731. Faith is the Obligation in Belief!!!!!!!!!!!!

A deep contemplation will let us understand the subtle difference between belief and faith, even though; these two words are used interchangeably. Belief is more often than not in the mind, while faith is in the heart. 

Belief can be taken as a matter of opinion but faith is significantly a course of action on a belief. One can believe in something without having faith in it. Belief has doubt as its immediate person and hence is quite undemanding, while faith has confidence as its immediate person and hence requires commitment. 

There was a tightrope walker who could walk on the tight rope between two fifty storeyed buildings at the height of hundred feet from ground. He was such an expert in the act that thousands of people would watch him perform the breathtaking feat. After walking from one building he would ask his assistant to sit on his shoulder and he would proceed to walk across to the other building. 

After the event the audience, who were amazed and gave him a standing ovation. He asked them whether they believed that he could do such a dangerous act. The audience said, “Yes, we believe that you can!” After a short while he asked the audience again, “Anyone here wants to get on my shoulder?” To that the audience became quite. 

We can believe only what we see. In the above incidence, the crowd believed in the tightrope walker because they saw him perform the feat. But when he asked them “Who wants to get on my shoulder?” everyone remain quite. This is because the crowd had belief but they did not have faith in him. 

This is exactly how we behave when we say we believe in Absolute, we fail to have faith in His act. Just having belief will take us nowhere but even more important is to have faith in Him. The assistant has not only the belief on the tightrope walker but also has faith and hence he surrenders himself to the tightrope walker and all he does is sits still and live the rest to the artist; likewise we have to do our duty and surrender our deed to Him so that He will take care if we have complete faith in Him. ................  Right??

730. Transformation of Matters, Creation and our Attitudes………………

In scientific world we are aware of transformations which are classified as two reversible and irreversible. While explaining this theories science gives example of water condensing to ice and then evaporating as steam in reversible transformation while milk converting to curds is irreversible transformation. In both the cases there were transformations that can be easily distinguished in terms of their state like solid, liquid and gaseous. But there is one transformation that is not felt to the external sensory organs. This transformation happens without transformation exactly like gold becoming ornament, mud becoming pot and iron becoming hammer, etc. 

Even though the ornament has gold in it the ornament has a different name like bangles, necklace, bracelet etc. This transformation has induced the name and form to the existing gold which was and is original state. After many years the said ornaments are re-melted and it goes back to the original state of gold. In fact, from the point of view of the gold, there is no transformation but from the points of view of the ornaments, there is a new creation, existence as well as separateness from original objects called gold. We have to appreciate the knowledge of our ancients for providing the description of the creation. This is the glory of Vedanta. The transformation of things in a transformation-less way. 

Here gold is the one which is eternal and does not get altered even if it is a ring or bracelet or necklace exactly in the same way in the very existence of ours we have our name and form. Some of us are lawyers, doctors, engineers, actors depending upon our abilities and capabilities. At the same time some are mild, while some are harsh, some are tolerant, some are arrogant and so on. Yet as the ring or bracelet or necklace is basically gold, we all living and non living are “THAT” imperishable source and are same at the core. 

That source from which we have come is immeasurable “APRAMEYA” and unchangeable “ADHOKSHAJA”. In the Vishnushasranama we find these words Aprameya in 248th and Adhoksaja is the 415th. 

It is mentioned in Mahabharata Uttara Parva “Adho na kshiyate jaatu yasmaat tasmaat adhoksajah”- meaning: He is Adhokshaja because He undergoes no degeneration from His original nature. Yes, that which does not undergo any change or that which is free from degradation or decay is only “BRAHMAN” 

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says, “I pervade this entire universe in unmanifested form; all being arise from me but I have nothing to do with any of them – Look at my glory O Arjuna’. 

Just as it is the glory of gold that exists in varieties of ornaments in forms and names, so is the glory of Lord Krishna that is in different names and forms of humanity; but the misconceptions of each form has nothing to do with Him. We people suffer because of our own misconceptions which are the fallout of the attitudes we posses. The only solution to the problem is to recognize our true nature and mend our attitudes. 

What Say??????

728. Rules are to be followed, it should neither to be breached nor braced!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/rules-are-to-be-followed-it-should-neither-to-be-breached-nor-braced

It is impossible to imagine a society where every person has a same level of thinking. Theoretically it is very fine to have a place like that but practically it is a little weary. If every person has the same idea where is the place for diversity and variety? Agree that there would be harmony but one has to accept that there would be no ecstasy as well. When the whole lot has the same ideas numbers does not matter.

Nature has designed us in such a way that we all think differently so that each thought can play and active role in surging us forward. That nature which has created us so has amazingly not induced in us the ability to appreciate the diversity of thoughts. Every one of us has this quality of considering the thought of others as erroneous if not always rarely in any case.

Let us consider a simple example: Though Lord Krishna tells in Bhagavad-Gita that there are four paths for liberation. A person who is treading a particular path finds his path superior and all the other three paths to be inferior. It may be said that those who have read Bhagavad-Gita and not understood it fully have this notion. Even Lord Krishna stated that every individual is born with different nature hence a single path is not suitable for everyone. Therefore one must choose the path based on his nature rather than blindly follow the path of others. This is a statement of adjustment made by Him.   

Such statements are made as a rule to see that people do not take anything for granted and conclude what they think is right. In modern society there are rules and regulations for every instant keeping with the interest of the society. Those who breach the set rules are punished for going against the interest of the society. If we think these rules and regulations are to balance the welfare of the individual as well as society, some use them as Anukula Shastra (Convenient Scripture) while some take it too seriously and stick to them as if they were born to upholding them. In that regard they try to enforce their ideologies on others which might seem to be hard going at times. Finally if breaching the rules is bad, taking it too serious and making others life uncomfortable is also not appreciable.

There was an ancient temple in a village which was near a historic monument which attracted many foreigners. After visiting the monument the tourist would visit the temple also. As the foreign tourist never mind wearing shoes into their place of worship even here some would walk in with them. The temple authorities had a sentry posted outside a temple to make sure that no ones enter the temple with shoes. A board was also place which read "Please leave your footwear here". The sentry religiously followed the rules and ensured that everyone removed their shoes before entering.

One day a local come barefooted from home which was near by. Sentry stopped the person and said, “Leave your footwear before you enter the temple”.

The man was shocked he rechecked his foot and said, “Bhaiya, can’t you see that I have come barefoot?”

“Sorry gentleman, Rule is a rule for local as well as foreigners. I cannot allow you, if you wish to enter in the temple go home put on your shoe and remove it here before me. Only then you are eligible to enter in the temple.”

729. Destiny and Free Will………

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/destiny-and-free-will-517190

Destiny is relevant to me as it is the sum total of the results of my past actions. Absolute is just the dispenser of the fruits of those past actions; hence it is me who can be pointed to as the creator of my own destiny. Free-will is what I exercise now to all those actions that I intended to do. So Destiny is because of my Past Karma while Free-Will is my present Karma.

Can my Free Will caste its influence on my Destiny?

Yes and No, Yes when the intensity of the Free-Will is more than the Destiny and No when the Destiny is more powerful than my Free-Will. Destiny is Adrista to me as I cannot see what is in store for me. Free-Will is what I know I can do and the consequences thereafter.

Is Destiny an obstacle to my Free-Will?

No, though it is not possible to achieve exactly what I want from my Free-Will, it is not correct to say that Destiny is an obstacle to my Free-Will. Hence Lord Krishna says, “You have right to perform Action, but you are not entitled to the fruits of those actions.”

But then sometimes the actions which my Free-Will do yields exactly as I want it?? How?

Who knows what the Destiny was in store for me maybe it wanted me to have the exact result. So my only interest should be to exercise my Free-Will and perform action.

Now if Destiny is all deciding then why should I perform action at all? Why not just simply sit quite and do nothing waiting for the Destiny to unfurl itself?

I cannot just simply sit doing nothing. No Living being can just sit doing nothing even plants and animals do something for their growth. Like Photosynthesis in plants and Sleep, Eat, Enjoy and Defend (SEED) in animals. I am a Human I too need to get involved in some kind of activities.

Will not my Free-Will which is my present Karma ensure Destiny in future?

Any action involves a Doer carrying out an activity. Or in other words, action is an egocentric act in which the Doer, as an ego is always present. Thus this doing involves a Doer thinking himself as a Doer in action. So as long as there is a Doer, he is entitled for the result of those actions and hence he will be the enjoyer too. This includes not only the physical deeds but thoughts as well. Since thoughts are nothing but deeds on a mental plane.

Now if I perform actions without the notion of Doer-Ship then the fruits of those actions are not mine. Thus my Free-Will will not incur fresh resultant fruits. This is the reason why Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to participate in the war and not to worry about its outcome. Since the outcome of the war is already predestined.

Is there any proof for this statement?

When Arjuna had the vision of the Lord as Cosmic representation, he could see the great warriors including Bhishma, Drona, Karna and all the sons of Dritharastra rushing into His mouth with their heads smashed. This in fact made Arjuna to remain as Nimmita Matram (just as an instrument). These were the exact words of the Lord “nimmita matram bhava savyasachi” which were very significant. The whole world is moving according to the plan of the Absolute Consciousness. To make that plan operational there is a need for substance and my Free-Will fills the gap by becoming the instrument.

727. Relating or Relationships which is more important??

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/relating-or-relationships-which-is-more-important

I became a bit health conscious after experiencing lower backache. I started walking at the park near my house early mornings to reduce weight. On one such session a middle age person coming from opposite direction extended his hand with a broad smile on his face. I took his hand and shook it; the person felt my grip too strong. He later realized that I was not the person whom he thought I was. “I know you have confused me with someone else you know.” I said. The person agreed and smiled again, but as a fine gesture he said my handshake was very firm and he liked the grip. I too smiled at him and we both parted away. I happened to see him the next day and for the whole week we confronted each other. On Sunday we had a little chat on the park bench and we got to know each others profession and occupation.

A month back I did not even know who that person was and now just a mistaken handshake made us both to relate to each other. From this incident I understood that there is no necessity to have and maintain a relationship to relate to a person. Relating is spontaneous as against relationship which is destined. There are many relationships in our life we have and maintain like father-son, mother-daughter, brother-sister and even the most important husband-wife. In some case these relationships have been maintained without relating to each other. Now a question arises what is more important is it to relate to each other or just maintain a relationship?

Why do we fail to relate with those with whom we have a relationship? A father and son are not in talking terms so are brothers, and even worst are some husband and wife even though living under the same roof do not relate with each other.

The only two words to keep a relationship healthy is “Adjust” and “Compromise.” We have been hearing this for ages but we do not know when to adjust and when to compromise. Also we do not know what to adjust with and what to compromise for. As far as I understand Life is a combination of both adjustment and compromise. One has to adjust when someone wants to be with him very badly and he has to compromise with them with whom he would want to be with very badly. 

If it is a little confusing let us look at it this way. We have seen people advising a girl to adjust with his drunkard husband. Is it right for the girl to adjust with a drunkard, no because the husband prefers alcohol to his wife. If the drunkard husband wants his wife, he will have to compromise and shun his drinking habit.

Compromise is to let go something be it a horrible habit or stupid out-dated dogmas in order to create some kind of balance in a relationship. It could become compulsory since the relationship may demand it, or more often than not, because of major ego clash. There is nothing wrong to lose something small to gain someone whom one loves to be with and feel proud and brand themselves “BAAZIGAR.”

To Adjust is a deliberately chosen act which is triggered by our free will. This act may make things better by creating a perfect amalgamation to the relationship. It could become obligatory since the relationship may demand it, or more often than not, because of narcissistic attitude. There is nothing wrong to mould oneself according to the situation by blending with someone who loves to be with and feel proud and brand themselves “JADUGAR.”

One need not be a Baazigar or a Jadugar when there is lots and lots and lots of Pyaar in the Ghar……..What say?????

726. Being Normal is a Mindset…..!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/being-normal-is-a-mindset

To be normal like everybody is what everyone living in society will be aiming at. There is nothing wrong at trying to be normal, but one has to understand that the word normal is just a mindset. Hence wanting to be normal is just a delusional, paranoid perception of inadequacy that lends to a behavior that sometimes may turn out to be self demeaning. Here an individual who is attempting to be normal will make himself look abnormal. So the bottom line is that the most abnormal thing in this world is the desire to be normal.  

The deeper meaning of being normal is to do what the most of them do, so it’s a norm irrelevant of whether it has merits or demerits to its credit. The highlight is that this normality depends on majority. This majority created normality is the problem. When I was young I had read a statement “It’s difficult to be honest in a corrupt situation and corrupt in an honest situation.” The situation which is mentioned in this statement has its strength in the majority. This normality which has been accepted by the majority has made us thick skinned and insensitive.    

Now the society in general has accepted corruption as normal. This majority accepted normality has elevated those who were “Need based Greedy” to “Greed based Needy.” It is very natural to think about our own survival as even that thought is also normal and it too has the support of majority. So normally taking bribe and indulging in corruption is a norm. If so, why make a law to curb corruption instead let us reward the most corrupt individual with highest honors. It is quite natural for us to appreciate those who excel in certain field as a part of encouragement.

Having said all these I find it quite amazing when I hear people talk and gossip about individuals who have amassed disproportionate assets. They accept that greasing is normal for getting things done faster yet have that uneasy gesture when they hear about a person who is corrupt. Now the confusion is if one does not accept that which is normal how does it remain normal?

This majority affiliated normalcy has gone to such an extent that it is made many of us think that its normal for a celebrity to drink and drive over people, for a developer or a builder to encroach a lake or a gazing land to build skyscrapers, for a bookie to use a wonderful game to make money through betting, for an N.G.O to be used as smoke screen for stalling any development projects and the list goes on and on and on and on.   

The final realization is that doing which is normal just allows me to fit in. It just puts me in a situation where I might feel that I have done what everyone else does on regular basis. In this process I might have sympathizers and supporters but I do not realize that I am abnormal doing so. As seen in the photo what is normal to a spider is chaotic to a fly. What many could be presuming anything to be normal need not be normal to me…I need to use my intellect which is the higher than mind to decide if it is normal or not…What Say?

727. Avaricious Materialism is an Hindrance to Spiritual Seeker..

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/avaricious-materialism-is-an-hindrance-to-spiritual-seeker

A Snake Charmer once caught a venomous snake and kept it in a basket. With an intention to subdue it completely and get it under his control he did not feed the snake for a few days. The poor thing was starving in the basket and its energy had almost drained out. It so happened that the Snake Charmer had left his hut and there was a rat which was happily playing on the basket. The Snake which heard the rat jumping on the basket playfully requested the rat to help it come out of the basket. The rat knew that once the snake is out of the basket it would kill and swallow it so was reluctant to help the snake. The snake mesmerized the rat by luring it with its hypnotizing words of praise. At last the rat fell for the sweet words of the snake and began to bit the basket to make a hole so that the snake can slip out of it. Even before the hole could be completed the snake which was hungry sprang out of the basket and stung the rat with its poisonous flanges and swallowed it. Then it crawled out of the hut and on the way it spotted the Snake Charmer returning back to the hut and bit him too killing him instantaneously. 

This is a story told to kids at kindergarten giving a moral to it saying never help a wicked person as he is sure to cause harm to you. Well, for those tiny kids this moral is so sufficient but as a spiritual seeker it gives me a different perception to look at what the story has to offer me to learn from it.

Here the Snake Charmer is the Spiritual Seeker who always carries a basket, the Sadhana Prakriya (Spiritual Practice). The Snake Charmer finds the snake in the form of unfulfilled desires and wantons. He wants it to have it under his control and puts it in the basket without feeding it with the Vishayaasakthi (excessive attraction to materialism). This snake which even though has lost its energy uses the rat (mind). The materialism praise the mind saying it is capable of achieving anything and it hypnotizes it by using words like will-power, self-confidence and instigates it to run after materialism to fulfill all its sense gratification. If the self inspiration and self motivation was to achieve something to elevate it would be a worth appreciating venture but unfortunately it is with the avaricious intent and not to excel in life hence it is to bind the Jivatma (individual self) to Samsara (cycles of birth and death) and entrap it.         

When the Spiritual Seeker is diverted a little bit just like our Snake Charmer who walked away from the hut for a short while. The unfulfilled desires and wantons approach the mind and lure it to break away from the Sadhana Prakriya. The mind falls for the always changing and charming materialism and starts to make a dent to the Sadhana Prakriya by cutting through it. The unfulfilled desires and wantons once out of the Sadhana Prakriya start to devour the mind. Then once it has fed satisfactorily upon the mind, it will then finish of the Spiritual Seeker also.         

So beware of Avaricious Materialism in the form of the snake which will swallow the mind in the form of rat and subsequently finish the Spiritual Seeker in you ….!

725.What is it that which we really need from the Absolute?

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/what-is-it-that-which-we-really-need-from-the-absolute

The needs of every individual vary according to the season, region, reason and eon. There is no one in this world who does not want anything if asked to make a wish for. There is a wrong notion among some of the believers that prayer is an application to Him. Every time they enters a place of worship they have an application of their wantons. There is nothing wrong in seeking Absolute as they say “the cry of the child alerts the mother to breast feed it”.  But then He is Omniscient (Knower of all) does He not know what we need is the question. Yet it is our duty to let Him know what we need and to give it or not is His game plan.

What is it one individual may need wealth? An expensive and luxurious car? A spacious mansion? Power? Status? And the list goes on and on. And there is not end to the list of wantons. And these flippant pursuits that we are after do satisfy the urge to be happy for that very moment. What is that thing which when got could deliver endless ecstasy? Which is that thing that when obtained and bestow contentment to us? How is that thing which can bestow us unlimited bliss obtained?  

A seeker approaches Absolute to get his unfulfilled ambitions and untold desires be fulfilled. There are divergent reasons for the desire to crop up in us and our aim is to reach those goals. But what are the priorities and which is the first and foremost to be attained is the job of the intellect to decide. If the intellect is questioned it will give us the correct decision which does not make us regret later. Which is the right one? Which is the one that the intellect may guide us to? 

There is an incident in Mahabharata which answers to these questions accurately and firmly.
 
Kurukshetra war was inevitable even with the intervention of Sri Krishna and the preparations for the D-day were on. Shakuni advised Duryodhana to go and get the help of the Yadava dynasty, so he goes to Dwaraka. When Duryodhana arrived at the palace he finds Sri Krishna sleeping. There were two chairs in the chamber one near the head of the Lord and the other near the foot. Duryodhana know for his pride and arrogance wished to sit on the chair near the head of the Lord as he felt disgraceful to sit on the other chair. On the other side Arjuna too decided to talk to Sri Krishna and get the support from Him. He also arrived at Dwaraka, went to the Lord's chamber and found him asleep. He took up the chair that was near the Lords feel and waited for Him to wake up.
 
In due course, the Sri Krishna woke up. Arjuna who sat near his feet was obliviously the first person He saw. As He turned to get up His eyes fell on Duryodhana. The purpose of their visit was made known to Him. However, He asked them what He could do for them. Both answered that they had come to request for His assistance in the ensuing war. Sri Krishna said that they had placed Him in a difficult predicament by asking for the same thing, but He could not deny either of them. So He offered them two options - one, He Himself would be on one side alone and He would not touch any weapon; and on the other side He would offer His entire armed forces.

He told that Arjuna had the first right to choose between His two offers. Why? Sri Krishna gave two reasons, firstly He saw Arjuna first that is why he should be the first to choose; secondly Arjuna was younger to Duryodhana that also places him on the first place to choose for.

Arjuna promptly prayed to Krishna and asked Himself to be on the side of the Pandavas. Duryodhana heaved a sigh of relief and took Sri Krishna's entire forces. Sri Krishna granted their requests. Duryodhana was very happy that Arjuna did not ask for Krishna's armies, otherwise what he would do with Sri Krishna who would not touch any weapon in the war. With these choices we all know who won the war.  

“We have to seek Him, not ask for the things He can give us.”

If the Lord gives us everything in the Universe but withholds Himself from us, we gain little. But if we seek Him, we get not merely Him but all that is His!

What say?

724. Being what I am is better than wanting to be Others...

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/being-what-i-am-is-better-than-wanting-to-be-others

There is nothing wrong if I admire someone who has excelled in a certain field and trying to take the good from that character and emulate them for my excellence. There are many who have role models like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Swami Vivekananda and so on. What is there for me to follow in them? Is it the way they lived or the way they were? There is a difference between becoming what they are and following what they do. If I am following Mahatma Gandhi that does not mean that I need to look like him wearing only dhoti and holding a stick in my hand. That would be like I am taking part in a fancy dress contest. Truthfulness, simplicity and equanimity was the subtle virtues the great man had and I need to look in to achieve those traits instead of behaving the way he is on the outwardly look. 

It so happened that a frog lived in the pond adjacent to a temple. It was happily croaking one rainy morning synchronizing with the other frogs in the pond. It watched the temple priest offering Prasadam to the cow in the street. This visual let the frog thinking, “What life is this, if I was a cow people would have fed me.” Before it could end that monologue a dog appeared from nowhere and started barking at the cow which took to heels. 

Seeing this, the frog had a change in its thought now it wished to be a dog. While it was thinking and wishing, a small boy threw a stone at the dog and chased it away. This scene made the frog decide that human life is the best as it is the only species which has the authority over others. The little boy went to the temple platform and slept, the frog was watch the boy who was sleeping then a fly started pestering the boy and he had to move from there.


Now the frog started thinking if a small fly can bother a human then it was better to be a fly and so now, it wanted to become a fly. As the frog was contemplating on this the same fly flew past it and by instinct, without its own conscious the frog stuck out its tongue caught the fly and gulped it.Within a fraction of a second that fly was now in its stomach then the frog realized that being what it is now is the best of all.


If I am not satisfied with myself I cannot be satisfied if I am others also. There is a continuous desire to become someone else other than our self. The best person is the one you see when you stand in front of a mirror. Even though I try emulating all the good things from others it has to be me alone to practice them, so unavoidably I have to be me……Happy to be ME……….  Am i right?????

723. Is Maturity Directly Proportional to the Chronological Age??

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/is-maturity-directly-proportional-to-the-chronological-age

I used to feel that Prabuddha Tatvam (Maturity) is a quality that is obtained with age, and now I understand that I was wrong. The routine belief is that the older one grows the more mature he is. To some extent this is true, but there are some instances where a few adults are very immature, while modern younger kids are much more mature in terms of the need to survive in this world. Those immature people are not only childish (note: not childlike) but are not self-reliable they need the support of alcohol or drugs to help them comes to the point of admitting.

Also we have imagined that the experience in our life will get us maturity. Yes, this is also true; but if we give a though to what we do with our experience we will know if we are matured enough or not. Maturity doesn't mean we accept or generate the ability to analyse the mistakes that happen by us. Rather maturity calls for the ability of staying away from making the same mistakes again. To sum it up I feel that maturity is the stage where analyzing of a mistake stops and the one is made up his mind not to get into the same situation again. Maturity does not mean experience only, but experience is one of the ways to get matured. It is a responsibility of our thought word and deed and development of ability to manage anger and know about the art of settling differences without hurting others. It also gives us lesson on patience and pours in the secret behind the readiness to pass up instant pleasure in favor of the long-term bliss.

Mature person has a lot of humility; he does not fall back to tell that he does not know when a much younger person than him is telling something on a subject which he really does not know. At the same time if he is referring to a subject to a much older person to him who is listening, he does not have the attitude of “I know it, don’t you”.      

A Mature individual is the one who has mastered the art of living in harmony. He lives with that which cannot be changed and has enough courage to change that which needs to be changed. And most importantly he does know the difference of the two also. He has the ability to make a decision and stand by it while an immature spend his entire life discovering endless possibilities to the solution and come up with nothing at all. 

722. As a Hindu this is how I understand appearance of Buddhadeva...

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/as-a-hindu-this-is-how-i-understand-appearance-buddhadeva

Buddhadeva finds mention among the Sad Vaishnava sect and is referred as the Ninth incarnation of Sri Hari in many works of the famous Dasavarenyaru like Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Vijayadasa and the pontiff of the Madhva Sampradaya like Sri Vadhiraja Thirtharu.  In fact there is mention of Buddhadeva in Harivamsha, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana, Agni Purana, Narada Purana, Linga Purana, Padma Purana etc.

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 3 Verses 24 says  “Then, at the beginning of Kaliyuga, the Sri Hari will appear as Buddhadeva born as son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.” ...

The Bhavishya Purana contains the following: “At this time, reminded of the Kali Age, Sri Hari born as Gautama, taught the Buddhist dharma for ten years. At the first stage of the Kali Age, the path of the Vedas was destroyed and all men became Buddhists.

The conclusion is that though the Hindu Puranas are unclear about Budhadeva they have not been able to ignore Him and His teachings which has indeed has an impact on Hindu Dharma. In this era whether one like it or not Buddhadeva’s teachings are universally accepted and some sects of Hindu system consider Him as the Ninth incarnation of Sri Hari.

I have not been able to understand the version which projects Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna as the eight incarnation and Lord Krishna Himself the Ninth! Why would Sri Hari reincarnate as two forms at the same eon.

Well this needs to be explained as to why Sri Hari, the Vedic God had to appear as Buddhadeva and talk against the Vedas and Upanishads???

The sequence of events that followed after Lord Krishna went back to Paramapada and the end of the Dwapara and the start of Kali made the whole system take a turn. This is not a research thesis but a bit of deep thinking which made me analyse the sequence as follows:

Lord Krishna had in Bhagavad-Gita talked of the Varnashrama Dharma on the basis of Guna (Attributes) and Karma (Prarabdha), mankind started to get the different meaning of it and considered Varnasharma to be categorized as caste and sanctioned it by birth.  

Majority in the Brahmin or the priestly class noticed that at the dawn of the agricultural age those farmers who had to toil the farms and work the whole day had no time to study texts and gain knowledge from them. They started to visit the Brahmin sect either early in the morning or late in the evenings to ask for advice based on texts or interpretations. This made the Brahmin sect think that the knowledge they acquire was power and those who did not have them were inferior to them.

This situation made them propagate their own way of interpreting the sacred texts according to their benefit. They also started telling that Sanskrit was the divine language and one who is pure and clean has to learn it and normal individuals who do not take bath daily and not pure, were not allowed to read the texts. Thereby the other class of Kshatriya,Vaishya and Shudra were denied access to holy texts, this made them depend on the Brahmin sect for religious and spiritual knowledge. Brahmin sect started to flourish economically also by getting dakshina from the other class. This situation made a lot more economic sense to force the other class to perform costly rituals at temples from birth to death. Brahmin priest literally became the agents in issuing the ticket to heaven, provided one had the money and were rich enough to perform the ritual mentioned by them. The Brahmin sect went away from Dharma and considered them selves above all.

As Sri Hari had promised to come when Dharma was declining and as there was a gloom of darkness and to illuminate the horizon of mankind Sri Hari incarnated as Buddhadeva. To teach mankind of compassion and kindness which was lost buried deep under the pile of sacred scriptures and holy texts.   

Today is Vaishaka Purnima also known as Buddha Purnima the day Buddha appeared to show the path of humanity to us.

721. Can Any Mortal imagine getting the Better of Absolute……..

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/can-any-mortal-imagine-getting-the-better-of-absolute

Sri Narasimha Maha-Mantra

Ugram Veeram Mahaa-Vishnum, Jwalantham Sarvatho Mukham

Narasimham Bheeshanam Bhadram Mrityu-Mrityum Namaamyaham.

“O, Angry and Brave Maha-Vishnu, your heat and fire permeate everywhere. O Lord Narasimha, you are everywhere. You are the death to death and I surrender to You.”

Thousands and thousands of stories are found in Hindu puranas which describes the ferocious and daring acts of Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Sriman Narayana. The circumstances under which Sriman Narayana descends to earth in the form of Narasimha are to be found in the fact, as specified in the Puranas, that in his previous incarnation as Varaha (boar), Sriman Narayana vanquishing the demon Hiranyaksha ans the infuriated brother Hiranyakashipu vowed revenge. While commanding his troop to create havoc on earth, Hiranyakashipu himself prepared for the battle with Sriman Narayana. He scaled the Mandrachala Mountain and performed severe penances. Though termites built the mounds, kusha grass grew over it and his body began to weaken. So also he would not stir, nature took the toll on this immense penance; the rivers and oceans rose high; the volcanoes started to shoot out of the earth crest; and his astral bodies went astray. The fiery smoke emanating from Hiranyakashipu’s very head left a massive trail of destruction, and the panic-stricken devas, led by Indra, finally made their way to Brahma’s abode. They cried out to Brahma to help them.

Brahma warning them that if he granted the wish of the asura the creation would soon become extinct, but devas unable to tolerate the destructions happening due to his penance pleaded with Brahma to intercede. Brahma appeared before Hiranyakashipu and agreed to grant him any boon; hopeful that the destruction from his harsh penance would come to an end. “Grant me the boon of Immortality” the asura asked. Brahma told it was impossible for a being which has taken birth from a womb to be immortal. Brahma asked him to ask for any other boon. Hiranyakashipu requested, “O Supreme! Let my death not occur by the hands of either human, or animal, or deva or demon. Let me not die indoors nor outdoors, neither during the day nor night, and neither by weapons nor mantra, neither on earth nor sky. Let me not be killed by any one born from Andaja (one born out of egg), Jaraja (one born out of womb), Shakaja (one born out of moisture) or Udbija (one born out of seed). Let me not die on Earth or in Space, or in Fire or Water, inside a building or outside, not by a weapon of holding (sword) or throwing (arrow), by any thing that is animate or inanimate nor by anyone created by you (Brahma)”.

Emboldened by the boon, Hiranyakashipu and his asuras lost no time in bringing the entire universe under their jurisdiction, dominating every thing, and creating an uncontrollable terror. This time, not able to face Brahma, who had warned them of the consequences of granting boon to the asura, devas approach Sriman Narayana, who consoled them with the observation that the seeds of Hiranyakashipu’s destruction was planted in his own home. As righteous parents do not always have worthy offspring, wicked-minded father also do not always seed wicked-minded child. Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlada, is a devoted devotee of Sriman Narayana, and his father’s ceaseless efforts to make him abandon his faith do not bear fruit. He is subjected with much pain and suffering; asuras are let loose on him; and he is thrown down a cliff; put in boiling oil; let poisonous snakes crawl over him; finally made to drink poison give by his mother. Yet, Prahlada survives all these ordeals to end his life. Immensely pleased by his devotion, Sriman Narayana at last decides to intervene directly.

When Hiranyakashipu asked Prahalada to show his Lord, he answer there is no need to show Him as He is every where. Hearing this Hiranyakashipu want to know if the Absolute is in the pillar in his kingdom and strikes one with his mace. From the pillar, Sriman Narayana appears in the form of Narasimha before Hiranyakashipu. As half human (Nara) and half lion (Simha) (neither human nor lion, and not a creation of Brahma), He springs out of a pillar (not born of egg or womb or moisture or seed); he strikes at twilight (neither day nor night); and he attacks Hiranyakashipu at the threshold of his palace, under the arch of the doorway (neither inside the building nor outside). Narasimha throws Hiranyakashipu upon his thighs (neither on earth nor in the sky) and rips apart his bowels with his claws (claws are neither living nor nonliving). And pulls out the intestine and wears it as a garland (neither a thrown nor holding weapon) and kills Hiranyakashipu.

Narasimha appeared from the pillar on Vaishakamasa Shuklapaksha Trayodashi which is today. Let Sri Lakshmi Narasimha grant all the seeker peace and tranquility. 

719. Spirituality at your door step but with a Price Tag!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/spirituality-at-your-door-step-but-with-a-price-tag

Spiritual thoughts are very easy to preach, and to some extent easier to understand yet they are complete difficult to practice. Spiritual thoughts that I refer to here is to practice compassion, detachment and letting go of negative emotions like Anger, fear, worry, insecurity, anxiety, hatred, grief and suffering. While interacting with the society everyone is challenged by everyday situations wherein it is unavoidable to wrestle with these emotions. It is here that the Spiritual Thoughts bring in awareness of the situation and help us to make progress on the path.

Spirituality is most used and abused word in recent times. While one section has soiled it with the narrow minded dogmas and belief, the other section is the most dangerous one it has used it to mint money. Every upcoming city in India has many ashrams which boast about conducting Spiritual Awakening Courses. But isn't Spirituality the blooming of Inner Awareness? Is it not just to be aware that “I” came with nothing and will go with nothing?

When I know that “I” will go with nothing and this is the substratum of Spirituality why should a seeker pay to know this? Earlier this spiritual knowledge was given by an enlightened soul and every seeker would go to him, now the so called Spiritual knowledge is at our door step with a price tag with it.

Now the question is what is the seeker seeking? Is it the Spiritual Knowledge or just a solace to the restless Mind?

We have confused Spiritual Knowledge with Mind Management. Most of those who attend the various courses at various ashramas are from upper middle class and high class societies. There is lot of stress and strain they undergo during the weekdays for which they find solace if they attend those so called “Spiritual Retreats” every weekends. But Spiritual Knowledge is not so once the seeker imbibes them it opens the doors to experiencing LIFE as it is, for what it is. The seeker thus comprehend that life is nothing but a string of experiences where each moment is relished with the curiosity of a child and the courage of an explorer.  This secret to experience life as it unfolds is never revealed to the seeker in the so called ashrams as they want the seeker to attend all the courses organized by them.

An individual who seeks relief from stress and strain is different from a seeker who is a mumukshu. A mumukshu needs and searches for Spiritual Knowledge while the other person wants just Life Transformation skills. The later has to update himself every now and then as he finds it difficult to accept the Spiritual perspective to living. Spiritual perspective is living with awareness. He connects everything in life to a material which is impermanent and hence he is depended on the sense of security. All his fears, insecurities and worries are connected in some form or the other to his money which is why it is difficult to stay detached.

Actually, detaching in itself is easy. What scares an individual most is what might happen when he become detached. The bottom line is that the idea of living without money is easy and simple, but the fear of living without money kills. The individual is in a dilemma and so he clings on to that fear and hence has to suffer. Detachment, clinging and fear have a very messy relationship.

Spirituality means to live free and live in a let-go!  To know this does a seeker have to take a course and pay for it……..I wonder!!!!!!

720. OM ! SHANTHI ! SHANTHI ! SHANTHIH !

The Upanishads have Shanthi mantras and each of the shanthi mantras conclude with Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthihi. 

Why do we ask for shanthi three times in each shanthi mantra????  Is there any significance in doing so????

 There are three kinds of Pida (Afflictions) that we humans are to face, Adhyatmika, Adhibhutika and Adhidaivika.   

Adhyatmika are problems that are related to one's own self. These maybe physical and mental issues that one person has to deal within himself like diseases, anger, frustrations, emotions etc. 

Adhibhutika is imposed on one due to circumstances involving people maybe his family members, relatives or friends and events that come as part of one's Prarabdha karma like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc. 

Adhidaivika are those beyond our control which may affect whole of the society in which we live including us such as Tsunami, Earthquake, Volcanoes, and such Natural Calamities.

We humans are very intelligent we have strength to monitor the natural calamities and give us updated of such event in prior but destiny will deceive us and bring disaster with death with it. Humans are indeed doing their part very well but the mother nature has her own say.   

 So while reciting Upanishad mantras there are the Shanthi mantras which request the Providence to bring in peace to us. It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unforeseen forces (Adhidaivika). It is chanted softer the second time, directed to our immediate surroundings and those around (Adhibhutika), and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself (Adhyatmika).

May the people of Nepal and affected area get the strength to overcome this disaster, and let us pray it may not repeat again

OM SHANTHI SHANTHI SHANTHIH !!!!

718. Srimad Ramanujacharya’s doctrine of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta.

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/srimad-ramanujacharyas-doctrine-of-vishishtadvaita-vedanta

Today (24-04-2015) happens to be the birth star of Srimad Ramanuja who is considered one among the Acharya Trio in Indian Philosophy, let us know about the doctrine he proclaimed in which gave importance to Bhakti along with Knowledge.  

Srimad Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. He lived for 120 Years and preached Vishistadvaita (Qualified Non Dualism) philosophy. Though he did not differ much from Sri Sri Sankaras’ Advaita philosophy (Non Dualism), he wanted to clarify certain things. In the opinion of Srimad Ramanuja, God is not only eternal, ‘His’ nature contains elements of plurality i.e. ‘He’ is empowered with manifestation.

Srimad Ramanuja rejects the doctrine that the materialistic world is illusory and unreal. According to Srimad Ramanuja, the materialistic world is not unreal unless it is viewed as distinct from Brahman. The materialistic world is not simply a realm of false and illusory appearances. He says the materialistic world can never be overlooked by illusion. If Maya (Illusion) itself were to subdue the Brahman, then illusion would be greater than Brahman. His version of this materialistic world is the Drama (Leela), which happens at His instructions. 

Srimad Ramanuja also differs from Sri Sri Sankara on equating Jivatmas and Paramatma. Jivatmas can never be equated to Paramatma; though he is a particle of it, his position is to serve the Brahman. As the hand is a part of the body and also a servant of the body. 

Srimad Ramanuja preferred Saguna Upasana worship in Gross Form (Idol worship). He agreed to Sri Sri Sankara about the Jnana (Knowledge) being important for Mukthi (Salvations), but felt Jnana (Knowledge) and Bhakti (Devotion) are both necessary. Like the knowledge of the name of pill for a headache alone cannot relive the pain one should take the pill.

Srimad Ramanuja never distinguished between Nirguna and Saguna aspects of Brahman. According to his theory, Brahman is personal with qualities like Sarvavyapta (Omnipresent), Sarvgana (Omniscient), and Sarvashaktha (Omnipotent). When Vedic text describes God as Nirguna it means that God is untouched by the qualities like high and low. Being Saguna ‘He’ stands perfect without changes in accordance with space and time.

Since Brahman is accepted as Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient, the Srimad Ramanuja declares that ‘He’ is the only one with Satyattva (Embodiment of Truth), Jnanattva (Embodiment of Knowledge) and Anantattva (Embodiment of Infinity). Moreover, Srimad Ramanuja speaks in his Vedanta sutra that the Lord is Imminent, Transcendent, and Unchanging.

Srimad Ramanuja emphasized on Prapathi through Bhakti i.e. Surrender through Devotion for Liberation (Mukti) in his Vishishtadvaita Vedanta.

717. Message on Endurance from Jagat Jyothi Basaveshwara.

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/message-on-endurance-from-jagat-jyothi-basaveshwara

Endurance is efforts with patience and wisdom. The power to hold on in spite of anything is the quality of a winner and this is termed Endurance. Our greatest wisdom is not in never to fail, but to rise every time we fail. It's our constant and determined effort that will eventually break down all resistance and sweep all the barriers before us. Endurance is the crowning quality of success.

Many of us have this attitude of dropping the efforts if it is not achieved in a specified time, and venture into something different hoping to get success there.  Jagat Jyothi Basaveshwara, the 12th century philosopher and a social reformer from Karnataka has illustrated that endurance will take us to the goal.

It so happened that one morning his father was engrossed in worshiping at home. At the same time Basaveshwara returned from playing, he was tired and thirsty. His mother did not allow him inside when he asked for water. She did not want Basaveshwara to disturb his father’s pooja. But his father was involved in worshiping many deities. He was offering pooja to Ganesha, Saraswathi, Shiva, Vishnu, Parvathi, Lakshmi, one after another. Instead of meditation and spiritual thoughts which were essential for spiritual attainment, a mechanical recitation of verses was going on. Once in every ten minutes 

Basaveshwara used to come in and enquire his mother whether his father's pooja was over. When he learnt that his father had not yet completed, he came out and started digging in front of the courtyard. After worshiping all the deities in the pooja room, his father came out to worship Sun, the threshold, and Bilva tree. 

There he noticed many small pits dug by Basaveshwara. He became curious and enquired, “What play is this Basava? Why have you dug so many pits in the courtyard?” He asked his son. 

“Father, I was very thirsty. When I asked mother for water, she told me not to disturb your pooja and asked me to wait. But I was very thirsty, so I started digging these pits to fetch water and quench my thirst.” 

"You fool! Does water come so soon? Does it come if you dig like this? Instead of digging so many pits, you have to dig only one and deeply, only then you get water, is it not?" Father said.

”Exactly father! To get close to God we have to channelize all our attention on one with the help of only one mantra. Instead of this if we worship different deities mechanically; can we experience God who is the confluence of knowledge and bliss?"

Father was astonished by this answer, and then Basaveshwara pronounced that endurance is belief in Energy that has to be without any flaw. 

Now a days we are influenced by others on the approach towards God, and even go to the extent of conversions. It is not the philosophy which can enlighten us but the belief in it. All philosophies talk of the same faith; it is good to know about all the philosophies but to get some enlightening knowledge it is important not to compare one with another but to relate one with other.  

Today is the appearance day of Sri Jagat Jyothi Basaveshwara   

“Saranu Saranarthi” (really, You are my refuge)

716. Akshaya Tritiya: From Yellow Metal to Green Gold…….!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/faith-and-rituals/akshaya-tritiya-from-yellow-metal-to-green-gold

Akshaya is a Sanskrit word which can be roughly translated to English as “Inexhaustible” and Tritiya is the third day of the month. True, Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious day as it was on the same day about 5000 odd years back King Yudishtrira received Akshaya Patra, a vessel that would give unlimited food from Suryadeva while they were on exile. It was on this very day Bhagavan Vyasadeva started to dictate to Ganesha the great epic Mahabharata. It was this very special day Sudama visited Shri Krishna with a morsel of broken rice to request the Lord for abundance. Holy Ganga touched down on this earth plane on this auspicious day. Sri Sri Shankara composed Kanakadhara Stotra on this very day.  

Those events in the history have made us accept the relevance and importance of this day, Vaishaka Sukla Paksha Tritiya for material gains and wealth acquisition. Astronomically also this is the time when Sun and Moon are in exaltation and are observed to be in the peak of their brightness. As told in the puranas any deed started this day will make it never ending, never diminishing, it will be limitless and forever. That is the importance of this day, but it is so unfortunate that we have limited this day to just buying GOLD. 

Come Akshaya Tritiya everyone will be talking about gold. The belief is that one who purchases gold on this particular day will have his wealth swelling, I can only say that gold can help preserve wealth, but if you want it to grow you have to spread this belief so that others too buy. Look at the paradox here. If there is a rush to buy gold its price will rise but you are not selling any on that day. If you are buying just because it is Akshaya Tritiya as it is auspicious I believe any day I am doing things sensibly and consciously is auspicious.

We must know that the Indian household collectively have 18,000 tonnes of gold worth 950 billion dollars which is 11 % of the entire global gold reserve. Is my country so very rich I feel proud, but there is a question. If so, why is the parity between rich and poor still a reality in my country again I wonder? I do not know when this craze of buying Gold on this particular day started and who is behind this stupidity. Could be the bullion merchants who are playing this entire trick and hitting on the sentiments of the people? All this tamasha is affecting my country’s Current Account Deficit (Balance of Trade, Export minus Import payments). With gold as an investment commodity we are buying it recklessly. This has made the import payments more. 

Why did Gold become so much volatile? Was the speculation the eradicator of the yellow metal shine? 

Earlier the yellow metal was purchased for an occasion but now the traders at Safara Bazzar lure the women folk with designs and added to it we never know if the gold brought is 14 K or 22 K. Also we happen to hear that jewelry companies adulterate gold by mixing Iridium and Ruthenium which bring in the risk of skin cancer. This avaricious frenzy in both Satta Bazzar & Safara Bazzar for that yellow metal has no longer left it to be a beautiful ornament on our lovely women of India.

If anything which is started on this day will be with us forever and grow and outlive us why not plant a sapling on this Akshaya Tritiya. 

Let’s move from Yellow Metal craze to Green Gold grace ……