Narada Bhakti Sutras Lecture 10 Su.11-15 on 06-January-2019
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: Balancing Spiritual and Worldly Activities
Today we have done till the 11th, we just recollected. "Loka vedeshu padanapura acharana, girodheshu udasinatha." Narada is giving beautiful practical instructions.
Just because we are spiritual aspirants, we should not neglect our normal duties, because normal duties are meant for us to grow. So one of the questions our scripture raises is: why did God create this world? Okay, if you have created, why did you not create heaven? It's a mixture of what two? Sukha and Dukha. And many times it looks as though the misery, the suffering is more than even the happiness.
The Paradox of Worldly Existence
And it is true. The amount of misery a person really goes through, for the sake of enjoying a little bit, the proportion is too much. So, one example is: here is a man, and he gets a job. Early morning he has to go at 6 o'clock, reaches, and whole day has to work like a donkey, comes back, and then, depending upon his condition, he might get very tasty food, and beautiful wife, and beautiful television, beautiful car, etc.
How much happiness, and how much he is paying through his nose, from morning till evening, like a donkey. That is why every day, Monday to Friday, is called a weekday. When he comes back, he becomes very weak.
And then by Saturday, he becomes very weakened. That is why it is called a weekend. So he has to take two days to recover.
Two Categories of Activities
And again this... Now you understand what is a weekday and what is... So, Narada is telling, all our activities can be divided only into two:
- Specific spiritual activities, directed by the scriptures
- Our normal duties, according to our station in life
A student has his own duties, husband has his own duties, housewife has her own duties, a servant has his own duties.
So, anybody can be a devotee. There is no such distinction. Servant cannot be a devotee. A busy husband could not be a devotee. Many people have this doubt: "So how can I increase my spirituality? Because I have to work."
It has nothing to do with work. Spirituality is an attitude, how we work, not what we work.
Sri Ramakrishna's Illustration: The Brahmo Lady
So this beautiful illustration of Sri Ramakrishna's life: there was one Brahmo lady, she was a great devotee of Krishna, Balakrishna. And unfortunately, she had to bring up her niece, her nephew. Very lovely boy. And then the lady, whole day looking after... She came to Sri Ramakrishna: "My heart longs to meditate on Krishna, Balakrishna, but my nephew's face comes to my mind, because 24 hours she is on..." And she must be loving also.
Sri Ramakrishna gave very simple advice: "Whenever you bathe, whenever you feed, whenever you play, whenever you look after your nephew, don't think he is your nephew, but think he is Krishna himself."
Within six months, she started having visions of Krishna, like Gopala Yama. So, what did he do? He did not change any situation. All that he did was change her attitude.
The Two Types of Duties
So, we can do this also, all the time, and we must do that. There is no other way, you can't go on escaping it. So, that is what "Loka Videsha," two types of activities.
"Laukiki" means duties in the world. Otherwise the word "laukiki" means, you know what "laukiki" means? A person who is interested only in "laukiki" objects is called "laukiki" person. But a person who is interested in God is called a spiritual person.
So, "laukiki" doesn't mean we are "laukiki" people. We have certain "laukiki" duties. We have also scripture-directed activities, like:
- Japa
- Meditation
- Prostration
- Hymns
- Parayana
- Tirtha Yatra
- Studies (Svadhyaya)
- Good scriptural scriptures
- Listening to lectures, etc.
Discrimination in Activities
So, these two, one should be having discrimination, that one should not neglect either. So, if you have to do cooking, and sometimes, you know, I say, suppose you are driving me, me especially, so, don't utter God's name, pay attention to the driving, because you go on thinking "Krishna, Krishna," I may become Krishna in the process. We are just making fun.
One Swami was driving me in USA, and his disciples were very eager to hear from me how wonderfully he drove. I said, "See, what a wonderful Swami. The moment Sri Ramakrishna observed it, he started rolling with laughter and said: "What were you talking and what were you doing? How were you behaving?"
This is called Shastra Rakshana. Shastra, it protects us. Dharma saves us, only when we follow Dharma, not otherwise. So Shastra will save us, when we really follow. That divine, this will come. So Sri Ramakrishna became now the Shastra, protecting him. And still he needed lessons, so it went on.
After that he could not meditate. Why could not, he asked Ramakrishna, why he was unable to meditate? Did he consult Sri Ramakrishna: "I am thinking of committing suicide, what is your opinion?"
Sri Ramakrishna would have asked: "What do you want to achieve by committing suicide? If your mind is not under control, what is the problem of the body? The problem is mental, not physical. By getting rid of the body, it is not going to control your mind."
It is the greatest mistake people commit by committing suicide. They think that by getting rid of the body, their suffering will come to an end. No, they will be given another body. No, we will discuss it some other time.
His Brahma Jnana was not complete. What is it? Inside is his God, like our meditation. We are all saints when we are... The moment we come out, forget everything. Forget everything. This is our condition. The moment we see something, some annoying thing or this thing, good thing, bad thing, we forget the whole lot.
The Necessity of Shastra Rakshana
So, Shastra Rakshana is necessary for two reasons:
- Because that will protect us
- Invariably lead us to the feet of God
So, we have to follow Shastra. What is Shastra? The experiences of other people. You know your GPS. What is your GPS? Shastra Rakshana. Even if you can't see also, just follow the directions. So, who put that GPS? Somebody has to put. The Guru has to put. Somebody has to put.
After this street, that street will come. There, there is a traffic light. There, there are three roads. Then you take the first left or second. Like that, the whole thing was... If somebody had not already put that information there, then how will this GPS guide you? It cannot guide you.
So, what is scripture? The experiences. What is experiences? Where are the dangers? Where is the easy path which would help a person avoid... "I have gone through these problems. I learnt my lesson. So, I am giving you... When you go to that place, don't go straight. Go this way. And this is the easiest path for you." This is called Shastra.
Shastra means Guru. Guru means what? Who gave this knowledge to the Guru? God. Shastra means God. That is why we worship Shastra. We worship Bhagavad Gita and Gita Jayanti. What are we doing? Worshipping Gita. And Sikhs, what do they do? They worship Guru Granth Sahib.
Because what is Shastra here? Not a book. It is God in the form of worthy, guiding teacher. That's all. God is coming in that form to help us.
Following Scripture Until the Goal
So, this Sutra is telling that "anyatha patitya shankaya" - if we do not follow the scripture... That means what? We have to follow the scripture until we reach the goal. How long do you follow the GPS? Until you reach your destination.
Afterwards, you should not destroy that. Because it will be useful for other people. Not only that. Suppose you want to come back from that place. Even more, you know, especially at night. So, GPS should be there until the last breath. That is one reason.
What is the second reason? We have to be exemplaries for other people so long as we are in society. If nobody is there, you are living in a cave, then you can completely ignore those things.
So, this is what Narada is telling. Always follow the scripture.
What Are the Scriptures for Devotees?
For bhaktas, what is the scripture now? Last question. This is the scripture. So, follow Narada's teachings.
For bhaktas of Sri Ramakrishna, what is the scripture? Gospel. Not only gospel. It's very important. Great master.
So, what is the necessity for both? The life of Sri Ramakrishna is for inspiration. Because when we read, inspiration doesn't come from the teachings. Inspiration comes from reading the biographies of great souls. But the guidance will come from the teachings.
So, we need both. Merely teachings, guidance will not do. Because so many times our mind, you know, becomes discouraged, disconsolate, and then sometimes wants to give up.
Girish Chandra's Experience
I'll give an instance. Girish Chandra Ghosh had offered his power of attorney to Thakur. Thakur accepted. Girish knew he was going to be getting mukti. And Sri Ramakrishna had taken complete responsibility for him.
Now, so long as Girish Chandra Ghosh had lived, the mind will go sometimes up and down. At one point of time, it just went down. He understood. He was trying. And he was asking so many people: "I am, you know, very discouraged, at the very bottom."
And then one day, Brahmanandji came, Rakhal Maharaj. So, Girish Chandra Ghosh told him: "This is my condition."
And Raja Maharaj laughed. He said to, you know, "G.C.," they used to call him, "G.C., that your mind has gone down. When a wave goes down, it only comes with reinforced power. Your mind has gone down to gather tremendous strength. But when this wave rises, it will surpass all the experiences you had until now."
The moment he heard it, his mind, "Ooh," like that it went. Then later on he said: "This is how Holy Company not only protects us, it also guides us."
Then, at another point of time, he was in depression again. This time, Niranjananandji Maharaj came. He said: "Hey G.C., what is called best remedy is let us go to Jairambati, and all that we need to do is to go there. Mother will look after everything. Mother's grace will save you."
And both of them went. And then G.C. went to bow down to Mother. In Calcutta, nobody sees Mother's face. Completely covered, she was a Muslim. In Calcutta, she was a Muslim. Then in Jairambati, she was a Hindu. Sarva Dharma.
Then G.C. went, bowed down at her feet, and the first time he was looking at the face of the Holy Mother, he was shocked. "Mother, you are here." You know that incident?
When he was young, he was very sick. And one night, he was suffering so much. Difficult to describe in English language, means very pleasing type of woman, motherly like person. She came, sat down, passed her hands over him, and slowly the fever, the heat was coming down. He was feeling like he was, you know, like a feverish person. You put ice, like that, cooling down.
And then, by the time she left him, he was completely free from all this. Then she also left one flower there. And he got up. He was thinking "I was in a delirious state, delirium, and it is an imagination." But he saw the flower. That face was impressed in his mind. But he did not know it was because he visited, he was visiting Jairambati, but nobody could see.
When he went to Jairambati, but he... "Mother, you are here." He immediately, he knew: "This is that mother."
"Ha, Baba? I am that mother."
And then, immediately, you know, his mind, depression, everything gone. And then, he was roaming happily. And people, when people came: "This is that famous Girish Chandra Ghosh."
The Songs and Holy Mother
And then, one day he heard a beggar, "O Uma," and how fortunate you are, his mother was singing, her mother was singing: "That first we were all depressed, you are married to a beggar, and my daughter, king's daughter, to be married to a beggar, now what good news we are hearing, that even Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, Chandra, they have to wait with slips, your number is one, your number is two, for having even the darshan of your feet.
"And it's all because of you. A beggar has become a Chakravarthi because of you, not because of him."
So, like that, there is one song. Another song: "O Uma, after how many days you are coming, and I cannot bear to part you after a few days. This time, when my son Indra comes and asks for you, then I will tell that you are not at home."
[Interruption and Personal Exchange]
Maharaj, I am Mohan. Mohan! What a surprise! I am so happy to see you, Mohan. Will you be here?
Maharaj, here means, I came for a consultation with my daughter, I underwent a small surgery. We will talk about it. Are you here tonight?
No, Maharaj. How long will you be here?
I am leaving after some time, Maharaj. Aarti?
Aarti, I may be there, I may be there. Then a few minutes I will spend. I will close the class, then I will leave. This is a class. Yes, you can sit. You can also hear. A few minutes. I am going to close it. I will also close it.
I was a Brahmachari when Maharaj was here. Now I am a Brahmachari only in front of him. So, he has given up Brahmacharya.
No, Maharaj. No, that's correct. He has changed colors. He is trying to justify. Anyway. So, I will talk to you.
Continuing the Story
What was I telling about? "Oh Ma, this time when my son-in-law comes, I am going to tell him, you are not at home."
So, these are the type of songs that he heard from... Who heard? Girish Chandra heard from a beggar, singing so beautifully. Immediately he called him, noted down, because these were prevalent in the local folk songs. And then he rewarded that person.
So, what is the point? Why was I telling this story? By the very presence of Holy Mother, depression has left. Why? She was an embodiment of what? Anandamayi. Who said? Who said? Ramakrishna said.
Holy Mother asked him: "How do you look upon me?"
"That Anandamayi who is in the temple, and that Mother who has given birth to me, I look upon you as the same Anandamayi Ma."
That is why people get so much Ananda in those days. And we also get so much Ananda now. Ramakrishna, if you go, you may not get so much Ananda. Why? He will be in a Samadhi state. He has no ears. "I am in distress." And this fellow is about to discharge the bullet. How is he going to help you?
Holy Mother, she is called Meenakshi. Do you know what is Meenakshi? Fish eye. What is fish eye? Unblinking eye, she is looking: "Where are my children? And what do they need?" If she closes her eyes for a second, the whole world will be destroyed. Without understanding that, we have reverence, but it is nice to know what is the meaning of that name.
Similarly, Kamakshi. What is Kamakshi? We are also only Kamakshis. Full of desires. She is full of desires. And mother's eyes are full of fulfillment of the desires. Whatever desire her children want, just by looking, she will fulfill the desire, if somebody has got it.
That is why her name is Kamakshi. She can grant anybody's, "Kama" means desire, just by looking at that person. She doesn't need to do anything. Simply, because through her desire, Srishti, Stithi, Laya, everything happens by only her wish. She doesn't need to do anything.
We are also Kamakshis only. You know when? When we are in dream. Whatever you want, immediately present there. Yeah, that's why it is called Kalpataru.
Another day we can talk about it.
Closing Prayer
Om Jananim Sharadaam Devim Ramakrishnam Jagat Gurum Pada Padme Tayo Shritva Pranamami Muhur Muhur Om he started the car, automatically my mind is only repeating God's name. How a great spiritual person your Swami is." Anyway, what is the point?
Favorable Way of Doing Things
"Loka Vedeshu, Tad Anukula Aacharanam" - "Anukula" means favorable way of doing things. Favorable to what? Either it could be favorable to my worldly profit, or it could be favorable to my spiritual progress.
So, that is how, body is there, mind is there, activities are impossible. In fact, every activity is nothing but spiritual activity. When you are thinking, it is a mental activity. But when you are thinking, that thinking is directed towards God, so it becomes what? Spiritual activity.
Not always. A person is repeating God's name: "Make me win the lottery ticket." Is it spiritual activity or worldly activity?
Most people, they go to Tirupati, what for? "Please cure me of my disease," or "Grant my daughter is not getting married, find out a wonderful..." You know why parents are very eager to marry off their children? If anybody by chance wants to become a monk or a nun, they will raise hell. You know their logic? "When we suffered so much in married life, what right have you got to escape?"
So, when we have gone through these rings: three rings - engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering. Sanyasa means you are free from all three rings.
Krishna's Three Definitions of Yoga
So, indifference to obstacles consists in undertaking only such activities, whether of ordinary life or those enjoyed in the Vedas, as a favorable treat. Favorable to what? To spiritual growth. But Bhagavan Krishna also gives a beautiful hint.
He also gives us three definitions of yoga, which are applicable to whatever activities we are doing:
- "Samatvam yoga vichyate" - Whatever you do, do it with a serene mind.
- "Yogah karmasu kaushalam" - It is dexterity. What is dexterity? You must do it with the greatest intelligence. You must do any activity with the greatest concentration. Intelligence and concentration. These are separate issues altogether.
- And you must also do them in such a spiritual attitude. "O Lord, I do it." Ishwara arpana buddhi. Ishwara arpana.
The Quality of Offering
So, if you are doing something for God, you can't give nonsensical things to God. One illustration, I might have told you.
You know, Lattu Maharaj was in Varanasi, and one day a devotee came from Calcutta, and he wanted to offer a saree to Mother Annapurna. And he invited Lattu Maharaj: "Maharaj, let us go." And he was a great devotee of Mother. Immediately he jumped up: "Let us go."
On the way, Lattu Maharaj got a doubt, because he knows the devotee very well. He is a "kripana," miser. So, he said: "Let me see the saree which you brought to offer to Annapurna."
And you know, it was specially made for offering to Gods and Goddesses. In Bengal, they prepare certain things, manufacture, specially for puja purpose. So, it is a rule that a pujari has to be given a towel, and it will be like a mosquito net, you understand, very light, and full of holes, very holy. That is specially manufactured, very cheap to be offered to pujari. And the second is this cloth.
So, no decent woman will ever put it, unless the Divine Mother has become fashionable, and then starts wearing miniskirts. So, the devotee showed, and it was coming only to him. Lattu Maharaj got very annoyed and said: "Would you dare to give it to your mother? And said, 'Mother, wear it.' Will any son do it? How dare you do it to the Divine Mother?"
Then he told something very interesting. He said: "Even if you are offering this much, if you can't afford, you don't need to purchase a saree. Just bring one small fruit, which is the best fruit available. So, if you are bringing bananas, don't bring half a dozen or one dozen bananas, there is no need, rotted bananas. Just bring one banana, which is very good. Choose it, and the Divine Lord will not be pleased with the quantity."
"Patram, Pushpam, Phalam, Toyam, Yome, Bhaktiya, Prayachati" - You give me the devotion.
Spiritual Attitude in All Activities
So, we must have that discrimination, and our attitude should be a spiritual attitude. And other attitude is, always it is not a happy thing. So, if something happy result comes: "O Lord, it is your grace, not my merit." And if something unhappiness comes, don't say: "It is your grace." It is also your grace, but it is my "Purvjanma, Karmaphala." I must have done something, so please guide me, so that I would not do it in future.
If we can behave like that, then slowly our mind becomes purified, and it goes forward.
Scriptural Injunctions
So, that was what we discussed. Then, the next Sutra says: never neglect scriptural injunctions.
First of all, what are scriptures? You know, if you ask: what are the scriptures of Hinduism? Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, Itihasas, Maharamayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatam, etc.
But they are not the only scriptures. What I am talking is a scripture, because I am not talking anything other than scripture. I am not quoting this thing. I am telling the essence of what it is. I am telling from the Gospel, from the Swamiji's works, etc.
So, Shastra means, even Guru Upadesha is a Shastra. So, if the Guru says something, that also should not be taken in an indiscriminate way. It should not be taken. Otherwise, we will become what? "Paramanandaya Sishyas."
The Story of Paramanandaya's Disciples
If we don't understand Guru's intention, you know, in Telugu, there is this funny story. Paramanandaya was a Guru, and he had a lot of disciples, all stupid fellows. So, what happened, one day, Paramanandaya Guru called his disciples: "Look, I am going on a pilgrimage. Nowadays, so much of robberies are going on. So, you watch the ashram." They said: "Yes." He went away.
And after a few days, he came back. The whole ashram was looted. He called them and asked: "Were you not watching?"
"Yes, sir, we were watching. We were watching the robbers came. We watched them bundle. We watched them depart also."
This is what is called "Paramanandaya Sishyas."
So, it should not be like that.
Following Scriptures After Realization
So, one should... Important points I will tell, then we will go to this. So, even after a person realizes God, one should follow the teachings of the scriptures. It goes without saying, before realization, we need definitely the teachings of the scriptures.
Then we say: "Okay. After realizing God, where is the need?"
Yes, there is a need. Need because it may not be needed for you. It is needed as an example to other people.
Sri Ramakrishna's Example
So, Sri Ramakrishna's case I am telling. When Swamiji used to meet Sri Ramakrishna in the beginning, you must remember the background. He was coming from the Brahmo Samaj. And when a person joins Brahmo Samaj, you have to pledge in writing: "I will not worship any graven images."
So, when he came, two things he found out. But most of the Brahmo members who were with him, they were all going into the Divine Mother's temple, prostrating and all those things. Sri Ramakrishna himself was going.
So, he saw Raja Maharaj, Ratha Maharaj, severely scolded him. "What? You are an untruthful fellow and you pledged there."
Then Thakur heard it and said: "Look, you are a very foolish boy. Everybody's mentality is not the same. You follow your path. Yes, this is the path for him."
The Case of Vijayakrishna Goswami
With this background, you now take the incident of Vijayakrishna Goswami. Sri Ramakrishna got many of his disciples from Brahmo Samaj. Because they were all earnest people, seeking something, but they went into the wrong path, or I would say, elementary school.
The moment Sri Ramakrishna saw, one of them was Vijayakrishna Goswami. And immediately he called: "Vijay, what are you doing here, in this wretched place? This is not the proper path for you. You, in your blood, in your body, is flowing the blood of devotees. Goswami means gurus, those who initiate people, guide them in Krishna Bhakti. They were called Goswamis. Goswami Tulasidas, etc. So, the path suitable for you is Bhakti. Worship of images, etc."
Immediately, Vijayakrishna Goswami understood. He came up. That created a little bit of animosity towards Sri Ramakrishna. But they knew that he only did right things. Some people never could take it in their right light. Vijayakrishna Goswami took. Keshav Chandra Sen also, it took some time, but he understood.
Sri Ramakrishna's only motive is to advance every single person towards God, but in his own particular path.
Narendranath's Criticism
So, all these rakhal malas, etc. So, Narendranath remarked about Sri Ramakrishna: "Oh, he's still going to the temple." Criticizing whom? For that papa, he had to do Sastang Namaskaram every day, a hundred times, later on. How would it be if Guru was given "panganamal"?
So, what is our point? Why was Sri Ramakrishna going? And he will keep his chappal there, he will go there, he will do Pradakshina, and he will do all that. Was it necessary for him? Then why was he doing it? Because he had to be an example for those who have not attained to that state. This is the only way forward.
So, if he doesn't do it, we are all, you know, we only see what is convenient for us.
The Story of the Ashram Visitor
One man wandered into an ashram. He saw Guru sitting and having first class breakfast. And he saw the disciples also having first class breakfast. So, the man said: "Can I also join the ashram?"
Guru was very interested. He said: "Yes, there are two categories. Whom do you want to join?"
He said: "I don't know. What are the two categories?"
"One is Guru, another is the Shishya. Now, what, you know, the Guru, the Shishya, he has to get up at 3 o'clock, go to the forest, collect firewood, heat the water, and Guru gets up at about 5:30, he takes bath, and by that time, disciples have to prepare breakfast, and then he will sit. For about half an hour, 45 minutes, he gives some Upadeshan, goes to sleep, somebody has to massage his feet, gets up at 4 o'clock, has a cup of tea, another class he takes, and that is his job. A Shishya, whole day from 3 o'clock until 11 o'clock, he has to work very hard. Now, which one?"
"See, if you don't mind, I want to become a Guru."
This is our attitude. Nobody has become a Guru without going through all those difficulties.
The Necessity of Following Scriptures
So, even if a person has reached God Realization, he practices Shastra Rakshana. He has to. Where? If he is in society. But if he is alone in a cave, no chance of anybody coming there. He can do what he likes.
Because if you come to the temple early in the morning, attend Mangal Arati, what for? It is to wake you from sleep in the name of Mangal Arati. And you have to walk in the cold. By that time, your sleepiness also will go down and a few mosquitoes also will help you to wake up properly. All those things. How long? What is the purpose? To think about God. Uninterrupted thought of God.
If a person, a realized soul, is only thinking of what? Only God. So, with this background, before God Realization, we need to follow scriptural teachings strictly. Scripture means, what did I say? Not only books. More importantly, how the Guru interprets.
But after Realization also, you have a choice to give them. If you are alone, do what you like. These are Avadhootas. But if you are in society, to set an example for them, you will have to behave that way. Sri Ramakrishna's life is a perfect example.
Most of the time, when nobody is there, he would be in Samadhi. When he was in Samadhi, who goes to the temple? Who bows down to Mother? Who eats Prasada, etc.? No. But as soon as people start coming, he will take them, he will make them do everything that he did beforehand.
The Sutra Continued
So, now we... "Bhavatu, let it be. Nishchaya Dadhyat."
"Urdhva" means afterwards. "Nishchaya Dadhyat" means once a person has obtained Parabakti, then "Shastra Rakshanam Bhavatu." Protecting or following the teachings of these scriptures, let it continue.
As I just now discussed, he reached the goal. There is no need. It is like GPS. How long do you need GPS? Till you reach the destination. Once you reach the destination, you don't need it, but keep it for the sake of somebody and then tell that this will take you.
By the way, GPS is the best gadget that science had created. What is GPS? Guru. Guru. Parampara system. Guru. Parampara system.
But even better when somebody told: "Guru. Pada Padme Sharanam. Guru Pada Padme Sharanam."
So, what is a Guru? Guidance. Otherwise, we prostrate before him and frustrate him. That is not going to work out. Frustrate means you don't follow what he says. He gets frustrated. Devotee is frustrating.
Warning Against Falling
So, even after the firm establishment in devotion, one should continue following the scripture for the sake of, as an example for other people.
So, suppose somebody says that I don't want to follow. So, when... "Anyatha" means if you do not follow these scriptures. Otherwise. "Anyatha" means otherwise. Otherwise means what? There are only two types of people in this world: Wise and otherwise.
So, otherwise, if you are not a Siddha Purusha, you have not progressed in spiritual life, "Patitya Shankaya," you might have to fall down.
The Story of Vedavyasa and His Disciple
I will just illustrate it with a popular story, very interesting story. You need to go? Okay. Take.
To illustrate it, Vedavyasa. He was very old and he was living in a forest. He had a disciple more than 80 years old. But in those days, people were very strong. Both of them living side by side in a kutiya and it is the habit of Vedavyasa to write something every day. Scriptures. You know how much he has written? He compiled Vedas and he wrote Brahma Sutras, he wrote Mahabharata, he wrote Bhagavatam and if we have to believe, he wrote all the Puranas. He will always write.
So, one day he wrote something, went to take bath. The disciple was very curious: "What did my Guru write today?" So, he went and peeked. It was not his business, peeked.
What was written? "Even if a devotee is 80 years old, he should be very careful about women."
This man is thinking: "What is this? Our Guru is slowly, deterioration is coming. 80 years old, who will be interested in women?" So, he must have not thought about it, he corrected it: "When a person is young, he should be very careful about women. And when he becomes old, he is free."
And he went smiling to himself. I am adding a bit of martial arts. Highly satisfied. "I could also contribute something to my Guru's wisdom."
Vedavyasa came instantaneously. Because every author is acutely aware whether anybody is criticizing my work. And then, he smiled, waited for 2-3 days, and he called his disciple and said: "I am going on a pilgrimage, for a few days I will be out, look after this ashram." And he said: "Yes," he went away.
After 3-4 days, it was a stormy night, and heavily raining, cold. Suddenly, at about before midnight, there was a knock. An old woman, 70 years old, she said, he opened the door, he found her shivering, said: "Baba, I was trying to go from my village to another village, and when I came into this forest, this rain and storm started, I lost my way, and I thought I will not survive. Suddenly, I saw a small light burning in your hut, and I thought, please give me shelter, today night I will go."
So, he said: "It's Guru's hut, only his hut and Guru's hut." He opened it and sat peacefully.
After a few minutes, he started thinking: "Maybe this lady is cold and hungry." So, he knocked. She opened: "What do you want?"
"Are you hungry?" She said: "No, no, no, I brought some food."
"So, you must be tired." He said: "Yes, yes, I want to go to sleep." So, he came out.
After five minutes: "Maybe it is so cold, and it is not comfortable for her. I have got an extra blanket." So, he knocked again, after a few minutes. Again, this time she was annoyed, because "I want to go to sleep, I am so tired, and you are disturbing me."
"No, no, no, I don't want to disturb. Please, take this blanket." "Okay." She banged the door, and he came.
After a few minutes, he said: "Maybe she is alone, maybe frightened, needs my company." Again, he knocked. And again, with great difficulty, she opened. And he rushed in and embraced her, because the overwhelming, suppressed desire was there. And he was "Brahmananda" for a few seconds.
And then he opened his eyes. He was shocked. Who was he embracing? The old Vedavyasa. Proudly smiling.
So, it illustrates a point. What is the point? Old men and women are not free from desire. And the only thing is, the body is not cooperating. That doesn't mean that the desire is gone. In fact, it grows. That's why they say, if you have diabetes, your desire for sweets will be tenfold.
But anyway, one has to be careful. How long? Until a person realizes God. After that, there is no danger at all. Why? First of all, he knows: "I am not the body-mind. So, if I am not the body-mind, whatever belongs to the body-mind, they won't affect me."
Secondly, he is enjoying God's bliss. He becomes God. Compared to God's bliss. This is what. It cannot even be compared. Until that time, one has to go on playing with it.
The Example of Vishwamitra
So, why did I illustrate this? "Anyatha patitya shankaya." "Shanka" means, there is a chance. What "patitya"? The person may stray from the right path.
It is not only kama, it could be krodha, it could be lobha, moha, mada, matsarya. The best illustration, again to illustrate this, Vishwamitra.
So, had he a guru at that time, suppose, you know, he was doing tapasya, Indra sent all, you know the story. So, at that time, suppose he had his guru, immediately his guru: "Hey, you fellow, you are not supposed to see all those things. These are dangerous." Because the guru knows, not the outside mind, but the inside mind.
But he did not know. He fell like a pack of cards. If had he done shastra rakshana, what is shastra? "You have not realized God. So, these objects of temptation have come."
Nowadays, you know, magazine is there, "Objects of Desire," in UK. I forgot, but there are, T3, one magazine is there. It is exclusively devoted, the best gadgets, best dress, best cars, everything. Their business is to make people read it. And it is the most popular. T3. They are called "Objects of Desire." And it is not meant for ordinary person like me and you. Only if you have got to start with one million pounds, then you might buy that magazine, and think about it. Harrods, like Harrods, like that, Harrods. Harrods is a best shop. You will get the best things. But you also pay the best price. Yeah, nothing comes free.
So, shastra rakshana. Had Vishwamitra been in the company of people, shastra rakshana could have been done.
Swami Turiyananda's Story
And I will also give one illustration that had happened in the life of Swami Turiyananda. Swami Turiyananda, before going to America, he was doing tapasya in Uttarkashi. And there was another sadhu who was also with him. Both of them, they were living in separate kutiyas, but used to go for bhiksha every day, about 12 o'clock or something. They had to walk some 2 miles, 3 miles, I don't know, and get the bhiksha, come back, roti, dal, and then there was a small pond.
After eating, whatever was left, you know, the edges will not be baked properly, will be thrown in the pond. And then a lot of fish used to come and eat. And once in a month, they used to ask: "How are you? How are you?" Otherwise, walk together silently, come back silently. Only once in a month. Only just: "How are you? How are you?"
It reminds me of a funny story. There was a Christian monastery. They are very strict. People can't talk. Yearly only they could talk two words. How many words? Two words. Everybody, including the superior, only two words are allowed.
So one man came and joined. One year was over. And on a particular day, they were allowed to talk. So that fellow was allowed to talk. He said: "Lousy bed." Hard, hard bed. "Bed is very hard." That's all. He lost his opportunity.
Next year, again he was allowed only two words. "Lousy food."
Third year, he was allowed only two words. "I quit."
The father superior also was allowed two words. So third year, as soon as the man said, "I quit," father superior said: "Good riddance."
So once in a month, they would say: "How are you? How are you?"
And then Swami Vivekananda called Swami Turiyananda to send to USA. Then that sadhu was left alone. And then after two years or so, three years or so, Swami Turiyananda came back. It was a shock because he wanted to have darshan of Swamiji. When he reached Burma, he got the news that Swamiji had given up his body. It was a shock.
And he straight went to his old place and found the other hut empty. He was thinking: "Maybe he moved off to some other place."
So after a few days, one morning, one householder with a householder's dress came and tears were flowing. Turiyananda, of course, could not recognize him at first. Then he said: "Are you not the sadhu who used to stay? We used to stay together."
He said: "Yes."
"What is this?"
In Hinduism, it is a one-way traffic. You can be a householder, you can be a brahmachari, and then you can become a grihasta. You can't again come back to brahmacharya. It's finished. And if you are a householder, you can become a monk, but after that you can't come back. The punishment is slow suicide, like "Prayopaveshan."
So this person said: "Yes, it happened. Had you been there, this fate would not have come to me."
Then Turiyananda asked: "What happened?"
"After food, a little bit of routine, he will go for food. And he used to observe that fish, you know, father fish, mother fish, children fish, joyfully swimming. Slowly, Mahamaya entered. If fish can marry, get married and be happy. Why not human beings?"
He went and got married. You know that solitude, an idea possesses a person. That is how madness comes. Solitude is dangerous. So company is better.
So after a few days, slowly it started as a seed, it grew, and it possessed him. "Why not? Dumb fish can be so happy."
Later on only he came. Only dumb people could be happy. Yes. Not smart. I am joking, but I am not also joking. I will come to that.
So he got married. Then he understood the difference between fish marrying and a human being marrying. See, once a person enjoys that supreme freedom, it is, I tell you, it is a misery to go back.
So then he said: "What can Turyanji do?"
He said: "Okay. Anyway, you discharge your duty, slowly live a good life." He gave him some nice instructions and went.
But he saw that person, what he told was very important: "Had you been there, then immediately you would have perceived my condition and you would have pulled me out."
Had there been a guru of Vishwamitra, because that is the greatest mistake he committed, he had no guru. His sister had taken training from so many gurus and in the end he became a brahmarshi. And this man, just out of competition, he wanted to become a brahmarshi.
So he had fallen, first for kama, then for krodha. Then he understood that had somebody been there, they would have pointed out, if a person is watching these things, that the way they watch, the guru would have found out. Because there are two ways of watching:
- One is a temptation
- Another is entertainment
When Swami Vivekananda was watching the Naachi girls dance, how was he watching? As an entertainment. Whereas Vishwamitra was watching, like what? "How wonderful, if I have this object for enjoyment."
So he fell, without any second thought. Discrimination had deserted him. But he was a great soul, he did tapasya for so long. And that discrimination came back and he said: "I will never again fall for this."
Totapuri's Lesson on True Brahman Realization
Compared to Totapuri Maharaj, he was talking about Brahman: "Everything is Brahman," and a servant came to pick up the fire, and then he was about to beat, and then he realized, Sri Ramakrishna started rolling on the ground and laughing, laughing, laughing, and said, in Bengali, beautiful way: "I am seeing the extent of your Brahman. Just now you are talking, everything is Brahman. Just now one Brahman is about to beat the other Brahman. Is it Brahman or Brahman? One Brahman only can beat the other Brahman."
Then Totapuri, he understood. What was the mistake? Not beating, not about to beat. He did not know that he was possessive. So even if you are angry, if you are aware that "I am very angry," then you can control. But sometimes it is necessary to be angry also.
So then he understood. Then he said: "I will never again become angry in my whole life." He took a vow, and thereafter for nearly ten months, nobody had ever seen him getting angry. But that means what? It's Sri Ramakrishna.
See, I am illustrating this sutra. Totapuri was there, Dhuni fire was there, servant comes, he wants to pay, and he became aware, he was about to beat him. Suppose Sri Ramakrishna was not there, he would never have realized: "I have done something wrong." The moment Sri Ramakrishna observed it, he started rolling with laughter and said: "What were you talking and what were you doing? How were you behaving?"
The Protective Function of Shastra
This is called Shastra Rakshana. Shastra, it protects us. Dharma saves us, only when we follow Dharma, not otherwise. So Shastra will save us, when we really follow. That divine, this will come. So Sri Ramakrishna became now the Shastra, protecting him. And still he needed lessons, so it went on.
After that he could not meditate. Why could not, he asked Ramakrishna, why he was unable to meditate? Did he consult Sri Ramakrishna: "I am thinking of committing suicide, what is your opinion?"
Sri Ramakrishna would have asked: "What do you want to achieve by committing suicide? If your mind is not under control, what is the problem of the body? The problem is mental, not physical. By getting rid of the body, it is not going to control your mind."
It is the greatest mistake people commit by committing suicide. They think that by getting rid of the body, their suffering will come to an end. No, they will be given another body. No, we will discuss it some other time.
His Brahma Jnana was not complete. What is it? Inside is his God, like our meditation. We are all saints when we are... The moment we come out, forget everything. Forget everything. This is our condition. The moment we see something, some annoying thing or this thing, good thing, bad thing, we forget the whole lot.
Two Reasons for Shastra Rakshana
So, Shastra Rakshana is necessary for two reasons:
- Because that will protect us, invariably lead us to the feet of God
So, we have to follow Shastra. What is Shastra? The experiences of other people. You know your GPS. What is your GPS? Shastra Rakshana. Even if you can't see also, just follow the directions. So, who put that GPS? Somebody has to put. The Guru has to put. Somebody has to put.
"After this street, that street will come. There, there is a traffic light. There, there are three roads. Then you take the first left or second." Like that, the whole thing was...
If somebody had not already put that information there, then how will this GPS guide you? It cannot guide you.
Scripture as Divine Guidance
So, what is scripture? The experiences. What is experiences? Where are the dangers? Where is the easy path which would help a person avoid... "I have gone through these problems. I learnt my lesson. So, I am giving you... When you go to that place, don't go straight. Go this way. And this is the easiest path for you."
This is called Shastra. Shastra means Guru. Guru means what? Who gave this knowledge to the Guru? God. Shastra means God. That is why we worship Shastra. We worship Bhagavad Gita and Gita Jayanti. What are we doing? Worshipping Gita. And Sikhs, what do they do? They worship Guru Granth Sahib.
Because what is Shastra here? Not a book. It is God in the form of worthy, guiding teacher. That's all. God is coming in that form to help us.
Following Scripture Until the Goal
So, this Sutra is telling that "anyatha patitya shankaya" - if we do not follow the scripture... That means what? We have to follow the scripture until we reach the goal. How long do you follow the GPS? Until you reach your destination.
Afterwards, you should not destroy that. Because it will be useful for other people. Not only that. Suppose you want to come back from that place. Even more, you know, especially at night. So, GPS should be there until the last breath. That is one reason.
What is the second reason? We have to be exemplaries for other people so long as we are in society. If nobody is there, you are living in a cave, then you can completely ignore those things.
Scripture for Different Types of Devotees
So, this is what Narada is telling. Always follow the scripture. For bhaktas, what is the scripture now? Last question. This is the scripture. So, follow Narada's teachings.
For bhaktas of Sri Ramakrishna, what is the scripture? Gospel. Not only gospel. It's very important. Great master.
So, what is the necessity for both? The life of Sri Ramakrishna is for inspiration. Because when we read, inspiration doesn't come from the teachings. Inspiration comes from reading the biographies of great souls. But the guidance will come from the teachings.
So, we need both. Merely teachings, guidance will not do. Because so many times our mind, you know, becomes discouraged, disconsolate, and then sometimes wants to give up.
Girish Chandra Ghosh's Experience
I'll give an instance. Girish Chandra Ghosh had offered his power of attorney to Thakur. Thakur accepted. Girish knew he was going to be getting mukti. And Sri Ramakrishna had taken complete responsibility for him.
Now, so long as Girish Chandra Ghosh had lived, the mind will go sometimes up and down. At one point of time, it just went down. He understood. He was trying. And he was asking so many people: "I am, you know, very discouraged, at the very bottom."
And then one day, Brahmanandji came, Rakhal Maharaj. So, Girish Chandra Ghosh told him: "This is my condition."
And Raja Maharaj laughed. He said to, you know, "G.C.," they used to call him, "G.C., that your mind has gone down. When a wave goes down, it only comes with reinforced power. Your mind has gone down to gather tremendous strength. But when this wave rises, it will surpass all the experiences you had until now."
The moment he heard it, his mind, "Ooh," like that it went. Then later on he said: "This is how Holy Company not only protects us, it also guides us."
The Second Depression and Holy Mother's Grace
Then, at another point of time, he was in depression again. This time, Niranjananandji Maharaj came. He said: "Hey G.C., what is called best remedy is let us go to Jairambati, and all that we need to do is to go there. Mother will look after everything. Mother's grace will save you."
And both of them went. And then G.C. went to bow down to Mother. In Calcutta, nobody sees Mother's face. Completely covered, she was a Muslim. In Calcutta, she was a Muslim. Then in Jairambati, she was a Hindu. Sarva Dharma.
Then G.C. went, bowed down at her feet, and the first time he was looking at the face of the Holy Mother, he was shocked. "Mother, you are here."
You know that incident? When he was young, he was very sick. And one night, he was suffering so much. Difficult to describe in English language, means very pleasing type of woman, motherly like person. She came, sat down, passed her hands over him, and slowly the fever, the heat was coming down. He was feeling like he was, you know, like a feverish person. You put ice, like that, cooling down.
And then, by the time she left him, he was completely free from all this. Then she also left one flower there. And he got up. He was thinking: "I was in a delirious state, delirium, and it is an imagination." But he saw the flower. That face was impressed in his mind. But he did not know it was because he visited, he was visiting Jairambati, but nobody could see.
When he went to Jairambati, but he... "Mother, you are here." He immediately, he knew: "This is that mother."
"Ha, Baba? I am that mother."
And then, immediately, you know, his mind, depression, everything gone. And then, he was roaming happily. And people, when people came: "This is that famous Girish Chandra Ghosh."
The Songs of Uma
And then, one day he heard a beggar, "O Uma," and how fortunate you are, his mother was singing, her mother was singing: "That first we were all depressed, you are married to a beggar, and my daughter, king's daughter, to be married to a beggar, now what good news we are hearing, that even Indra, Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, Chandra, they have to wait with slips, your number is one, your number is two, for having even the darshan of your feet.
"And it's all because of you. A beggar has become a Chakravarthi because of you, not because of him."
So, like that, there is one song. Another song: "O Uma, after how many days you are coming, and I cannot bear to part you after a few days. This time, when my son Indra comes and asks for you, then I will tell that you are not at home."
[Brief Interruption]
Continuing the Songs
What was I telling about? "Oh Ma, this time when my son-in-law comes, I am going to tell him, you are not at home."
So, these are the type of songs that he heard from... Who heard? Girish Chandra heard from a beggar, singing so beautifully. Immediately he called him, noted down, because these were prevalent in the local folk songs. And then he rewarded that person.
So, what is the point? Why was I telling this story? By the very presence of Holy Mother, depression has left. Why? She was an embodiment of what? Anandamayi. Who said? Who said? Ramakrishna said.
Holy Mother asked him: "How do you look upon me?"
"That Anandamayi who is in the temple, and that Mother who has given birth to me, I look upon you as the same Anandamayi Ma."
That is why people get so much Ananda in those days. And we also get so much Ananda now.
Holy Mother vs. Ramakrishna in Samadhi
Ramakrishna, if you go, you may not get so much Ananda. Why? He will be in a Samadhi state. He has no ears. "I am in distress." And this fellow is about to discharge the bullet. How is he going to help you?
Holy Mother, she is called Meenakshi. Do you know what is Meenakshi? Fish eye. What is fish eye? Unblinking eye, she is looking: "Where are my children? And what do they need?" If she closes her eyes for a second, the whole world will be destroyed. Without understanding that, we have reverence, but it is nice to know what is the meaning of that name.
The Meaning of Kamakshi
Similarly, Kamakshi. What is Kamakshi? We are also only Kamakshis. Full of desires. She is full of desires. And mother's eyes are full of fulfillment of the desires. Whatever desire her children want, just by looking, she will fulfill the desire, if somebody has got it.
That is why her name is Kamakshi. She can grant anybody's, "Kama" means desire, just by looking at that person. She doesn't need to do anything. Simply, because through her desire, Srishti, Stithi, Laya, everything happens by only her wish. She doesn't need to do anything.
We are also Kamakshis only. You know when? When we are in dream. Whatever you want, immediately present there. Yeah, that's why it is called Kalpataru.
Another day we can talk about it.
Closing Prayer
ॐ जननीम् शरदाम् देविम् रामक्रिष्णम् जगत् गुर्म्
पादपद्मे तयोः स्रित्वाः प्रणमामि मुहुरुमु
Oṁ jananīṁ śaraḍhāṁ deveṁ rāmakriṣṇam jagad-gurum
pādapadmetayosritvā pranamāmi-muhurumuhu