Realisation of Self (2)

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Most people of the world reserve Bhakti for old age! But, none reserves ‘eating’ (food) for old age. This is because health deteriorates and the body becomes weak if one does not consume food. Likewise, the soul weakens if one does not do ‘bhakti’. Moreover, without ‘bhakti’, our karma vãsanãs increase multifold pushing us into lakhs of births (‘janmãs’). Therefore, bhakti should also be done from childhood.

Majority of the people hold the wrong notion that bhakti is only for attaining a comfortable house, good position, wealth, spouse, children, health, etc. But, all these should be used to do bhakti and attain the real status (Self-realisation)! He who enjoys all comforts in life but has no bhakti is akin to a dead body that is anointed with sandal paste, fragrant oil and adorned with jewels! No amount of lecturing can instill this in the minds of those who are filled with desires and riches.

It is next to impossible to comprehend the feelings of Mahatmas, using our mind. It is in man’s nature to exhibit his love to some person. Why do childless couple adopt a child? Is it because they wish that this child would earn and take care of them in their old age? Would they deceive themselves with such false notions when they find even one’s own children being indifferent (to their parents)? Why do they adopt a child? Seeing a mother pour forth love on her child, they also adopt a child so that they can pour all their love on him/her. If one knows to place this love on God, it is called Bhakti. Bhakti is a deep feeling (‘rasam’). This mental feeling is bhakti.

Why is retirement age from service fixed at 50 - 58 years? It is because when one reaches that age the ears do not function as well as they did earlier, the vision is not as sharp as it used to be, the body gets tired quickly and one is not as active as before. Is that not so? Is it not because mental work is felt to be tougher than physical labour that High Court Judges, Ministers and top Government officials are given higher status and salary? Bhakti is done only with a firm mind. When a man has been sent home (retirement) because he is found to be unfit even for discharging physical duties, how can he be expected to be fit to perform mental sadhana? It is just not possible.

Some ask, “I am very happy in this world. Why should I do bhakti? What do I care for ‘swarga’ (heaven), ‘moksha’ or ‘Vaikunta’?” This is sheer arrogance. If our lives end with death, we can spend it as we please. But it is not so! We have to face the Lord’s Judgement after death. None can escape this. One should do bhakti for this very reason. Due to your ‘punya’, you may lead a happy life now. But are you assured of everlasting happiness? Sorrow can befall you at any time. One should do bhakti atleast for this reason.

A man considering an ascetic to be a great person served him in every way with reverence and bhakti. How cheated would he feel the day he learns that he is not worthy of such worship? Similarly, you would feel deeply cheated on the day you realise that your spouse, children, house and all the other belongings of this world with which you had been deeply attached are only an illusion. But, this is the truth. It is for this reason that you should do bhakti.

In this world, man proudly announces that he is highly intelligent, filled with great ambitions and works with a long-term plan. Oh! Smart ones! This situation is not true at all! Bliss is within you. Intelligent that you are, can you be without knowing this? Oh! Enterprising man! Let all your endeavours be directed towards the Ãtman (the Self). Let your long-term plans cover even the births (‘janmãs’) that have to be taken after death!

You may say, “Sir! All these apply to me only if I believe in such things.” Disbelief does not alter Truth. You are not spared of hell even if you do not believe in sins. Well! Let’s consider your words for the sake of argument.

Man takes pride in his cleverness, enterprise and long-term plans. Oh! Intelligent ones! The state you now experience is not your real state. There is great joy('ãnanda') within you. Should you not try to know that? Oh! Industrious ones! Let all your efforts be directed towards the 'Ãtman'! Oh! Long term planners! Let your plans cover all the janmas that will have to be faced even after your death.

You may say, "Sir! I do not believe all these!" Truth remains the same even if you do not believe. You cannot escape hell just because you refuse to believe in sins. Well! Let's consider your view. A man carries an umbrella on seeing an overcast sky. The umbrella comes of use if it rains. It does not matter if it does not rain. If you do not carry the umbrella you will be drenched if it rains. Thus, if there is hell just as I say, you will suffer there(if you are not cautious). Even there I will feel sorry for you!

Bhakti is deeply enjoyable ('rasam'). When it is so, some people perform puja without an idol('vigraha'). Will such people attain 'phala' (fruit)? Certainly, the expected 'phala' will be attained. But 'Bhakti' is filled with 'experiences'. There is much more joy('ãnanda')in that. Therefore, there is great joy in performing puja to 'archãvataras'(idols), taking them in procession, performing 'Thirukalyãnam' (marriage) for them. This can be explained through the following example. On calculation it is found that man requires certain amount of calories of food every day. One can also know the exact quantity of the different vitamins contained in it. But a person cannot consume just the requisite amount of vitamins everyday instead of food. One may remain healthy, but he will be hungry. Moreover, the vitamins do not please the palate. Therefore, food should make one healthy as well as appease one’s hunger. It should also be tasty. Similarly, one cannot worship some ­­­­ yantra or stone. There has to be a beautiful Form for worship. Moksha is the endpoint of Bhakti, yet it (Bhakti) attracts even a Jnãni.

This can be illustrated through an example. When a child suffers from diarrhea the mother gives sugar mixed with ghee. Even after the child is back to normal health it bluffs that it is still suffering from diarrhea and gets the sugar mixed with ghee(that is very tasty!). Likewise, even if the goal of bhakti is Moksha(Liberation) the joy of performing it(Bhakti) attracts one even after the attainment of the goal. Bhakti is so deeply enjoyable! Uttering HARI NÃMA even once earns Moksha. Surrender leads one to Vaikunta. One who questions, "Why should I do Bhakti even after this?" is not a 'rasika' (enjoyer)!

A man first aspires some small employment. Once this is attained he aspires for a higher position. When the daily needs of his family are met with, he desires to save some money for his children's education and marriage. He then earns to provide for his children's future. He then earns for the sake of his grand children. Thus, he continues to earn for the future generations. Why? This is because wealth is enjoyable to him. Even after his needs have been met with, he goes around day and night earning through various means till his old age. Why does he not stop when his needs have been met with? He possesses such deep desire and greed and money tastes so good to him!

Similarly, there is no doubt that uttering HARI NÃMA even once earns Moksha. Just as the greed and taste for wealth does not subside, the taste for Bhakti and Nãma does not subside. Any amount does not suffice. Just as wealth accrued by a man is useful to the world and for future generations, a man's bhakti and the power of Nãma gives strength to innumerable people.

Animal sacrifice in a temple is opposed vehemently by a man but, he does not bother about the crores of cows and goats being slaughtered in a butcher's shop! (I do not justify animal sacrifice in temples). He chases out his parents and parents-in-law from home but donates liberally every month to orphanages! He speaks of equality and refuses to accept differences on the basis of birth, but hits out at people of other states! He questions the abhisheka done to Gods in temples. He cries out that it is sheer waste of milk, curd, etc. but applies perfume to the body that is just a bag of bones and flesh and will be cremated one day! "Why maintain temples? It is sheer waste of money!", he cries out but if questioned back, "Movies are being produced at the expense of crores of rupees. Does this do good to the nation?" He says that it offers employment to many people! Even temples offer employment to many. He speaks against yoga and puja that involve spending but does not object when crores are spent on sports like cricket and tennis! He justifies these by saying that it brings about happiness and good health! Even temples bestow happiness and fulfill one's prayers. He wonders why there are so many temples? Isn't one temple enough? But, when his wife who has a cupboard full of silk saris demands another he immediately rushes to the shop! Even if he owns a house, he goes about purchasing land in various places. He feels it is good to possess land.

In this world, do we spend only for our needs? Do we not acquire things out of desire? A drunkard wastes away his health and money and creates problems to many. He smokes cigarettes, uses narcotics and gambles from dawn to dusk. Some destroy themselves through alcohol and end up being of no use to anybody. Let us first set right all these and then turn to the temples!

To be continued...

Part I    Part II    Part III

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