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Jag gadguru uPujyas sriChan ndrasek kharend draSara aswath h i Mahas swamijis Mes ssagefo orAll

From F De eivathin Kural

SRIJAGATGURU HisHolinessJagadguruShriChandrasekharendraSaraswatiascendedthe famousKanchiKamakotiPeethaatKanchipuram87yearsagoasayoung Brahamcharinof13.ThegreatnessofthePeethaiswellknown;SriAdiSankara, afterestablishingseveralMuttsalloverIndia,spenthislastyears,adorningthis PeethaandworshipingGodessKamakshi.TheAcharya,universallyknownas theSageofKanchi,isthe68thintheunbrokensuccessionoftheoccupantsof thisPeetha.HehasrightlybeenregardedasanAvatarofAdiSankaraforthe greatworkhehasbeendoingnotmerelyforSanatanadharma,notonlyforour country,butfortheentirehumanity.Hisgraciouseyesareabenedictionandhis invitingsmilewhichcausesaspellofintimacyareunforgetableexperiencesof everyonewhohashadthegoodfortunetohaveHisdarshan.werecall,cherish andworshipsomeofthesimplesweetwords,takenatrandomfromHis discoursesseveralyearsback.ThisrosaryWillbringuspeaceandhappiness. PRAYER Thepurposeofprayerisnottopetitionforbenefits.Suchpetitioningimplies eitherthatGoddoesnotknowwhatwewant,whichwillmilitateagainstHis omniscience,orthatHewaitstobeaskedanddelightsinpraise,whichwill degradeHimtothelevelofordinaryman.Whythendowepray?Though OmniscientGodisimmanentineverycreatureandknowswhatisintheheartof everyperson,yet,ifwhatwewishtosayinprayerremainsunsaid,itafflictsour heartandsoprayerhealsthataffliction.Byprayerwedonotseektochange whatGodordains;infact,wecannotdoso.WegotoHimtoremoveour impurities.AsTiruvalluvarsaid,weattachourselvestoHim,whohasno attachments,toridourselvesofourattachments.Adevoutconsciousnessthat Godexistswillitselfdothemiracleofalchemisingusintopurityofnature.We obtainaspiritualchargeintoourframebybeinginHispresence. AgajaanapadmaarkamgajaananamahamisamAnekadamtambhaktaanaam ekdantamupaasmahe.

ThisisafamiliarprayerverseaddressedtoVinayaka.AgajaistheDivine Mother,Parvathi.Asweknow,SriParvathiisregardedasthedaughterofthe mountain,Himavan.Whileeventrees,plantsandcreepersareconsideredto havemotion,becausetheygrowupwards,mountainisstaticor again,motionless.Beingbornmountain,ParvathiisAgaja.AtthesightofHer belovedchild,Vinayaka,SriParvathi'sface(aananam)beamsWithjoy,evenas thelotusface(padmaaanana)ofSriParvathi,Vinayakaisthesun(arka).ForHis devotees,Vinayakashowers.Benefitsgenerouslybhaktaanaamanekadam.He hasonlyonetuskekadantam.Thedevoteesaysthatheisworshippingthat elephantfacedVinayakaTamgajaananamupaasmahewhoisthe belovedsonofAgaja,etc. GODISONE Alltroublesinthisworldstartonlywhenattemptsaremadetoweanaway peoplefromtheirnativereligionandtoconvertthemtoanewfaith,byholding outthetemptationthatpeoplecanattainsalvationonlyiftheyembracedthat newfaith.Thisismorethanwhatanysensiblepersoncanswallow.Sinceevery religionspeaksofGod,toaskapersontogiveupthereligioninwhichheisborn istantamounttoaskinghimtogiveupGodandisasinagainstGod.Itisthe dutyofeverypersontofollowthereligionofhisancestors. INNERIMPURITIES Allofustakecaretokeepourbodiesandourclothesclean.Butdowebestow anyattentiononourinnerormentalcleanliness?Innerimpurityistheresultof desire,anger,andfear.Itiscommonknowledgethatwhenoneisinthe presenceofonesmotheronekeepsallevilthoughtsundercontrol.Similarlyin thepresenceoftheDivinemotherwecancontrolourevilthoughts.Wecan cleanseourheartsonlybytheDhyanathirtha(holywaterofmeditation)ofthe DivineMother.Whentheheartissocleansed,Itwilllearntodistinguishthereal fromtheunreal,whichwillresultintheendofbirths.Adayspentwithouta consciousattempttocleanone'sheart,isadaywasted.Impurityofclothor bodywillleadtodiseasewhichwilllastonlyforonelifetime.Butimpurityof heartwillleadtodiseaseswhichwillafflictthesoulforseveralbirths.

ISHTADEVATA SomeWesternscholarsintheirignorancehavedubbedHindureligionas polytheistic.Theuniquenessofourreligionliesinthefactthatunderwhichever nameadevoteeworshipshisIshtadevatathatmanifestationofGodwhich appealstohimmostheconsidersHimastheallpervadingParamatma.Infact, theculminationofallconceptionoftheSupremeBeingisinMonism.Thatis AdvaitaVedanta,Isvara,NarayanaandParasaktiarealldifferentaspectsofthe oneSupremeBeing.ThisisvisiblyillustratedintheDivineformsof ArdhanaareeswaraandSankaraNarayana.SuchmanifestationsoftheDivine areinstalledinmanySouthIndiantemples. TRUEEDUCATION RighteducationshouldmakeusknowthatGodistheTruth.Knowledgemustfill onewithgoodqualities,throughwhichaloneonecanrealisetheTruth,thatis God.Therefore,thegoalofknowledgeistheunderstandingoftheUltimate Truth.Thefirstfruitofeducationmustbehumilityandselfcontrol.Education thatdoesnotproducethesequalitiesisuseless. GURUKULASYSTEM Inancientdays,studentswenttoaguruandrequestedhimtoteachthem. Now,wehaveschoolsforeverybranchofknowledge,except,perhaps, nadaswaram.Accordingtotheancientsystem,thepupilmustforgethishome duringtheperiodofhisgurukula,andstudyundertheroofoftheteachers dwelling.Hehadalsotomaintaintheteacherandhimselfbyobtainingalms (bhiksha)andcookedfood.Thewholeofthefoodthusobtainedwasplaced beforetheguruandthepupilcantakeonlywhatthegurusetsapartforhim.In thiswayaguru,whohadanumberofpupils,wasabletosecureenoughfood forthemaintenanceofhimselfandhisdisciplesandalsotosparetothosein need.Thesalutaryeffectofbeggingisthatithelpstodestroyahamkaara. Anotherfeatureofourancienteducationisthatifastudentmisbehavedthe gurucouldsendhimawayorsubjecthimtoanappropriateactofatonement (praayaschitham).

THEPATHOFGOODLIFE Eachoneofusknowtothefullextentthemistakesandsinscommittedbyhim orher.Butoutsidersbecomeawareofonlyafractionofthesefaultsandthey criticiseusforthat.Wetrytohideourfaultsbeforeothersandtoshowoffonly ourmerits.Sometimesweevenshedtearsoverourfaults.Thereisnouseofof merelyweeping.Ontheotherhand,weshouldremindourselvesofourfaults attheendofeachdayandpraytoGodtogiveusstrengthtoresistevilthoughts anddeedsandtohelpusnottorepeatthemistakeswehavecommitted.Itis humanerrortoslipfromtherightpath.Amanwhohasswervedfromtheright pathiscalledPatitaandtheTamilexpressionusedinrespectofawomanwo haserredischerukki,meaning,onewhohasslipped.Wemustovercomethis tendencytoslipandrisetothenoblestheightsofvirtue. ADVERSITY Whenadversitiesovertakeus,weblameGodandcomplainthatHeisblindto ourmisfortunes.Butifweindulgeinalittleintrospection,wewillrealisethat ourfaultsaresoenormousthatweareutterlyunworthyofHisgraceand,ifin spiteofthat,weareabletogetfood,shelterandclothing,itisduetothe abundantmercyofGod.Wemustconsiderthedifficultiesweencounterasa blessingindisguise.Amothermaytiethehandsofherchildwhohasthe propensitytopickupandeatmud.Thisseemingcrueltyofthemotherisforthe goodofthechild.Similarly,troublesareverilyGod'sgracetosaveus.Inthe entirepictureoflife,troublesformbutatinyspot.Inourabilitytovisualisein thepastandthefuture,wecomplainwhenwesufferinthepresent.Aproper perspectivewillenableustounderstandourpresentplightinitspropersetting. VIBHUTIORSACREDWHITEASH YoumayhaveheardofthincidentofSaintManickavachagarmakingthedumb daughteroftheBuddhistKingofCeylonrespondinversestohisphilosophic questions,beforeSriNatarajaofChidambaram.ThisSaintwasabletoconvince theBuddhistKingthattheultimateendwasnotnirvanaorstateof nothingness.SriManickavachagarillustratedthiswiththehelpofvibhutior

sacredash.Whenanyobjectisconsumedbyfire,itbecomescharred.Ifthat blackresidueisburntagain,itbecomeswhiteash.Whiteashcontinuesto remainwhiteevenwhenburntagain.Thisshowsthatwhiteistheultimateand blackisproximatetoit.Sciencetellsusthatdiamondandcoalarebasicallyone. Whiteandblackarenotmentionedinthesevenprimarycolours.Sowhiteand blackarenotcolours.Theprimarycoloursgetseparatedfromtheobjectsto whichtheyareattachedwhensubjectedtothetestoffireandtheobjects themselvesturnblackfirstandultimatelywhite.Similarly,inthementaland spiritualplane,theUltimateRealityisSiva,whoiswhite,andproximatetoHim isParvatiwhoisdark.Whenwetesteverythinginthefireofjnana,ortrue knowledge,theresidueiswhiteisSiva.Ashinthematerialplanecorrespondsto Sivamthespiritualplane.Wesmearourbodieswiththesacredashtoremind ourselvesofSivaandthefactthattheultimategoaloflifeisSiva. JNANAANDMOKSHA Rightconductorseela,whichisnecessaryfortherealisationofSiva,hastobe acquiredthroughtheprocessofanushtaana,discipline,etc.Alltheseactions doneinaspiritofdedicationtoGod,enableustokeepourheartscleanand singlepointed(chithasuthiiandekaagrata).ItisonlyinsuchaheartthatGod presentshimself.Wesecureagoodreflectiononlyinacleanandsteadymirror. Everythingmustbeburntinthefireofjnana.Ifweregressivelytracethecause ofthings,wewillfindthatoneeternalsubstanceisthesoleanduniversalcause ofallthevarietyandmultiplicityofthisworld.ItistosymbolisethatUltimate thatweputontiruman,signifyingtheearth,thatisthesourceofallanimaland vegetablelifeorvibhuti,thesubstratumofallmaterialobjects.Thetiruman wornverticallytellsustostrivetoreachtheheightsofspirituality.Thevibhuti smearedalloverthebodyremindsusthateverythingisSivaMayam.Toobtain thegraceofGod,karmaanushtaana,seela,upaasanaandjnanaarenecessary. Wemustacquirethesemeanstomokshaandfostertheminourchildren.Thus wewillobtainthegraceoftheSupremeMotherandbehappyhereand hereafter.Doingourappointedtask,filledwithlove,letusburnallourtroubles anddesiresinthefireofjnanaandbehappyintheconsciousnessofabiding graceoftheSupreme.

SILENTMEDITATION Beforeyoucommenceyourlessonsinthemorningeachday,youshould worshipGoddessSaraswatiforafewminutesinsilentmeditation.Itisnot recitationofprayerversesthatmattersomuch.Imaytellyouthattheessence ofprayerliesinsinceredevotiontoGoddessSaraswatiandtheGuru(teacher) throughsilentmeditationforafewminutes.Thispracticewilldevelopinyou spiritofhomageandaidyoutodriveawayallevilthoughtsfromyourmind. GREATNESSOFPURANAS Thepuranicstorieswhichteachusrightconductinthought,wordsandaction, areregardedbysomeasmythologyorlegends.Thereisatendencyonthepart ofsomeofthepeopletotreatthemasimaginarytales.Itishumannatureto regardathingwhichwecannotcomprehendasfalse.Yet,inmoderndays, peoplearereadytobelievesuchnewsitemsappearinginnewspapersasthe findoflegbonesseveralfeetlong,orthebirthofachildwithtwoheads,ora womangivingbirthtoasnake.Ifthatwereso,whyshouldwedisbelieveifa puranicstorytellsusofapersonastallasapalmyratreeoramanwithmore thanonehead?Thereisneedtoequipourboysandgirlswithacertain rudimentaryknowledgeofSanskritandclassicalTamilsothattheycaneasily understandwhentheyheartheRamayanaortheMahabharatarecitedeitherin SanskritorinTamil. GREATNESSOFTHECOW Weregardthecowasasacredanimal.Whatisthereason?Whileallhumanand animalexcretaemitsbadodour,cowdungaloneisfreefromodour.Notonlyis itfreefromodour,ithasalsothepowertoremoveallbadodour.Thatisthe purposeofsprinklingwatermixedwithcowdungaroundourhouses.this testifiestothepurityoftheanimal,andvibhutimadefromcowdunghascome toberegardedassacred.

VEDICRITUALS Oneimportantdifferencebetweenotherreligionsandoursisthatwhileother religionsspeakofadirectrelationbetweenmanandGod,ourreligionsspeaks ofamediatedrelationestablishedthroughtranscendentaldeities,each presidingoveraparticularaspectofworldyandspirituallife.SriKrishnasaysin theGitathatwhenPrajapaticreatedmen,Hedidsoassociatingthemwiththe obligationtoperformyajnasorsacrifices.Theyajnasareourexpressionof gratitudeforbenefitsDerived.Thegodsacceptedourofferingsthroughthe sacrificialfireandblessedusinreturnwithallgoodthingsoftheworld.Asan afterdinnertoasthonoursevenanabsentpersoninwhosenameitisproposed, theofferingmadeinthefire.inaspiritofsacrificesaying"namama"(notmine), bringgratificationtothegodstowhomtheyareintended.TheVedicritualsina yajnaaretheprocessbywhichwhateverisofferedwithasenseofrenunciation istransmittedtotheSupremeBeingthroughtheproperchannel,justastaxes arepaidbyustotheCentralGovernment,notdirectly,butthroughthepersons oragenciesauthorisedtocollectthem. PRESENTDAYSOCIALSERVICE Inthepresentday,socialserviceisviewedinadifferentmanner.Schoolsand andhospitalsarebuiltandbanksorganisedonacommunitybasiswiththe objectoferadicatingignorance,diseasesandpoverty.Butitisevidentthat theseformsofsocialservicehavenotbeenanunmixedblessing.Educationhas noteradicatedfalsehoodandcorruption.Ontheotherhand,unsophisticated tribalpeoplewhommoderneducationhasnotreachedarefoundtobemore honestthanthesocallededucatedpeople.Confidenceofobtainingcurein hospitalshasmadepeopleleadrecklesslives.Allthebanksthathavecomeinto existencehavenotsucceededineradicatingpovertyamongthemasses.Inour modernmodeoflifewehavemultipliedourwants.Thiswillleadonlyto perpetualdiscontent.Alifeofextremesimplicityalonecanbringcontentment andhappinesstothepeople.

NEEDFORGOD'SGRACE Gratitudeforhelpreceivedisacardinalvirtue.Thetaxesyoupaytothe CorporationofMadrasandtotheGovernmentareyourexpressionofgratitude fortheservicesrenderedbythoseagencies.Therearesuperhumanagencies whichconferbenefitsonus.Wemustexpressourgratitudetothoseagenciesin themannerprescnbedintheVedas.Thisexpressionofgratitudeisknownas yagna. NEEDFORTEMPLES TheonecureforallhumanillsisthepowertoendurethemwithfaithinGod's grace.Bhaktialonecangivethatpowerofendurance.Templesaretheagencies forthecultivationofthebhakti.Hencetheobligationtobuildtemplesineyery Place.Whatisthesignificanceofmakingofferingtotheidolsinstalledin temples?ThisisdoneasanexpressionofgratitudetothePowerthatcreatedall things.Manbyhimselfcannotcreateevenabladeofgrass.Wewillbeguiltyof grossingratitudeifwedonotofferfirsttoGodwhatWeeatorwear.Onlythe bestandthechoicestshouldbeofferedtoGod. TEMPLEWORSHIP Itisnotevennecessarythateveryoneshouldworshipinsidethetemplesevery day.GopuraDarsanamwillitselfelevateourmindsandmakeusrememberthe sourcefromwhichwederivealltheearthlybenefits.Atthesametime,itis necessaryforthecommunitytoseethatworshipatthetemplesisconducted properly.Weshouldmakeitapointtoseethetempletowereverydayand therebyconcentrateawhileinthecontemplationofGod.Atleastonceaweek weshouldgoroundthetemple,recitingnaamaas(God'sname)anddoing bhajan.Ifwedoso,wewillderiverealandlastingbenefit. GURUBHAKTI GuruisIsvarainhumanform,butwhois,howeverfreefromthetriplefunctions ofcreation,preservationanddestruction,whichpertainonlytoIswara.Ifwe haveabsolutefaithinhim,theguruwillshoweruswithallforwhichwegoto

God.Infact,.Godisneededonlywhenwecannotfindaguru.Gurubhaktiis evenhigherandmoreefficactiousthanDaivabhakti.SriVedantaDesikahas declaredthathedoesnotconsiderGodhigherthanguru.Accordingtoaverse, whenGodisangry,theguruprotectsyou;whentheguruhimselfisangry,there isnoprotectorintheworld.Ifwesurrenderourselvesabsolutelywithoutany reservationtotheGuruhewillsaveusfromallsorrowsandshowusthewayto salvation.ItisduetolackofGurubhakti,thatIsvarabhaktiitselfiswaningin theheartsofmen. SHIVAANDVISHNUAREONE WeHindusregardbothSivaandVishnuasthesameandthisisevidentfromthe factthatintheecstacyofourdevotion,whetherwearealoneorareingroups, weexclaim"Harohara"and"GovindaGovinda"whichnamescometoourlips spontaneously.TheholydaysofSivaratriandJanmahstami,aredividedfrom eachotherbyexactly180days,andthisseemstoindicatethatGodinHisaspect asSiva,protectsusduringonehalfoftheyear,andinHisaspectasVishnu,in theotherhalf.Thetraditionalpracticeofboysandgirlscollectingoilfortheir vigilonSivartriandJanmashtaminights,singinginchorusasongwhichmeans thatSivaratriandSriJayantiarethesame,isanotherpointertotheidentityof thesetwomanifestationsoftheDivine. PREMA Lifewithoutloveisawaste.EveryoneofusshouldcultivatePremaorlove towardsallbeings,man,birdandbeast.Ifwearefullofthisuniversallove,we shallfeelnosorrow.ChildrenoverflowwithPrema;butastheygrowolder, Premadecreases.Premaisexemplifiiedinthemother'sloveforherchild.Asthe sayinggoes,anunaffectionatesonmaybeseeninthisworld;butneveran unlovingmother.Likethemother'sattitudetowardsherchild,wetooshouldbe preparedtoconsiderthehappinessofeverycreatureasofmorevaluethanour ownhappiness.

PREMATOGOD Thatwhichhasabeginningmusthaveanend,isaninexorablerule.Premaisno exceptiontothisruleandsoPremaisnotunmixedwithsorrow.Whena belovedonedies,thesurvivorsuffersgrief.Onthataccountisitwrongto cultivatelovetowardsothers?NoButthereisawhichdoesnotproducegriefin theend.WeshouldseekthisPremathatisindestructivenamely,PrematoGod, whoisindestructible.AllthingsonearthandinheavenmaydieoutbutGodis eternal.EverythingelsespringsfromHim,livesbyHim,and,atdeath,goesback toHim.LovingGod,ifwelookuponallthingsasGod,weshallhaveineffect lovedthemasintenselyasweloveGod.ToconsiderthingsasGod,weshould rememberthattheyarealIIsvarasvaroopam,possessingtheChithandthe saktiofGod,withoutwhichnoneofthemcanexistorfunction.Anonluminous skylightilluminesadarkroomwhenthesunlightfallsonit.Sotoodoallobjects oftheworldobtaintheirintelligenceandpowerfromtheOmniscientand OmnipresentGod.IfweloveeveryoneandeverythingaroundusasGod,evenif theydisappear,wewillnotbeafflictedbygrief,becauseourloveofGodwill continuetoremain. VEGETARIANISM ItcanbepointedouttothecreditofHinduismthatorthodoxHindusare vegetarians.OrthodoxwidowsofBengalarestrictvegetarians,thoughBengalis asaclasseatfish.ThesewidowsdonotdrinkevenadropofwateronEkadasi day.IntheSouth,manypeopleamongnonBrahminshaveadoptedSaiva (vegetarian)foodandoncertainsacreddaysnonvegetarianfoodistaboofor thegeneralityofnonBrahmins.Theobjectiontomeatishimsatoanimals.By thesametoken,cuttingofvegetablestooishimsa,Bycookinggrain,youscorch thegarbha(seed)withinitandthattooishimsa.Ithasbeenlaiddownthatripe fruitsandleaveswhichfalloffplantsandtreeswillhavetobeeatenifonedoes dotwishtoinjureanylivingbeing.TheRishisofoldendaystookonlysuchfood andcow'smilkafterthecalfhaditsfill.Ifonelivesonthiskindoffood,onewill befreefromkaama(lust)andfreedomfromlustisamorepotentmeansfor familyplanningthanthemethodsrecommendedinmoderndays.

THETRUEMESSAGEOFDEEPAVALI DeepawaliandNarakaChaturdasiareoneandthesame.Thisiscelebratedasa nationalfestivalthroughoutIndia,butindifferentwaysindifferentpartsofthe country.InNorthIndia,itisconsideredadayoflightsandthehousesare colourfullyilluminedontheoccasion.IntheSouth,however,peopletakeanoil bathbeforedawnandputonnewclothes.Itbringshappinessandjoytopeople whoundergosufferingsintheirdailylives.Intheearlyhoursofthedawnofthe dayprecedingthenewmoonday,i.e.Chaturdasi,whenthesunisintheTula Rasi(Libra)ofZodiac,wateranywhereintheworldisGangaandoilbecomes saturatedwithauspiciouspresenceofSriMahalakshmi.Everyonefromthe simplestgypsytotheproudestmagnate,fromtheinnocentchildtotheserene saintshouldtakeabathwithoilandwaterandbehappy,illuminatingevery nookandcornerwithstringsoflight,literallydeepaaavali.Thisistheboon prayedforbyamotherwhenherson,whowasarealnaraka,totheworldat large,wasbeingkilledbySriKrishna."Letthehappinessofeverycreatureinthe worldbethecompensatianforthegriefcausedtomebythedeathofmyson", wastheprayerofthatbereavedmother.Deepavalioutweighseveryfestival becauseofitshavingemanatedfromtwoheartsinwhichhapinessoftheworld atlargeoutweighedthelightestpitchofpersonalcalamity.Nothingcanbe noblerthanthislastwishofthedyingdemon,andmoreso,theprayerofa bereavedmother. UMAMAHESWARA Asourearthlyparentsattendtoourmaterialneeds,thedivineParents,Sri ParvatiandSriParameswara,attendtoourspiritualgrowth.Asvaakandartha (wordanditsmeaning)areinseparableassociatedtogether,sotooareParvati andParameswara,inthemanifestationasUmamaheswara.Kaamaordesireis thecauseofbirthandSriParameswaradestroyedKaamawiththeflame emanatingfromhisthirdeye.KaalaisthecauseofdeathandParameswara kickedandvanquishedKaala.InthegloriousformofUmmamaheswara,the thirdeyewhichburntKaamaiscommonbothtoParvatiandParameswara.The leftlegwhichkickedKaalaisthatofParvati.Thisiswhybysurrenderingour

servestoParvateeParameswarainsinglemindeddevotion,wecangetridof birthanddeathandattaineternalbliss. PRISONREFORM Bhajanagroupsorseparateorganisationsformedforthespecificpurposes,can ministertothereligiousneedsofprisonersinJailsandpatientsinhospitals. Permissionhasnowbeenaccordedforconductingreligiousclassesinsidejails byHindus,MuslimsandChristians.Hindusarenottakingadvantageofthis concession,whileothersare.Stepsmustbetakentoremedythisdefect. DistributionofbookletsandPamphletscontainingthelifeandteachingsof piousmenorreligiousstones,theorganisationofkalakshepamsandtheholding ofdiscourses,canbeundertakenforthebenefitoftheprisoners.Ifweareable toreformevenoneinahundredbythismeans,itwillbeagreatachievement forsociety.Itwillalsocreateahealthyfeelingintheprisonersthatsocietyhas notneglectedthem. HOSPITALSERVICE Forthebenefitofpatientswhoareobligedtoremaininhospitalsforlong periods,voluntaryorganisationscanarrangeweeklypoojasinsomereputed templeanddistributetheprasadamfromthistempleamongthepatients.They canalsobegivespeciallywrittenpamphletsorbookletscalculatedtopromote faithanddevotionintheirhearts.Thesepatients,eveniftheyeventually succumbtotheirailments,willdiewiththenameofGodontheirlips. NEELAKANTA ThefunctionofaPrabhuorLordisbothprotectionandpunishment.Sivasaved theworldfromdisasterbyswallowingthepoisongeneratedwhentheOccean ofMilkwaschurned.Inotherwords,Hetookuponhimselfthesinsoftheworld inordertosavehumanity.ItisthisfunctionofGodwhichChristianattributeto Christnamely,savingthesinner.LordSivaPunishedcupid(Kaama)whenthe latterdisturbed.Hispenance;butrestoredhimtolife,thoughwithoutfrom,at theentreatyofRatiandtheinterventionofParvati.

KAMAKSHI SriParvatiasSriKamakshiorSriSivakamasundariisdepictedasholdingthe bowandthearrowsofKamadevacontrollingKaamawithinHereyes.Hence Kamakshi.Sheholdsthesweetsugarcanebowrepresentingthemindsof humanbeings,andthefivearrowsrepresentingfivesensesthroughwhichthe mindisinfluencedandisfunctioningandwonthegraceofLordSiva,whoalone, asthedestroyerofKaamaandKaala,iscapableofsavingusfromthecycleof birthanddeath.IfwesurrenderourselvesatthefeetoftheDivineMotherin themannerinwhichSriAdiSankarahastaughtusIntheSoundaryaLahari,She Willhelpustokeepthemindandthesensesundercontrolandpurifyourheart, sothatwemayattainperfectionWithoutbeingafflictedbykammaandlobha (lustanddesires)andrealisetheUltimateTruthandachievesublimepeaceand happiness. TIMEFORPRAYER Wecanmovefastonlywhenwesailwiththewind.TheSandhyakaalaisthe timewhentheCosmosisripetorespondtocorrectvibrationsemanatingfrom us.Isitproperonourparttowastesuchaopitioustimeeitherineatinghouses orinclubsMajorityofthosebelongingtothenewreligionobserveprayersat theprescribedhours.Butwewhobelongtothisancientreligionhaveneglected ourduty.Therefore,attheapproachofSandhya,whereverwemaybe,wemust washourhandsandfeet,wearvibhuti,perfomouranushtaana,andspenda littletimeinprayingtoisvara. MODERNKNOWLEDGE Itisbeingarguedinsomequartersastowhyweshouldcontinuetohugthese ancientwayswhensciencehasadvancedsomuchastoenablemantocreate evenartificalsatellitesandtomakethemgoroundtheearth.Butsuchpeople ignorethefactthatallthesematerialadvancementsareofnoavail,whenthere isnopeacewithinoneself.Whatistheuseoftheentireworldtoaman,ifinthe processofacquiringit,heloseshissoul?Itisalsoworthrememberiingthatthe countrywhichhascreatedtheSputnikisalsogettingtheMahabharata

translatedandthatthisgreatIndianepicisbeingtaughtintheirschools,even thoughreligionisnot.ItwillnotbeasurpriseiftheRussiansbegintotreasure theMahabharatawithgreatenthusiasm. VEDICRELIGION TheVedicreligioncommandstheallegianceofmillionsofpeople,inspiteof theabsenceofpropagandaormissionaryinstitutionstopropagateit.Itisthe exampleofgreatmenwholivedthatreligionthatsustainsthefaithofthe people.Goodmen,whohadattainedahighlevelofjnana,wonuniversal respect,irrespectiveofthecasteinwhichtheywereborn..Godlinessandlove forallarethequalitiesbywhichthegreatnessofapersonisjudgedSolongas suchgreatmencontinuetoilluminethedarkcornersofhumanheart,theVedic religionwillwielditsinfluence,notonlyinthiscountry,butoutsideitalso.Itis onlywhenweregularlyandfaithfullypractisetheanushtaanaasenjoinedupon us,thatsocietycanproduceoutstandingpersons,whowillbebeaconlightof Vedicreligiontoguidethemultitudealongrightlines. ANUSHTAANAS Ifeachofusperformtheanushtaanaprescribedforhim,thecumulativeeffect oftheanushtaanasofallwillbethewelfareofSociety.Onedoesone'sreligious dutyintheinterestofall.Inorderthateachmaydohispartwelldifferent dutieshavebeenprescribedfordifferentpersons.Theanushtaanaasprescribed foroneisneithersuperiorto,norinferiorthanthatprescribedforanother.On theotherhand,onewhoisenjoinedtodobhajanonly,mayreachtheultimate goalearlierthananotherwhohastoperformelaboraterituals.Therefore, mutualrespectandmutualloveshouldprevailinsociety.Eachpersonshoulddo theanushtaanaprescribedforhim,respectingandcooperatingwiththeothers, sothatthecollectiveeffortsofallmayresultinthewelfareofsocietyasa whole.Themandoingdevoutlytheanushtaanaprescribedforhim,isthetrue soldierofVedicreligion.

DIVINEMOTHER Uma,theDivineMother,isthepersonificationofPranava(Om).Sheis brightnessinlightandfragranceinflowers.Shehastheilluminationofa thousandsunsandyethastheSoothingcoolnessofathousandmoons. Along.withIsvaraSheistheParamatmaswaroopasungbytheVedas. RAMAYANAANDVEDA ThegreatnessoftheRamayanaisclearlydescribedinthefollowingverse: VedavedyeparepumsijateDasarathamaje; VedhaPrachetasaataaseetsaakshaad Ramayanaatmana ThemeaningofthestanzaisthatwhentheParamapursha,proclaimedbyVeda, wasbornasthesonofDasaratha,Vedaalsomadeitsappearanceintheformof Ramayana,producedbythesonofPrachetasi.e.Valmiki. VEDAANDDHARMA TheVedasaresourceofalldharmas.Vedokhilodharmamoolarn.SriRamawas theupholderandembodimentofdharmaasindicatedintheverse,Ramo vigrahavaandharmah.Heprotecteddharmabyhismentalcourageand disciplinedlife.Therefore,whenheleftfortheforestforfourteenyearsto honourthepledgegivenbyhisfathertoKaikeyi,hismother,Kausalya,offered himasatalisman,theverydharmawhichheprotected,sothatthatdharma mayinturnprotecthimfromallharms. THEESSENCEOFRAMAYANA TheRamayanateachesustheessentialprinciplesoftheVedas.Anysuperior scriptureisgenerallycalledVedaandnowondertheRamayanahascometobe reveredasVeda.TheParamapurushaspokenofintheVedasispoorna,the perfectandfullembodimentofdharma,andsoisSriRamaoftheRamayaana. TheRamayanainstructsusinkarma,bhakti,andjnana,andinthedharmicway

oflife.IfwekeepbeforeourselvestheidealofSriRama,wewillbeabletotide overeverydifficultyanddangerandwillbesavedfromstrayingintoevilpath. SriRamanaamasmaranaisthesuresuccourinlife'stribulations.Anjaneyawho practisedthejapaofthistaarakamantratoperfection,istheembodimentof brahmacharyaandvalour,whicharethemostneededtoendowuswith strengthtosuccessfullygothroughthevoyageoflife.IfweareanchoredinSri RamaandHissupremedevotee,SriAnjaneya,ourmindwillnotbesulliedby kaamaorotherpassions,butwillbedisciplinedtoattaintheRealitypointedout bytheVedas. MARRIAGES Alldharmasdependonwomenfortheirmaintenancestreemoolahsarva dharmah.Itissadtoseegirlsnowadaysremainingunmarriedtillalateage,due totheindigencyoftheirparents,totheexorbitantdemandsofdowry,ordueto theinabilitytogetproperbridegrooms.TheParsicommunityhasan organisationtohelpthelessrichamongthecommumty.Itisdesireableto organiseaBanktoaidthemarriageofunmarriedgirlsbelongingtopoor families,whohaveattamedpuberty,butwhomtheirparentsareobligedto keepathome,becauseoftheirsheerinabilitytogivethemawayinmarriage.It isalsonecessarytoperformallmarriagesaseconomicallyaspossible,without, however,omitttingtheprescribedreligiousrites.Itshouldbeourendeavourto avoidwastefulexpenditureinmarriagesaswellasinotherceremonial occasions. PLAINLIVINGANDHIGHTHINKING TheBrahmincommunityhasforgottenitstraditionofplainIivingandhigh thinkingandtakentoexpensivewaysofliving.Timewasinourland,when Brahminslivedthesamesimpleandunsostentatiuslivesasothercommunities. Thisancientidentifyoflifeofdifferentcommunitiesisexemplifiedinsomeof theexpressionswestilluse.ThecookingpotinourhouseiscalledVengala paanai,andthediamondearrings,whichrichwomenwear,arecalledvaria olai.Thewords,paanaiandolaiunderlinethisaffinityamongallcommunities.

Weshouldavoidthecostlynewfangledhabits,wearonlysimpleapparel,and livefrugallives. DUALEXPRESSIONSOFTHESUPREME ThedancingNatarajaandtherecliningRangarajaarebutdualexpressionsof theoneSupreme.Differentschoolsofphilosophyhavecomeintoexistenceto satisfytheneedsofvaryinghumantemperaments,tastesandaspirationsand anypath,ifconsistentlypursued,willleadtothesamegoal. NATARAJAANDRANGARAJA Inmostofourtemples,theprincipaldeityisinstalledtofaceeast,thoughina fewtempleswehavethedeityfacingwestalso.Inthelattercase,theprincipal gopuram(tower)willbeontheeasternside.ButinChidambaramand Srirangam,thedeitiesfacesouth,asifproclaimingtothedevoteesthattheyare theretoprotectthemfromthethreatcomingfromthesouth,namely, mortality,astheGodofDeath,Yama,hailsfromthatdirection.AsLordsofthe entirecreatedworld,botharecalled"Raja",andeachholdsHiscourtinaranga (stage),theLordofChidambaramdancinginjoywithupliftedlegandtheLord ofSrirangamstretchinghimselfateaseinthereposeofyoganidra. Dakshinamurti,anotheraspectofSiva,isalsofoundfacingsouth.Nataraja standsforaananda(bliss),whichexpressesitselfinthedynamicrhythmof ecstaticdance. NAMEOFOURRELIGION IfanEnglisheducatedyouthbelongingtoourreligionisaskedwhathisreligion is,hewouldreplythatheprofessestheHindureligion.Gotoavillageandask apeasantwhathisreligionis.Hewillnotbeabletogiveanametohisreligion. Thename'Hinduism'whichisusednowtodenoteourreligionwasunknownto ourancestorsandisalsounknowntothecommonmanamongus. ENTERNALRELIGION Wehavenoevidenceastowhenourreligionbegan.Obviously,itdidnot beginataparticulartime.Itmustbesaidtobebeginningless.Ithasbeen

existingalways.ItisSanaatana.ThenearestSanskritwordforreligionis dharma,thoughdharmasignifiesmuchmorethanreligion.Ourreligion,cannot benamedafterafounder;fortherewasnofounderforit.So,ifatallitis necessarytogiveanametoourreligionitcanonlybecalledSanaatanadharma ortheeternalreligion. VEDASSOURCEOFOURRELIGION TheVedasarethesourceofourreligion.Theyarespokenofasthebreathof God.IntheVedas,thereisanidentityofsoundandsense,ofthewordandits meaning.Themeaningresidesinthesound.Thefullnessofthemeaning dependsonthefullnessandcorrectnessoftheutteranceofthesound.The VedicsentencesarecalledMantraswhichembodysoundandmeaninginone. Anyfau1tordeviationintheirutterancewilldetractfromthemeaningor distortit OURSAUNIVERSALRELIGION WesaidthattheVedicreligionwastheearliestreligionofmankind.Allother religionsaroseonlyafterlit.Thereareevidencestoconcludethatitwas prevalentallovertheglobe.Weshalmentionafewofthem. AninscriptionunearthedinEgyptanddated1280B.C.,containsthetermsofa treatybetweenRamesesIIandtheHittites.Inthistreaty,Maitravaruna,a Vedicdualdeityhasbeencitedasawitness.(Vide:H.R.Hall's"AncientHistory ofNearEast"pp.364etseq) IntheislandofMadagascarofftheeasterncoastofSouthAfrica,mostofthe placenameshaveaffinitieswiththatofRama. InfaroffMexico,theycelebrateafestivalcaledRamasita.Thetimeofthe festivalcorrespondstoourDussaraorNavaraatriperiod. ExcavationsmadeinthatcountryhavebroughttolightanumberofGanesa idols.TheancientinhabitantsofthosepartswereAastikas,(i.e.thosewho believedintheVedas),atermwhichstilllingersinitscorruptionasAztecs,as thepeopletherearenowcalled.

IntheEasternArchipelago,evidencesofourreligionaretobefound.InJava, therearenumerousrelicsofHinducultandworship. Alltheseevidencesservetoshowthatourreligionwasonceprevalent throughouttheglobe.Itmayhavebeenthatforcauseswhichwearenotableto ascertain,thetenetsandpracticesofourreligionbegantodeclineinotherparts andtheirprevalencecametobeconfinedtothelandoftheiroriginoriginally knownasBhaarataVarsha,India.WhenitlapsedintooblivionInother countries,andwhenduetolackofanyreligiousconsciousness,thepeople becamegodlessandunethical,therearoseinthoselandsgreatprophetswho broughttolightoneaspectoranotherofthisforgottenreligion.Theydeclared themselvestobefoundersofnewreligionsandcametobereveredassuch.But itmustbenotedthatthefundamentalmoralprinciplesunderlyingthesenew religionsonlyemphasisedsomefeatureorotheroftheuniversalVedicreligion withcertaintheologicalvariations. PUBLICCONDUCTANDPRIVATECONDUCT Theenactmentsoflegislaturesregulatepublicconduct.Butwhataboutthe individualmorality?Whatisthecriterionofpersonalaction,ofwhataman shoulddobyhimselfandforhimself?Inourreligionithasbeendeclaredthatin mattersofconductoneshouldbeguidedbytheordinancesoftheVedas. Vedokhilodharmamoolam:theVedaisthesourceofallDharmas.Thevedas areauthorless,apaurusheya;theyarenotmanmade.Theyareintuitionsof YogicsagesintoeternalTruths. SMRITIS Supposeasituationarisesinwhichnoguidancecanbeobtainedfromthe Vedas.ManyoftheVedashavebeenlost.IftheexactVedictextscannotguide usinourconductitisprescribedthatweshouldlookforguidancetothe writingsofsagslikeManu,Yaajnavalkya,Paraasaraandotherswhohaveleft behindwhatmaybecalledaidesmemorieosmritiswhichshoulddetermineour conduct.ThereisamistakenbeliefthattheauthorsoftheseSmritiswere lawgivers.Thatiswrong.Theydidnotenunciatenewlaws.Smritiimplieswhat

isremembered.SmritiisarecordofthememoryofthesagesoftheVedictexts includingwhatmighthavebeenlostinthepassageoftime.Smritisfollowsand isinaccordwithSruttiortheVedas.Kaalidaasapricturesequelyconveyedthis whenhesaidthatthequeenSudakshinafollowedherhusband,KingDileepa, andwalkedallittledistancebehindhimashetookthecowNandinitograzein theforest,withaccordantmindevenastheSmritifollowsthefootstepsofSruti. HOWTOREGULATEOURCONDUCT Itwillbeclearthattheappealtoconscienceortheinnervoicemustbemade onlywhenalltheotherformsofguidancethathavebeenenumerated,namely, Sruti,Smriti,thewayoflifeofthosewellversedinSmritiandtheexampleof goodmenarenotavailable.Thenandonlythen,canweactasourconscience bidsustoact.Nowadayshoweverthefashionistomakeitalltopsyturvy,to givethefirstplacetowhatiscalledone'sconsciencerelegatingalltheother prescribedguidancestoasecondaryplace,or,asitoftendone,tocondemn themasmeaninglessandirrational.Theancientview,however,aboutthe pramaanas,orcriteriaofdharmahasstoodthetestoftime. SASTRAS Inorder,therefere,toknowwhatmaybedoneandwhatmaynotbedone,we mustbeguidedbythepronouncementsoftheVedaswhichstateprescriptions VidhisandprohibitionsNishedas.SriKrishnasaidintheGita:"Hewho,having castasidetheinjunctionsofthesaastrasactsaccordingtohisownsweetwill attainsnotperfection,orhappinessorthehighestgoal".Therefore,saysSri Krishna,"Letthesaastrabeourauthorityindeterminingwhatoughttobedone andwhatoughtnottobedone.Knowingwhathasbeenprescribedinthe shaastra,youshouldperformyouractionhere". GOODLIFE Toleadagoodlife,wemustgetridofevilinoutmind,speechandconduct.To thisend,wemustbecontinouslyengagedinthinkinggoodthoughtsanddoing gooddeedsprescnbedbythesaastras.Anoldsanyaasiwasaskedhowhe overcomethepromptingsoflust,kaama.Herepliedthatwhenkaamaknocked

athismind'sdoor,itfoundhimsobusythatitwentawayofitsownaccord.An idlemindisthedevil'sworkshop.Ifwearealwaysbusywithgooddeeds,evil willnotcomenearus.Intheveryprocessofdoinggooddeeds,theevil automaticallyvanishesfromourmind.Doinggooddeedskeepsusconstantly thinkingofGodandtherebyweearnHisgraceallthemore.SingingofGod VaradaraajaofKaanchi,SriAppayyaDeekshitar,thephilosopherdevoteesaid: "Theremaybeotherpoets,OLord:whocancomposeversesinThynamevery quickly.Iamaslowpoet.Butmygoodfortuneisgreaterthantheirs.For,whileI struggletoversifymymindlingersforalongertimeonthefeaturesofThy resplendentPerson". DEVOTIONTOGOD Godmaybethecreatoroftheworldandalsothedispenserofthefruitsofour actions.ButwhyshouldwehavedevotiontoHim?Whyshouldweshowbhakti toHim?TheanswertothisquestionisprovidedintheYogaSutrasofPatanjali. Yogaisdefinedas'Chittavrttinirodha'.Itisthecontrolofthemind'sactivity.But howtocontrolthemind?ThiscanbebroughtaboutbyworshipofGod.The worldisfullofthingswhichdistractthemind,whichmakeitshakeandwaver. Tokeepourbodyinbalancewithoutbeingtossedaboutweholdfasttoastrong pillar.Evenso,tokeepourmindsteady,weshouldmakeitsticktosomething unchangingandunshakableItmustbesomethingthatisfixed,sthaanu, unmovingandpermanentamongtheunstablethingsoftheworld.Godwhois theallknowingIntelligenceistheOnePermanentinthisworldofimpermanent things.WeshouldholdHimbeforeourmindtocontrolitandsteadyitlikea flameinplacewherethereisnobreeze. NATUREOFBHAKTI Whatreallyisthecoreofbhakti?Itistheconditionofmindwhichiscontinously drawntoandanchoredinthefeetoftheLordofallcreatures,thePasupati.Sri Sankarahasaversewhichbringsoutthenatureofbhaktibyafewbeautiful examplesfromNatureandhumanrelations.

Ankolamnijabeejasantath'Itistraditionallybelievedthatthereisatreecalled theankolatree.Itsseedsfalldownfromthefullgrowntree.Bysomeinternal compulsionofitsnature,itmovesofitsownaccordtowardsthefootofthe parenttree.Havingreachedit,itgentlyascendsclingingtothetrunkand enventuallybecomesonewithit. 'Ayaskaantopalomsoochikaa'.Theneedleisdrawntothelodestone,gets magnetisedbyitandbecomesitselfamagnet. 'Saadhveenaijavibhum'.Apativartaawomanintenselylongingwithallhere heartandsoulforthecompanyofherlardwhoisalltheworldtoher. 'Latakshitiruham'.Acreepermeanderingonthegroundisonthelookoutfora treetotwineitselfround.Havingfoundit,itenvelopsitonallsidesandcannot beseparatedfromitevenwithgreatforce. 'Sindhussaridvallabhuam'.Theriverswhichtakeriseindistantmountainsrush forthwithturbulentaviditytoflowintothesea.Theriversbecomeone,with thewatersoftheseaandtheirwateralsobecomessaltyevenastheseawater. Theattractioninallthesecasesisnaturalandspontaneous,notacalculatedor artificalone.Atthestartthey,feelseparatedfromthattowhicheachofthemis attracted.Buttheycannnotsubsistintheirseparation.Theseed,theneedle, thesaadhvee,thecreeperandtheriversfindthefulfilmentoftheirbeinginthe unionandeventually,intheiridentitywiththatwhichalonemakesfortheir completion.Tothesaadhveei.e.thepativrata,thetruewife,herhusbandisher all.Heisherverylife.Separationfromhimevenforasecondcausesherintense anguish.Theriversriseonmountaintops,wherecloudspouroutwhatthey tookoutfromthesea,theiroriginalsourceandtheultimategoal.Theyflowin torrentsandfallillcascades,roaringwithfurybetrayingtheireagernesstomeet theirlord,thesaridvallabhaandthentheymergeinitsbosom.

TRUEPRAYER ThetruedevoteepraystoGodtogiveHimselftohimself."Givememyown nature"'madeeyamevasvaroopamdehi'Inthelastanalysis,sinceeachman's truenatureisGodHimself,'Givemetomyselfmeans'giveThyselftome'. ThistruthiswonderfullybroughtoutinanotherprayerthatSriSankarasangin hissaundaryalahri.Theprayerstartswiththewords. 'BhavanittwamdaasemayivitaradrshtimSakarunaam'. AddressingtheMotheroftheuniverseasbhavaani,SriSankaraprays:Be pleasedtocastThygraciouslookonme'Thyservant'.Theinterestingwords hereare'bavaanitwam"whichmeans'OhBhavani!Thou,(mayestbepleased toshed"Thegraciouslookonme.) Here'Bhavaani'isthevocativecase;itapostrophisestheSupremeMotherWith oneofHernames.'Twam'meansThouandinthesentencefunctionsasthe grammaticalsubjectofwhatistofollow.But,'Bhavaani'isalsoaverbinthe firstpersonsingularfuturetensewhichmeans'mayIbecome'andtvammeans Thou.Thefirsttwowordsoftheprayercanalsomean'MayIbeomeThou'.Sri SankarasaysthatassoonastheSupremeMotherhearsthesefirsttwowordsof Herdevotee'sprayar,withoutwaitingforwhatwastofollowsheimmediately (tadaiva)bestowsonhimidentifywithHerselfnijasaayujyapadaveem. OURDEITIES Butwhydopeoplewranglesayingthatonedeityissuperiortotherest,thatthe deitywhomtheyworshipaloneisthehighest?Abridgeacrossariverhasa numberofarchesToamanstandingunderonearch,allotherarcheswillappear smallerthantheonehestandsunder.Thisarchwillappearbiggesttohiseyes. Evenso,toavotaryofaparticulardeity,allotherdeitieswillappearinferior. ButthetruthisthatdeitiesaremanifetsationsoftheOneGod.Allarchesare similarlyconstructedandhavethesamedimension.

DEVOTIONALHARMONY Itisgoodtoremembertwodevotionalhymns,oneinpraiseofVishnuandthe otherinpraiseofSivasungbydevoteesofthedifferentpersuations.Theyare theTiruppavaiofAandaalandtheTiruvembaavaiofMaanickavachakar.Bothof themdealwithawakeningthesleepingdevoteesofGodfromtheirslumber beforedawn.Thelanugageandthesubstanceofthetwohymnsshowa remarkablesimilaritybringingforciblytoourmindsthat,intheultimate analysis,fromthepointofthedevoteeandhisdevotionthereneedbeno differenceinrespectofSivaorVishnu.Adevoteeofonemanifestationisa devoteeofeveryothermanifestation.Thatisthewaytoestablishdevotional harmony.AllthetheisticschoolsofourreligionhavestemmedfromtheVedic religionwhichproclaimed:'ThatwhichexistsisOne;thesagesspeakofit variously'.Thesubstanceisultimatelyone;itsshapeandnamemaybeas variousasyouplease. STICKTOYOUROWNRELIGION Inthematteroftheformthatonechoosesforone'sworship,onegoesbythe practiceinvogue,thesampradaayainone'sfamily.Thereisnoneedtogiveup oneformofworhipandadopteanother.Similarlyoneneednotgiveupthe religioninwhichoneisbornandadoptanother.Theapachaaraorsinin conversionisnotsomuchingoingtoanewreligionsasingivinguptheold religioninwhichonewasborn.Theconverttoanotherreligionscornsatthe Godwhomhewasworshippingthepreviousday. STICKTOYOUROWNTRADITION Onshouldobservethetraditionalpracticesinreligion;else,heisafallenman. Invitationtoanewreligionimpliesthatallwholivedbeforethebirthofthat religiondidnotattainsalvationandalsothatsalvationisdeniedtoallthose whodonotbelongtothatreligion.Obviouslythisisabsurd.Eventoask SaivitetoturnaVaishnaviteorviceversaisalsowrong.Toaskamantogiveup hisoldreligionis,infact,toaskhimtogiveuptheGodwhomheworshipped.It isasinagainstGod.Godacceptallformsofworship,eventheunsophisticated

forms(avidhipoorvakam).Heultimatelyturnsthedevoteetothehighandholy pathandtakesHimtoHimself.For,theGodofallreligionsandofallreligions denominationsisthesame. SACREDPLACES Stillanotherinstitutionofourreligionismarkedbythenumerouskshetrasand teerthasthataboundinourlandfromtheHimalayastoKanyakumari.Infact, theoceanthatengirthsourcountryonthreesidesisitselflookeduponasa punyateertha,holywaters.Someofthecitiesarecalledsalvationspotsor mokshapuris.Wespeakofsacredrivrsandtanks.Whatistheirsignificance? Howdidthesespotsbecomesacred?Inthepastyugaspeopleacquiredspiritual meritbyperformingtapas,intenseausteritiesthroughanumberofyears.With thelapseoftime,men'scapacityforenduranceandstrengthofwill deteriorated.Ourancientsageswerefullofcompassionforfuturegenerations. Sotheythemslvesperformedtapes,thoseholypersonagesdedicatedthemto thosesacredspotssayingthatwhosoevercametothatkshetraorteertha wouldhavethebenefitoftheirtapasandwouldbepurifiedandelevated thereby.Thatishowthecustomofpilgrimagetoholyplacesaroseinour countryandservesasaspiritualboundunifyingallpeopleofourmotherland fromoneendofthecountrytoanothererasingalldifferencesofcaste,language customsandmanners. MOORTIPUJANOTIDOLWORSHIP Everyobjectintheworld,animateorinanimateisamanifestationoftheOne God.Ifonerealisesthistruthonewilldonothingevil.Onewillnotfeelangeror disgustorhatredforanythingorperson.Therealisationandexperiencingof thisfundamentaltruthisthetruegoaloflife.Heshouldbeginbyseekingtosee Godatleastinoneobjectthroughconcentrationuponthatparticularobjectas Godwhichisonehundredpercenttruebyitself.ThegraceofGodresulting fromsuchintenseconcentrationwillenablehimtogofurtherandseeGod manifestinallthatisandthereuponhewillbefreefromthelimitationsarising fromnonexperiencingofthetruththatGodisinallthings.Thisisthe fundamentalbasisofMoortiupaasana(sagunopaasana).Thisupaasana

unfortu unatelyisnowadays n deridedas s"Idolwo orship".Iti isamisnom mertoreg gard Moortiupaasanaasidolwo orship.The etruewor rshipperof faMoortineverfee els thatheisworship ppingasto oneorapi ieceofme etal.Hethinksonlyo ofGod forgetti ingallelse e. NAMA BHAJANA A SaintJa ayadevaof fBengalwasthepioneeroftheBhajans school.Itis ssaidthat t whileJayadevasanghishe eartmeltin ngsongsin npraiseoftheLord,hiswife, Padmav vati,dance edandLor rdKrishna, ,appearing ginthefo ormofach hild,directed thestep psofdancingPadma avatiHenc ce,Jayadev vaaddress sedSriKris shnaas "Padma avateech haranach haaranachakravarih hi". Thepat thblazedby b Jayadev vawasfollowedbyK KrishnaCh haitanya,T Tukaram, MeeraBaiandot thersinNo orthindia.Correspon ndinglythe erelivedin nSouthIndia, Purandaradasa,Bhodendra B a,Ayyaval,SadguruS Swamiand d.Others. Purandaradasapr roclaimedtothewo orld,Ninna anaamaon nduiddare esaaku,"Y Your nameis senoughforme'.Bh hodendrahas h written nanumbe erofworksstressing gthe efficacy yofnaama ajapa.Eve entoday,at a thecommencementofabha ajanaora valandSa kalaksh hepam,the eblessingof o Bhoden ndra,Ayyav adguruSwa amiare invoked d.GreatSa aivitesaint ts,whohavesungth hepraiseo ofSivanaa ama,also gracedSouthIndi ia.

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