His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji in 'Aksharamanalai' discourse: Guru Mahima: One cannot comprehend the glory (‘mahima’) of God/Guru unless He reveals Himself to us because He is beyond the comprehension of ‘buddhi’ (intellect), ‘vãk’ (words) and ‘manas’ (mind). It is only through the Grace of God/Guru can we comprehend Him fully and not otherwise. That ‘vastu’ (thing) which is within the understanding of ‘buddhi’, ‘vãk’ and ‘manas’ cannot be a ‘poorna vastu’ (complete/perfect). What purpose does it serve in embracing one that is not a ‘poorna vastu’? Nothing! Therefore, only that ‘vastu’ which is beyond ‘vãk’, ‘manas’ and ‘buddhi’ is ‘poorna vastu’ and we can recognize it only through experience (‘anubhava’) and not through assumption (‘anumãna’). ‘IT’ cannot be described.

Annadãnam:

Adi Sankara, in his commentary on Chãndhokya Upanishad, speaks on the ‘phala’ (fruit) of ‘anna dãnam’ (offering of food in charity). He says that the ‘phala’ of ‘anna dãnam’ is ‘Atma Jnana’ (Knowledge of the Self).

In this connection he takes up the story of King Janasruti found in this Upanishad. The grandson of this king was known for his ‘anna dãnam’. Seeing the magnitude of his ‘anna dãnam’ the thirty-three crores Devas met together to decide on the ‘phala’ to be bestowed on him. They desired to grant him something that would befit the ‘anna dãnam’. They concluded that neither fame nor post nor kingdom nor women nor wealth nor money nor Deva loka could equal this ‘anna dãnam’. They, therefore, decided to bestow ‘Atma jnana’ that equaled his ‘anna dãnam’. Having arrived at this decision two Devas took the form of a bird and flew over the king’s private chamber. The king had knowledge of the language of birds. As they flew above the king’s private chamber one bird said to the other, “The king is sleeping. Be careful as you fly over this place!” The other bird at once retorted, “Is he the Maharshi Rykver? Would he burn me down with his ‘tapo bala’ (power of spiritual austerities)?”

The king who listened to this conversation became curious to meet this Maharshi. He searched him out, surrendered to him and learnt ‘Atma vidhya’ (knowledge of the Self) from him. Such is the ‘phala’ of ‘anna dãnam’.

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