April 20, 2017 archive

Significance of Saraswati

Saraswati is always depicted as seated on a rock, playing a veena (musical instrument), wearing a white saree with a swan next to her. Saraswati means a flow. It is a flow of knowledge. When Saraswati is depicted as seated on a rock, it means that she is sitting on our head. Our backbone is the veena in her hands. The basis for the knowledge or Jnana is truth (satya). This is depicted by the white saree. The Jnana that is acquired through realization of truth leads to Brahmananda (bliss of Brahma). The swan signifies this ananda.

Thus the form of Saraswati signifies that she is the giver of knowledge (Jnana roopini). She is the basis not only for speech but also for the 64 kalas (arts). The movement of the sense organs and the thoughts in our mind are all her due to blessings only. Therefore not only students, but anyone who seeks good knowledge and good thoughts should take shelter in her.

She exists in the form of sound. As per the Puranas, Parashakti’s body parts became the 50 sounds or the 50 alphabets. All the languages in the world came from these 50 alphabets. These alphabets are her beejaksharas (seed letters). Beejaksharas are the minute sounds that explain about her.

The predominant beejaksharas in her worship are ‘Aim’ and ‘Vam’. Vam is the Amrita beeja. The word ‘Aim’ gives speech and knowledge. The story of Kalidasa is a great example of this. Kalidasa, the cowherd, would repeat the word ‘Aim, Aim’ to drive the cattle. Though he said it routinely, he was ultimately blessed with Devi’s compassion and he became one of the greatest poets.

  • Bhaktimala Dec 1997 & Mar 1998

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/significance-of-saraswati/

Luxuries keep person away from seeking spiritual knowledge.

Those who seek luxuries cannot get spiritual knowledge. Spiritual path requires one to keep away from enjoyments. There are some lessons to be learnt. Some hardships required. Only then we will get used to the training and discipline.

That is why in Mysore ashram not all comforts are provided. Reaching Mysore ashram is itself a pilgrimage. On a battlefield one cannot choose his wants. “Obey the leader and begin the fight” is the golden rule there. Similarly in the spiritual path, desires and enjoyments cannot exist. You need to know this so that you can understand what should be the mental state of a disciple at the time of upadesha.

Vyasa incorporated Bhagavad Gita as part of the battle scene. A few years after the war the Pandavas returned to their kingdom and began to rule. A few years later, one fine morning, Arjuna recollected that Krishna had preached him Gita at the battlefield. He approached Krishna and asked, “Dear Krishna, that day when you were preaching my mind was unstable. I was in the battlefield and there was chaos all around. I cannot even remember what exactly you had preached. Now my mind is calm. There are no tensions. Why don’t you preach me again?”

Krishna smiled and agreed to begin the next morning. The next morning both of them settled down in the luxurious palatial room, on soft spongy, comfortable beds and Krishna began preaching. All along Krishna was smiling within himself, “This innocent devotee does not realize that these comforts are the main hurdles for spiritual lessons. On the contrary he feels that they are essential.”

As Krishna was preaching, at every moment some palace employee would approach Arjuna with a problem. He would whisper something into Arjuna’s ears and Arjuna in turn would softly tell him the solution. In this way 18 days went by and Krishna started singing the mangalam (conclusion). Arjuna was stunned. Did 18 days go by? Have you already finished? He asked Krishna. Totally immersed in his luxuries Arjuna failed to grasp anything. From this it is clear that luxuries are obstacles for spiritual growth.

  • Bhaktimala Sep 96

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/luxuries-keep-person-away-from-seeking-spiritual-knowledge/

Why is Veda recital considered powerful?

Even those animals, birds and insects that happen to hear a Veda recital, undergo many positive changes in their subsequent births! This is because Veda is the language of the Gods. It is also a form of God. Vedas are those drops of nectar that explain about the essence of God, about illusion that has enveloped the creation and more importantly about the methods that one could adopt to merge back into Him.

Veda recital by a person who has learnt the Vedas through the proper channel and procedure and who has a pure mind has the unique ability to wash away the sins of the listeners and bestow auspiciousness!

It is not enough to learn the Purushasuktam and then declare that the Vedas have been mastered. ‘Vedas’ include a lot more than that. To learn Vedas a dedicated and continuous effort of 10-12 years is needed.

Some people carry this false belief that only ‘good for nothing’ people who are unfit for academic education learn Vedas. This is absolutely incorrect. Veda Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) blesses only those who have limitless merit accumulated across many births (janmantara punya) and who systematically follow their ancient family traditions to learn Veda. Only a few lucky people get a chance even to listen and appreciate a Veda chanting. Then imagine what luck would be required to learn the Vedas!

Learn to listen and enjoy a Veda recital. If mastering Vedas is a penance, then listening is also penance. Helping Vedas is also a penance.

  • Bhaktimala June 97, Nov 98

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/why-is-veda-recital-considered-powerful/

Charity and social service (seva) are important disciplines

Seva (service) should be done physically, mentally or financially. You can even supply groceries or contribute towards it. On any special occasion in the family like a wedding, naming ceremony, house warming, birthday, wedding anniversary etc. along with your personal expenses spend some money towards the old and needy people. Do annadana (giving food as a charity) on that day. You should understand that Swamiji is teaching you the important trait of sacrifice (tyaga). Donations should always be given happily. Complete your Guru runa (debt).

In the ancient times, whenever people donated huge money to build temples, they instructed that their name should be engraved on the floor or on the steps so that all devotees who visited the temple would walk on it. The idea was that their ego should be humbled and thereby destroyed completely.

Quite contrary to this the modern man seeks that for any small donation he makes his name be written on the fans, tube lights, ceiling, walls etc. so that it is advertised. This is so shameful. Our elders say that when the left hand should not know what the right hand has given away! It is to be so secretive. In fact once the donation is made, there should be no thought about it. Even if the thought comes by mistake, you should be ashamed of it.

Of course there are people who donate publicly, so as to encourage others to follow. This is good. If such people wish to have their name engraved then it should be on the floor not the ceiling.

  • Bhaktimala 1993

 

Look around you and help in any small way you can. It can have a great impact. Actually a small help brings great results. Feeding a hungry person is also a great act. Help others in your own small way. Pass on this good quality to others.

After all, what you are now giving belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to someone else tomorrow.  You brought nothing with you when you came to the earth. You will take nothing with you when you leave. Even God does not take the abhishekha that is done to him. He leaves it for you to take it as prasada. Everyone should understand this principle.

  • Bhaktimala Jan 06, Oct 98

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/charity-and-social-service-seva-are-important-disciplines/

How does Sadguru help his devotees?

Swamiji is a true friend who blesses you with the required mental strength to handle your difficulties. A doctor can prescribe medicines and sympathize with you but can he share your physical pain? Similarly Swamiji helps you withstand the burdens of your karma. He rescues you and prevents you from drowning in it.

More importantly, Sadguru prevents you from committing the same mistake again and again! He is a good guide. But for all this it requires complete surrender and a prayer to guide you. Only then will He accept responsibility for you. This external show of faith and devotion will not work with him.

Swamiji can directly see your heart and your inner feelings. Based on this he will assess to what degree he should help you. Do continuous Nama japa. It is very difficult to reach that stage of complete surrender.

  • Bhaktimala Sep and Oct 2002

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/how-does-sadguru-help-his-devotees/

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