Narada Bhakti Sutras Lecture 04 Su.1-2 on 16-December-2018
Full Transcript (Not Corrected)
Opening Invocation
ॐ जननीं सारदां देवीं रामकृष्णं जगदगुरुम पादपद्मे तयो: श्रित्वा प्रणमामि मुहुर्मुहु :
Om Jananim Saradam devim Ramakrishnam jagadgurum Padapadme tayoh shritva pranamami muhurmuhuh.
Introduction to Narada Bhakti Sutras
So we are trying to study Narada Bhakti Sutras. There are four yogas, and every yoga must be thoroughly expounded and understood. So it is written in the form of sutras.
What is a Sutra?
What is a sutra? A sutra is that which contains a huge amount of matter, compressed, like Einstein's special theory of relativity. Very simple. But to understand that, one requires a tremendous amount of knowledge.
So this is also mnemonic. Do you know what is a mnemonic? When something needs to be remembered, a cue has to be given. A sutra is a cue.
But to understand what is that cue, the person must have prior knowledge of the whole thing. So to understand Einstein's theory of knowledge, you have to have a huge amount of background, foundational knowledge. Only then will that small thing make any sense.
So a sutra is one which is like jogging a memory. Mnemonic means a way of remembering what we have understood before. That is the meaning of mnemonics.
Examples of Sutra Literature
A sutra must contain so much of matter, compressed. There are several sutra literatures out there. For example:
- Manu Dharma Shastra
- Narada Bhakti Sutra
- Patanjali Yoga Sutras
- Brahma Sutras
Without somebody who knows what he is talking about, it is difficult to understand what they really mean. So this also shows that Narada is not claiming, "I have created this Bhakti Yoga." It shows I have collected all the knowledge that was available at that time, and I only compiled it, classified it, arranged it systematically, rationally, and presenting it to the person who wants to learn.
Four Preliminaries - Anubandha Chatustaya
So to study any scripture, we discussed, four matters have to be understood. This is called Anubandha Chatustaya. Chatustaya means four.
Anubandha means preliminaries. Four preliminaries. What are they?
- Prayojana
- Adhikari
- Vishaya
- Sambandha
1. Prayojana - Purpose
Prayojana means what is your purpose? Do you want to become a bhakta? Then, "I want to become a great bhakta, devotee." That is the prayojana, goal.
2. Adhikari - Qualification
Are you an adhikari? Have you got the requisite qualifications in order to become a bhakta? A fellow who doesn't believe in God may not be able to become a bhakta.
A person who is extraordinarily rational, he says, "You prove to me. Until you prove, I am not going to believe what you say." He is not going to.
We must have some belief. "I do not understand, but I have faith that is the truth." That is called shraddha, intense faith.
If I know something, it is a fact. Only when I don't know, but I have faith that such a thing exists, that is called shraddha. But there must be a person in whom the person must have that shraddha.
The Role of Guru
That person is usually called guru. So, we have faith in the guru, like anything else also. If you have any health problem, then you don't go to anybody and everybody.
First of all, you go to a doctor. Secondly, you go to a doctor whom you believe is competent. How do you know? You will find out from several other people.
They were also suffering like you, and they went to this doctor, and he helped them to get cured. This is the guru parampara system that is coming towards us.
Fitness and Capability
So, a person must be... First of all, his goal should be what he wants. Clear? Then he must be a fit person, because many people might want things, but they may not be able to be fit for that. Somebody wants to be a doctor or a lawyer, but he is dull. He cannot understand the difference between one spot in an X-ray and another spot in an X-ray.
Everything looks exactly the same. You look at the same X-ray, you don't see anything. But a doctor who is trained, he knows exactly.
Fitness to enter into the subject. Capability must be there. Then that capability guru exploits, brings it to the fore through proper training, etc.
Olympic Analogy
Anybody who wants to participate in the Olympic sports, games, many people are eager. So, they have to go on defeating. In their own country, they must be the best sportsmen.
Even then, there are three rounds. First round, second round, last round. So, first round, many will be eliminated.
Those who win, then they will go into the second round. Finally, two people will be selected. So, one of them will get the Olympic gold prize and the next one will get the silver prize.
Like that, fitness should be there.
3. Vishaya - Subject Matter
Then a proper subject. If I want to be a doctor, no use studying Shakespeare's literature or Kalidasa's poetry.
I must be studying medical subjects. Then the book must be a medical book because only a medical book will give you medical knowledge. So, vishaya means subject, proper subject.
4. Sambandha - Relationship
Sambandha means the book which I am studying and the knowledge which I would like to acquire. There must be an absolute relationship between them.
These are the four preliminaries called panuvanta chatustaya.
They are absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it will be a wasted energy. Simple example, a donkey cannot become a musician.
Maybe it has a desire to become a musician, but it doesn't have the yogyata, adhikarita. That is what is indicated.
The First Sutra - Athato Bhaktim Vyakhyasyamaha
So, first of all, very crystal clearly outlined.
The first sutra tells what is it you are going to teach. So, therefore, "Now, therefore, we should expound the religion of divine love."
Meaning of "Atha"
Atha means what? That you have acquired certain qualifications.
You are eager to obtain bhakti. Therefore, atha indicates that competency, fitness has been obtained and the man is ready. Therefore, because you are ready, now that you are ready, I am going to expound the nature of devotion.
Meaning of "Vyakhyasyamaha"
Bhaktim vyakhyasyamaha. The word vyakhyasyamaha means "I have not written this book." Vyakhya always means "I am going to comment."
Means what? Already a book exists and I am going to make it clear to people I have studied that book and I have understood what the book says and I am going to convey that knowledge to other people. Vyakhyana means commentary, tika, etc. Athato bhakti.
What is the subject? Bhakti.
Special Qualifications for Bhakti
So, now the question comes, are there special qualifications necessary for bhakti? So, according to other yogas, jnana yoga, raja yoga, a person must have certain qualifications. They are meant for limited number of special persons.
Limitations of Other Yogas
For example, a person who is not rational and doesn't have the brain to understand cannot enter into the jnana yoga. Similarly, raja yoga, who is a diseased, ill person, severe sickness, who doesn't have any energy, who can't sit, who can't breathe, who can't eat, he is totally unfit for undertaking any yoga, especially raja yoga. Karma yoga.
So, fitness is necessary for karma yoga also. What is the fitness? Karma means action. Is he capable of doing any action? Is his mind under control? If his mind is not under control, then it is totally useless.
Unique Nature of Bhakti Yoga
So, that is what here he is going to tell. So, bhakti is a different yoga. What is it? Sick person also is fit.
The only fitness he needs is, "O Lord, I believe in you, I want your grace, I want to come to you." No learning is necessary. No power position is necessary.
At any age one can enter. Any caste, whether it is considered 4th class, 3rd class, 2nd class, 1st class, what am I talking about? Varnas. Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Understanding the Caste System
One fact we have to clearly understand, by brahmana, etc., we are not referring to the jati brahmana, nor are we referring to karma brahmana. So, a Shudra, if he becomes a soldier, what is he becoming now? Kshatriya. So, when a Kshatriya starts, a brahmana starts polishing the shoes, you can see, or driving an auto rickshaw, what is he called? Shudra.
That is not what he is meant. So, in the caste, there are three types of caste:
- Jati
- Karma
- Guna
Three Types of Brahmana
For example, jati brahmana means one who is born to brahmin parents, out. Second, karma brahmana. A person may be doing a brahmin's job, for example, teaching.
So, teaching, learning and teaching are the specialised, supposed to be, karmas of brahmanas, out. Who is a real brahmana? Guna brahmana, certain qualities.
Qualities of Guna Brahmana
What is the quality? He must have pure heart.
He must be unselfish. He must be pure. He must look upon everybody as a child of God.
And he must grasp the essence of the scriptures. Even if others torture him, he should not raise, even mentally, a negative thought. These are called guna brahmana.
By qualifications, he becomes a brahmana. That is most important. So, anybody can be a guna brahmana.
Divine Creation of Four Castes
Now, these four castes, so-called castes, are created not by birth, not by karma. Bhagavan Shri Krishna makes it very clear, and he has created chatur-varnyam, maya-srishtam. "Four castes have been created by me."
How? Guna, karma, vibhava-sadhana. Guna, certain qualities.
The Three Gunas
What are the qualities we are talking about? Sattva, rajas and tamas.
Every person, every animal, every living thing, every non-living thing is created out of three gunas. How is it possible?
Example with Mangoes
So, you will see five different mango trees. One mango, beautiful colour, beautiful size, mostly it is fresh and very flavorful, and sweet.
Which guna is it manifesting? Sattva guna. Sour, big seed, small pulp, and not very tasty. Which guna is it manifesting? Raja guna.
So, we are all made up of gunas. The most marvellous idea, you will not get it anywhere in the world, except in Vedanta. Everything.
Understanding People Through Gunas
You can understand a good person means sattva guna, samparna. You see, he is neither good nor bad. He is leading his own, what you call normal, selfish life.
What is he made up of? Raju. A fellow who is always angry, spiteful, envious, jealous, and trying to pull down other people. What is he consisting of? Tama guna.
Gunas in Animals
So, you can understand animals also. Good cow, very loving, doesn't hurt anybody, gives plenty of good milk, etc. This is called sattvika cow.
So, sattvika dog, it will protect the owner, but it will not cause harm to others. Some are like bull terriers, or sessions. It's very ferocious.
Even if you don't provoke also, they will attack you and finish you off. So, they are made up of terrible, evil qualities. Raju guna and tama guna.
Important Point About Gunas
Another point we have to understand. No guna is completely aloof. It is always mixed with other gunas.
But the proportion will vary. Say, 80% sattva, and 15% rajas, and 5% tamas. 80% tamas, and 15% rajas, and 5% sattva guna.
Like that, everything is a combination.
Gunas in Plants and Non-Living Things
Plants also, you can understand. Very nice plant, it yields plenty.
You can see all these differences. If you have got more than two plants, you can see instantaneously the differentiation. We are not talking not only of living creatures, even non-living creatures.
One mountain is very beautiful. One sofa. The moment one room, the moment you enter, you feel some peace.
Wonderful. The colour, the way it is laid down. Another room you enter, it reminds you of something disturbing.
So, whether it is a carpet, or it is a floor, or a sofa, or a chair, everything is made up of what? Three gunas. It is a combination of sattva, rajas, and tamas.
Eligibility for Bhakti
So, for bhakti, any type of person is eligible.
The only qualification needed is that he should not be a wicked person, and he will not have a lot of bhakti, a little bit of bhakti, but he has a desire that "I want to become a bhakta." So, like that, low caste people like Nandana, or Kannappa, and all these, and non-brahmins like Tukaram, and other people, brahmins also like that. You will get among the devotees all sorts of people.
So, the point is that anybody who has faith in God, who wants to become a real devotee, he is fit enough, provided he has faith and he is prepared to practise what has been taught. That is the only qualification needed. Unlike the other thing, where you are not fit, but here, gradually you can fit.
Goals of Different Yogas
Another very important point is if you want to practise karma yoga, what is the purpose? To go beyond karma, nahishkarmi. If you want to practise jnana yoga, you want to become, have moksha. If you want raja yogi, you want to go beyond the clutches of the prakruti.
But if you are a devotee, you say, "I want more devotion. I don't want to become one with God. I want to remain separate, different from God."
"I go on looking at him. I want to love him." This is beautifully expressed in Bengali.
"I do not wish to be sugar. I want to enjoy sugar."
So, what is the goal of bhakti yoga? More bhakti.
Or we say, para bhakti. So that is the thing.
Meaning of "Atha" as Mangala Vaakya
The word atha also means mangala vaakya.
Before starting any work, we have to pray to God for two reasons. If there is any obstruction, "O Lord, please help me to overcome the obstruction." Second, successful completion of whatever endeavour we undertake, we pray to God.
Generally, we go to Ganesha. First deity is Vigna Harta. Why? Because if we pray to him, we believe that he is ready to help us overcome all obstacles.
That means we are ensured of success. If there are no obstacles, what prevents us from achieving success? So that is the idea. Atha is a mangala shabda.
Atha, om, tatsak, these are all auspicious words. And it is also a prayer. Atha also means "now."
That means you have completed certain course, you are ready, therefore we can expound this to you.
The Second Sutra
Immediately in the second sutra, he says, "Sa tu asmin parama prema rupa" - "para" or "parama," both meaning the same. So that verily is of the nature of supreme love of God.
Analysis of "Sa tu asmin"
That means what? Bhakti. Sa means what? Bhakti. We are going to talk about bhakti.
So bhakti, what is bhakti? "Tasmin" means in him. In him means in whom? In God. So usually in bhakti yoga, God is regarded as a personal God.
Saguna, sakara, brahma. Savisesha, brahma. Not nirguna, nirakara.
Because it is nirguna, nirakara, nishkriya, nirvisesha, brahma. He has no eyes, no ears. Even going on crying, he won't listen.
Because he has no ears. He has no eyes. He has no hands.
So he can't hear. He is here, but he doesn't hear. So always from the bhakti point of view, means what? Personal aspect of God.
Sakara. So asmin, the word sa, tu, asmin. Each letter has got a meaning.
How to separate is an intelligence in Sanskrit words. Sa means that bhakti. Tu, but asmin, that tu, we will come later on.
That is a very important particle. So asmin means in this, means in this God.
God is Everywhere
So where is this God? So we use this word, tasmin, asmin.
Tasmin means somewhere. Tat means that somewhere, not here. I can't see, I can't experience, I can't hear anything.
But where is not God? God is right here. "Where is your Narayana?" "I have been searching." What was Prahlada's reply? "You tell me where he is not, then I will tell you where he is."
Story from Ramcharitmanas
So there is one Hindi book called Ramcharitmanas, written by Goswami Tulasidas. Have you heard about it? It is the most marvellous book I have ever read. In this, Tulasidas is telling, writing, Rama was banished to Dandakaranya.
So he went along with Lakshmana and Sita. Then all the people followed him because such was the attraction. Everybody follows Rama.
Wherever he wants, they want to go. Why do they want to go? So it is our human nature, where we get the highest bliss, that is where we go. And that, instinctively, we have that discrimination.
Natural Law of Psychology
There are two places, one is very clean, another is dirty. Where will you sit? Give any choice. There are two hotels, even a little bit distance.
But if you know this is not a good hotel, worthless things are served. But the other hotel, beautiful hotel, then what will you do? Will you think a hundred times? Simply you go there. So this is a law of psychology.
What is it? Wherever, from whichever person, or place, or book, or event, or object, we get more joy than the others. Automatically our discrimination. We discard the other one and we accept the one.
Understanding Rama
So by nature, Rama means that which he simply floods us with tremendous joy. He uplifts our mind. He is Rama, naturally, without Rama.
So if Rama goes to forest, then what becomes Ayodhya? Becomes a forest. If Rama goes into forest, what becomes of the forest? Ayodhya. Because what is Ayodhya? Where Rama is, that is Ayodhya.
Where Rama is not, that is not Ayodhya. Where Vishnu is not, that is not Vaikuntha. Where Shiva is not, that is not Kailasa.
You understand now?
The People's Dilemma
So when Rama was banished to the forest, all the people said, "We won't live here." So they are not saying anything that "we love Dasharatha and others." We love them also.
But given a chance, we want to be always with Rama. Why? Because always we get happiness. So that means who is Rama? Happiness.
Not happiness giver. Happiness. So it is like the distinction.
Understanding the Difference
You have to be a little deep thinker. There is a man who has money, and there is money. So where will you go if you want money? To the money.
Because the man may give, may not give. But the money doesn't say, "I won't give you anything." You just take it, pick it up.
Simple, you know. You are thirsty, and there is a beautiful lake. Then what will you do? You don't go to anybody.
So there is a person, he has some water. So you go and ask the person. He may give, may not give.
But the lake will never say, "Don't have water." It doesn't say anything. It is for you to use it.
The Jasmine Analogy
If there is a fragrant bush, like jasmine, it doesn't say anything to you, that "I am jasmine, you please come to me." Anybody goes, even an animal which goes to eat it, if they say, if an animal wants to eat a jasmine plant, what does the jasmine plant do? While it was being eaten, it will make the mouth of the animal fragrant. You see, so many wonderful subhashitas are there.
There is a chandana wood. So you take a saw, you want to cut, cut, like that you are cutting. Even while you are cutting, it is making the saw fragrant.
The more you cut, the more fragrance. So what are we driving at? Where Rama is, where God is, where happiness is, that is where happiness is. Naturally we gravitate towards that.
So that is what is called Rama.
Rama's Solution
Anyway, Rama went to her. Then all the people were coming.
But that was not the condition, because all the people go there. And if Bharata is crowned as prince, whom is he going to rule? Kaikeyi's purpose was that her son alone should rule, everybody. If there are no people, what is kingdom? What is a king? So Rama understood and said, "This is not the condition of banishment."
"The condition is, I must alone go." Sita was optional. It was not part of the law that she has to go.
In fact, Rama advises both Lakshmana and Sita, "You don't need to come." But they said, "We cannot live without you. We have to go with you."
"Otherwise we will commit suicide." That is the threat. "Where there is a husband, a wife must go."
Meeting with Valmiki
So he meets Valmiki. In this instance, he meets Valmiki and then asks a question, "Maharshi, you are very familiar with this forest, so we want to live alone. So it is a huge forest, Dandakaranya."
"So please give us a spot where we can happily stay here. It is pleasant, and it is secure, not so much of danger, and there will be plenty of fruits, roots, etc., for eating." Of course, he was not a vegetarian.
He was a Kshatriya, you know. He could eat. And it is written in the Ramayana, Lakshmana used to go hunt some animals and bring, and Sita used to cook, like that.
So, Maharshi Valmiki was asked, "You point out a place which is suitable for our dwelling." Then Valmiki, Tulasidas, through the mouth of Valmiki, beautiful way he said, Valmiki says, "Rama, first you tell me where you are not. Then only I will point out to you where you can stay."
"If you are everywhere, where is the question of pointing, you stay here."
Human vs Divine Nature
So, a human being will have to be somewhere. He is circumscribed by time and space and other objects.
But God must be everywhere. Because if God is also confined to one particular place, that means he is not God. He may be the most wonderful human being, but he is certainly not God.
So, so Valmiki questions, "First you show me," because Valmiki knows Rama was not a human being, Rama was God. Then Rama smiles. He doesn't reply.
Then Valmiki, "OK, you are God, but now you are acting as a human being to be an ideal to everybody. So, I have to show you a place which is most suitable. Three pages near you," he goes on describing which are the best places for Rama to dwell.
Valmiki's Description
He starts like this, "There are people, they go on hearing Ramakatha. The more they hear, the more their thirst to hear more is increasing. They are never satisfied hearing the stories of Rama."
Understand? The more they hear, the more they want to hear. "You dwell in their hearts." A person who never gets angry whatever other people may do, who only blesses everybody, "You dwell in their hearts."
A person who is not having kama, krodha, loha, moha, madha, matsarya, "You dwell in their hearts." A person who is a paishuna. Paishuna means a person who goes on spreading scandals, criticising, backbiting, gossiping about others without gaining anything.
So, such persons are called paishunas. Their behaviour is called paishuna. So, in the 16th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, beautiful, which I am sending to everybody.
That is what you are getting. What you got from where? 16th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. So, like that, many qualities are there.
So, I am taking one by one quality and expounding it and sending it to everybody. Yeah. Come, son.
What? You don't subscribe? I think I did not. Yes.
So, this is a very wonderful thing.
The Meaning of Spiritual Sadhana
Like that, for three pages, he goes on describing. That means, what is he telling? That if you want to be a devotee of God, you will have to acquire these qualities. If you have got these and these qualities, you will have to get rid of them.
So, this is called spiritual sadhana. So, that is what is called spiritual sadhana. Whatever already samskaras we have, we have to slowly get rid of them.
We have to acquire spiritual samskaras. Once we acquire spiritual samskaras, we are free. That's all.
As simple as that. So, that's what he wants to tell about it.
Understanding "Asmin"
Asmin means in God.
In God. But the usage of the word asmin means he who is right here, not anywhere else. So, suppose there is I am here, I am a devotee, where will be God? Here.
Suppose there is another devotee, he is in Australia, where will God be? There also. So, that is why we have to say wherever a devotee is, God should be there. That means he is infinite.
Ananda. Ananda.
Definition of Brahman
That is why by defining what is called Brahman, in Taittiriya Upanishad, second chapter, is called Ananda Valli, Brahma Valli, or popularly known as Brahma Ananda Valli.
Valli means chapter. So, God has to be defined. Brahman has to be defined.
So, if it is usually Saguna Brahman, defined by Bhaktas, is Satchitananda. Sat means pure existence. Chit means pure knowledge.
Ananda means pure bliss. What is pure? Not manifesting through a particularised object is called pure existence. Same, if it is to be defined in the Taittiriya Upanishad, "Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma."
What is Brahma? So, earlier he says, you know, "Why are you talking about Brahma?" Brahma means Aapnoti Param. So, in order for Brahman to obtain the highest, what does he obtain? Brahma. He becomes Brahma.
"Brahmavid, Brahmavid Bhavati." Tadesha Apshita. So, definition.
Satyam means pure existence. Jnanam means pure knowledge. Anantam means Ananda, infinite, limitless.
Deep Understanding Required
Why this? Well, for a few minutes. It is very beautiful, but at the same time very deep.
So, I have the knowledge of... I know this is a chair.
What am I telling? "This is a chair." It is an existing chair, existent chair, existent book. So, the book is not the chair.
The chair is not the book. But there are three elements in that chair, in this book. Rupa, Nama, and Raivajanam.
So, the form of this and the name, particular name. So, you can't call this... You bring a chair means you don't mean a book. Bring a book means you don't mean a chair.
So, a book is not a chair. A chair is not a book. But there is something common.
You remove the name and form. You remove. What is that? "It is a chair."
"It is a book." What is common? You draw a line. "It is."
So, what is it? It is pure existence. But pure existence cannot be experienced.
The Electricity Analogy
Because to experience pure electricity, can you experience pure electricity? Is it ever possible? Can you understand that idea? Electricity must be manifested in some form.
What form? Heat, light, heat, motion, attraction, magnetism. Suppose you say, "No, no, no. Electricity can be directly experienced."
"I can put my finger inside the plug." Do you experience electricity? No. What do you experience? The effect of the electricity when it comes.
That is what the wire also is experiencing. So, this is one effect. Heat is one effect.
Light is another effect. Motion is another effect. Attraction is another effect.
These are all effects. But by itself, what is electricity? You cannot see it. You cannot smell it.
You cannot touch it. You cannot taste it. You cannot hear it.
But whenever you experience the five sense organs, it is not pure electricity. It is a manifested electricity. Can you understand that point?
Pure Existence Cannot Be Grasped
So, like that, pure existence you can never grasp.
Because you yourself will not be there. When you think of pure existence, that means even you should not be there. The moment you are there, there must be something else.
Your body is there. Your mind is there. Your hands are there.
Your legs are there. All parts are there.
These are all different parts.
Samhati. Collection. And one is not the other.
Your left hand is not your right hand. Your left leg is not your right leg. Your nose is not your ears.
They can't even function. Your eyes, for example, cannot hear, cannot taste, cannot smell, cannot touch. They have only one function.
Similarly, the ears cannot see, etc. So, pure existence we can be, but we cannot experience. You can say, "I am," but you cannot define it.
Why? Definition means limitation. I hope you understand that idea.
The Gold Analogy
So, similarly, we are talking about existence.
We are talking also about knowledge. There is something called manifested knowledge. There is something called pure knowledge.
So, one example I will give you. Take a lump of gold. You make various instruments.
The nose ring, the ear ring, and the necklace, and the bangle, the ring, they are all different. So, you cannot say that one is the other. Their form is different, their name is different, and their utility is different.
So, in a golden necklace, how many things are there? Four things are there. How many? Four things. What is that? There is a form, there is a name, and there is a utility, and gold.
You see? So, pure gold is... As an example, you can't say a lump of gold. We are talking about pure gold. Pure gold, you cannot experience it.
It must be made into something. So, without gold, there will be neither ring, nor bangle, nor necklace, nor ear ring, nose ring, nothing will be there. But at the same time, pure gold is not available.
For experience. This is an example.
Understanding Knowledge
Come to the knowledge.
The moment you see this object, it is. Only when it is, the corresponding idea comes in your mind, "That is a chair, that is a book, that is a man." That means, what are we talking about? You are having particularised knowledge.
"That is a chair, that is not a man, that is not a book." "This is a book, it is not a chair, it is not a man." "That is a man, it is not a chair, it is not a book."
Every object, knowledge of every object is by itself broken, manifested knowledge. But if it is not manifested, you won't be able to experience it. That is called pure or absolute, existence absolute, knowledge absolute.
Understanding Happiness and Its Limitations
Similarly, if you have got happiness, what is its opposite? Unhappiness. If it is black, there is an opposite, white. If it is a chair, what is the opposite of a chair? Everything.
Non-chair. Everything is a non-chair. The sofa is non-chair, you are non-chair, the floor is non-chair, the table is non-chair, the picture is non-chair, the walls are non-chair, you name it, the whole world of objects is non-chair.
You understand it? So, then only you can say, "That is a chair." We function like that. Twenty-four hours from birth, we are functioning like that, but we are not taking it off.
So, our happiness, first of all, the moment we say, "I am happy," you know what is unhappiness. Otherwise, how do you know you are happy? To know you are happy, you should know you are unhappy. And to know you are unhappy, you should know you are happy.
You experience, "Oh, I am not in a happy state." That means, what is unhappy state? Not being in a happy state is called unhappy state. Not being in an unhappy state is called happy state.
You understand that? This is called duality. And that is limited. It is limited because time limits it.
One time you are happy, another time you are unhappy. This object gives you one time happiness, the same object at another time gives you unhappiness. Yes, same object will give you.
Same rasgulla, when it is fresh, when you are ravenously hungry, it gives you happiness. And after two days, you close your nose and throw it far away, because not only does it give you happiness, it will give you unhappiness. So, this is limitation.
This is called limitation. What is ananda? Unlimited. Therefore, to get unlimited, you must always go beyond limitations.
The Fish Story - Understanding Limitations
To go beyond limitations means what? I will give you an example, then I will proceed. Here is a glass of water. A small depression.
There is rainwater. Here is an ocean. So long as this thinks, "I am a small pool of water," then only it knows what is the ocean.
That is why we give a beautiful story. One day, a fish from a small pond has fallen into the sea and it met another fish from the sea. They became friends.
So, conversation. "Where are you from?" No, the small fish, which was in the small pond, met this fellow and said, "Wow! What a beautiful ocean!" So, the other fellow asked, "What are you talking about? Ocean? What is ocean?" Because it has never seen anything small. It grew up there.
You understand? It can never have an idea what is an ocean. "What are you talking about? This is water. That's a period."
"What are you talking about? What is this ocean business you are talking about?" How can this fellow explain? The fish from the small pond, how can it explain? Because it experienced both, small pond as well as... So, what is the ocean? "A big, unimaginably big pond is called ocean." The fellow, the fish from the ocean never saw anything. Therefore, it has no comparative knowledge.
It is not there. Therefore, it can never understand what is called ocean. What is called ocean? Never experienced.
The Sufi Story of Light and Darkness
That's why I told you a beautiful Sufi story is there. So, there was a sun and another man in a cave, dark cave. Somehow they were connected with the internet and somehow they became friends, Facebook friends.
So, they asked, "Who are you?" "I am the sun." So, "Wonderful. Where are you?" "Oh, I am like this."
"Where are you?" "I am in a cave." "And describe the cave." "Yes, I can't describe because I don't see anything."
"There is nothing to describe because it is completely dark." Dark means what? Not knowing anything. So, they decided to exchange places, to visit each other.
So, this man came out of the cave and then he went to this. He saw the sun. "Oh my God! What a glorious light! I can see everything."
"So marvellous. You are wonderful." Like that.
So, the sun was very happy. "Okay, I want to visit your cave." So, the sun also visited.
So, previously this fellow was describing what is darkness. So, the sun was looking and looking and looking for darkness. "Hey, you are a liar."
"You are telling what is darkness. Where is this darkness? I want to meet." So, you understand what I am talking about?
Understanding Definition and Limitation
So, limitation.
Definition means limitation. Definition means separating everything from that particular thing and say "I want that particular thing." Then that is called definition.
So, you see a chair. "That is called there is something." And that idea comes into your mind.
That knowledge is called limited knowledge because it is knowledge of only a chair. That means you have the other knowledge. "This is a chair."
With regard to every object we have exactly the same experience. So, whatever is limited is not Brahma. Whatever object is not limited.
Whatever existence is limited is not Brahma. That is why "Anantam Satyam Jnanam." So, what is the third word? Anantam.
That Anantam has to be brought. "Anantam Satyam." That means infinite truth.
Infinite existence. That is the definition of Brahma. Infinite existence cannot be experienced.
Why? Because the moment you experience experience can be only limited. Because how do you experience? "The chair. This is a chair."
And everything else is not a chair. So, it is limited. That contrast is there.
Opposite is there. One limits the other.
Three Types of Limitations
So, the limitation is of three types.
Desha, Kala, Vastu. Desha, Kala. Desha means what? Space.
Space. So, you are sitting there. So, you are not sitting here.
You are only sitting there. That means where you are sitting that is the only place you are sitting. But the chair cannot be in your place.
You cannot be in the place of the chair. Are you following me? So, this is called space limitation. Brahman should be everywhere.
All-pervading. Infinite. That means there is no space where Brahman is not.
Such a thing cannot be any object. That is the point.
Time Limitation (Kala Paricchedha)
Then, Kala Paricchedha.
You are sitting there at this time. At the same time, you cannot sit here. You are limited only for that space and for that particular period of time.
The moment you get up, you are changing both space as well as time. You follow the concept? So, that is called Kala Paricchedha. Paricchedha means limitation.
So, Desha Paricchedha should not be there. That means it must be everywhere. Kala Paricchedha should not be there.
What is Kala? Change. So, we are like that. Like that, like that, like that.
Then, like this, like this, like this. I have seen one beautiful cartoon. So, the first human being.
Like that. Like that. Then, slowly gets up.
Then, gets up. Both legs. Four legs.
Two legs and two hands. Then, gets up. Erect.
Then, computer came. Slowly. Previous position as he was.
So beautiful, you know.
Object Limitation (Vastu Paricchedha)
So, any knowledge, again, if it is limited to an object, it is a limited knowledge. It is limited means it is changing also.
Limitation and changing always go together. Sun is here. And after one hour, it is here.
Not after one hour. The change between the spatial position of the sun here and the spatial position of the sun here and the measurement between these two is called time. Yes.
So, change. So, this is what we are talking about. Desha.
Kala. Then, Vastu. Vastu means object.
So, the book is different from the... So, this book can be only here. The chair cannot be in the place of the book. Neither the book can be in the place of the seat of the chair.
So, this book limits the chair. The chair limits this book. You limit me.
I limit you. So many objects limit each other. That is called Vastu.
They go together. And they go together. Time, space and object limitations, they always go together.
You can't separate them. "This is time limitation. This is space limitation."
"This is object limitation." It cannot be.
Brahman is Beyond All Limitations
So, that is what is called Paricchedha, limitation.
So, Brahman is Desha Aparichhedha, Kala Aparichhedha, Vastu Aparichhedha. That means it is infinite, means negating spatial concept. It is eternal, that means negating time limitation.
And it is everything. So, it is negating Vastu Paricchedha. So, this is called existence absolute, knowledge absolute, and Ananda absolute.
Ananda means absolute only. It is unnecessary to say. It is pure existence, pure knowledge, and pure Ananda.
We don't use the word happiness, pure happiness. We say Ananda. Ananda means beyond Sukha and Dukha.
Because Sukha limits Dukha, Dukha limits Ananda. So, that is the definition of God here.
God is Right Here (Asmin)
Such a God who is everywhere, therefore he is Asmin, right in front of you.
Not only right in front of you, if you are limiting him, then he is limited. That means you also must be him only, unlimited. That means there is no difference between you and him.
So, in that God, Paramapremarupa, beautiful word, we will take it up next class.
Understanding Parama Prema
Parama means supreme. All the love you can muster, that is one meaning.
And Parama is the object, supreme object, supreme love towards the supreme object. Parama applies to both my qualification and also God's qualification.
So, for example, a man has supreme love, but for a woman.
A woman has supreme, that means always she is thinking only of that person. Whom? A man. Limited object.
That cannot be Bhakti. What is Bhakti? The object also must be supreme object, because no man is supreme. Why? Because he is limited by Desha, Kala and Vastu.
He is here now, and he is gone. In old age he can't even lift a small stick. Somebody has to lift him also.
So, you understand now? These are the three limitations. Desha, Kala, Vastu.
True Bhakti Requires Supreme Love for Supreme Object
So, the love also must go beyond time, beyond space, and beyond causation.
That means we should not expect, "If you do this, then I will love you," etc. That is, all this is beautifully said, "That verily is of the nature of supreme love of God." Because God is supreme, and my love for Him is also supreme.
Supreme love must meet supreme object to which it can be directed. Anything directed towards anything else excepting God is not Bhakti.
Benefits of Bhakti
Naturally the question comes, what do I get from Him? So, then he goes on telling, if we get Bhakti, then what are all the benefits you get? First of all, you will be always happy, and you will not have samsara.
Amruta, Swarupacharya, these are the nature of immortality. Once you have that love, it doesn't matter, you become immortal. This concept we will explore in our next lecture.
Closing Prayer
ॐ जननीम् शरदाम् देविम् रामक्रिष्णम् जगत् गुर्म्
पादपद्मे तयोः स्रित्वाः प्रणमामि मुहुरुमु
Oṁ jananīṁ śaraḍhāṁ deveṁ rāmakriṣṇam jagad-gurum
pādapadmetayosritvā pranamāmi-muhurumuhu