Sri Guru Gita – 27 May 2014 – Episode 156

Jaya Guru Datta!! Happy Birthday Sri Appaji_/\_!!
Koti koti pranams at the Lotus feet of Our Suka Brahma Sadgurudeva _/\_!!

Jai Guru Datta Swamiji.

Jaya Guru Datta. Episode summary:

Jaya Guru Datta.
As discussed earlier, right in the beginning of this hymn, we are being cautioned, “You have a beautiful body, but what is the use?” Let’s recall the sloka.

Sloka (from Sankaracharya’s Guru Ashtakam):
Sareeram suroopam thatha va kalathram,
Yasascharu chithram dhanam meru thulyam,
Guroranghri padme manaschenna lagnam,
Thathah kim thatha kim, thatha kim thatha kim

What is the use of that beauty? The sculptor sculpts according to the Agama scriptures (these scriptures talk about the architectural principles for temple construction, creation of idols and much more), yet the sculpture doesn’t look like it has life in it. Similarly, it is hard to say that the body, by itself, is beautiful. Even though that sculptor has sculpted beautifully, it needs “Drishti Pradhanam”. There is a procedure called “Drishti Pradhanam” (giving the power of vision or conscious awareness to the image). Only when this is applied does the sculpture look like it has life in it, otherwise it doesn’t. The sculptor who gave this power of vision to the sculpture then offers salutations to that very sculpture he worked on. Similarly, the creator is pleased to see the various forms of life he created. So, just as the creator himself is pleased with the forms he creates, the sculptor, after he has applied “Drishti Pradhanam”, is also pleased with the sculpture and offers his salutations to it. Now tell me, did the body get its beauty because of you? Why are you so proud of your beauty? What benefit does it give you? You are so proud. You stand in front of the mirror and keep admiring yourself. If your own beauty has no use for you, what is the use of the beauty of your wife and children? Similarly, what is the use of your fame?

Some people are never satisfied with how much wealth they accumulate. They want to keep earning more and more. Their goal is to just keep earning. A lot of people accumulate wealth equivalent to Mount Meru (enormous mountain considered the abode of many Gods). Their bank account has loads and loads of money. What’s the use? They don’t even know what to do with all the money they saved. They only care about hoarding wealth. They are hoarding all their life. I don’t know when they enjoy that wealth or put it to good use. Finally, the money falls into the hands of the government or the thieves. What’s the use of that wealth with which you do nothing? The government takes it over or the thieves break in and take it away. The thieves will enjoy the money. That is why, it is said that whatever you earn, you should spend it in this life itself and put it to good use.

Some people adopt a child. When that adopted child wastes all their wealth, they grieve over it. Why this karma? Just because you have no children, you adopt a child, perhaps a relative’s child and hand over your wealth to him. You cry when he wastes all the money. What is the point of doing this? That is why, treat orphans as your own children and help them. Help even orphaned animals. Or, help destitute students. There are plenty of opportunities to help others. It’s wonderful if you are able to spend your wealth thinking of others as your own children. One should not just hoard wealth. This wealth is given to you by God.

Jaya Guru Datta.