Om Sai Ram, I went to shirdi for the first time way back in 1980 when I was a kid। The memories are still fresh in my mind. Shirdi was different from what it is today. It was very easy to get Baba's darshan those days. Hence we used to visit the mandir 4-5 times a day.In September 2007 I had a strange dream. I dreamt of myself riding a bicycle on a highway. I was dragging the bike on the road pondering if God was present and if so would I be able to see Him . A fakir appeared from behind me and asked me to for bhiksha. I handed some coins to him. He then turned towards a house on the left side of the road and I immediately followed him.
The fakir and I entered the house that was filled with Shirdi Sai Baba's photos. I moved from one room to another to see some more photos when a voice came from behind " Are you Rakesh?". I was shocked and went back to the first room and replied in the affirmation. There was a saintly man over there who pulled a photo which was under a garland on Sai Baba's photo.The photo was a childhood picture of myself. The saintly person said “ He had kept you in his heart since you were a child". There were also two small girls. The main door of the house had the name 'Kodama Raju' written on it with which the dream came to an end.
I found the strangeness of my strange dream come true. Baba's ways are inscrutable!
My wife and I went on a trip to Mysore after about ten days of the strange dream that I had. We decided to use my bike as the mode of transportation. In the course of our trip we visited Sri Rangapatna which was about fifteen kilometers ahead of Mysore. In Sri Ranga Patna, we visited an orphanage run by Sathya Sai Baba trust. The orphanage is known to be famous for the miracles of Sai. We visited the mandir in the orphanage where I found loads of vibhuti formation on Sai Baba's photos and also the continuous flow of nectar from Baba's amulet. The mandir was actually the conversion of two rooms for the purpose of worship with a lot of Baba's photos.A small girl then approached us and handed some nectar as prasad which wasamazingly tasty. We then proceeded with our journey to Mysore. We also made a second visit to the orphanage on our way back from Mysore when another small girl gave us the prasad.On reaching home in Bangalore I found the strangeness of my strange dream come true. Baba's ways are inscrutable!. I would just like to conclude that "Baba loves all and keeps everyone in his heart."
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Unseen Hand
'Ramana' the mere utterance of the word is nectar to His devotees! Having got exposed to His teachings, the continuous drill of disassociating oneself from the body and the mind that we rightfully think we are, I could hardly approach Him for any favours। Immediately the question ' Who is the one who is seeking the favour? ' will sprout up and that was suffice enough to silence me. For was it not He who had said that the true 'I' is far beyond the body and the mind? So for whom is favours to be sought? It appeared meaningless!As a normal human being still entangled in the body-mind complex and a very long way to go on the path of spirituality, I did ascend the steps of His shrine in Bangalore to seek His grace when a major crisis hit upon us (my family). I could only turn to Him for support for what care and love can surpass His? Had'nt He not told a Buddhist monk who came for His darshan that a Master's grace is not exclusively for spiritual upliftment of a devotee alone though it was the prime cause but also for material issues as well.
The doctor's report clearly stated the presence of a tumour in my aunt's brain. She shares almost an equal part with my mother in bringing me up. I immediately set out to my hometown after having pleaded with Ramana for her recovery and surrendering the issue to His complete care.My aunt was not aware of the seriousness of the issue. A couple of tests were done and the doctor said that it was not required to open her head to remove the tumour. The tumour consisted of liquid and so a tube was to be inserted trough her nose and the liquid was to be drained out. That was a great relief as opening the head sounded scary as some of the vital nerves were attached to the tumour. However another problem dangling like Damascus' sword above our heads was that, only after the surgeory the tumour would be exposed to biopsy to know whether it was benign or malignant. We took a second opinion from an expert surgeon who assured that the tumour is definitely benign. Another burden was lifted!I was then to meet the ENT(Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist) as his presence was required during the surgeory as the liquid of the tumour was to be drained through the nose. As I was listening to the assuring words of the doctor, I suddenly looked into the eyes of the much accustomed face! Who else' but Bhagavan Ramana's whose picture adorned the wall of the ENT's room as if to assure me that everything is going to be fine. A pleasant surprise indeed!A new relief began to flood within my being and I told the doctor that everything is going to be fine as Bhagavan has assured me with His presence. The surprised doctor and I had a conversation about Ramana. I was very happy to have founded a fellow devotee.On the day of the surgeory, as my tensed family waited outside the operation theatre, I was relaxed reading a book about Bhagavan. The surgeory proved to be successful and my aunt is hale and healthy now with the new lease of life granted by the magnanimous boon giver, Ramana. He made His presence most unassumingly and performed the miracle in the most natural way. Well that is Ramana's way! No spectacular outward display, yet the devotee can feel the guidance within him. An exclusive divine interaction between the devotee and Ramana alone!I expressed my gratitude to Bhagavan with tears brimming my eyes in the shrine in Bangalore. His flooding mercy not only cured my aunt, but also exposed me practically to what it meant to surrender to Him without reserve which formed the core of his teaching. His grace surpassed my amateurishness in spirituality of often faltering in my sadhana like a child toddling with indefinite steps. A two in one miracle that taught me as well as touched me! The experience taught what the state of mind will be with regards to complete surrender. All praise to my Master Ramana.
The doctor's report clearly stated the presence of a tumour in my aunt's brain. She shares almost an equal part with my mother in bringing me up. I immediately set out to my hometown after having pleaded with Ramana for her recovery and surrendering the issue to His complete care.My aunt was not aware of the seriousness of the issue. A couple of tests were done and the doctor said that it was not required to open her head to remove the tumour. The tumour consisted of liquid and so a tube was to be inserted trough her nose and the liquid was to be drained out. That was a great relief as opening the head sounded scary as some of the vital nerves were attached to the tumour. However another problem dangling like Damascus' sword above our heads was that, only after the surgeory the tumour would be exposed to biopsy to know whether it was benign or malignant. We took a second opinion from an expert surgeon who assured that the tumour is definitely benign. Another burden was lifted!I was then to meet the ENT(Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist) as his presence was required during the surgeory as the liquid of the tumour was to be drained through the nose. As I was listening to the assuring words of the doctor, I suddenly looked into the eyes of the much accustomed face! Who else' but Bhagavan Ramana's whose picture adorned the wall of the ENT's room as if to assure me that everything is going to be fine. A pleasant surprise indeed!A new relief began to flood within my being and I told the doctor that everything is going to be fine as Bhagavan has assured me with His presence. The surprised doctor and I had a conversation about Ramana. I was very happy to have founded a fellow devotee.On the day of the surgeory, as my tensed family waited outside the operation theatre, I was relaxed reading a book about Bhagavan. The surgeory proved to be successful and my aunt is hale and healthy now with the new lease of life granted by the magnanimous boon giver, Ramana. He made His presence most unassumingly and performed the miracle in the most natural way. Well that is Ramana's way! No spectacular outward display, yet the devotee can feel the guidance within him. An exclusive divine interaction between the devotee and Ramana alone!I expressed my gratitude to Bhagavan with tears brimming my eyes in the shrine in Bangalore. His flooding mercy not only cured my aunt, but also exposed me practically to what it meant to surrender to Him without reserve which formed the core of his teaching. His grace surpassed my amateurishness in spirituality of often faltering in my sadhana like a child toddling with indefinite steps. A two in one miracle that taught me as well as touched me! The experience taught what the state of mind will be with regards to complete surrender. All praise to my Master Ramana.
A Longing Heart
A longing heart that attempts with an unswerving resolve to aspire for the highest is the one that is capable of attaining it. The truth is sugar coated for a better comprehension and easy digestion by a story illustrated by Swami Vivekananda.Once a disciple requested his master to bless him with religion ( Vision of God). He could only get a smile in return from His master. However the young man was persistent and started visiting his master everyday only to be warded off gently. Practical demonstration always proves to be better than verbal instructions especially in the case of spirituality.
Until this search is awakened, the aspirant is no better than any atheist
The master hence took His disciple to a river and held him under the water by force and let him go after sometime। He then asked the disciple what was all His struggle for under the water? The surprised young man replied that he was struggling for his breath and all his thoughts were directed towards achieving it. The Master then smiled and said that his struggles should be such if not more in wanting the vision of God as well! A ceaseless craving for the divine is the prime requisite to attain it. Idols, intellectual feeding through books and other means are all frail forms of attempts which would not work for long if not coupled with a tireless search. Until this search is awakened, the aspirant is no better than any atheist. The search for the vision of God should be as desperate as a thief who is aware of a heap of gold in the next room.
Hence the vision of God is only possible with one's vision focused on Him that leads one to be a visualizer and ultimately to blend in the ultimate without visions and the act of visualizing!
swami vivekananda
Until this search is awakened, the aspirant is no better than any atheist
The master hence took His disciple to a river and held him under the water by force and let him go after sometime। He then asked the disciple what was all His struggle for under the water? The surprised young man replied that he was struggling for his breath and all his thoughts were directed towards achieving it. The Master then smiled and said that his struggles should be such if not more in wanting the vision of God as well! A ceaseless craving for the divine is the prime requisite to attain it. Idols, intellectual feeding through books and other means are all frail forms of attempts which would not work for long if not coupled with a tireless search. Until this search is awakened, the aspirant is no better than any atheist. The search for the vision of God should be as desperate as a thief who is aware of a heap of gold in the next room.
Hence the vision of God is only possible with one's vision focused on Him that leads one to be a visualizer and ultimately to blend in the ultimate without visions and the act of visualizing!
swami vivekananda
Is Enlightenment Possible Without A Guru?
What do you see in the future regarding the Guru/Disciple relationship? Do we need a Guru to attain a state of enlightenment?To me this is a very important question at the present time। I would like to emphasize the present time। It was in the mid 80's that the spiritual relationship of guru/disciple reached its highest popularity. Since then, there have been spiritual teachers with a more Western approach such as Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and Christiane Northrop, who have taken their educational credentials to approach the teacher/student relationship in a more down-to-earth environment. There are many more teachers without the educational credentials who are just as valuable but don't advertise the fact and will become popular in their own communities over the next few years.We need to consider when the guru/disciple relationship started in order to see where it is presently and where it is going in the future. The best place to start is with the cycles of time called Yugas or Ages in the ancient Vedic texts. There are four ages or Yugas: Satya-yuga or the Golden Age, Treta-yuga, Dvapar-yuga and Kali-yuga. We are presently in Kali-yoga which is the dark age.
In Stephen Knapp's book "The Vedic Prophecies: A New Look Into The Future" , he writes on page 21-The Padma Purana (7।26.15-17) elaborates that "in Kali-yuga, which is the abode of sins, everyone is involved in sinful activities. They censure the Vedas, or spiritual truths, and engage in gambling andstealing. Brahmanas will act fraudulently for a livelihood. Everyone will be addicted to women, sex, and intoxicating liquors. They will be stealing others' wealth. Heretics and atheists will become prominent. Men will possess little luster and will be wrathful, greedy, untruthful, and be filled with jealousy, pride, anger, deceit, and malice."
This could be the reason why the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita is the most read spiritual book in the East।
According to most historians Kali-yuga started after Krishna died some 5,000 years ago. This could be the reason why the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita is the most read spiritual book in the East. It sets the tone for how the guru/disciple relationship works in the dark age such as Kali-yuga. In such a dark age it is no wonder that there is such a need to have a teacher of light (guru) to guide humanity. With so many mosquitoes available and very few light bulbs, the guru becomes the central energy source of pure white light that could elevate others to a higher state of awareness that is almost absent in humanity as a whole. The average age in Kali-yuga is 100 years if you're lucky. In Dvapara-yuga it is 1,000 years old. In Treta-yuga it is 10,000 years old. In Satya-yuga you could live to be 100,000 years old in perfect health.To write about each yuga in detail would be lengthy. I recommend Stephen Knapp's book mentioned earlier for detailed information regarding the subject of yugas. It is obvious from my description of Kali-yuga that a teacher of enlightenment is needed and very rare in this dark age. However, I am always happy to mention the light at the end of the tunnel. According to most authors who are experts on the subject of yugas, we are entering a sub-period of Satya-yuga which will last 10,000 years. According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who is the founder of the TM organization, we have entered this sub-period in July of 2005. Guru purnama is a yearly celebration of the guru every July on the full moon. The full moon in July of 2005 according to Maharishi is the start of the 10,000 year cycle of a sub-period of Satya-yuga in the Kali-yuga age we are presently in.
In Stephen Knapp's book "The Vedic Prophecies: A New Look Into The Future" , he writes on page 21-The Padma Purana (7।26.15-17) elaborates that "in Kali-yuga, which is the abode of sins, everyone is involved in sinful activities. They censure the Vedas, or spiritual truths, and engage in gambling andstealing. Brahmanas will act fraudulently for a livelihood. Everyone will be addicted to women, sex, and intoxicating liquors. They will be stealing others' wealth. Heretics and atheists will become prominent. Men will possess little luster and will be wrathful, greedy, untruthful, and be filled with jealousy, pride, anger, deceit, and malice."
This could be the reason why the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita is the most read spiritual book in the East।
According to most historians Kali-yuga started after Krishna died some 5,000 years ago. This could be the reason why the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita is the most read spiritual book in the East. It sets the tone for how the guru/disciple relationship works in the dark age such as Kali-yuga. In such a dark age it is no wonder that there is such a need to have a teacher of light (guru) to guide humanity. With so many mosquitoes available and very few light bulbs, the guru becomes the central energy source of pure white light that could elevate others to a higher state of awareness that is almost absent in humanity as a whole. The average age in Kali-yuga is 100 years if you're lucky. In Dvapara-yuga it is 1,000 years old. In Treta-yuga it is 10,000 years old. In Satya-yuga you could live to be 100,000 years old in perfect health.To write about each yuga in detail would be lengthy. I recommend Stephen Knapp's book mentioned earlier for detailed information regarding the subject of yugas. It is obvious from my description of Kali-yuga that a teacher of enlightenment is needed and very rare in this dark age. However, I am always happy to mention the light at the end of the tunnel. According to most authors who are experts on the subject of yugas, we are entering a sub-period of Satya-yuga which will last 10,000 years. According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who is the founder of the TM organization, we have entered this sub-period in July of 2005. Guru purnama is a yearly celebration of the guru every July on the full moon. The full moon in July of 2005 according to Maharishi is the start of the 10,000 year cycle of a sub-period of Satya-yuga in the Kali-yuga age we are presently in.
The Healer Par Excellence
Dr.K Sudhakar of Hyderabad was a confirmed diabetic patient since 18 years and was under treatment for the same. In 1990, he had an abscess on his right foot, which did not heal in spite of antibiotic injections and application of ointments.
There is no disease greater than a sinful body, and no doctor greater than Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
He was admitted in hospital and finally it was decided that his foot had to be amputated lest gangrene might develop and spread to the upper portion of his leg। The writer who had recorded all the facts of this article, in his usual daily meditation got a message from Sri Sai Baba in which the profile of the patient was shown, with the advice that he would not be cured in the hospital and therefore he should immediately go home. Baba also prescribed a mixer of Bilwapatris, Tulasipatra and Sharadaparta juice being applied on the wound. Upon hearing this, the patient got discharged and followed Baba"s medicine. Miraculously his wound got completely healed in two weeks!
The writer himself had once suffered a heart attack and was admitted in the hospital, in May 1998. The doctors after all the tests diagnosed that all the three valves i.e. Aortic, Mistral and Pulmonary, were not functioning and due to this there was no sufficient blood circulation to the heart. At this juncture a by-pass surgery was not possible. A list of medicines to be taken daily had been prescribed. Later in one of the messages, Baba said that the diagnosis of the doctors had been wrong and that it was Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and prescribed some medicine for this disease !Sri V Narayana Rao of Hyderabad said that his son was admitted in the Gandhi Hospital at Secundrabad, fearing that he was developing brain fever. A doctor examined his son and wrote on the case sheet that the disease was not brain fever. He wondered that it was unusual for a doctor to write that way. Further more how could he read his mind?! He thought that Sri Sai Baba had appeared as the doctor to relieved him of his tension. His son meanwhile in a semiconscious state had been chanting ‘Sai Ram".The next day the fever subsided. The cure for this disease was the mantra 'Sai Ram', recited by the patient. There are innumerable miracles performed by Baba even after His Mahasamadhi. These experiences of devotees confirm that Sri Sai Baba is still living with us and guiding us in every affair. There is no disease greater than a sinful body, and no doctor greater than Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
There is no disease greater than a sinful body, and no doctor greater than Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
He was admitted in hospital and finally it was decided that his foot had to be amputated lest gangrene might develop and spread to the upper portion of his leg। The writer who had recorded all the facts of this article, in his usual daily meditation got a message from Sri Sai Baba in which the profile of the patient was shown, with the advice that he would not be cured in the hospital and therefore he should immediately go home. Baba also prescribed a mixer of Bilwapatris, Tulasipatra and Sharadaparta juice being applied on the wound. Upon hearing this, the patient got discharged and followed Baba"s medicine. Miraculously his wound got completely healed in two weeks!
The writer himself had once suffered a heart attack and was admitted in the hospital, in May 1998. The doctors after all the tests diagnosed that all the three valves i.e. Aortic, Mistral and Pulmonary, were not functioning and due to this there was no sufficient blood circulation to the heart. At this juncture a by-pass surgery was not possible. A list of medicines to be taken daily had been prescribed. Later in one of the messages, Baba said that the diagnosis of the doctors had been wrong and that it was Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and prescribed some medicine for this disease !Sri V Narayana Rao of Hyderabad said that his son was admitted in the Gandhi Hospital at Secundrabad, fearing that he was developing brain fever. A doctor examined his son and wrote on the case sheet that the disease was not brain fever. He wondered that it was unusual for a doctor to write that way. Further more how could he read his mind?! He thought that Sri Sai Baba had appeared as the doctor to relieved him of his tension. His son meanwhile in a semiconscious state had been chanting ‘Sai Ram".The next day the fever subsided. The cure for this disease was the mantra 'Sai Ram', recited by the patient. There are innumerable miracles performed by Baba even after His Mahasamadhi. These experiences of devotees confirm that Sri Sai Baba is still living with us and guiding us in every affair. There is no disease greater than a sinful body, and no doctor greater than Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi.
Thiru Alangudi-To Dispel The Darkness
The etymology of the Sanskrit word 'Guru' in Hinduism is very interesting। Of the word 'Guru', 'gu' stands for 'darkness' and 'ru' for 'dispeller' thus arriving at the meaning as the dispeller of darkness.Guru is the one who leads one from illusion to illumination by imparting the knowledge of the absolute reality. He is the helmsman who aids in ferrying across the ocean of worldly maladies safely securing one in His blissful benediction of self realization. The worship of 'Guru' facilitates in attaining the material goals to deliver one from the delusion of desires and to lead one to the path of spirituality. The word 'Guru' is a general term and Dakshinamurthy, a form of Shiva in the Hindu tradition of 'Saivam' is worshipped as Guru.
The Legend
Thiru Alangudi, the popular shrine for the worship of Guru or Dashinamurthy in Tamil Nadu lies 17km from the temple city of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the shrine is Lord Shiva bearing the name of Aaabathsagaayeswara or Aranyeswara. Goddess Parvati here is worshipped as Umai Ammai or Elavarkuzali. Once when the Devas and the Asuras in a combined effort tried to churn the celestial ocean, 'Parkadal'. They used the the celestial snake 'Vasuki' as the rope and the mount 'Mandara' as the rod to procure the celestial elixir. The snake emanated deadly poison which the Lord swallowed to safeguard the universe। Hence Lord Shiva is fondly hailed as 'Aaabathsagayeswara', meaning 'saviour' for having consumed the poison (Aalaala Visham) and the place came to be known as 'Alangudi'।
An interesting episode in the life of Sundaramurthy Nayanar also marks the significance for addressing the Lord as 'Aaabathsagaayeswara'। It is said that the Lord extended His grace in saving the life of Sundramurthy Nayanar who tried to ferry across the river Vettaru which was in spate while opting to reach Alangudi to worship the lord at the cost of his life. Sundaramurthy Nayanar then received spiritual initiation by Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurthy or Guru in this shrine.
"It is believed that one who has acquired the blessings for fourteen generations could step into this temple for worship"
Alangudi is also known as 'Thirumana Mangalam' as Goddess Parvati after an arduous penance sought the hand of the Lord in marriage in Alangudi। Kasi Aranyam and Thiru Erumpoolai are the other names of Alangudi. Another significance of the temple is attributed to Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped as 'Kalangaamal kaatha Vinayagar' ( the Lord who was steadfast in saving the devotees) for having slain the vicious 'Gajamuhasura' who was a great threat to the Devas.Apar, Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandhar, the three important Nayanmars have sung the praise of the Lord of Alangudi. There fifteen 'theerthams'(wate bodies) around the temple of which 'Amritha Pushkarini' is the noted one. Poolai is the sthala viruksham( the tree associated with the temple )
Significance Of 'Guru' Worship In AlangudiIt is believed that one who has acquired the blessings for fourteen generations could step into this temple for worship. Alangudi is the most popular 'Parihara Sthalam' ( Temple for rectification ) for appeasing Guru Bhagavan for malefic effects of the planet Guru or Jupiter and other Jupiter related issues in one's horoscope. The worship of Dakshinamurthy in this shrine would confer longevity, progeny, fame and wealth on the worshipper. The story of the redemption of a king, Musukuntha Chakravarthi from his sins for beheading his minister Amuthokar, a devotee of Lord Shiva is the standing example of the mercy of the Lord towards the sinners. Musukuntha Charavarthy is believed to have worshipped 'Dakshinamurthy' in Alangudi for his redemption. It is also believed that Amuthokar was the one who had constructed the temple in Alangudi.Method Of WorshipThe worshipper is instructed to light 24 lamps with ghee and circumambulate the temple 24 times.Worship of the Lord during Gurupeyarchi ( Transit of the planet 'Guru' every year ) and festivals associated with Gurupeyarchi, worship on Thursdays, 1008 Conch Abisheka festival, Chitra Poornima and the Car festival are the important events celebrated with the view to gain the blessings of Dakshinamurthy.Hence let us incur the blessings of the Lord Of Alangudi for the fulfillment of our lives.
The Legend
Thiru Alangudi, the popular shrine for the worship of Guru or Dashinamurthy in Tamil Nadu lies 17km from the temple city of Kumbakonam. The presiding deity of the shrine is Lord Shiva bearing the name of Aaabathsagaayeswara or Aranyeswara. Goddess Parvati here is worshipped as Umai Ammai or Elavarkuzali. Once when the Devas and the Asuras in a combined effort tried to churn the celestial ocean, 'Parkadal'. They used the the celestial snake 'Vasuki' as the rope and the mount 'Mandara' as the rod to procure the celestial elixir. The snake emanated deadly poison which the Lord swallowed to safeguard the universe। Hence Lord Shiva is fondly hailed as 'Aaabathsagayeswara', meaning 'saviour' for having consumed the poison (Aalaala Visham) and the place came to be known as 'Alangudi'।
An interesting episode in the life of Sundaramurthy Nayanar also marks the significance for addressing the Lord as 'Aaabathsagaayeswara'। It is said that the Lord extended His grace in saving the life of Sundramurthy Nayanar who tried to ferry across the river Vettaru which was in spate while opting to reach Alangudi to worship the lord at the cost of his life. Sundaramurthy Nayanar then received spiritual initiation by Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurthy or Guru in this shrine.
"It is believed that one who has acquired the blessings for fourteen generations could step into this temple for worship"
Alangudi is also known as 'Thirumana Mangalam' as Goddess Parvati after an arduous penance sought the hand of the Lord in marriage in Alangudi। Kasi Aranyam and Thiru Erumpoolai are the other names of Alangudi. Another significance of the temple is attributed to Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped as 'Kalangaamal kaatha Vinayagar' ( the Lord who was steadfast in saving the devotees) for having slain the vicious 'Gajamuhasura' who was a great threat to the Devas.Apar, Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandhar, the three important Nayanmars have sung the praise of the Lord of Alangudi. There fifteen 'theerthams'(wate bodies) around the temple of which 'Amritha Pushkarini' is the noted one. Poolai is the sthala viruksham( the tree associated with the temple )
Significance Of 'Guru' Worship In AlangudiIt is believed that one who has acquired the blessings for fourteen generations could step into this temple for worship. Alangudi is the most popular 'Parihara Sthalam' ( Temple for rectification ) for appeasing Guru Bhagavan for malefic effects of the planet Guru or Jupiter and other Jupiter related issues in one's horoscope. The worship of Dakshinamurthy in this shrine would confer longevity, progeny, fame and wealth on the worshipper. The story of the redemption of a king, Musukuntha Chakravarthi from his sins for beheading his minister Amuthokar, a devotee of Lord Shiva is the standing example of the mercy of the Lord towards the sinners. Musukuntha Charavarthy is believed to have worshipped 'Dakshinamurthy' in Alangudi for his redemption. It is also believed that Amuthokar was the one who had constructed the temple in Alangudi.Method Of WorshipThe worshipper is instructed to light 24 lamps with ghee and circumambulate the temple 24 times.Worship of the Lord during Gurupeyarchi ( Transit of the planet 'Guru' every year ) and festivals associated with Gurupeyarchi, worship on Thursdays, 1008 Conch Abisheka festival, Chitra Poornima and the Car festival are the important events celebrated with the view to gain the blessings of Dakshinamurthy.Hence let us incur the blessings of the Lord Of Alangudi for the fulfillment of our lives.
'Practice', The Path To Peace
Sathya Sai spoke of the importance of Sadhana ( spiritual practice ) to Prof।Kasturi. “Sadhna is essential pre-requisite. You were a professor for a long time. So you can easily understand this. You must have evaluated the answer scripts of many students. You assign marks only after careful scrutiny, to discover how diligent they have been in their studies. I also measure and weight the sincerity and steadiness's of the sadhna in accordance with your progress".Many are not aware that the misery in which they find themselves can be negated by sadhna and the sankapla that can be won through it.
Sankaracharya describes the divine task master as "Ahethuka" daya sindu."...The embodiment of inexhaustible compassion which does not examine credentials. Measuring and weighting Sadhana in order to measure out our Sankalpa is operative only after His Grace has led the straying steps into the fold.
Many are not aware that the misery in which they find themselves can be negated by sadhna and the sankapla.
Baba had announced to the world, through a letter to His elder brother, that He had decided to "hold by hand" and save the unfortunate who miss the road to 'Freedom from fear'. 'Abhaya in defied in the Upanishads with the very 'Moksha' as when one attains Moksha he is untouched by any fear.
Sankaracharya describes the divine task master as "Ahethuka" daya sindu."...The embodiment of inexhaustible compassion which does not examine credentials. Measuring and weighting Sadhana in order to measure out our Sankalpa is operative only after His Grace has led the straying steps into the fold.
Many are not aware that the misery in which they find themselves can be negated by sadhna and the sankapla.
Baba had announced to the world, through a letter to His elder brother, that He had decided to "hold by hand" and save the unfortunate who miss the road to 'Freedom from fear'. 'Abhaya in defied in the Upanishads with the very 'Moksha' as when one attains Moksha he is untouched by any fear.
Variety in Upadesh
Sai Baba required no special place, nor any special time forgiving instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded, He gave them freely. Once it so happened that a Bhakta of Baba, reviled another behind his back, before other people. Leaving aside the merits, he dwelt on the faults of his brother, and spoke so sarcastically, that the hearers were disgusted. Generally, we see that people have a tendency to scandalize others, unnecessarily; and this brings on hatred and ill-will. Saints see scandal, in another light. They say that there are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz by means of earth, water and soap etc., but a scandal-monger has got a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue; so in a way, obliges the person, whom he reviles and for this he is to be thanked.
Sai Baba had his own method of correcting the scandal-monger. He knew by his omniscience what the slanderer had done and when He met him at noon near the Lendi, Baba pointed out to him a pig that was eating filth near the fence and said to him - "Behold how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit, you are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help you in any way?" Needless to say, that the Bhakta took the lesson to his heart, and went away.
Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited
In this way Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary. If these are borne in our minds and acted upon, the spiritual goal (realization) is not far off. There is a proverb which says - "If there be my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot." This proverb is only true in respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this, sits quiet and does nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost for attaining self-realization. The more he endeavours, the better for him.Sai Ram. In a way, what Shri Hemadpant wrote above is very true, but it is very difficult to actually sit and do nothing! And it is easy for an idle mind to become a devil's workshop and thus drive the person to mischief including criticizing others, forgetting that they too are children of the same God.Shri Hari will definitely take care of a devotee who indeed does nothing, but to reach that stage, one has to first do good things. It is good to remember Shri Adi Shankara's Bhaja Govinda Stotram: Satsangatve nissangatvam, nissangatve nirmohatvam, nirmohatve nischala tattvam, nischala tatve, jeevan muktih, Bhaja Govindam....Out of good company (good deeds), comes detachment, out of detachment comes freedom from illusion, out of that comes a steady mind and a steady mind leads to liberation while still in the physical body. So worship and chant Govinda....Sai Ram. All Saints and Sadgurus teach the same thing in different forms to suit the occasions. Sai Ram.Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited. To remove the misunderstanding of those, who thought that Baba was only His body three cubits and a half in length, He incarnated Himself in this form and if any devotee meditated on Him day and night with complete self-surrender, he experienced complete union (without any difference) with Him like sweetness and sugar, waves and sea, eye and its luster. He, who wants to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths, should lead a righteous life, with his mind calm and composed. He should always engage himself in good actions, should do his duties and surrender himself, heart and soul to Him. He need not then be afraid of anything. He who trusts Him entirely, hears and expounds His leelas and does not think of anything else, is sure to attain Self-realization.
Baba asked many to remember His name and to surrender to Him, but to those, who wanted to know who they were ('Who am I' enquiry), He advised Shravanam (study) and Mananam (meditation)। To some, He advised remembering God's name, to others hearing His leelas, to some worship of His Feet, to others reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other sacred scriptures. Some He made sit near His Feet, some He sent to Khandoba's temple, and some He advised the repetition of the thousands names of Vishnu and some the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta.
There were no limit, nor restriction to Baba's instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by vision in dreams. To one addicted to drink, He appeared in his dream, sat on his chest, pressed it and left him, after he gave a promise not to touch liquor anymore. To some, He explained some Mantras like 'Gurur Brahma' in dreams. To some devotees, who were practising Hath-Yoga, He sent word that he should give up Hath-Yoga practices, sit quiet and wait (Saburi). It is impossible to describe all His ways and methods. In ordinary worldly dealings, He set examples by His actions, one of which is given below.
There were no limit to Baba's instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by vision in dreams.
Sai Ram। The roads are many but the goal is the same. The paths are many but the destination is same. That is the union of the Jeevatma with the Paramatma, the individual soul with the Universal Soul, the water drop with the ocean. Sai Ram. Remuneration for LabourOne day at noon, Baba came near Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and said - "Bring me a ladder." Some men brought it and set it against a house as directed by Baba. He climbed up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house, passed the roof of Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and then got down from the other corner. What object Baba had, none could know.Sai Ram. And when Baba did not will it, none of His disciples or devotees including Shama, Tatya Kote Patil etc., could think of asking Him.Radha-Krishna-Mai was, at that time, shivering with Malaria. It may be to drive off that fever, that He may have gone there. Immediately after getting down, Baba paid rupees two to the persons who brought the ladder. Somebody asked Baba, why he paid so much for this. He replied that nobody should take the labour of others, in vain. The worker should be paid, his dues promptly and liberally.Sai Ram. It is always better to pay liberally. The recipient feels obliged and will come gladly the next time for the giver's requests. Also, Baba was indicating that karmic debts should be settled as fast as possible.Sai Ram. We have come to the end of a wonderfully rich chapter. In the next issue, we will take up another great chapter, where Baba explains to Sri Dasa Ganu Maharaj, the essence of Isa Upanishad. Sai Ram.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
By: Venkateswara Swamy Swarna
Sai Baba had his own method of correcting the scandal-monger. He knew by his omniscience what the slanderer had done and when He met him at noon near the Lendi, Baba pointed out to him a pig that was eating filth near the fence and said to him - "Behold how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit, you are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help you in any way?" Needless to say, that the Bhakta took the lesson to his heart, and went away.
Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited
In this way Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary. If these are borne in our minds and acted upon, the spiritual goal (realization) is not far off. There is a proverb which says - "If there be my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot." This proverb is only true in respect of food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this, sits quiet and does nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost for attaining self-realization. The more he endeavours, the better for him.Sai Ram. In a way, what Shri Hemadpant wrote above is very true, but it is very difficult to actually sit and do nothing! And it is easy for an idle mind to become a devil's workshop and thus drive the person to mischief including criticizing others, forgetting that they too are children of the same God.Shri Hari will definitely take care of a devotee who indeed does nothing, but to reach that stage, one has to first do good things. It is good to remember Shri Adi Shankara's Bhaja Govinda Stotram: Satsangatve nissangatvam, nissangatve nirmohatvam, nirmohatve nischala tattvam, nischala tatve, jeevan muktih, Bhaja Govindam....Out of good company (good deeds), comes detachment, out of detachment comes freedom from illusion, out of that comes a steady mind and a steady mind leads to liberation while still in the physical body. So worship and chant Govinda....Sai Ram. All Saints and Sadgurus teach the same thing in different forms to suit the occasions. Sai Ram.Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited. To remove the misunderstanding of those, who thought that Baba was only His body three cubits and a half in length, He incarnated Himself in this form and if any devotee meditated on Him day and night with complete self-surrender, he experienced complete union (without any difference) with Him like sweetness and sugar, waves and sea, eye and its luster. He, who wants to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths, should lead a righteous life, with his mind calm and composed. He should always engage himself in good actions, should do his duties and surrender himself, heart and soul to Him. He need not then be afraid of anything. He who trusts Him entirely, hears and expounds His leelas and does not think of anything else, is sure to attain Self-realization.
Baba asked many to remember His name and to surrender to Him, but to those, who wanted to know who they were ('Who am I' enquiry), He advised Shravanam (study) and Mananam (meditation)। To some, He advised remembering God's name, to others hearing His leelas, to some worship of His Feet, to others reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other sacred scriptures. Some He made sit near His Feet, some He sent to Khandoba's temple, and some He advised the repetition of the thousands names of Vishnu and some the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta.
There were no limit, nor restriction to Baba's instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by vision in dreams. To one addicted to drink, He appeared in his dream, sat on his chest, pressed it and left him, after he gave a promise not to touch liquor anymore. To some, He explained some Mantras like 'Gurur Brahma' in dreams. To some devotees, who were practising Hath-Yoga, He sent word that he should give up Hath-Yoga practices, sit quiet and wait (Saburi). It is impossible to describe all His ways and methods. In ordinary worldly dealings, He set examples by His actions, one of which is given below.
There were no limit to Baba's instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by vision in dreams.
Sai Ram। The roads are many but the goal is the same. The paths are many but the destination is same. That is the union of the Jeevatma with the Paramatma, the individual soul with the Universal Soul, the water drop with the ocean. Sai Ram. Remuneration for LabourOne day at noon, Baba came near Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and said - "Bring me a ladder." Some men brought it and set it against a house as directed by Baba. He climbed up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house, passed the roof of Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and then got down from the other corner. What object Baba had, none could know.Sai Ram. And when Baba did not will it, none of His disciples or devotees including Shama, Tatya Kote Patil etc., could think of asking Him.Radha-Krishna-Mai was, at that time, shivering with Malaria. It may be to drive off that fever, that He may have gone there. Immediately after getting down, Baba paid rupees two to the persons who brought the ladder. Somebody asked Baba, why he paid so much for this. He replied that nobody should take the labour of others, in vain. The worker should be paid, his dues promptly and liberally.Sai Ram. It is always better to pay liberally. The recipient feels obliged and will come gladly the next time for the giver's requests. Also, Baba was indicating that karmic debts should be settled as fast as possible.Sai Ram. We have come to the end of a wonderfully rich chapter. In the next issue, we will take up another great chapter, where Baba explains to Sri Dasa Ganu Maharaj, the essence of Isa Upanishad. Sai Ram.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
By: Venkateswara Swamy Swarna
Baba's Advice Regarding our Behaviour
The following words of Baba are general and invaluable. If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do you good. "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them, with due respect.
Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants
any money from you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog.Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you.
he heard a beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba.
Sai Ram. Sai is asking us to leave the idea of doership and adopt the stage of an aware witness and remain steadfast and unshaken by events taking place. These are the traits or attributes of a Sthitha Prajna, Para Brahman and the enlightened Sage. Sai Ram.Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me; and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible.Sai Ram. A beautiful description of duality. The One becomes two to become One yet again. Yoga is union, of the individual ego with the Universal Consciousness, just as the water drop unites with the water in the ocean. Sai Ram."Allah Malik" i.e. God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart's desires. It is on account of Rinanubandh (former relationship) that we have come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy. He, who attain the supreme goal of life, is immortal and happy; all others merely exist, i.e., live so long as they breathe".Encouraging Good Thoughts of FruitionIt is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good thoughts. You have to surrender yourself completely to Him with love, and devotion, and then you will see how, He helps you, off and on, in so many things. Some Saint has said, that when you get a good thought, immediately after awakening from sleep, and if you develop the same afterwards during the day, your intellect will be unfolded and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant wanted to try this. On one Wednesday night before going to bed, he thought - "To-morrow is Thursday - an auspicious day and the place, viz. Shirdi, is so holy; so let me pass the whole day in remembering and chanting the Rama-nama, and then he slept. Next morning when he got up he remembered without any effort the name of Rama and was much pleased.Hemadpant then, after finishing his morning duties, went to see Baba with flowers. When he left Dixit's Wada, and was just passing Booty's Wada (present Samadhi-mandir) he heard a beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba. The song was Guru - kripanjan payo mere bhai" etc. by Ekanath, in which he says that he got collyrium in the form of Guru's grace which opened his vision and made him see Rama, in and out, in sleep, dream, and waking state and everywhere. There were so many songs; and why was this song particularly chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? Is this not a curious coincidence arranged by Baba to feed the determination of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly Rama-nama, during the day?Sai Ram. He has helped me too with this particular mantra out of the many. All His names are effective in liberating us from our bondage of attachment to our worldly desires. Sai Ram. All Saints agree and lay stress upon the efficacy of uttering Rama's (God's) name, in fulfilling the ambitions of the Bhaktas and in protecting and saving them from all calamities.
By: Venkateswara Swami Swarna
Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants
any money from you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him, like a dog.Let anybody speak hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you.
he heard a beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba.
Sai Ram. Sai is asking us to leave the idea of doership and adopt the stage of an aware witness and remain steadfast and unshaken by events taking place. These are the traits or attributes of a Sthitha Prajna, Para Brahman and the enlightened Sage. Sai Ram.Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me; and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and thou, is the barrier that keeps away the disciple from his Master, and unless that is destroyed the state of union or atonement is not possible.Sai Ram. A beautiful description of duality. The One becomes two to become One yet again. Yoga is union, of the individual ego with the Universal Consciousness, just as the water drop unites with the water in the ocean. Sai Ram."Allah Malik" i.e. God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart's desires. It is on account of Rinanubandh (former relationship) that we have come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy. He, who attain the supreme goal of life, is immortal and happy; all others merely exist, i.e., live so long as they breathe".Encouraging Good Thoughts of FruitionIt is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good thoughts. You have to surrender yourself completely to Him with love, and devotion, and then you will see how, He helps you, off and on, in so many things. Some Saint has said, that when you get a good thought, immediately after awakening from sleep, and if you develop the same afterwards during the day, your intellect will be unfolded and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant wanted to try this. On one Wednesday night before going to bed, he thought - "To-morrow is Thursday - an auspicious day and the place, viz. Shirdi, is so holy; so let me pass the whole day in remembering and chanting the Rama-nama, and then he slept. Next morning when he got up he remembered without any effort the name of Rama and was much pleased.Hemadpant then, after finishing his morning duties, went to see Baba with flowers. When he left Dixit's Wada, and was just passing Booty's Wada (present Samadhi-mandir) he heard a beautiful song that was being sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar, in the Masjid before Baba. The song was Guru - kripanjan payo mere bhai" etc. by Ekanath, in which he says that he got collyrium in the form of Guru's grace which opened his vision and made him see Rama, in and out, in sleep, dream, and waking state and everywhere. There were so many songs; and why was this song particularly chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? Is this not a curious coincidence arranged by Baba to feed the determination of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly Rama-nama, during the day?Sai Ram. He has helped me too with this particular mantra out of the many. All His names are effective in liberating us from our bondage of attachment to our worldly desires. Sai Ram. All Saints agree and lay stress upon the efficacy of uttering Rama's (God's) name, in fulfilling the ambitions of the Bhaktas and in protecting and saving them from all calamities.
By: Venkateswara Swami Swarna
Union Of The Jeevatma With The Paramatma
When I wanted to submit this article, I found that it would be published under Yoga-Spirituality। So, I first thought of requesting the editor to change the last part of the link from yoga to spirituality to differentiate it from yoga, which is more concerned with asanas, yama, niyama, pranayam etc., but then realised that the goal of spirituality and yoga is one and the same, that is. union of the jeevatma with the paramatma, the part realising its oneness with the whole, the ego willing to play its role in the drama of life. So, I felt that no change is needed. Many times we talk of Spirituality. What exactly do we mean by that? Let us try to approach this question from the point of view of science.We can very well understand when we talk of a physical world. We can hear, see, smell, taste and touch something. We talk of it being a solid, liquid or a gas. We can touch a solid, smell it if it has a smell, taste it if it has a taste, we see it as having a definite size and shape. We can impact it with another solid and hear the sound of impact. Thus a solid can be sensed by all five sense organs. Sai Ram.When it comes to the liquid, we can certainly see it but with an important difference - it has no size or shape except as defined by a container. It may have a smell and it may have a taste too. It certainly makes a splashing or sloshing sound when moved in the container. Even a dynamic body of liquid like a river makes sound as the water ripples along and meets other solid bodies or when it is separated from itself and then meets itself like a water fall. We can certainly touch the liquid, though it may be difficult in case of mercury and dangerous like in case of corrosive acids. But with suitable precautions, it is possible.
Now let us see vapor state and gaseous state. The difference between a vapor and a gas is that in the case of a vapor it is in contact with the liquid. If the vapor is sufficiently heated, it becomes gas. We cannot see all vapors and gases directly, but we can see them indirectly. We can smell them, taste them (most of the gases don't have a taste but some like carbon dioxide react with water and produce carbonic acid, which gives a characteristic taste to the soda and when oxygen is driven off by boiling water and cooling it without much aeration, it tastes flat) and touch them indirectly (when a breeze blows, we feel it).One important difference between a liquid and a gas/vapor needs to be understood at this point. Though both are classified as fluid (flowing, not having a definite shape and so ever changing), liquids do have a definite density at a given temperature. So a given quantity of a liquid will occupy a definite volume at a particular temperature. Even if we provide a larger volume than that needed, the liquid doesn't flow to fill the total volume. But a few molecules will escape from the liquid surface and form the vapor above that surface. Of course, some of those molecules get kicked back or pulled back into the liquid and some other molecules escape in their place. This is called a dynamic equilibrium. The temperature and the vapor pressure of a liquid, will determine how much part of the liquid will evaporate Alcohol, which is called the rectified spirit has a high rate of evaporation at the room temperature. When the doctor or nurse rubs your shoulder with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol preparatory to injection, you will normally feel cool. That is because the alcohol absorbs heat from your skin for evaporation and that results in a local lowering of your body temperature.So, now it is easy to see what is meant by a spirit. A spirit is a liquid that evaporates easily. Since the rate of evaporation of a liquid at a given temperature is proportional to the average velocity of its molecules and is inversely proportional to the binding force between two molecules of the liquid, it is clear that a liquid with low boiling point, low surface tension will evaporate faster and the vapor pressure will be higher.Another meaning of the word spirit is that it refers to astral entities who may be visible but who can't be touched, for example, ghosts etc. They are lighter, more transparent and can penetrate between the spaces that are impervious to thicker bodies like our normal bodies. So, spiritual means light, less dense.Vapors of a substance are also less dense compared to a solid or liquid and the vapors can penetrate through small crevices which a solid or liquid cannot enter. So, the vapor has better penetrating ability, and thus indirectly better means of knowing things not seen or touched by heavier, denser bodies.If left open, the vapor from a vessel containing a liquid will go on rising and mix with air or if left in space vacuum, will continue to expand outwards forever. Thus a spiritual person tries to expand his consciousness further and further.A person who is all the time attached to his body and its surroundings - a person who is attached to physical comforts, sensual pleasures - see how we are connecting philosophical concepts of a person with scientific concepts discussed above - is not considered spiritual. A person, who feels tied down by these bonds - a person who wants to liberate himself from these bonds - is said to be spiritual.Spirituality expresses itself in several ways - a strong desire in the other worlds, a strong interest in ghosts and other phantoms, a strong interest in study of palmistry astrology and other occult sciences - a strong desire for astral travel - a deep interest in religion, psychology and other behavioral sciences and of course also through a strong interest in philosophy (literally meaning love of knowledge) - physics and other sciences all being branches of philosophy and study of Vedanta etc.
By: Swarna.Venkateswara Swamy
Now let us see vapor state and gaseous state. The difference between a vapor and a gas is that in the case of a vapor it is in contact with the liquid. If the vapor is sufficiently heated, it becomes gas. We cannot see all vapors and gases directly, but we can see them indirectly. We can smell them, taste them (most of the gases don't have a taste but some like carbon dioxide react with water and produce carbonic acid, which gives a characteristic taste to the soda and when oxygen is driven off by boiling water and cooling it without much aeration, it tastes flat) and touch them indirectly (when a breeze blows, we feel it).One important difference between a liquid and a gas/vapor needs to be understood at this point. Though both are classified as fluid (flowing, not having a definite shape and so ever changing), liquids do have a definite density at a given temperature. So a given quantity of a liquid will occupy a definite volume at a particular temperature. Even if we provide a larger volume than that needed, the liquid doesn't flow to fill the total volume. But a few molecules will escape from the liquid surface and form the vapor above that surface. Of course, some of those molecules get kicked back or pulled back into the liquid and some other molecules escape in their place. This is called a dynamic equilibrium. The temperature and the vapor pressure of a liquid, will determine how much part of the liquid will evaporate Alcohol, which is called the rectified spirit has a high rate of evaporation at the room temperature. When the doctor or nurse rubs your shoulder with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol preparatory to injection, you will normally feel cool. That is because the alcohol absorbs heat from your skin for evaporation and that results in a local lowering of your body temperature.So, now it is easy to see what is meant by a spirit. A spirit is a liquid that evaporates easily. Since the rate of evaporation of a liquid at a given temperature is proportional to the average velocity of its molecules and is inversely proportional to the binding force between two molecules of the liquid, it is clear that a liquid with low boiling point, low surface tension will evaporate faster and the vapor pressure will be higher.Another meaning of the word spirit is that it refers to astral entities who may be visible but who can't be touched, for example, ghosts etc. They are lighter, more transparent and can penetrate between the spaces that are impervious to thicker bodies like our normal bodies. So, spiritual means light, less dense.Vapors of a substance are also less dense compared to a solid or liquid and the vapors can penetrate through small crevices which a solid or liquid cannot enter. So, the vapor has better penetrating ability, and thus indirectly better means of knowing things not seen or touched by heavier, denser bodies.If left open, the vapor from a vessel containing a liquid will go on rising and mix with air or if left in space vacuum, will continue to expand outwards forever. Thus a spiritual person tries to expand his consciousness further and further.A person who is all the time attached to his body and its surroundings - a person who is attached to physical comforts, sensual pleasures - see how we are connecting philosophical concepts of a person with scientific concepts discussed above - is not considered spiritual. A person, who feels tied down by these bonds - a person who wants to liberate himself from these bonds - is said to be spiritual.Spirituality expresses itself in several ways - a strong desire in the other worlds, a strong interest in ghosts and other phantoms, a strong interest in study of palmistry astrology and other occult sciences - a strong desire for astral travel - a deep interest in religion, psychology and other behavioral sciences and of course also through a strong interest in philosophy (literally meaning love of knowledge) - physics and other sciences all being branches of philosophy and study of Vedanta etc.
By: Swarna.Venkateswara Swamy
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Letting go of the past
Our lives are weighed down with past memories and expectations from the future. How can we let go of all that clutter and live life spontaneously? We feel burdened not because of our present but because of the past hanging around our neck like a heavy stone.
Osho gives some useful tips for separating psychological memories from the factual ones. It is good to remember that mere facts never burden us. The memory of our name or phone number is not a burden but a psychological memory of an insult or even a felicitation can become a hang up.
Interestingly, many of us tend to forget facts but we tend to remember and dwell upon psychological memories.
Osho points out, "Memory has technical uses. You have to know how to drive, you have to know where your home is, and you have to recognise your wife and your children. But those are not psychological hang-ups. Factual memory is useful. It enhances life, facilitates it. But if you come home and you look at your wife and think of all your past experiences with her then that is a psychological hang-up. If she was angry with you in the recent past, then that memory can cloud your eyes. If she was nasty or sad, then it too can colour your perception. Psychological impressions change your way of looking and perceiving her as she is standing in front of you at this moment. You are no longer looking at her but at someone who doesn't exist. You are looking at a ghost, not at your wife. And she may also be looking at you in the same way. Drop the past each moment. Just as you clean your house, clean your inner house of the past. All psychological memories have to be dropped. Just keep factual things and your mind will be very clean and clear."
Soon you will find that there is a new light in your life - the light of here-now, the Present.
Osho gives some useful tips for separating psychological memories from the factual ones. It is good to remember that mere facts never burden us. The memory of our name or phone number is not a burden but a psychological memory of an insult or even a felicitation can become a hang up.
Interestingly, many of us tend to forget facts but we tend to remember and dwell upon psychological memories.
Osho points out, "Memory has technical uses. You have to know how to drive, you have to know where your home is, and you have to recognise your wife and your children. But those are not psychological hang-ups. Factual memory is useful. It enhances life, facilitates it. But if you come home and you look at your wife and think of all your past experiences with her then that is a psychological hang-up. If she was angry with you in the recent past, then that memory can cloud your eyes. If she was nasty or sad, then it too can colour your perception. Psychological impressions change your way of looking and perceiving her as she is standing in front of you at this moment. You are no longer looking at her but at someone who doesn't exist. You are looking at a ghost, not at your wife. And she may also be looking at you in the same way. Drop the past each moment. Just as you clean your house, clean your inner house of the past. All psychological memories have to be dropped. Just keep factual things and your mind will be very clean and clear."
Soon you will find that there is a new light in your life - the light of here-now, the Present.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The three Devis and creative energy
Durga is one version of the all-pervading Shakti, the powerful manifestation of the Supreme Energy. The eternity of this supreme manifestation of divine female power is considered to be pervading infinite space and time. The everlasting and all-pervading Shakti also presides over the processes of creation, conservation and annihilation. Concepts of creation, preservation and annihilation are crucial as "many-body" operators in physics. Almost all physical systems are many-body systems. The smallest many-body entity is a physical system with only two constituents. Atoms, atomic nuclei, molecules, solids, liquids, gases and the universe constitute important physical many-body systems. We, too, live in many-body systems that include family, our society and the world. However, these are not studied as physical systems, although some enthusiastic students of the subject do show some interest in them. Maha Shakti or Supreme Energy is manifested chiefly in three forms: Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. The three devis represent three important facets of life: Creation, conservation and annihilation. Learning and wisdom play a far more important role than details of one's birth. Maha Saraswati stands for creation. The creative person who pursues knowledge and wisdom continues to live with the grace of Maha Lakshmi, who is responsible for the sustenance of life. Maha Lakshmi bestows her grace and bounty. Finally, Maha Kali, responsible for annihilation, completes the cycle. Physical energy has several forms. There are transformations among the different forms of energy. In the process, however, the indestructibility of the energy, and consequently matter, is not affected. The stability and functionality of different forms of energy and matter depend on the distribution of these in the atom, which is the source of all forms of energy and matter, the complete knowledge of which still remains elusive. This is also true with regard to the Universe. In spite of several propositions and expositions about the universe and its finiteness or infiniteness, the subject is still mysterious. This fact emphasises the boundless or infinite limits of knowledge. We are not bound by finite dimensions. We live free, and we are surrounded by infinite space, time and knowledge. It's all there, we only need to reflect on the metaphysics of it. Science is normally handled within only space time dimensions. With knowledge included, it becomes philosophy or metaphysics. Research in science is increasingly also revealing to us the infinite nature of knowledge: the more we know, the more there is to know and so on. What we might refer to as super-space is spanned by space, time and knowledge, all having both real and imaginary components; the imaginary components are the reciprocal or momentum space, frequency and ignorance respectively. That we are in this situation is not our doing. In this context, the concept of a Supreme Power is important. Philosophy and science have a common characteristic. Both are born of doubt and also evolve with creation of more doubts. Understanding the correlation between the seemingly contrasting aspects of science and philosophy is important in enabling further exploration of the mysteries and nature of space, time and knowledge.
G S TRIPATHI
G S TRIPATHI
Religion, rationality & development
The 'Ram sethu' controversy was highly avoidable. An issue, which should have been a simple one of a conflict between environment and economic development somehow got converted into one of religion versus development. Even more alarming, the central issue became one of the existence of a Hindu god! The government must be faulted for allowing such a strange turn of events especially as the last issue is still with the courts and (rightly so) unlikely to be resolved in my lifetime at least. Though the government did the right damage control, it is useful to consider some of the questions which were thrown up. Are religious beliefs rational? Is the "scientific" Sethusamudram project crucial for development? What happens if the two are in conflict? Let us look at these in turn. There is now a wealth of material on how to "objectivise" religion (The Probability of God - Stephen Unwin, Crown Forum, NY, 2003). The main theme seems to be the old one of science versus religion. Thus, can science explain all events? In particular, can science explain many of the "knife edge" observations on real life experiences? For example, why is water the only liquid whose density does not fall continuously as temperature increases? (If it did all sea life would cease to exist). There are many other "knife edge" problems. The answer seems to be not that science cannot explain such phenomena but that at this point we "do not know". Herein lies the clue to why faith in religion transcends all social, economic and geographical barriers. Economics defines "individual rationality" as the attempt to reach the highest level of satisfaction given existing knowledge. So, for an individual for whom life is coming crashing down around him (for example, due to poverty or a terminal illness) belief in something he cannot explain (and which will somehow get him through the crisis) may be an extremely "rational" calculus. In fact, given the imperfect world we live in, this "blind faith" may be crucial to social order. This is really the sense in which John Lennon sings the line paraphrased at the beginning of this article. As he implied, an individual may not have all the trappings of a religion and yet have faith in the unknown. Mr Karunanidhi's attempt to trivialise the "existence of Ram" debate was obviously an attempt to cater to the "Periyar lobby". But it raises the issue of what happens when faith and development conflict. But can we seriously "rationalise" something which is a matter of individual faith? Consider the two crucial events in the Christian calendar: Christmas and Easter. The first celebrates the birth of Christ: a perfectly rational scientific event. Yet the Christian faith itself is based on the second of the two events which symbolises the "resurrection" of Christ. We all know that India is a country with an excessive number of holidays. Can one then rationally argue that while Christmas is an understandable holiday, "good Friday" should be dropped since it derives its importance from the resurrection of Easter Sunday? This is a valid question when posed as a scientific query (how can the dead come to life?) but a foolish one when applied to the touchstone of faith in a religion. The reader can come up with any number of such arguments which can be advanced (a la Mr Karunanidhi) in the context of other religions and faiths. Yet, the celebration which a holiday symbolises is based on acceptance of the faith rather than the scientific validity of an associated event. And faith, as one has argued, is perfectly rational. How crucial is the Sethusamudram project? The main argument seems to be the time saving for ships which will no longer have to go around Sri Lanka in moving from the east coast to the west. While the ecological problems are still not clearly defined, the economic gains of the canal are not likely to be high. A look at maritime statistics indicates that shipping costs are now such a small part of the final price of most products that tariff barriers between countries (and within countries) are a greater deterrence to trade. The one month time saving is thus not likely to translate into substantial price advantages. The bottom line? If economic development is the objective then it is wisest to pose trade offs that we are familiar with: is the canal cost-effective and what are the environmental concerns? Yet, politicians seem to pitch the issue as one of 'scientific' rationality versus faith. This is a dangerous trend as faith is non-negotiable and the only casualty would be much needed development. Let us stay off what we only imperfectly comprehend. ( The author is professor, Centre for International Trade and Development, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University )
Why should nature be more natural?
Henry David Thoreau, the 19th century American transcendentalist famously embarked on a two-year course in simple living when he moved to a small self-built cabin in a forest. Thoreau regarded this sojourn as a noble experiment with a threefold purpose. First, he was escaping the de-humanising effects of the Industrial Revolution by returning to an earlier, agrarian lifestyle. Second, he had more leisure and recreational time. Third, and most important, he was putting into practice the transcendentalist belief that one can best transcend normality and experience the Ideal, or the Divine, through nature. It's hardly surprising therefore that Thoreau quickly became an icon for everybody who wanted "to get in touch" or "commune with nature." But what is it about nature that makes it more "natural" than, say, a city? If by nature we mean the material world along with the forces and processes that produce and control all its phenomenon - the laws of nature as it were - then surely a city also qualifies since it doesn't fall outside any of these laws. If by nature we mean just the world of living things, then too cities qualify. No, it's actually a third definition of nature - namely, a primitive state of existence, untouched and uninfluenced by civilisation - that people like to apply when they mean nature to be somehow qualitatively "better" than a city. Unfortunately, this definition comes into being only because civilisation has come into being. Otherwise, there's absolutely nothing primitive about it. Or, if there is, then every cave dwelling ancestor of ours would have to be transcending normality and experiencing the Ideal, or the Divine, all the time. So would those diminishing pockets of humanity which have largely remained cut off from civilisation and even today live in Stone Age conditions. Humans make cities like corals make reefs. For their purpose, neither is more - or less - elegant or functional than the other. The amazingly intricate arbour the bower bird makes to attract a mate is not greater or smaller in creative architecture than the extraordinary complex circuitry built inside a microprocessor. Therefore, why should any Ideal or Divine choose to be rapped with, only in the ambience of one set of artefacts and not the other? Especially if it created both in the first place? Or is it simply we who wield the knife of discrimination and do the choosing on absolutely arbitrary grounds? How humanising is that?
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