Category: Bhaja Govindam

Bhaja Govindam 17: Mighty is the power wielded by desires (Verse 16)

Agre vahniḥ pṛṣṭhe bhānuḥ  rātrau cubuka samarpita jānuḥ |

Karatala bhikṣas-tarutala vāsaḥ tadapi na muñcaty-āśā pāśaḥ || 16 ||

Meaning – Even that person, who sleeps beneath a tree at night curling up his body to protect himself from biting cold; who builds a fire to keep himself warm even as the morning sun rises behind him; who accepts with his palms, the alms that have been given to him, is not spared from these noose called desires (āśā pāśa).

A previous stanza explained about the pretentious saints (sanyasis). This stanza explains about the real sanyasis. While the case of pretentious sanyasis who externally wear ochre robes and deceive people for the purpose of livelihood is somewhat understandable, isn’t it surprising to note that true sanyasis who have achieved detachment, who have distanced themselves from these worldly bondages and who wear ochre robes are not spared either by this noose called desires?

This stanza seeks to highlight the power wielded by desires!

A renunciate, who maintains no place of residence, finds shelter under some tree. During the early morning hours of winter, he lights a fire to keep himself warm while the Sun rises behind him. Unlike a householder, a renunciate (sanyasi) has to go from house to house begging for alms during the day. It is not that he can collect the food offered from all houses and eat them at one go. He is also not supposed to sit and enjoy the complete meal in one house. He is to approach every house and call out, “Bhavati bhikshaam dehi”. The lady of the house will then come and offer to him one fistful of food. He should collect the same in his palms and eat it then and there, before proceeding to the next house. This method is known as karatala bhiksha. Even under this method, there is a restriction on the number of houses that the sanyasi can visit on any given day, for example 5 houses. The idea behind this practice is that he should not consume belly-full food. This is how a true sanyasi should live.

From this we can understand that Shankara Bhagawad-pādāchārya practised this discipline of begging for alms. Even Swamiji practiced Madhukari during his childhood days. All this is contained in His life history. This is one of the toughest disciplines that one can ever follow.

This stanza emphasizes that desires do not leave even that person who is following these hardest disciplines. By selecting this example, Shankaracharya Swami is stressing upon the might exhibited by desires.

Our Puranas contain many instances of people, who after giving up all forms of luxuries and after undertaking the toughest disciplines are blessed with a vision (darshan) of God , and who then waste this boon by seeking materialistic benefits. When these instances are scrutinized, one can realize the might exhibited by these desires and as to how it holds a person completely in its sway.

It is said that indriyas (senses) can collectively pull down even the greatest scholar. Some people manage to bring some senses under control, but then unable to control the mind they fall prey again to desires. Even great personalities such as Vishwamitra could not escape from such fall.

Only relentless recitation of divine names can save a person from this noose called desires!

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-17-mighty-is-the-power-wielded-by-desires-verse-16/

Bhaja Govindam 16: Practise mind and desire control when in youth (Verse 15)

Aṅgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇdaṃ daśana vihīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇdam |

Vṛddho yāti gṛhītvā daṇdaṃ tadapi na muñcatyāśā piṇdam || 15 ||

Meaning- Even though the person has become old, his organs are all incapacitated and weak, is bald, toothless and walks holding onto a stick, he is unable to overcome his multitude of desires.

This stanza explains the powerlessness/ helplessness experienced during old age.

As age advances there are only sufferings to be endured. Happiness disappears. The physical body will no longer be in a position to fulfill the desire demands as it will be infirm and weak. Hair will begin to turn gray and will fall off. The person will be toothless and as such will be unable to enjoy his favorite delicacies. Yet, at the same time he will be tormented by a strong desire to enjoy all his favorite foods. Offer him a fruit and he is bound to say, “Oh, Being toothless I cannot eat”. He will never say, “I have no desire to eat it”.

The ability to effectively complete tasks will be lost during old age. He may become totally dependent on others for their care. Such old age is worse than death. In each and every minute, there is only suffering. Even amidst such suffering the person refuses to give up his desires. In fact these desires in him tend to grow by leaps and bounds.

Due to physical infirmity, the ability to enjoy sensory pleasures is totally lost.  Yet, the mind, that has been trained the entire life to fulfill sensory pleasures, continues to run behind them seeking their fulfillment. When they remain unfulfilled, the mind gets depressed. It shrinks under the weight of useless thoughts. At such times, a very huge friction erupts between the mind and the body. The mind will be eagerly looking forward to enjoying every sensory pleasure that comes its way. The body refuses to co-operate due to its infirmity. As a result, the body and mind lack unity and will part ways.

The message in this stanza is not meant for the old. In fact it is oriented purely towards the able-bodied persons who are in the prime of youth. This stanza goads youngsters that, should they fail to rein in the mind and control desires when they are in the prime of youth, they will have to go through these terrible situations in their old age.

Irrespective of its nature, every desire causes endless sorrow during old age.  Hence desires are referred to as a noose (āśā pāśa) which entangles every person. Our mind is a bundle of desires. These desires form the foundation for this samsara (life with its bondages). The dangerous outcome of desire is that as soon as one desire gets fulfilled innumerable more desires sprout from it. The web spun by it is endless.

Swamiji has explained this in His bhajan-

janmāniki mūlamu kōrikalaṇḍi kōrikalaku mūlamu āśalaṇḍi
āśa tīraka pōtēnē duḥkhamaṇḍi duḥkhamulanu anusarin̄cu rōgamaṇḍi.

This is the sequence. This is why it is extremely critical that when the body is healthy and the senses are in our control, we should turn our mind towards God. When this is done, then during old age even if the body is weak and unwell, then the mind, due to its previous training will automatically turn towards God, causing immense relief to the person. At such time, the person will accept his troubles as originating due to his past karmas and will be peaceful. As a result of this practice, the person will be rewarded with a subsequent good birth with good samskaras.  

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-16-practise-mind-and-desire-control-when-in-prime-of-youth-verse-15/

Bhaja Govindam 15: Be careful of those who impersonate Sanyasis (Verse 14)

Jaṭilo muṇdī luñjita keśaḥ kāshāyāmbara bahukṛta veṣaḥ |

Paśyannapi ca na paśyati mūdhaḥ udara nimittaṃ bahukṛta veṣaḥ || 14 ||

Meaning – There are many who wear matted locks or completely shave their head, wear saffron clothes (kashaya vastram) and take on various other disguises. All these are all garbs taken by them to earn a livelihood. Yet the foolish man does not realize it.

Kāshāya danda mātrena yatihi pujyo na samṣayah – this verse has been composed with utmost respect/ reverence towards the sanyasa ashrama and Yateeshwaras. Because of the reverence that Shankara Bhagawad-pādāchārya Swami earned, the world has immense reverence towards holy saints.

Taking undue advantage of this and finding this as a good source of livelihood, a few impersonators move under the garb of saints. Such foolish persons, who cheat others by moving about in this garb of sanyasis, will reach hell (naraka) after death. To kidnap Sita, Demon Ravana disguised as a sanyasi and appeared at her doorstep. He cheated her and ultimately was ruined completely. Such persons who disguise themselves as saints for the purpose of their livelihood are fools (moodha).

It is wrong to assume that adhering to the rules of the sanyasa ashrama means to completely stay away from the society and be seated in the forests with eyes closed in deep meditation. The real state of sanyasa means to develop inward vision/ focus (antar drishti) and to completely cut off all attachments and bondages from the mind. Such persons will not seek any external garb or worldly recognition. They would have adopted sanyasa as a way of life after realizing the hollowness in these worldly pleasures, joys and luxuries and thus lead a peaceful and contented life as a sanyasi. Eternally they will contemplate upon God and focus upon understanding the Absolute Truth. They will be sharing their experiences with the people of this world. To indicate the disciplines they have taken on they wear saffron clothes. Their life is completely filled with principles and disciplines. They are over and above the feelings of love-hate, like- dislike, jealousy etc.

Contrary to this, those who step into Sanyasa ashrama for name, fame, money, power or as a livelihood are cheating themselves. Externally they may exhibit tremendous adherence to righteousness (dharma), yet internally they lack any peace of mind. We come across many such persons in this world. They are fools. We should be vigilant and not fall into their trap. In addition to cheating themselves such people also cheat others in this world. All other guises for the purposes of livelihood may perhaps be acceptable, but here, by disguising as saints, they are cheating their own self on this sacred path of Self-realization.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-15-be-careful-of-those-who-impersonate-sanyasis-verse-14/

Bhaja Govindam 14: Satsang is the only boat to cross ocean called samsara (Verse 13)

Kāte kāntā dhana gata cintā vātula kiṃ tava nāsti niyantā |

Trijagati sajjana sangatirekā bhavati bhavārṇava taraṇe naukā || 13 ||

Meaning – O whimsical mad man! Why are your thoughts and worries centered upon your wife and money? Is there none to advise you properly? Realize that the only thing in these three worlds that can save you from the repeated cycle of re-births is the boat called satsang.

It is human nature to eternally worry about this life and the wealth needed in life. To safeguard them, the person thinks from various angles and takes every precautionary measure. He displays great anxiety in procuring wealth. But, the truth is that all this is of absolutely no use! To emphasize this point, the term ‘vātula’ has been used. ‘Vātula’ means ‘insane foolish man’ and therefore we should realize that we are being rebuked and reprimanded!

Trapped in these senses (indriyas) and materialistic objects (vishya) the person whiles away all the time allotted to him. Even birds and animals are engaging themselves in these activities only. What then is the speciality of human birth?

A human being needs to focus and reflect on subjects relating to the supreme principles/ essence (tattva vichara drishti). Towards this, the phrase ‘tattva chintāya’ is often used. With this objective in mind, the person should follow a Sadguru. The Sadguru takes his disciple smoothly in this path of tattva chintana (analysis/ contemplation of the Supreme Essence).

These worldly bondages have been compared to an ocean in which the person is drowning. The waves called joys and sorrows submerge the person in this ocean, causing him to become breathless. The wise person therefore seeks to cross this ocean and reach the shore.

How to reach the shore? This verse explains the way out. It states that the association/ friendship (satsang) with satpurushas (holy beings) is the only way to cross this ocean called repeated re-births (samsāra). It is a boat that unfailing takes us through.

Only satpurushas are able to cultivate in their fellow-beings the trait of renunciation (tyaga buddhi). They teach the hard truths about creation; decisively segregate between that which is real and unreal (satya –asatya) and show it by way of experience to their devotees. They are able to inculcate feelings of detachment (vairagya) in people.

The benefits of healthy satsang with satpurushas are unimaginable! When Nahusha was thrown out of heaven and had to fall on earth, he begged that he should fall in a place that was inhabited by holy men (satpurusha). Such is the power of satsang!

It is for this reason that Shankaracharya Swami emphatically declares that satsang is the only boat that helps the being escape from this ocean called samsara. The depth of this ocean called samsara is unfathomable. When seated in a boat, however deep the ocean may be, it will not cause any fear within us. In a similar manner, the one who maintains satsang with holy persons, need not fear about the depth of this samsara. Satpurushas live an exemplary life, guide us in this path, teach us to contemplate upon Paramatma, show to us our own mistakes and help us rectify them and in this way they enable us to cross this ocean safely.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-14-satsang-is-the-only-boat-to-help-cross-ocean-called-repeated-re-births-verse-13/

Bhaja Govindam 13: Wheel of time endlessly rotates depleting our life-span (Verse 12)

Dina yāminyau sāyaṃ prātaḥ śiśira vasantau punarāyātaḥ |

Kālaḥ kridati gacchatyāyuḥ tadapi na muñcatyāś́āvāyuḥ || 12 ||

Meaning – Day- night, dawn- dusk, spring- winter keep recurring throughout the lifetime. Time plays with us while the lifespan diminishes quickly. Yet desires do not let go of the person.

Our experience teaches us that the movement of time cannot be stopped. Kālo jagat bhakshah is an old adage. It means that time has the capability to swallow the entire creation in one go!

Yama is the synonym for kāla (time). Time is a form of the Supreme Lord. Up to now how many times has the Sun risen and set? How many mornings and evenings has this world seen until now? How many more are yet to come? No one knows. The Sun will keep on rising and setting in this manner every single day. Each year has 6 seasons beginning with spring and ending with winter Seasons are cyclical and go on endlessly.

The wheel of time keeps rotating eternally without any beginning and end. As this wheel rotates, the lifespan of the being depletes. We are however unable to grasp this important point. Just as the water from a broken pot drains out, the lifespan of a person gradually ebbs away. Our life is like a bubble in the ocean. What can the beings, controlled by time, do in such a situation? All this is the divine sport of time.

Time happily sports with all living beings. Even after this realization if we continue to move about carelessly then it is truly foolish on our part. We do not seek to understand the true aim of this human life and take the appropriate measures to reach the goal. Not knowing his past, unable to truly understand the present and learn from it, a foolish person swelled up in his arrogance moves about carelessly. He builds great hopes for his future and swings in those dreams. He goes on increasing his desires and gets trapped within this deep unfathomable hole.

Akin to horses, these senses keep chases objects of enjoyment. The agony that is undergone to enjoy these materialistic sensory pleasures is unimaginable. Just as the golden deer enticed Mother Seeta, these glittering materialistic sensory pleasures attract us. They drown us in this ocean called worldly bondages. The root for all this is our desire. One who chases materialistic desires can never entertain the desire to reach the Supreme. He can never set his aim upon reaching the supreme.

The Supreme Lord is the root behind all this creation. Just like water bubbles in the ocean, He creates, sustains and dissolves these millions of universes. Shankara Bhagawad-pādāchārya sought that even those people who are at the bottom rung of ladder in life i.e. the ignorant persons should be elevated and hence through this stanza he is reaching out to everyone.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/episode-13-as-the-wheel-of-time-endlessly-rotates-our-lifespan-keeps-depleting-verse-12/

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