April 26, 2017 archive

Bhaja Govindam 11: Burning desire for Self-knowledge should be inculcated (Verse 10)

Vayasi gate kaḥ kāmavikāraḥ śuṣke nīre kaḥ kāsāraḥ |

Kṣīṇe vitte kaḥ parivāraḥ jñāte tattve kaḥ saṃsāraḥ || 10 ||

Meaning -Where do lust and other desires vanish after youthfulness vanishes? Does the lake exist after completely drying up? Where do family and relatives disappear after wealth disappears? Where does the cycle of repeated re-births (samsāra) disappear after the Supreme Knowledge is known?

In order to ensure that the Self-knowledge (atma tattva) reaches one and all, Shankara Bhagawad-pādāchārya uses 3 simple but different examples to drive home the point. The most common examples that every person can relate to are desires (kāma), family and relatives (parivāram) and waterbeds such as ponds/ lakes (kāsāra) and hence these have been chosen as examples.

We have discussed earlier that every human being goes through the 4 primary stages viz., infancy, childhood, youth and old age. Each stage brings certain mental and physical modifications. During old age, a person loses the sharpness that existed during youth. Body shrinks and does not co-operate. The passion for desires that was experienced during youth will now be absent. He will be incapacitated and helpless. As he is free from passion, he will preach the rules of dharma effectively!

A pond that is full of water attracts people who approach it for fulfilling their needs. If the water in this pond were to dry up, then who would approach it thereafter? Will the pond exist?

In a similar manner, as long as the house is abounding in wealth, relatives enjoy all the comforts it can grant. Once the money is exhausted all the members desert that household. Do birds continue to nest on the tree which has dried up completely? Likewise family members abandon a house in which wealth has dried up. At that moment, what will be the mental state of that person who has lived his entire life under the illusion that this family and this money were permanent companions?

If a person truly desires to go over and above such mental state, he should necessarily understand the Self-knowledge (atma tattva). Until this is obtained, he will be bound by these worldly bondages and be tormented by them.

This entire world will dissolve the moment he experiences Absolute Truth! Obtaining Supreme Knowledge (brahma jnana) means experiencing the truth- ‘I am Paramātma’. This is the state of liberation when alive (jeevanmukti). At that point, apart from the Self (atma) he cannot perceive anything else in this world.  That is why this is the most supreme transcendental knowledge.

‘jñāte tattve’ implies that the person should have a burning desire to acquire this knowledge. It is imperative for the person to obtain this knowledge directly from his Guru. Thereafter he should contemplate over this. After this, through meditation he should strive to experientially realize this. To reach this, it is imperative to possess a pure clean mind. Mind plays a critical role towards achieving this. Only the mind pushes the person towards Self- realization. The all-pervading Supreme Parabrahma can be understood only through the analysis of the ‘tattva’.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-11-burning-desire-for-self-knowledge-should-be-inculcated-verse-10/

Bhaja Govindam 10: Satsang with holy saints paves way to liberation (Verse 9)

Satsangatve nissamgatvaṃ nissamgatve nirmohatvam |

Nirmohatve niścalatattvaṃ niścalatattve jīvanmuktiḥ || 9 ||

Meaning – Association/ friendship with great Mahatmas (satsang) prevents the mind from associating with materialistic world (nissangatva). This in turn ensures that the mind is rendered free from illusion (nirmoha). When illusion is driven away the person acquires Supreme Knowledge which is permanent. With this he will attain liberation when alive (jeevanmukti).

Almost every scripture extols the greatness of satsang! In addition there are many stories that emphasize the importance of maintaining satsang in life.

Maharishi Nārada once wanted to know who exactly could be addressed as a satpurusha (great being), the importance of satsang, and the influence that satsang could have upon a person. Immediately he approached Mahavishnu and put forth his doubts. In response, Maha Vishnu replied, “O Nārada! On earth, in the city called Mahishmatipuram, a sow (female pig) has just delivered. Please go and visit her”.

Maharishi Nārada was utterly confused, yet out of respect towards the Lord he visited the sow. The sow glanced at Nārada and immediately breathed its last. Perplexed Nārada returned back and reported the matter to Vishnu. Vishnu said, “Don’t worry, Narada. Now in that very city, a bird has perched itself upon a tree. Please go and visit it”.

No sooner had the bird seen Narada approaching it, than it gave up its life. Unmindful of this Vishnu asked Narada to pay a visit to a cow in that same city. Narada was trembling as he approached the cow. Just as he feared, the cow died as soon as its eyes rested upon the sage. Wailing that he was responsible for a go-hatya (sin accrued due to killing of a cow), Narada returned back to Vaikunṭha. Lord Vishnu was unperturbed by this and instead asked Narada to visit the newborn prince at Mahismatipuram. This time Narada stubbornly objected to making such trips. Vishnu however convinced Narada and sent him to Mahismatipuram.

Seeing the sage approaching him, the little infant was all smiles. Narada was astonished at this. More than this he was thankful that the infant was still alive even after seeing him. Happily he returned to Vaikunṭha and addressed the Lord and said, “O Lord, I had asked you a question about great souls (sat purushas) and the influence cast by them. In response to this, you are making me travel across different planes and meet some beings in each trip. Even after all these trips, my question remains unresolved”.

Maha Vishnu laughingly responded, “O Narada, have you not understood even now? People like you who eternally recite the names of the Lord and whose mind is eternally pure and free from any form of wavering are the true satpurushas. Due to association with a satpurusha of your cadre, the pig was able to evolve higher and be born as bird, a cow and thereafter as a prince. It could get the human birth. What can be a better proof than this to your question about satsang?”

The benefit of such satsang is acquiring nissangatvam which means ‘not having association with anything’. Nissangatva rewards the person with the ability to live by himself (ekanta vaasa), remain silent (mouna), obtain control over the senses (indriya nigraha) and achieve mental peace.  Due to these abilities, the state of nirmohatva i.e. ‘absence of moha/ infatuation’ arises in him.

In turn, this blesses the person with the discriminative ability to distinguish between permanent and impermanent objects in this world. In other words, the illusion is totally wiped away and the person properly understands the truth. Such a state is known as ‘vāsana kshayam’. To state differently, the person who has reached this state of ‘nirmohatvam’ is able to understand the real essence ‘nishchala tattvam’ easily. He who endlessly floats in the bliss (ananda) that is acquired due to the supreme experience, becomes a jeevanmukta (liberated even while living).

Shankara Bhagawad-pādāchārya has explained such profound essence in such a simple stanza and in a manner that is easy to understand.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-10-association-with-holy-saints-paves-the-way-to-liberation-verse-9/

Bhaja Govindam 9: All relationships and friendships are purely illusory (Verse 8)

Kā te kāntā kaste putraḥ saṃsāroyamatīva vicitraḥ |

Kasya tvaṃ vā kuta āyātaḥ tatvaṃ cintaya tadiha bhrātaḥ || 8 ||

Meaning – O brother, who is your wife? Who is your son? This samsāra that is replete with births and deaths is totally strange. To whom do you really belong? Where have you come from? Contemplate on this supreme truth while living in this gross body.

To thoroughly understand the meaning of this stanza, we should understand the story of King Chitraketu from Srimad Bhāgavatam. King Chitraketu had many wives yet remained childless for a very long time. Due to this he was dejected. Maharishi Angira once unexpectedly arrived at his kingdom. Understanding the agony of the king, the great sage performed a Yāga (sacrificial ritual) and handed over the prasadam to the first queen Kṛtadyuti. A little time later, Queen Kritadyuti was blessed with a baby boy.

The king who was blessed with a son after long period of time was unduly overjoyed. He spent all his time with his newborn and with Krtadyuti, thereby neglecting all other queens and administrative duties. Unable to bear this neglect the other queens were overcome by jealousy and therefore poisoned the little boy due to which he died.

Coming to know of his son’s death, King Chitraketu sat beside the dead body and was grieving piteously. Exactly at that minute, Maharishi Angira arrived there and consoled the king in the following manner, “O King, you are grieving for your deceased son. What is the relationship you have with this son in your previous birth, present birth and in your future one? Please think deeply. There is no rule that the being who was your father in your previous birth should necessarily be your father even in this birth. It is possible that this boy can be your father in another birth. It is also possible that there could be no relationship between the two of you. These are transitory relationships.

Just as the seeds emerging from a fruit disperse in different directions to emerge as separate trees, the souls who are born out of Paramatma and who are caught in time (kala), keeping meeting and separating periodically.

Therefore O king, it is wrong on your part to lament for your son. Please understand that all this is taking place because of illusion.  Although per your horoscope, you were destined to remain childless, in order to give you some happiness I performed the yāga and ensured that you were blessed with a son. Please remember that the son born to you was illusory. With this recollection, please increase your detachment (vairagya). Without getting attached, continue to rule wisely. Begin performing selfless action. Offer all the fruits of your work to the Almighty”.

With this teaching, wisdom dawned upon King Chitraketu and he was absolved of all his grief.

From this we understand that the relationship between two beings is purely illusory. Every being that assumes a body has a fixed longevity. Based on this it is possible that at time children predecease the elders. The agony experienced by the elders at such time is unexplainable. In such situation, if the person stands firmly and recollects these facts about the illusory relationship, then it will be beneficial. There is a story that explains about indebtedness and how the soul is born in accordance to it. If this is understood then no person will grieve that he is childless.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-9-all-relationships-and-friendships-are-purely-illusory-verse-8/

Bhaja Govindam 8: Mind should be trained to focus upon God (Verse 7)

Bāla stāvat kriḍāsaktaḥ taruṇa stāvat tarunīsaktaḥ |

Vṛddha stāvat-cintāsaktah parame brahmaṇi kopi na saktaḥ || 7 ||

Meaning – An infant is strongly attached to games and other playful activities. A young man is forcefully drawn towards a woman. The old are eternally engrossed in worries. No person has any inclination or love towards the Supreme Lord.

The boy, youth and old man referred to in this hymn refer to the same person in his different stages of growth. A human being primarily passes through 4 stages of growth- infancy (bāla), childhood (koumāra), manhood (youvanna) and old age (vārdhakya).

This stanza highlights the way in which the human life is entirely wasted away.

During infancy, the being, whose mind is not yet totally developed, is attracted to games and play. Thereafter the entire childhood in spent in studying. During youthful days, when the body and mind are firm and strong, he will be ruled by feelings of self-importance, arrogance, lust and other desires. At this stage he will even disregard and neglect his elders. He will waste his time in unwanted activities. When old age sets in, the physical body is weak and will not co-operate. Being weak and helpless, he will be dependent on others for his needs. Yet the mind, ruled by desires, continues to torment him. Anger and grief will rule & overtake him. Weighed down by these he will suffer. Due to lack of training, the mind will refuse to entertain thoughts about God.

Every human being in this world waste his entire lifetime for earning materialistic prosperity (artha) and towards fulfillment of desires (kāma) but no one is even slightly interested in matters of dharma (righteousness) and in contemplation about God.

Maharishi Vedavyasa raised both his hands, wept and addressed the people, “My dear fellow men, through adherence to dharma (righteousness) both artha (materialistic prosperity) and kāma (fulfillment of desires) can be achieved. Please heed my words. Why is it that no person shows any dedication towards walking on the path of righteousness (dharma)?”

Infancy, manhood and old age are the 3 primary stages that a being passes through. In addition to this, there are many more in-between stages. However, the most significant mental changes and the most important relationships are built during these 3 stages and hence they are deemed to be the most important stages of life.

During infancy and childhood, the being should obey the elders. While abiding by their commands, he should mentally strengthen the foundation for his spiritual journey. Prahlada is a great example of this. In accordance to the instructions received from his Guru, Sage Narada, Prahlada spent his entire time mentally contemplating upon Lord Narayana and in the end was blessed with success.

During youth, the person should recollect that which has been learnt in childhood, practise self-restraint and continue on his path. This is a stage of turbulent mental changes. This is the stage wherein the person either achieves success or meets failure. The famous poet Kalidasa had declared that a ‘dheera’ (truly courageous person) is he who is not disturbed even when surrounded by enticing objects.

What is the extent of dheeratvam (courage) that a person should possess? The story of Pururava is an example of this. Pururava was a wise person who could not differentiate between youthfulness and old age to such an extent that he gifted away his youthfulness to his father Yayati and in-turn accepted the latter’s old age.

Old age is the next most important stage that follows adulthood. In this stage, the person should lead an ideal life and remain as an example for the other younger generations. Therefore at this stage, every step should be carefully thought of and acted upon. Realizing that this will benefit the future generations, the old should spend their time peacefully. Experiences stem from our way of life. We should understand that our youngsters would imbibe our qualities and traits. The old should stop making mountains out of molehills and bringing upon themselves diseases due to their excessive worry and tension. They should stop getting angry for every trivial reason. Those who perceive recitation of God’s names as a remedy for all ills, joyfully spend their time with God. Such persons even forget the fact that they are actually passing through old age!

Vishnudatta is a great example of this. This holy couple was not blessed with any progeny. Even this did not deter them. Without entertaining any desire, they were peaceful and content. Once when Lord Dattatreya appeared before Vishnudatta and asked him to choose any boon, Vishnudatta replied that he had absolutely no desires. Datta was surprised and overjoyed at the innocent devotion of this holy couple. He blessed them with the ultimate gift that any human will seek- liberation.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-8-the-mind-should-be-trained-to-focus-upon-god-throughout-life-verse-7/

Bhaja Govindam 7: In journey after death we travel alone (Verse 6)

Yāvat-pavano nivasati dehe tāvat-prcchati kuśalaṃ gehe |

Gatavati vāyau dehāpāye bhāryā bibhyati tasmin kāye | 6 |

Meaning – As long as the life force (prana) exists in the body, everyone around enquires about the well-being. However when this life force leaves the body and the person is dead, even his wife shudders at the sight of his corpse!

The previous stanza taught that worldly acquisitions are to be left behind. It also taught that this love professed in this world is untrue and that love stems out of selfish interests. This stanza delves a little more into the reality.

When Shiva, who exists in the form of vital breath (prana vayu) within the being, departs from the body, then all that remains is a corpse.

80% of people in this world take pride in their physical beauty and in their slim and trim physique. Such persons spend their entire life under the illusion that their spouse and children are fascinated by these appealing looks and as such will never ever desert them. Enveloped by this illusion, such person strives to fulfill the needs of his family members and worries about their future. ‘What will happen to my family after my death?’ Such questions always trouble the mind.

Looking after the needs of the family members is not wrong. Yet, it is important that every person should ponder about the spiritual realities as well. Every person should mandatorily pose to himself questions such as- ‘What will happen to ‘me’ after the death of this body? What will happen to this world after my death?’

If the supreme truth ‘none of these objects present in this world will accompany me on my further journey after death’ is deeply grasped by the mind, then it will automatically alter the person’s way of thinking. The one who has understood the truth will never ever grieve for that which is untrue.

In the journey after death, not even a blade of grass can accompany us! The money and wealth that we have strived to earn in this lifetime will remain here itself. Our cows and other domesticated animals will continue to remain in their sheds. The wife and children will accompany the body only till the main gate of the house. After all, the laws of dharma prohibit women from visiting the crematorium, don’t they? Our friends and relatives accompany us till the crematorium. What happens thereafter? The body, with which we had totally identified all our life, is now burnt in the fire.

Many fear death because they have to leave the body which they held on to dearly all through life and depart. But it is inevitable. The wife whom you loved so much, the children whom you raised with tender care, and the relatives who were your best companions, all have to be left behind.

What is it that accompanies us on this further journey after death? It is only our adherence to dharma (rules and duties of righteousness) that accompanies. The good as well as the bad deeds performed in life as well as the good and bad thoughts entertained accompany the being on this journey.

For this reason, the hymn begins with the phrase- ‘Bhaja Govindam’. It means, ‘O human, realize this great truth. With this understanding, engage in dharmic activities (righteous deeds) from now on and chant the holy names of the Lord’.

Do not waste your lifetime sitting and grieving that your spouse will not accompany you on your further journey. Accepting that this is the ‘nature of creation’, focus on performance of meritorious deeds.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-7-in-the-journey-after-death-we-travel-alone-verse-6/

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