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SANDEHA NIVARINI SATHYA SAI BABA DISSOLVING DOUBTS
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Satisfied in undiluted constant Bliss, he is neither
grieved nor elated by sense-objects, is neither attached
nor averse to them, but always disports with the Self
and takes pleasure therein.
-Shankara, Vivekacudamani 532
Sri Radhe Radhe Radheshyam Govinda Radhe Sri Radhe!
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GOD: The Trinity and The Cosmos
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The tongue is the cause of prosperity or poverty. The tongue,
again, is or responsible for promoting friendship and kinship, for
attachment and bondage, and for death and liberation. lt is essential
to keep the tongue under control. The manner in which the tongue is
employed determines one's fame or ignominy. The tongue determines your
friendships and relationships. The entire creation is based on three
processes: Srishti (creation), Sthithi (sustenance) and Layam
(dissolution). The cosmos is kept going by these three processes
(Karmas) . Should there not be a director for these processes? You
cannot have in this world an action (Karma) without a doer (Kartha).
The doer and the deed go together. Who is the doer? What is this
action? What is the fruit of the action? lt is only when these three
are properly understood can the secret of creation be recognised.
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THREE DIVINE AGENCIES
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It is easy to criticise the Lord's "leelas" , but it is difficult to
understand their inner meaning. Our life should be devoted to
understanding the ways of the Lord. In this understanding, the first
aspect to be recognised is "Srishti" (creation of the cosmos). What is
involved in this process should be understood. For instance, if a giant
bridge has to be constructed, a large number of engineers and other
personnel are required. Besides a chief manager, there will have to be
engineers and men working under him. It is only their combined effort
that can build a bridge. In the same manner, for the creation,
protection and mergence of the cosmos, three principal agencies are
required. The principal authority responsible for creation is known
as Brahma. He is in charge of all that is related to creation. Next
comes protection. What has been created has to be fostered and
protected. The authority responsible for this function is called
Vishnu. After growth inevitably there comes the stage of dissolution.
There is an authority responsible for laying down the rules for
dissolution and enforcing those regulations. This authority is
called Easwara. Thus there are three authorities who share functionally
the responsibility for creation, protection and dissolution. There
must be someone who presides over these three functionaries, like the
Prime Minister in a Cabinet: Brahma, Vishnu and Easwara are presiding
deities for three different functions. There is a supreme authority
presiding over these three. This supreme authority was called by
Bharathiyas as "Bhagavan". Members of different faiths have given
different names to this authority. The term that is most widely used in
this context today is "God" . Bhagavan refers to the One who governs
all the three functions of creation, protection and dissolution.
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GOD AND THE COSMOS
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In the word "GOD"; you have three letters: G, 0, D. G refers to
"Generation" (or creation). "O" refers to "organisation" (that is,
keeping creation going). "D" stands for destruction. "GOD" combines the
three aspects of generation, organisation and destruction. When
people refer to God, they regard Brahma, Vishnu and Siva as each a God.
God is the one who wields authority over all the three. This Divine
entity pervades the entire universe in the form of atoms. "Subtle as
the atom, vast as the vastest in creation, the Atma pervades everything
as atom" (Telugu poem Swami sang). Hence, the Divine is called Atma.
This Atma pervades everything and is present everywhere. This
all-pervading Atma is the Eternal Witness. This role may be illustrated
by a simple eample: There is light here. There are some who are
reading under it, some who are sleeping, some who are talking and some
others who are moving about. The light has no connection with all
these different activities. The light is only a witness. Likewise, the
Sun is shining. Using the sunlight different people are carrying on
different activities. The sun is totally unaffected by either the
good or bad actions that are being done by different persons. Each is
accountable for his actions. But the sun shines as a witness to all
that is happening. Without the sun none of these actions is possible.
The sun is the agency that enables the actions to be done but He is not
the dispenser of the fruits of these actions. He is only a witness. The
doers have to reap the consequences of their actions. Brahma Vishnu
and Easwara are responsible enabling the actions to be done, furthering
their fruition and determining how the fruits should be enjoyed. These
three deities have to be propitiated for favours in these respects.
That is what has been done on Sivarathri night.
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PROPITIATING THE DEITIES
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How are they to be propitiated? The methods are indicated in the nine
forms of devotion : Sravanam (singing), Vishnusmarnam (Remembering the
Name), Vandanam (prostration), Archanam (worship of images),
Padasevanam (worship of the feet), Daasyam, (service) Sneham
(friendship), Atmanivedanam (total surrender).
Today we have to acquire the favours of these deities. With their
friendship, we can face any troubles just as, if we have friendship of
a person in power, we overcome troubles in life. These deities help to
alleviate the consequences of our actions if they are properly
propitiated. For this purpose, the chanting of the Divine name is
essential. Equally meditation and penance are necessary. All forms of
worship are designed to please the deities.
These deities lay down regulations for observance by the world in
respect of their specific functions. These regulations are like the
traffic rules and guideposts and the road signs that indicate to people
using the roads how they should behave.
For instance, there is Brahma. As Creator he lays down the laws
relating to actions and how the consequences of these actions affect
people in their lives from birth to death. In addition, he also
effects changes in the administration of these rules. On the basis of
this function, the Brahma principle is operative everywhere. The very
term `Brahma' means "pervading". The pervasiveness of the Brahma
Principle is cosmic.
"Vishnu" also means that which is all-pervading. The Vishnu Principle
permeates everything. Wherever the creation principle of Brahma is
present, there the sustaining principle of Vishnu is also present.
Where there is protection there is also punishment. This means where
Vishnu is present, Easwara is also present.
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OMNIPRESENCE OF THE ABSOLUTE
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Where is the Supreme Divinity? It is omnipresent. But not recognizing
this truth, people pray to God in various ways. These prayers are not
to God. They are prayers addressed to the guardian deities of the
Lord. These guardian deities examine the merits of each case and make
their recommendations to God.
Hence, God is a permanent Witness. He has no attributes, he has no
specific form. He can assume any form. The attributeless Divine has
attributes also. A pot is made from clay. The clay is formless but the
pot with form is made from it. There is no pot in the clay, but there
is clay in the pot. Likewise, the Divine is everywhere. The Divine is
in forms and is formless. He is with and without attributes.
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DHARMA AND ADHARMA
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How do men relate to God? There is "Chitta" in man (the heart). There
is a recording deity known as "Chittagupta". The good and bad actions
done by one are duly registered in the heart and taken into reckoning
by "Chittagupta" . The results of these actions are given a concrete
form and the fruits are made available to each according to his
deserts. The Divine cannot offer what is not there . He will not take
away what is one's due. He lets the respective deities carry out their
functions according to the rules. Hence he is called the Embodiment of
Dharma. The Lord will not interfere in the functions of the different
deities. He lets Brahma, Vishnu and Easwara carry out their respective
functions according to the cosmic laws. As He remains a Witness, He is
described as the Embodiment of Dharma and Truth.
Today everyone interferes with every other's function. This causes the
breakdown of the natural order. This is described as the reign of
unrighteousness and untruth . This is the difference between the reign
of Dharma by the Divine and reign of Adharma by the mundane rulers.
The Divine is verily the form of Dharma , (Righteousness): Hence Rama
is described as "Vigrahavaan Dharmah" (The embodiment of
Righteousness). Even if you are unable to worship the form of the
Divine as Righteousness and Truth, adhere to Righteousness and follow
Truth. "Sathyam vada, Dharmam chara" ("Speak the truth, observe
Dharma") - these are the Vedic injunctions.
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SURRENDER TO GOD
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The cosmos is governed by the three principal deities.l am letting you
into a secret. So far as Creation is concerned, propitiate Brahma and
establish links with the deity. As regards protection, establish links
with Vishnu (by propitiating Him). With regard to destruction,
establish association with Easwara (Siva). However if your heart is
totally pure, you can establish direct connection with God. You need
not approach the lesser deities. For this, there is a way. That is the
way of total surrender. Through surrender you can establish a direct
link with God, heart to heart.
All the bhajans and chantings that are done now are related to the
lesser deities. The Divine Mystery is incredibly marvelous. It is not
easy for ordinary mortals to comprehend these mysteries. People ask
questions from time to time about Swami's actions. "Why is He causing
this trouble? Why is He acting in this manner?"
The answer may be got from a puranic story.
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THE BHASMAASURA STORY
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Once Easwara gave a boon to Bhasmaasura as desired by him, namely,
that whatever he touched should be reduced to ashes. Immediately on
getting the boon he lost his sense of gratitude to Easwara. He wanted
to place his hand on Easwara Himself! Easwara could not protect
himself. He went to Vishnu, who has the duty of being a protector. Even
as protector Vishnu had to observe the laws of Dharma. He could not
punish, Bhasmaasura straightaway. He staged a drama. He assumed the
form of a most beautiful damsel, Mohini. On seeing her, Bhasmaasura's
passion was aroused. He ran after Mohini. Mohini told him "You
perform all that I do, I shall marry you. Bhasmaasura readily agreed .
He had no sense of discrimination or of gratitude. Mohini started
dancing and Bhasmaasura kept pace with her. In the course of the
dance, Mohini placed her hand on her head. When Bhasmaasura did the
same he was reduced to ashes. His hand was his undoing . This episode
shows that even in discharging the duty of protection, the divine has
to observe the code of Dharma.
It should be recognised that the ways of God are governed by cosmic
laws ("Saasanam"). Even the Divine cannot act against these laws.
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GOD AND THE COSMIC CODE
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Men today violate the code of moral behaviour. But the Divine cannot
act against His own moral code. So, on different occasions, God waits
for the appropriate time to enforce the code. On that account, you
cannot say God is powerless or incompetent. God is omnipotent, but
that does not mean He can act arbitrarily. He acts according to the
cosmic code.
God is not like a lecturer who teaches a lesson and leaves the
classroom. God is like a physical education director who teaches by his
own example. That is why I say: "My life is my message". (Cheers) God
teaches by demonstration.
Today some people carry on propaganda to cast aspersions on the
actions of the Divine by misrepresentation and misinterpretation. They
declare: "God punishes you, God persecutes you. " This is totally
misconceived. It is not God's business to punish you or harass you.
The punishment and the persecution are consequences of your actions.
God is the giver of the fruits of your actions. He is like a postman
who delivers letters in different homes. In one house the letter brings
grief. In another the letter causes joy. Is the postman responsible for
joy one home or the grief in another? It is the message contained in
the letters that is responsible for the different reactions.
In the same manner, the Lord is an impartial witness. He merely hands
over the fruits of each one's actions according to their deserts. In
case the consequence is unpleasant God may interfere to get the pain
reduced by proper propitiation. That authority He has.
The three presiding deities over creation, protection and dissolution
are the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. But there is a fourth
entity - the Overlord ("Sironaayakam"), who is above these three. He is
God. He can overrule the Trinity. How? By mitigating the magnitude of
the consequences of Karma. He can counteract any kind of situation.
That is the Divine prerogative of God. He can create anything, protect
anything. He creates and brings about its dissolution.
Therefore, God should be regarded as having control over
Generation, Organisation and Destruction. To realise God, you have to
surrender yourself completely. When the surrender is total, a direct
link with God is established. Without such surrender propitiating the
lesser deities is a waste of time .
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CAUSES OF DOUBTS
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When one surrenders, according to the circumstances, the devotee
becomes subject to some doubts and mental agitation. For instance, in
the Ramayana, when Rama and Lakshmana were going in search of Sita,
suddenly Lakshmana felt tired and told Rama that he was fed up with
the search for Sita and would like to go back to Ayodhya to have a more
comfortable time. Rama smiled and said: "Let us proceed. I shall
explain everything later". How did Lakshmana, who previously had
declared that Rama was everything to him and that he would not live
without Rama even for a moment, suddenly develop this attitude? How did
this concern for bodily comfort arise?
After they had walked some distance, they sat under a tree. That
moment Lakshmana felt the pangs of repentance. He realised his
mistake, clasped Rama's feet and said: "Brother! Forgive me for what I
had said. I cannot understand how this bad thought came to my mind.
What is the reason?" Rama then replied: "Lakshmana! The region through
which we passed recently was the haunt of Surpanakha. Surpanakha used
to rest under the tree there. That place was surcharged with all her
evil qualities. Those vibrations aroused in you the bad thoughts. The
moment you came out of the place , your inherent good nature asserted
itself."
The lesson of this incident is that people will have to be careful
about their association with certain places or persons. Eschew bad
company. Be away from places where evil qualities are rampant. The
vibrations from a place affect persons who frequent them. Here you
have Dvine vibration. Elsewhere you have demonic vibrations.
Recognise the difference between these two kinds of vibrations. Realise
that association with good people ultimately leads to God-realisation.
You must understand that God's grace is related to your good actions.
When your conduct is good, God's grace comes direct to you.
People ask, "Where is God?" . But without knowing it, a so-called
unbeliever believes in God. Once, Prime Minister Nehru visited Madurai
in South India. He was not interested in spiritual matters. God had no
meaning for him. His agnosticism was a product ff the environment in
which he grew up. The local leaders took him to Meeriakshi temple,
whether he was inclined to visit the temple or not. During the visit,
the leaders who were with Nehru praised the ornaments worn by the
Goddess and told him that the diamonds and gems in the jewels on the
idol were worth crores of rupees. After listening to them, Nehru
remarked "Why is it that these valuable gemstones are placed on a
valueless idol?" After that he was returning from the sanctum. He did
not notice the door and he hit against it and stumbled. At that
moment, he cried out: "Oh ! my God !" . This shows each one has his own
God and refers to Him as `my God.'
Thus, even without being conscious of it, all have some faith in God.
The reason is that God is in everyone . That divinity manifests itself
without one's knowledge. Faith in God is natural to man. Doubts about
God are artificial exercises of the mind.
Spirituality calls for the removal of the animal qualities in man and
developing his divine qualities. This is the duty of all spiritual
aspirants. Qualities like slander, back-biting and speaking ill of
others are sub-human qualities. You must learn to respect the divine in
everyone, while carrying on your duties.
The path of direct realisation of the Divine consists in total
surrender to the Divine, as exemplified by Lakshmana in his surrender
to Rama. He tod Rama that after his surrender he had nothing that he
could call his own and he existed only to carry out Rama's will in
every matter.
Thyagaraja, who once for a brief while entertained doubts about Rama's
capacity to relieve him of his troubles, later extolled the limitless
power of Rama, which enabled Hanuman to leap across the ocean and which
accounted for Lakshmana's total surrender to Rama. (Swami sang the
keertana of Thyagaraja in praise of Rama's prowess which evoked the
adoration of Lakshmana, Bharata and others).
Likewise, how can anyone determine "Sai-"sakthi"? Here are people
from Argentina and Australia. Are they dull-witted? Are they not
intelligent and affluent people? What is the meaning of their coming
to Swami? If Swami did not have the power, why would they come? This
one fact is enough to show how they recognise the truth about Swami
(Cheers.)
To recognise divinity there is no need to master the scriptures, or
study the Upanishads. A single visible experience is enough.
The nature of divinity cannot be described or defined. It is beyond
description. What is needed is development of faith in the Divine,
through weal and woe. In the pursuit of the Divine, perseverance is
essential. The quest should not be given up in any circumstance.
Either God should bless you or you should forget yourself in thinking
of Him. People today lack such determination and perseverance.
Part-time devotion can only receive part-time Grace.
Adore God with firm determination. The right time for starting on
this quest is when you are young, as students. Remain unflinching in
your faith. You did bhajans all through the night. But that is not
enough. Contemplation of God should be kept up always at all places.
Whatever work you do, dedicate it to God. Divinise every word and
action.
[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the bhajan "Hari bhajana binaa
sukha santhi nahi."]
-Excerpts from Sri Sathya Sai Baba's discourse in the
Poornachandra Auditorium at 6:00 a.m. on the morning
of February 28, 1995.
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