningless, endless and unbroken existence-consciousness-bliss [anadi ananta akhanda sat-chit-ananda].

29.

bandha-mukty-atitam param sukham
vindatiha jivas tu daivikah

Remaining in this state of Supreme Bliss,
Devoid of bondage and of freedom too,
Is found to be a state in which one is
Rapt in perpetual service of the Lord.

Micheal James Note: Abiding in this state [of Self], having attained the supreme bliss, which is devoid of bondage and liberation, is abiding in the service of God [or is abiding as enjoined by God].

30.

aham apetakam nija-vibhanakam
mahad idam tapo ramana-vagiyam

By ardent quest and shedding ego’s veil
Realize the Self, the One that’s ego-less,
And function thus; the sole right penance this.
So teaches Bhagavan Sri Ramana,
Who is the SELF of everything that is.

Micheal James Note: ‘What [is experienced] if one knows that which remains after ‘I’ has ceased to exist, that alone is excellent tapas’ – thus said Lord Ramana, who is Self.



The five verses which follow are the final five verses of the first part of Sri Muruganar’s ‘Tiruvundiyar’, and they were appended by Sri Bhagavan to the main text of Upadesa Undiyar as concluding verses.

1.

Touching the Feet of God [Lord Siva], all the rishis [the ascetics in the Daruka Forest] paid obeisance [to Him] and sang His praises. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.133)

2.

The supreme Guru who sang Upadesa Undiyar as an assurance to the devotees [who came to Him for salvation], is the auspicious Venkatan [Sri Ramana]. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.134)

3.

May He [Sri Ramana] shine gloriously on earth for many hundreds of thousand of years. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.135)

4.

May those who sin, those who hear and those who flawlessly understand [this Upadesa Undiyar] shine gloriously for many aeons. (‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.136)

5.

May those who learn [this Upadesa Undiyar] and those who, having learnt and understood it, abide there [in Self], shine gloriously for long aeons.( ‘Tiruvundiyar’ 1.137)


Sri Ramanarpanamastu


Sources:

1) http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_major_works/upadesasaram-meaning.doc
2) http://bhagavan-ramana.org/upadesasaram.html

Readers Interested are Requested to read below articles as well

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2009/08/ramana-maharshi-tells-how-uncertainties.html

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Bhaja Govindam by Sri Shankaracharya

I request readers to view and listen Pravachanam By Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami in telugu.

There are totally 8 Volumes and in each volume there are totally 8 videos.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=BhajaGovindam+Volume1&aq=f

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Bhaja Govindam is also called Moha Mudgara.

Mudgara in sanskrit means hammer.

So it is hammer that strikes at the illusion.so to conclude Bhaja Govindam will help us to eradicate ignorance.

The first twelve slokas are called dwadasa manjarika sthotram as the first 12 verses are told at a time.

Because the first 13 verses are meant only for the old man who even at the age of 80 yrs is keen to study sanskrit grammer and not interested in devotion in god.

The first 13 are told by Adi Shankara to the old man.while Adi Sankara recited the first 13 verses disciples who are there with him inspired by their guru and wrote each verse by themselves.So the next 14 verses are written by the 14 disciples who are there nearby.So the next 14 are called Chaturdasa manjarika sthotram.

Disciples then shown the verses to Adi Sankara and he was impressed and he himself wrote another 4 verses blesssing them.

TEXT 1

bhajagovindam bhajagovindam
govindam bhajamuudhamate
sampraapte sannihite kaale
nahi nahi rakshati dukrijnkarane

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Govinda in telugu means "vakkulachee pondagaligee vaadu" means by learning/understanding vedas attain govinda.

We recite govinda 2 times because govinda was written 2 times in Vishnu Sahasranamam.

He says donot have raga dvesa regarding house,food etc by saying i want only icecream,house in hyd central etc.

He says cloth jeans is not the means for liberation.

My Spritual Friend Udai Garu wants to share his views

Anyways, Govinda can be understood in other ways as well.The one who lifted Govardhana Giri to save people from the wrath of Indra.

"Indra" represents "Manas" or "Mind" .

The one to whom we surrender to detach from mind is God! Govinda ... Consciousness.

As Such its not even peace of mind. Peace of mind is like making Indra happy. Self surrender is not even peace of mind! ITs remaining as Consciousness. Remaining with Govinda.

"Bhaja" means to "Share". The name of God is shared. How we share is, by sharing the vision.


TEXT 2

mudha jahiihi dhanaagamatrishhnaam
kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishhnaam
yallabhase nijakarmopaattam
vittam tena vinodaya chittam

Oh fool! Give up your thirst to amass wealth, devote your mind to thoughts to the Real. Be content with what comes through actions already performed in the past.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Desire for wealth is most dangerous.

He wonders why in telugu language we compare money with stone like we say "edo naalugu rallu venakesukundamani".

Also greed for money is no ending as we say if i have say 50 croes i will be happy even though at the present moment we can always be happy but we keep on postpone it.

He says us to think for a moment how a sanyasi feels confident,brave,bold even though he leaves his family,money,relatives and all his attachments but on the otherwide we householders though we have required money,children,father,mother but yet wont feel happy and secured and keeps complaining for one thing or other.

TEXT 3

naariistanabhara naabhiidesham
drishhtvaa maagaamohaavesham
etanmaamsaavasaadi vikaaram
manasi vichintaya vaaram vaaram

Do not get drowned in delusion by going wild with passions and lust by seeing a woman's navel and chest. Bodies are flesh, fat and blood. Do not fail to remember this again and again in your mind.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says householder duty is that wife and husband aim should be for moksha.Our body without skin is nothing but blood,flesh and fat.

Dana,Daya,Dharmam are good if they go hand-in-hand with atma-jnana.

TEXT 4

naliniidalagata jalamatitaralam
tadvajjiivitamatishayachapalam
viddhi vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam
lokam shokahatam cha samastam

Uncertain is the life of man as rain drops on a lotus leaf. Know that the whole world remains a prey to disease, ego and grief.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says if we are really our body then we should get satisfaction if body needs get fulfilled.But in deep sleep there is no body/world/mind but we exist.

So we are not the body.In dream we imagine another body and we imagine them to be real.

Only just because we imagine "we are the body" we establish relations and have a family etc and go deep in illusion.

so we are sat-chit-ananda.

TEXT 5

yaavadvittopaarjana saktah
staavannija parivaaro raktah
pashchaajjiivati jarjara dehe
vaartaam koapi na prichchhati gehe

So long as a man is fit and able to support his family, see the affection all those around him show. But no one at home cares to even have a word with him when his body totters due to old age.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says we can take a snap/photo of the flower but the smell of the flower cannot be taken in the photo.Similarly we can live together with other humans but cannot know what is there in their mind.

Human beings buy dead hen,fish and other animals to eat but humans never sell dead body of other humans.For mrudangam instrutment animal skin is used.

TEXT 6

yaavatpavano nivasati dehe
taavatprichchhati kushalam gehe
gatavati vaayau dehaapaaye
bhaaryaa bibhyati tasminkaaye

When one is alive, his family members enquire kindly about his welfare. But when the soul departs from the body, even his wife runs away in fear of the corpse.

TEXT 7

baalastaavatkriidaasaktah
tarunastaavattaruniisaktah
vriddhastaavachchintaasaktah
pare brahmani koapi na saktah

Childhood is lost in play. Youth is lost by attachment to woman. Old age passes away by thinking over many past things. Alas! Hardly is there anyone who yearns to be lost in Parabrahman.

TEXT 8

kaate kaantaa kaste putrah
samsaaro.ayamatiiva vichitrah
kasya tvam kah kuta aayaatah
tattvam chintaya tadiha bhraatah

Who is your wife? Who is your son? Strange is this samsara. Of whom are you? Where have you come from? Brother, ponder over these truths.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says adi sankara in 1st verse told "O Fool" but here in verse 8 adi sankara kindly says kindly "brother".

He said bhagavad gita was told by Lord Krishna who was a samsari and who listened was Arjuna who was a samsari and who has written bhagavad gita vyasa was also a samsari.

So here lesson is not to think that we should not have samsaram but to understand it is not real.Samsara is related to mind but not to wife,children.

TEXT 9

satsangatve nissngatvam
nissangatve nirmohatvam
nirmohatve nishchalatattvam
nishcalatattve jiivanmuktih

From Satsanga comes non-attachment, from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion, which leads to self-settledness. From self-settledness comes Jivan Mukti(liberation).

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says peace of mind cannot be attained by mere money only.

TEXT 10

vayasigate kah kaamavikaarah
shushhke niire kah kaasaarah
kshiinevitte kah parivaarah
gyaate tattve kah samsaarah

What good is lust when youth has fled? What use is a lake which has no water? Where are the relatives when wealth is gone? Where is samsara (the continuaiton of birth and death) when the Truth is known?

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says lust will be there at max for 3-4 years in our life.

In Srisailam it is called Dholi Darshanam because according to puranas kumari-swami left his father and mother and came to srisailam and his father/mother came there to see their son and because they are in huge affection so they does not care for formalities like cleaning their feet as they want to see their son ASAP.

It also means in Srisailam god is waiting for us(devotees) to visit him and does not care for formalities as we are his sons/daughters.

There are so many good activities(charity,teaching,sanyasam...) which can be done in our life but we must think what is good for us.Example: There are so many channels in TV today but with help of remote we usually keep channel which we like best.

TEXT 11

maa kuru dhana jana yauvana garvam
harati nimeshhaatkaalah sarvam
maayaamayamidamakhilaM hitvaa
brahmapadaM tvaM pravisha viditvaa

Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth. Each one of these are destroyed within a minute. Free yourself from the illusion of the world of Maya and attain the timeless Truth.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami In Volume4 Part9 has sung a beautiful song on Chandra Bhagavan(Moon) comparing moon with Lord Krishna.

TEXT 12

dinayaaminyau saayam praatah
shishiravasantau punaraayaatah
kaalah kriidati gachchhatyaayuh
tadapi na mujncatyaashaavaayuh

Daylight and darkness, dusk and dawn, winter and spring time come and go. Time plays and life ebbs(A gradual decline) away. But the storm of desire never leaves.

Moreover in Bhagavad Gita it is written

Ch2 Text 70

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires--that enter like rivers into the ocean which is ever being filled but is always still--can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says we all came here in this world for a short visa.

TEXT 13

dvaadashamajnjarikaabhirasheshhah
kathito vaiyaakaranasyaishhah
upadesho bhuudvidyaanipunaih
shriimachchhankarabhagavachchharanarih

This bouquet of twelve verses was imparted to a grammarian by the all-knowing Shankara, adored as the bhagavadpada.

TEXT 14

kaate kaantaa dhana gatachintaa
vaatula kim tava naasti niyantaa
trijagati sajjanasam gatiraikaa
bhavati bhavaarnavatarane naukaa

Oh mad man! Why this engrossment in thoughts of wealth? Is there no one to guide you? There is only one thing in three worlds that can save you from the ocean of samsara. Get into that boat of satsangha (knowledge of the Truth) quickly.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Sanyasis are of 3 types

a) Kapata sanyasa
b) Original sanyasa
c) Sanyasi who has failed to live as perfect sanyasi.

TEXT 15

jatilo mundii lujnchhitakeshah
kaashhaayaambarabahukritaveshhah
pashyannapi cana pashyati muudhah
udaranimittam bahukritaveshhah

There are many who go with matted locks, many who have clean shaven heads, many whose hairs have been plucked out; some are clothed in saffron, yet others in various colors --- all just for a livelihood. Seeing truth revealed before them, still the foolish ones see it not.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Rotti Kashayam means "Otti Kashayam" as today we sanyasis are fake and only put kashaya simply for food.

TEXT 16

angam galitam palitam mundam
dashanavihiinam jatam tundam
vriddho yaati grihiitvaa dandam
tadapi na mujncatyaashaapindam

Strength has left the old man's body; his head has become bald, his gums toothless and leaning on crutches. Even then the attachment is strong and he clings firmly to fruitless hope.

TEXT 17

agre vahnih prishhthebhaanuh
raatrau chubukasamarpitajaanuh
karatalabhikshastarutalavaasah
tadapi na mujncatyaashaapaashah

Behold there lies the man who sits warming up his body with the fire in front and the sun at the back; at night he curls up the body to keep out of the cold; he eats his beggar's food from the bowl of his hand and sleeps beneath the tree. Still in his heart, he is a wretched puppet at the hands of passions.

TEXT 18

kurute gangaasaagaragamanam
vrataparipaalanamathavaa daanam
gyaanavihinah sarvamatena
muktim na bhajati janmashatena

One may go to the Ganga, observe fasts, and give away riches in charity! Yet, devoid of jnana, nothing can give mukthi even at the end of a hundred births.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says with karma we cannot get liberation as karma and ignorance are not enemies but only friends.

We do social service or any good karma(action) hoping to get liberation(self-realisation) but not knowing that self-realisation is nothing but we should eradicate ignorance in us.

TEXT 19

sura mandira taru muula nivaasah
shayyaa bhuutala majinam vaasah
sarva parigraha bhoga tyaagah
kasya sukham na karoti viraagah

Take your residence in a temple or below a tree, wear the deerskin for the dress, and sleep with mother earth as your bed. Give up all attachments and renounce all comforts. Blessed with such vairagya, could any fail to be content?

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says true happiness lies in independence. Dependence is misery.

TEXT 20

yogarato vaabhogaratovaa
sangarato vaa sangaviihinah
yasya brahmani ramate chittam
nandati nandati nandatyeva

One may take delight in yoga or bhoga, may have attachment or detachment. But only he whose mind steadily delights in Brahman enjoys bliss, no one else.

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says jnanis mind always will be in brahman whatever work they do.That is the reason some jnanis like swami vivekananda think to teach others but few jnanis like ramana maharshi think it is better to be silent rather than teaching in public places.

TEXT 21

bhagavad giitaa kijnchidadhiitaa
gangaa jalalava kanikaapiitaa
sakridapi yena muraari samarchaa
kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa

Let a man read but a little from the Bhagavad-Gita, drink just a drop of water from the Ganga, worship Murari (Krishna) just once. He then will have no altercation with Yama (the lord of death).

Note:Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Ganga is not only river but jnana also.Once Akbar asked birlal which is the best river and birbal said Yamuna.Then akbar was astonished and asked why not ganga.Then birbal said because lord krishna was there in yamuna so yamuna river is sacred and best and moreover ganga is not a river but jnana.

TEXT 22

punarapi jananam punarapi maranam
punarapi jananii jathare shayanam
iha samsaare bahudustaare
kripayaa apaare paahi muraare

Born again, death again, birth again to stay in the mother's womb! It is indeed hard to cross this boundless ocean of samsara. Oh Murari! Redeem me through Thy mercy.

Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says there is one upanishad called garba Upanishad which is used for infant who is about to come from mother's womb.This Upanishad explains in detail about the conception and growth of a child in the mother’s womb.

More details in the below website

http://www.vedarahasya.net/garbha.htm

Everyone has fear about death and it is the highest fear humans have in their life.


TEXT 23

rathyaa charpata virachita kanthah
punyaapunya vivarjita panthah
yogii yoganiyojita chitto
ramate baalonmattavadeva

There is no shortage of clothing for a monk so long as there are rags cast off the road. Freed from vice and virtue, onward he wanders. One who lives in communion with God enjoys bliss, pure and uncontaminated, like a child and as someone intoxicated.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Here rags means torn clothes(raggu ante bonta type) found on the road side.

Adults do every action by thinking what gain he will get.Example: before opening any bank account we will ask what benefits we will get etc.

He says in light lien Picchi leni padi mandi "Picchi" gurinchi pichhigaa matladatamee "Pichhi".

TEXT 24

kastvam ko.aham kuta aayaatah
kaa me jananii ko me taatah
iti paribhaavaya sarvamasaaram
vishvam tyaktvaa svapna vichaaram

Who are you? Who am I? From where do I come? Who is my mother, who is my father? Ponder thus, look at everything as essence-less and give up the world as an idle dream.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says when we give some advice to anyone if he likes that advice he tells that from where did you get this wonderful thought sir. So it is clear that mind is responsible for all our thoughts. So we are existence-consciousness-bliss.

Please read this below related article

http://prashantaboutindia.blogspot.com/2010/03/story-of-two-pots-as-told-by-swami.html

TEXT 25

tvayi mayi chaanyatraiko vishhnuh
vyartham kupyasi mayyasahishhnuh
bhava samachittah sarvatra tvam
vaajnchhasyachiraadyadi vishhnutvam

In me, in you and in everything, none but the same Vishnu dwells. Your anger and impatience is meaningless. If you wish to attain the quality of Vishnu soon, have Sama Bhaava always.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says annamacharya clearly belongs to Advaita Vedanta tradition.His devotional song "Brahmee Vokkati.." clearly shows the advaita vedanta essence.In deep sleep everyone is same and there is no world

Prasanth Jalasutram Commentary:

These days our generation are seeking instant results.because we have instant coffee,ATMs,microwaves etc we are becoming impatient these days and seeking instant results.

Our companion which is there always with us is mind only.Even our wife,children are all relative and will not be with us always.

TEXT 26

shatrau mitre putre bandhau
maa kuru yatnam vigrahasandhau
sarvasminnapi pashyaatmaanam
sarvatrotsrija bhedaagyaanam

Do not waste your efforts to win the love of or to fight against friend and foe, children and relatives. See yourself in everyone and give up all feelings of duality completely.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says our love,hatred in our friends and enemies are there in our mind only and not in them.

He says it is suggested to live in friendship with everyone in life but not to select few friends.

He says enemies are 2 types

a) sahetika (who are enemies with reason)
b) nirhetika enemies (who are enemies without reason maybe because of jealousy)

He says dvaitam means agnanam(ignorance).

He says whenever we are idle and have no work then try to do japa,imagine so that mind will not sit idle.

Otherwise

TEXT 27

kaamam krodham lobham moham
tyaktvaa atmaanam bhaavaya ko aham
aatmagyaana vihiinaa muudhaah
te pachyante narakaniguudhaah

Give up lust, anger, infatuation, and greed. Ponder over your real nature. Fools are they who are blind to the Self. Cast into hell they suffer there endlessly.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says We will get angry with one who does not agree with our desires.

Example: In our childhood we used to get angry with our father/mother who does not agree when we say that i want to go to movie.

Similarly mother-in-law will be angry with daughter-in-law because she wants love of our son to continue which got discontinued once her son got married.

He suggests to renounce kama,krodha,anger and be happy.

TEXT 28

geyam giitaa naama sahasram
dhyeyam shriipati ruupamajasram
neyam sajjana sange chittam
deyam diinajanaaya cha vittam

Regularly recite from the Bhagavad-Gita, meditate on Vishnu in your heart, and chant His thousand glories. Take delight to be with the noble and the holy. Distribute your wealth in charity to the poor and the needy.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says

"
nadi(river) loo prayanam chesee vadiki kavali yeeta
jivita prayanam chesee vadiki kavali gita
"

Money if donated for devotional purposes is good.that is the reason why lakshmi devi is shown trying to press gently legs of lord vishnu.

Essence is lakshmi devi(money) is also dependent on lord vishnu who is sitting in adi shesha.

TEXT 29

sukhatah kriyate raamaabhogah
pashchaaddhanta shariire rogah
yadyapi loke maranam sharanam
tadapi na mujnchati paapaacharanam

He who yields to lust for pleasure leaves his body a prey to disease. Though death brings an end to everything, man does not give up the sinful path.

TEXT 30

arthamanartham bhaavaya nityam
naastitatah sukhaleshah satyam
putraadapi dhana bhaajaam bhiitih
sarvatraishhaa vihiaa riitih

Wealth is not welfare, truly there is no joy in it. Reflect thus at all times. A rich man fears even his own son. This is the way of wealth everywhere.

Note: This is my wife's favourite verse.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says Even kamsa in Mahabharata has jailed his father Ugrasena.

TEXT 31

praanaayaamam pratyaahaaram
nityaanitya vivekavichaaram
jaapyasameta samaadhividhaanam
kurvavadhaanam mahadavadhaanam

Regulate the pranas (life airs within), remain unaffected by external influences and discriminate between the real and the fleeting. Chant the holy name of God and silence the turbulent mind. Perform these with care, with extreme care.

Note: Sri Sundara Chaitanya Swami says praanaayaamam is helpful for the longevity of the body but it should not be the only aim of our life.

pratyaahaaram means as said in bhagavad gita we need to withdraw our senses from sense objects just as turtoise draws its limbs from its shell.

TEXT 32

gurucharanaambuja nirbhara bhakatah
samsaaraadachiraadbhava muktah
sendriyamaanasa niyamaadevam
drakshyasi nija hridayastham devam

Oh devotee of the lotus feet of the Guru! May thou be soon free from Samsara. Through disciplined senses and controlled mind, thou shalt come to experience the indwelling Lord of your heart!

TEXT 33

muudhah kashchana vaiyaakarano
dukrijnkaranaadhyayana dhurinah
shriimachchhamkara bhagavachchhishhyai
bodhita aasichchhodhitakaranah

Thus was a silly grammarian lost in rules cleansed of his narrow vision and shown the Light by Shankara's apostles.

TEXT 34

bhajagovindam bhajagovindam
govindam bhajamuudhamate
naamasmaranaadanyamupaayam
nahi pashyaamo bhavatarane

Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Oh fool! Other than chanting the Lord's names, there is no other way to cross the life's ocean.

Source: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/bhaja_govindam.htm

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Ramana Maharshi Disciple Sri Sadhu Om Discusses About Importance Of Sat-sanga – Association With The Real

Though your mind lacks the strength of dis-crimination or dispassion (viveka and vairagya) re-quired to withdraw itself from the false attraction of the pleasures of this unreal world, your mind will naturally and spontaneously become mature to the extent to which you humbly and lovingly come very close and associate with enlightened sages (Jnanis), who abide as the reality (sat).

We should not believe that we have by our own efforts and practice (sadhana) brought about the rising of such pure devotion and clear discrimi-nation that we are thus able to experience in our hearts. This true devotion and discrimination are spontaneously and naturally kindled in our hearts, not by our own efforts, but only by the power of the Grace of that Sat-purusha who is living close to us, and who appears as if he is someone other than us.

Just like a mother who feeds her sleeping child even without the child knowing that he is being fed, the Grace of the Sat-purusha enters our hearts in a manner that cannot be known by us even if we have the most subtle and powerful of intellects, and thereby His Grace reforms us and brings about the destruction of our mind. Ah! His Grace is beyond all limits and cannot be gauged by anyone.

Having understood the greatness of sat-sanga, which is revealed by the true words uttered by our Sadguru, Sri Ramana, who is the Lord of the universe, “When the excellent cool, southern breeze itself is blowing, say, what is the use of holding a hand-fan?” Let us live taking refuge in Arunachala, the Hill of sat-sanga.

Source: A Light on the Teaching of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi The Essence of Spiritual Practice (Sadhanai Saram) By Sri Sadhu Om

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Sadhana -Frequently Asked Questions answered by Swami Sivananda

Q: Where can you find eternal happiness?

A: In your own Atman within.

Q: Which is the most troublesome organ?

A: Tongue.

Q: Who is your terrible enemy?

A: Mind.

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: Satsanga or association with the wise.

Q: Who is your real father?

A: Guru.

Q: Which is the best language?

A: Language of the heart.

Q: Which is the best virtue?

A: Brahmacharya.

Q: Which is the worst intoxicant?

A: Lust.

Q: Which is the sacred river?

A: Brahma Jnana.

Q: Who is the real king?

A: A Jivanmukta or liberated sage.

Q: Which is the best Dharma?

A: Selfless service.

Q: Which is the worst quality?

A: Anger.

Q: Which is the best thing in this world?

A: Pain (because it is the eye-opener, it goads you to seek liberation.)

Q: Which is the best food?

A: Hearing of the Srutis or Upanishads.

Q: Who is the best man?

A: A kind-hearted man.

Q: Who is the worst man?

A: A selfish man.

Q: Where is the worst hell?

A: In the mind filled with jealousy, crookedness and hatred.

Q: Where is the best heaven?

A: In the heart filled with love, mercy and generosity.

Q: Which is the best science?

A: Brahma-Vidya or the science of Atman.

Q: Which is the most precious thing in this world?

A: Vairagya or dispassion.

Q: Who is the strongest man?

A: He who practises Ahimsa, he who can bear insults, injuries and persecutions with a smiling face.

Q: Who is a weak man?

A: An irritable man.

Q: Who is the happiest man?

A: A Tyagi or a man of renunciation.

Q: Who is the most miserable man?

A: A rich man.

Q: Who is the most beautiful man?

A: A Yogi.

Q: Who is the ugliest man?

A: A greedy man.

Q: Who is a beggar?

A: He who has desires.

Q: Which is the biggest ocean?

A: Ocean of Bliss (Brahman or Atman).

Q: Which is the most dangerous thing in this world?

A: Company of a worldly man.

Q: Which is the greatest temptation?

A: Woman for a man, man for a woman.

Q: Which is the most desirable thing?

A: Brahma Jnana.

Q: Who is the best engine driver?

A: God.

Q: Which is the most wonderful machine or engine?

A: Mind.

Q: Which is the biggest factory in this world?

A: Mental factory.

Q: Who is a real drunkard?

A: He who is intoxicated with the pride of wealth and learning.

Q: Who is a real blind man?

A: He who has no inner divine eye or the eye of intuition.

Q: Who is the real cobbler?

A: He who thinks that the body is Atman and talks always of matters concerning the body.

Q: What is your foremost duty?

A: To find out this hidden driver of this body-engine to love Him, to live for Him, to serve Him, to know Him, to realise Him, to live in Him and merge in Him.

Q: Why did the All-merciful God create pain in this world?

A: Pain is the only blessing in this world. It is an eye-opener. Man would never attempt to attain salvation if there had not been any pain in this world.

Q: How can I know whether I have purity of mind or not?

A: If you have Vairagya (dispassion or indifference to sensual enjoyments), that is a sign of Chitta Suddhi or purity of mind. No sensual desires or Vasanas will arise in the mind.

Q: What is the purpose of God creating the world?

A: This is a transcendental question or Atiprasna. You will know the purpose when you attain Self-realisation or Brahma Jnana. The finite mind that is conditioned in time, space and causation cannot get an answer to a question that relates to transcendental matters.

Q: What is the use of repeating the Mantra again and again?

A: It gives force. It intensifies the spiritual Samskaras.

Q: When I concentrate, so many thoughts arise in my mind. How can I avoid them? Can I suppress them?

A: Do not try to suppress them with force. The thoughts will manifest with redoubled force. They will rise up frequently also. You will tax your will and waste your energy. Be a silent witness of these thoughts. Say unto yourself: "I have no concern with these thoughts." Be indifferent. All useless worldly thoughts will die by themselves.

Q: How to prevent bad dreams?

A: Study any religious book. Meditate for half an hour just before retiring to bed. You will have no bad dreams.

Q: What are the signs of a person who has no Ahamkara or egoism?

A: He will not identify himself with his body. He will be free from pride, likes, dislikes, jealousy, anger and hypocrisy.

Q: Why does evil exist in the world?

A: Change the angle of vision or Drishti. All evils will disappear. Evil is negative good. Evil exists to glorify good. It has a raison d'etre, reason for its existence. Evil and good are relative terms. What is good at one time is evil at another time. What is good for one is evil for another. Understand this and become wise. Behold the one Atman in all forms and beings. Evil and good are mental creations. Transmute evil into good by Atma-Drishti. There is good in evil also.

Q: How to lead the life of unity?

A: This is attained by service, charity, sharing what you have with others, cultivating cosmic love and realising the one Atman seated in the hearts of all, through constant Brahmachintana or meditation on Atman.

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The Divine Yaksha Prasna In Mahabarata

"Yaksha Prashna" in the Mahabarata is everything that One should know about Dharma, Bhagawan has mentioned about this Wonderful Episode of the Mahabarata many many times and the Questions by the Yaksha and the Brilliant answers by Dharmaja are the most wonderful seen in the Mahabarata.

Extracted from Yaksha Prashnas, a chapter in the Mahabaratha.

"What makes the sun shine everyday?"
"The Power Of Brahman."

"What rescues man in danger?"
"Courage is man's salvation in danger."

"By the study of which science does man become wise?"
"Not by studying any sastra does man become wise. It is by association with the great in wisdom that he gets wisdom."

"What is more nobly sustaining than the earth?"
"The mother who brings up the children she has borne is nobler and more sustaining than the earth."

"What is higher than the sky?"
"The father."

"What is fleeter than the wind?"
"The Mind."

"What is more blighted than withered straw?"
"A sorrow-stricken heart."

"What befriends a traveller?"
"Learning."

"Who is a friend of one who stays at home?"
"The Wife."

"Who accompanies a man at death?"
"Dharma. That alone accompanies the soul in its solitary journey after death."

"What is the biggest vessel?"
"The earth, which contains all within itself is the greatest vessel."

"What is happiness?"
"Happiness is the result of good conduct."

"What is that, abandoning which, man becomes loved by all?"
"Pride - for abandoning that man will be loved by all."

"What is the loss which yields joy and not sorrow?"
"Anger, for giving it up, we will no longer be subject to sorrow.""

What is that, by giving up which, man becomes rich?"
"Desire - getting rid of it, man becomes wealthy."

What is the sole means of Dharma?
Dexterity in the discharge of one's Dharma is the sole means of Dharma.

What is the sole means of fame?
Charity is the sole means of fame!

What is the sole means of heaven?
Truthfulness is the sole means of heaven!

What is the sole means of happiness?
Good conduct is the sole means of happiness

Who is the soul of man?
Who else but one's son? Son is the soul of man!

Who is a person's fate-ordained friend?
One's wife is the fate-ordained friend!

What could be the greatest of gains?
Health is the best of gains!

What is the greatest happiness?
Contentment is the greatest happiness!

What is greater than Dharma in the world?
Benevolence is greater than Dharma!

Which Dharma remains eternal for ever for all time to come?
What else but the Vedic Dharma which is eternal and fruitful for all time.

Subduing which, do men not grieve?
Men grieve not, by subduing their minds.

With whom does friendship never age?
Friendship with the good and wise never ages!

By abandoning which does man become loveable?
By abandoning pride, man becomes more loveable.

By abandoning which, do men not grieve?
By abandoning avarice, men do not grieve!

By abandoning which, does man becomes richer?
By abandoning desire!

By abandoning which man becomes happier?
By abandoning avarice, man will become happier!

What is penance (tapas) and how is it defined?
Penance is observing one's own Dharma!

What is self-control?
Self-control is the control of the mind!

What is said to be the greatest forbearance?
One's capacity to put up with the pairs of opposites such as heat and cold, richness and poverty, happiness and sorrow is what is called forbearance!

What is the sense of shame said to be?
Turning away from what ought not to be done is sense of shame!

What is supreme sympathy?
Wishing for the happiness of all is sympathy!

What is straight forwardness?
Equanimity of mind is straight forwardness!

Which is the enemy difficult to be overcome by men?
Anger is the enemy hard to be conquered!

Which is the endless disease?
Avarice(Extreme greed for material wealth) is the endless malady!

What makes one a good man and what makes one bad?
A good man is one who is kind to one and all and a bad man is one who has no sense of sympathy!

What is the greatest bath?
Discarding one's mental impurity is the greatest bath!

What is the greatest gift in this world?
Protection of beings is the greatest gift!

What is greater than the earth?
Mother.

What is higher than the skies?
Father.

What is faster than the breeze?
The mind.

Who are the living dead?
A person who does not pay the dues to his servants, offer hospitality to his guests or prayers to God.

What is the wonder of wonders of human existence in this world?
Day after day, living beings pass away to the abode of Death in this world and every living human remains an eye-witness to it. But still, the rest desire to live. What greater wonder can there be than this?

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Ramana Maharshi Explains Why Non-self Is Not Pleasing

Disciple: Is not the non-self also pleasing?

Master: No.

D.: Why not?

M.: Not by itself but only as an object of enjoyment for the individual self, the non-self is dear as husband, wife, child,wealth, home, pleasing unguents, sweet scents etc.

D.: Why are they said to be not pleasing by themselves?

M.: Should they be so, they must always remain so. At one time, one thing is pleasing and at other times, the same thing is nauseating.

D.: How?

M.: Take a woman, for instance. When the man is lustful,she is fancied to be pleasing; when he suffers from fever, she is not wanted; for a man grown desireless, she is of no interest at all. According to circumstances the same woman can be pleasing,unwanted, or of no interest. The same applies to all other objects of enjoyment. Thus the non-self cannot be pleasing.

Source: ADVAITA BODHA DEEPIKA

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Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda First Meeting

When Vivekananda came to Ramakrishna his name was still Narendranath -- later on Ramakrishna named him Vivekananda. When he came to Ramakrishna he was extremely argumentative, an atheist, a rationalist. He wanted proof for everything.

There are some things that have no proof -- it cannot be helped. There is no proof for godliness: it is, and yet there is no proof. There is no proof for love. It is, and yet there is no proof. There is no proof for beauty. It is, and yet there is no proof.

If I say, "Look how beautiful these ironwood trees are," and you say, "I don't see any beauty -- Trees are just trees. Prove it!," it will be difficult. How can one prove they are beautiful? To be beautiful you need a sense of beauty -- there is no other way. You need eyes -- there is no other way. It is reported that Majnu said, "To know Laila you will need the eyes of Majnu." It is true; to see Laila there is no other way. The king of his area called Majnu and said. "You are mad! I know your Laila -- an ordinary girl, jet black -- nothing special.

I feel sorry for you, so here are twelve girls from my palace -- they are the most beautiful women of the country. You can chose any one you like. Seeing you cry, my heart also cries. " Majnu looked at them and said, "There is no Laila among them. They cannot even be compared to Laila, they are not even worth the dust of her feet." The king said, "Majnu, you are mad...!" Majnu said, "That may be so, but I must tell you one thing: to see Laila you will need the eyes of Majnu." Majnu is right. To see the beauty of trees you need an eye for art -- there is no other proof.

If one wants to know love, one will need the heart of a lover -- there is no other proof. And godliness is the collective name of all the beauty, all the love and all the truth of this universe. For it an unwavering consciousness is needed, a witnessing is needed... where no word remains, no thought remains, no wave arises... where no mental dust remains and the mirror of consciousness is perfectly pure. What proof? Vivekananda told Ramakrishna, "I want proof. If God exists then prove it!"

Ramakrishna looked at Vivekananda. This youth had great promise, great potential; much was ready to happen within him. There was a great treasure with which Vivekananda was unacquainted. Ramakrishna looked into, peered into, the past lives of this youth. Vivekananda had come carrying a great treasure, a great treasure of integrity, but it was suppressed under his logic.

Seeing this, a cry of anguish and compassion must have risen from Ramakrishna's heart. He said, "Forget all this. We'll talk about proof and such things later on. I have become a little old, I have difficulty reading; you are young, you eyes are still strong -- read from the book lying there."

It was the Ashtavakra Gita. "Read a little out loud to me." It is said that Vivekananda saw nothing wrong in this, this fellow was not requesting anything special. He read three or four sutras and every cell began trembling. He started to panic and he said, "I cannot read on." Ramakrishna insisted, " Go ahead and read. What harm can there be in it? How can this book hurt you? You are young, your eyes are still fresh, and I am old, it is hard for me to read. I must hear this book -- read it out to me."

It is said that Vivekananda kept on reading aloud from the book -- and disappeared in meditation. Ramakrishna had seen great potential in this youth, a very promising potential, like that of a bodhisattva who one day or other is destined to become a buddha. Sooner or later, no matter how much he wanders, he is approaching buddhahood. When Vivekananda came to Ramakrishna his name was still Narendranath -- later on Ramakrishna named him Vivekananda. When he came to Ramakrishna he was extremely argumentative, an atheist, a rationalist.

Swami Vivekananda Searching Job

There is a small memoir in the life of Vivekananda. When Vivekananda’s father died, there was so much poverty in his home that often there was not enough food for both mother and son. So, Vivekananda would tell his mother, ”Today I am invited to a friend’s house, I will go there.” In fact there was no invitation, no nothing, he would just roam around on the roads and later return home. Otherwise the food was so little that his mother would feed him and would remain hungry herself.

So, he would return home with an empty stomach but happy and laughing saying loudly, ”It was a wonderful meal! Such delicious food dishes were cooked!” He would enter the house talking of those food stuffs that were nowhere cooked for him, that he had not eaten anywhere.

When Ramakrishna came to know of this, he said, ”How mad you are! Why don’t you ask God and all will be taken care of.” Vivekananda said that it will be too ordinary a thing to talk about eating and drinking with God. Still Ramakrishna asked him to ask at least once and see. He sent Vivekananda inside the temple. One hour passed, one and a half hours passed, Vivekananda came out from the temple and was very blissful and estatic. He came out dancing. Ramakrishna asked, ”Did you get it? Did you ask for it?” Vivekananda said, ”Get what?” Ramakrishna said, ”I had told you to put forward your demand. What makes you return so blissful?”

Vivekananda said, ”I forgot that completely ” This happened several times. Ramakrishna would send him in and when Vivekananda came out of the temple, he would inquire about it. Then Vivekananda would remember what he had been sent in for. Ramakrishna said, ”Are you mad or something? Because while going inside, you promised me that you will ask.”

Vivekananda would say, ”When I go in, there remains not even a faint memory that I have to ask God for something. On the contrary, a feeling of giving arises in me, that I should give myself to Him. And when I give myself, there is such bliss, so much of it that there is neither hunger, nor thirst, nor the need to ask”

Vivekananda could not ask. It was not possible for him. Until now no truly religious person has asked for anything from God. And those who have asked, it ought to be understood well that they have nothing to do with religion. The religious man has only given.

Source: "Ramakrishna Paramhansa & Swami Vivekananda First Meeting" from book "the mahageeta vol1" By Osho

http://formlesspath-sunthosh.blogspot.com/2010/05/ramakrishna-paramhansa-and-swami.html

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My Experience Of Ramana Maharshi By Rao Saheb Sri K. K. Nambiar

It was in the year 1933 that a friend of mine spoke to me about Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and suggested that I should meet him.

On reaching Sri Ramanasramam,I went direct to where Sri Bhagavan was seated, prostrated myself before him and sat down on the floor at some distance.

One or two incidents during this period may be recounted here, miracles to the faithful, but casual coincidences to the sceptics.

One evening in the year 1936 when I visited the Ashram I decided to ask an important question of Sri Bhagavan concerning certain spiritual practices. But amidst the solemn hours of Veda Parayana in the evening and during meditation that followed I could not make up my mind to ask the question,and returned home somewhat disappointed.

Early next morning, when I was lying half awake, Sri Bhagavan appeared before me in a dream and answered the very question which I had failed to put to him the previous evening. And before he vanished he also told me that he wanted a note-book. I said I had only one readily available and that it was of the octavo pocket-size. He said it was enough. I woke up with a pleasant thrill.

The dream or vision, whatever one may call it, made such a deep impression on my mind that I could not delay carrying out the behest, however strange it might seem. After early bath and ablutions I traced out the pocket note-book and hurried to the Ashram. Prostrating myself before Sri Bhagavan as usual, I handed over the note-book to him. He received it smiling, and asked me why I took it to him, when I related to him, in a whisper, all about my dream.

Immediately he called his personal attendant, the late Madhavaswami, and remarked to him “Did I not ask you last evening to fetch a good notebook to write down a Malayalam translation of the Sanskrit text of Sri Ramana Gita? You didn’t bring one. Here is Nambiar who has brought it for me. It seems he had a dream in which I asked him for the book, and he has brought it.” This incident aroused a great deal of interest among the devotees.

On another occasion in the same year I dreamt of Maharshi as seated on his couch as usual, surrounded by a number of devotees seated on the floor and engaged in meditation. Among them I recognised a young devotee from Goa, seated in padmasana performing pranayama. I think he was known by the name, Sridhar. While he was doing pranayama, I saw, in the dream, sparks of fire rising from the base of his vertebral column up to his head. Bhagavan,who was watching this practicant, interjected “There is no need for all this gymnastics with breath-control. It is easier and safer to follow the method of Self-enquiry as enunciated by me.” That is the sum and substance of the dream I had.Next day, when I went to the Ashram, I sought out this young Goanese Swami. I had no previous acquaintance with him and no occasion even to speak to him before. I gave him a full description of the dream I had. He was visibly moved and, somewhat to my embarrassment, embraced me with delight in the North Indian fashion.

He said “Brother, I was all the while waiting for an opportunity to ask Bhagavan whether I should continue or give up this practice of pranayama which I have been steadily carrying on for the past several years. Indeed, last night while sitting in the presence of Sri Bhagavan I eagerly awaited an opportunity to put him the question but I couldn’t find a suitable occasion for the purpose. Now, there is no need for me to ask him about it. Bhagavan answered it through you.”

When I was in England last year, I went to see a venerable, old lady, by name Mrs. Victoria Doe. She must be nearing 80 and lives in a quiet house at 17. St. Martin’s Avenue, Epsom, Surrey, with her only daughter, Miss. Leena Doe. She has never come to India, never seen Bhagavan Sri Ramana in flesh and blood. Yet, I was deeply moved by her devotion to him. She had read about him, prayed to him,meditated on him, and lives in him day in and day out.

She showed me sheaves of letters she took from a corner of a shelf, and kissed them with great reverence before handing them to me. All the letters were from the Ashram and were meticulously preserved for the past several years. She had also with her all the English publications of Sri Ramanasramam. She opened one of the books and, running her shaky finger along the writing on the first page “With Gracious Blessings from Sri Bhagavan” burst into tears of joy and devotion. She said “Mr. Nambiar,how lucky you are to have been able to be with him, to see him and hear him speak. Here, we treasure these books and letters as representing him. Now he has sent you here. I feel that he is with us now.” Such love, such devotion to the Sage, so tenderly expressed to me, a total stranger to her till the other day, moved me to the depths of my being.

I do not profess competence to interpret Sri Bhagavan’s philosophy and teachings. The first publication I remember to have read on his teachings is the booklet entitled “Who am I?”. Having read it, I felt no need to read other books propounding some different approach to the realisation of the Eternal Truth. I am convinced that the method of Selfenquiry suggested in that great little book is all that is needed
for the highest achievement in life, namely, Self-realisation.

Source: Golden Jubilee Souvenir

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Hanuman Chalisa - Verse 12 And 13

Verse 12

Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare

Verse 12 Meaning

With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras (demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.

Verse 13

Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye

Verse 13 Meaning

You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.


Commentary By Prasanth Jalasutram

In Verse 12 tulasidas tells that lord hanuman performs with great skill/zest all tasks assigned by Lord Shri Rama.

God-Guru's grace is much required if we are to progress in this spiritual life and to eradicate ignorance in us.

As known with ramakrishna paramahamsa's grace narendra has become swami vivekananda and has revived hinduism and can easily say that he is one of the most influential hindu saints in 20th century.

When he asked his master ramakrishna whether he as seen god,master said in return "Is there anyone who has not seen god?" which impressed vivekananda and be became a great disciple of bhagavan ramakrishna.

As guru ramana says,

As a lion seen in a dream by an elephant, awakens him; so the Guru, who is a sage, awakens the disciple from the dream of ignorance.The cause of all miseries is the impure vasana, the belief that holds the body to be ‘I’.

The grace of the Guru is like an ocean. If you come with a cup, you will only receive a cupful.It is no use complaining of the niggardliness of the ocean; the bigger the vessel, the more you will be able to carry.It is entirely upto you.

In Verse 13 tulasidas describes that Lord Hanuman has brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored Lakshman back to life which made Lord Rama happy.

Miracles do happen with guru's grace and we have seen many incidents in past regarding miracles.

In Mahabharata war lord krishna saved arjuna and other pandavas manytimes with his miracles else pandavas would have lost the war.

Sources:

1. http://www.hanuman.com/cha.html

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The Secret of Eternal Youth From the Spiritual Discourses of Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu

First of all, let us understand the meaning of Brahmacharya.

'Yajnavalkya Samhita' states:

"Brahmacharya is abstaining from all kinds of Maithuna or sexual enjoyment forever, in all places and in all conditions- physically, mentally and verbally."

The great sage Vyasa said:

'To abandon the pleasure gained through the sexual organs by restraint is defined as celibacy."

Lord Siva said to Goddess Parvati,

"O Parvati! What is there on this earth which cannot be accomplished if one has control over his sexual fluid?" That is, all powers reside at the divine feet of the Enlightened Urdhvareta (one who is able to sublimate his sexual energy through the practice of yoga). In fact, Siddhis (divine powers) become his facile servants. Such a Sadhaka can attain Self-Realisation within a short span of time. Even the gods (deities) have attained immortality through Brahmacharya".

"The gods have conquered death by Brahmacharya and penance. Indra, the King of gods, has attained a still higher status, through the self-discipline of Brahmacharya." (Atharva veda: 1. 5. 19)


Preservation of semen gives life

Semen is found in a subtle state in all the cells of the body. Just as the buttermilk is thinned after the butter is removed, so also, semen is thinned by its wastage. The more the wastage of semen, the more the body deteriorates and weakens. The preservation of semen is the secret of good health and longevity, and of all success in the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual planes. He who has even a little bit of Brahmacharya will tide over a crisis of any disease very easily. One who follows Brahmacharya strictly is usually not afflicted by any disease. That is why, in scriptures, it is said:

"Death is hastened by letting out semen from the body. Life is saved and prolonged by preserving it. Semen is the real vitality in men. It is the hidden treasure in man."

"There is no doubt that people die prematurely by letting the semen out of the body; knowing this, the Yogi should always preserve semen and lead a life of strict celibacy." - Siva Samhita

How is semen formed?

According to Ayurveda, from the digested food chyle is formed. Out of chyle comes blood. Out of blood comes flesh. Out of flesh comes fat. Out of fat comes bone. Out of bone comes marrow. Out of marrow comes semen. Conversion of Dhatu at every step takes a period of five days. Thus semen is the last Dhatu that is formed out of food. It takes approximately 30 days and 4 hours to complete this cycle. Scientists believe that an intake of 32 kgs. Of food produces 800 Gms. of blood, which in turn forms only 20 Gms. of semen. Now, you can see how precious the semen is!

If a man leads a life of celibacy even in householder's life and has copulation for the sake of progeny only, he can bring forth healthy, intelligent, strong, beautiful and self-sacrificing children. Higher forms of animals do have the sex impulse, but it becomes active only during the mating season; and thus they maintain health. Man, with his boasted intellect, has to learn lessons from birds and animals. Even animals have more self-control than men. It is only the so-called man who has degraded himself much by indulgence. At the heat of sexual excitement, he repeats the same ignoble act again and again. Man only violates the laws of nature and consequently suffers from innumerable diseases. He has degenerated to a level far lower than that of animals in this respect.

Lack of self-control gives rise to diseases. The western world has suffered moral and ethical degradation by following the Freudian psychology. It is clearly observed in statistical data. Population of India is three times that of U.S.A. Yet, consumption of drugs in U.S.A. is 10 times that in India. In New York City, a ten-year study, Mental Health in metropolis, claimed that approximately 80 per cent of adults showed some symptoms of Mental illness, with one in four actually impaired.

(Srole, Leo, Langer, Thomas, et al, Mental health in Metropolis, The midtown Manhatton Study.)

Freudian psychoanalysts failed to give any solution to the problem of suppressing desires. So the people alarmed of getting mental disorders, continued to satisfy their desires even by illegal means. This in turn increased the incidence of crimes.

On an average one case of rape is recorded per six seconds and about 2 million cases of pre-marietal pregnancy are recorded every year in U.S.A. Teenage pregnancy is a burning problem of U.S.A. Pre-marital sex is common in U.S. because they advocate free sex. As a result of that they compare the sexual gratification after marriage with the previous pre-marital experiences and when they find it less, they ask for divorce.

About 65% of marriages result in divorce. As they have violated the nature's law of self-control, they suffer from sexually transmitted diseases. The most horrible is AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which is spreading like an epidemic. The family life is disturbed by internal conflicts, dissatisfaction and rage. The social life is full of chaos, terror, insecurity and arrogance. This is not caused by poverty or lack of materials.

The U.S. has 4 % of the world's population. They have made provisions for 40 % of the global material productions (like cars, TVs etc.). Yet the criminal tendency is so high that one case of burglary is recorded per ten seconds. There are 425 prisoners per one lakh population whereas there are only 23 prisoners per one lakh population in Indian jails. In U.S.A. 14 million cases of crime were recorded by the police department during the year 1992. This is because the people under the influence of Freudian psychology try to satisfy all desires (not only sexual). The social life is degraded. Unchecked criminal tendencies lead to chaos, terror and insecurity.

In the present-day world, unfortunately, many people read pornographic literature, view sexy films on television and in theatres, view blue films in privacy, as a result we see all around us, the number of physical, mental and moral wrecks increasing every day. Many a times such people indulge in unnatural sex. Masturbation or homosexual tendency lead them to wastage of seminal energy many times a weak. They may discharge seminal energy in bad dreams or wet dreams. Due to excessive loss of semen, enlargement of testes and sometimes pain in the testes develops. The evil after-effects that follow the loss of seminal energy are dangerous. Persons are physically, mentally and morally debilitated.

The body and the mind refuse to work energetically, because the semen is not used up in the body to form Ojas that give vibrant health, strong will power and sound mind. Later on, such people develop impotency for the testices cannot produce semen with normal sperm count. Life for him loses all zest, zeal and charm. He becomes a victim of a number of diseases like anaemia, loss of memory, gloominess, palpitation of heart, pain in the back, loins, head and joints, weak kidneys, fickle mindedness, enlargement of testes, pain in the testes, debility, nervous breakdown, restlessness of mind, lack of thinking power, etc. He goes through hellish suffering. The scripture declares emphatically,

'Atharva Veda' declares:

"I have abandoned the lust that wastes my seminal energy. I throw away those sexual desires forever as they destroy my strength, intelligence and health. I will never become a victim of sexual desires' "

But what happens to one who does not lead the life of celibacy. 'Atharva Veda' says,

"The lust is the cause of diseases, dire diseases. It is the cause of death, fatal death. It makes one walk with tottering steps. It causes mental debility and retardation. It destroys health, vitality and physical well being. It burns all the Dhaatus (viz.chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and semen). It pollutes the purity of mind."

Alcoholic drinks (liquor), tobacco (chewing), cigarettes stimulate passion.

In Quran Sherifs Allaah Pak Trikol Roshal's Sipard, it is written:"O believers, this wine and gambling, and these arrows you use for divination, are all acts of Satan, so keep away from them. You may haply prosper.

Ramakrishna Param Hamsa said, "Whenever you see a beautiful woman, and if evil thoughts crop up in your mind, visualise the 'World Mother' (Jagadamba) in her. She is a manifestation of 'World Mother'. That is why she is so beautiful. She is Divine mother blessing me with her Darshana. Entertain this Bhava (attitude), evil thoughts will die.

When Governor of Kalyana, Bahlol Khan was defeated by Major General of Shivaji's army, the latter presented a beautiful Begum to Shivaji. Strict celibate Shivaji looked at her with reverence, and said, "If I have to become beautiful, I will take birth through your womb, mother." Saying this he scolded his Major and ordered him to send her with full honour to her husband.Shivaji was a strict celibate because he was a disciple of a mighty saint Samartha Ramadasa.

For protecting the semen, it is essential to wear always a strip of cloth (Langoti or Kaupin or loin cloth) over the private part, for there will be no night emission and growth of inflammation or any other disease of the testicles. This will help you in keeping up Brahmacharya.

Immoral songs produce a bad, deep impression in the mind.Aspirants should run away from places where vicious songs, poems, vulgar film songs, pop music or disco songs are sung or played on radio, transistor or cassette player.

Our great martyrs Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and Vir Savarkar were inspired by patriotic literature to dedicate and sacrifice their lives for the liberation of India. Therefore, the glory of good literature is beyond words. There are so many great inspiring spiritual books reflecting the glory of Indian civilization viz, 'Yoga-Vagistha Maha Ramayan', 'Shrimad Bhdgavadgita', 'Upanishads', 'Daas Bodh', 'Vivek Chudamani', 'Sukhmani', publications of Shri Ramakrishna mission, books by Swami Ramatirtha, etc etc.

Make study of such literatures an indispensable part of your daily routine. Books that deal with love stories exciting passion and pornographic literatures should be either thrown into dustbin or reduced to ashes. You should strictly avoid these and give them not to others for reading. Reading of spiritual literature is of immense value in observing Brahmacharya.

Always read a spiritual book in the morning after taking bath (and before going to job) and at night just before retiring to bed. The pure, sublime-elevating thoughts of the book will displace the evil (passionate) thoughts of your mind and you will not become a victim of sexual thoughts and fantasies.

"Semen is brightness, strength and (Self) Atma." -(Satapath brahman).

Grandsire Bhishma and the great Abhimanyu

There were two great battles, which took place during the war of Mahabharat. One is of grandsire Bhisma and the other of Abhimanyu.

Bhisma was a Naisthika Brahmachari, i.e. life long celibate. Therefore he was a man of boundless power. Lord Krishna had taken a vow that during the war he would not wield any weapon. However, he was compelled to break his vow in the face of the allconquering and irresistible attack that Bhisma mounted on the army of Pandavas. Even Arjuna armed with celestial weapons could not combat Bhisma's onslaught and Lord Krishna was forced to take up a wheel of a chariot to protect Arjuna from the arrows showered by Bhisma. It was through the power of Brahmacharya (alone), that Bhisma could conquer death. When he was pierced by sharp arrows all over the body, his survival was impossible. Yet (god of) death could not snatch his life. Lying on the bed of arrows, he gave wonderful discourses on political, philosophical, religious, social and moral subjects to Yudhisthira. Bhisma waited for the beginning of auspicious Uttarayana. Then he willingly left his body.

The second battle was that of a charming and brilliant hero Abhimanyu. Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu fought single handed against the terrific strategy of Kauravas called Chakravyuha. Bhima, the chief of Pandava army, was left behind. Abhimanyu fought with commendable valour wielding a wheel of a chariot all alone amidst great warriors of Kauravas. But in the end he was killed because Abhimanyu sowed the seed of Pandava dynasty before proceeding to his last battle. He had passed the night before the great battle in the amorous company of his wife Uttara. Due to this act of infringement of Brahmacharya, he could not conquer death, unlike grandsire Bhisma.

An experiment done in U.S.A.

A scientific experiment was carried out in an American school of science. 30 students were given no food for a fixed period of time. It was observed that their libido subsided. But when they were given food, libido increased. This shows that fasting gives only a temporary benefit in observation of celibacy.

Techniques for Conservation of Seminal Energy

Tulsi (Basil) cures many diseases. Moreover, it helps in conservation of seminal energy. It improves power of memory. Leaf of Tulsi is an excellent herbal medicine. It restores imbalance of wind, bile and phelgm and thereby helps in cure of many ailments caused due to their imbalance. It is very useful in cases of blood disorders, cough, worm- infestation etc. It is good for cardiac disorders also."

Herbal aid to celibacy: One can make this Ayurvedic Churna, without much cost at home. Take dried Amalas (goose berries) the fruits of a tree Emblica Officinalis and grind them into powder. Ready-made Amala powder is available in the market also. Mix two parts of the Amala powder with one part of powdered rock-sugar. You may get this ready-made mixture from ashram also.

Mere thinking of a woman with sexual feelings causes a Sadhaka's downfall. Therefore, beware! Try to know the heart of the scriptures and saints and take its benefits by following it.

"These sexual propensities, though they are at first like ripple, acquire the proportions of a sea on account of a bad company. Whenever the mental image of a woman crops up in your mind with evil thoughts, repeat mentally "Om Durgaa Devyai Namah " and do mental prostrations." - Swami Vivananda

"A wise man should avoid married life as if it were a burning pit of live coals. From the contact comes sensation, from sensation thirst, from thirst clinging, by ceasing from that, the soul is delivered from all sinful existence." - Lord Buddha

Source: http://hariomgroup.net/hariombooks/satsang/English/TheSecretOfEternalYouth.htm

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