God Himself must take the refuge of a Guru..

[Excerpts from Satsang of Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu]

Vashishthaji said, 'O Rama, The illusion of this visible world cannot be nullified without contemplating on enlightening precepts.. O Rama! Act in accordance with the guidelines of satsang and virtuous scriptures; keep away from rituals performed with a desire of future rewards, including those prescribed by the Vedas; remain unaffected by the three Gunas (attributes) associated with them, and I shall remove the grime of illusion from your vision at once..'

In a spontaneous reaction to these words, Pujyashree said, 'Wow! How spirited! How dynamic is the Guru of Lord Rama!! Kudos to Bhagwan Vashishthaji!! Victory to the Guru of the Lord!!' A person may say, 'Our Guru is God-personified.. Maharaj! We call you Bhagwan, God..'

What is so great about this' Even God Himself must take the refuge of a Guru.. Lord Sri Rama was a disciple of Vashishthaji Maharaj..

Why proclaim Godhood' That would only prompt people to demand rains or ask to give life back to the dead. So do not become God, but be established in God. If you consider yourself to be the doer, you will become trapped. It is as simple as that. Simply become established in Him!! Then there is only bliss..

Vashishtha Maharaj says, 'Rise above desires and I will eradicate the illusion of this world in an instant, leading to your enlightenment..'

Once the wiring fittings are ready, it is only a matter of switching on the button and the darkness is dispelled within a second.. Does it take too long to switch on the button' That is all the time it took on that momentous day of Self-realization of Pujyashree [Bapu Asaram ji]..

O Rama! When the existence of this perceivable world comes to an end, the observer also will cease to be; and once they both lose their existence then what remains is Absolute Existence, the Pure Self..

The illusion of this visible world was dispelled forever.. It took Guruji [Pujyapad Sri Lilashahji Maharaj] just a few moments but the consequent impact was so profound that it is there even today.. Even death cannot undo such accomplishments..

O Rama! Without enlightening satsang the illusion of the perceptible world cannot be eradicated.. He is but a fool who seeks to remove the delusion through logical arguments.. For it ends up only strengthening the illusion of the world.. Whatever you experience is nothing but this creation consisting of space, time, actions and the five elements.. Even if one is absorbed in samadhi, detached from this world; sooner or later he will come back to this same world from his samadhi and will once again consider this world to be real..

When the existence of this visible world disappears, the observer also disappears along with the notion of non-attachment. Then what remains is the Supreme Being, Parabrahman..

Arguments will not lead to peace.. Meditation alone will not work either, because after the meditation, you will again experience this world and the physical body.. Then questions like, 'What should I do' Where shall I go'' will continue to nurture the sense of doership.. So long as the doer remains, bondage will persist..

A mirage can be approached, not by any action or by chasing it, but only by means of the knowledge that it is but a mirage.. You may of course ponder on doing something to dispel the mirage.. No! What is needed is simply to accept the fact that it is an illusion.. Similarly, you only have to realize your own Pure and conscious Nature, the Self. Study scriptures on Self-knowledge, and contemplate thoughts that strengthen these very ideas and hold fast to the Supreme goal; then you will soon succeed in your endeavour..

Somvati Amavasya & Amritsiddhiyog..22nd june'09

Somvati Amavasya or no moon day falling on Monday creates such an auspicious moment that Ganga, Pushkar & the divine cosmos along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth shower their exceptional spiritual benediction on the being who performs worship, japa, meditation on this auspicious day. The significance of this day is considered equivalent to the auspiciousness of ‘the Solar Eclipse.’ Taking a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes) on this day is considered to be perennial & everlasting. Observance of vow of silence followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters bestows the being with the meritorious effect equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in donation. It is ordained to worship and circumambulate Lord Vishnu & the sacred Pipal tree. Prior to the sacred ambulation, the following prayer is done:
O Sacred Tree! From the root, you’re the symbol of Lord Brahma, from the trunk, you’re the epitome of Lord Vishnu and the forehead is veritable representation of Lord Siva. My salutations to you! I humbly pray for the acceptance of my reverential worship and eradication of my sins. My offer my deferential salutations to the pious tree whose mere gaze eradicates the being’s physical ailments, a simple touch extirpates the sins and the blissful patronage provides long life to the doer!
Out of the said number of one hundred and eight, eight circumambulations are done by enwrapping the Pipal tree with raw thread. One hundred and eight pieces of fruits are kept aside; later on these are distributed to the Brahmins. Such a practice helps in the longevity of progeny. P.S. When the ‘Mriga Nakshtra’ falls on Monday, it is acclaimed as ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’ Luckily, this time on Somvati Amavasya, this auspicious confluence is occurring. On 22nd June, from dawn till 11.45 P.M, it is the pious confluence of ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)

Sage Narada, the Possessor of Divine Virtues..

Once Lord Krishna worshipped Sage Narada in Mahi-sagara-sangam. There king Ugrasena asked Him: “O Lord of the world, Sri Krishna! Why is Sage Narada exceedingly fond of you?”
Lord Krishna said: “O King! I always eulogize Narada of divine vision by means of the hymn pronounced by Mahendra. Listen to it, O King:
‘I bow down to that Narada who has been born from the lap of Brahma, who has no arrogance due to learning or good conduct, but whose learning and good conduct are well-known. I bow down to that Narada who has none of these defects – absence of interest, anger, fickleness and fear. He is composed and free from (habitual) procrastination. I pay obeisance to that Narada who does not change his word (once uttered) either due to lust or to covetousness and who is conversant with the principles and goal of spiritual endeavour, who is forbearing, powerful and straightforward, who has conquered his sense organs and who speaks the truth.
‘I bow down to that Narada who is full-grown and venerable in respect of splendour, fame, intellect, prudence, humility, birth and penance, whose conduct and dress are pleasing and whose diet, behaviour, eyes and utterances are good, who is tirelessly engaged in altruism, who has no sin, who is enthusiastically engaged in bringing good to others, who always abides by the duties enjoined in the Vedas, Smritis and Puranas and who is free from (i.e. is above) either pleasure or displeasure, who is uninterested in food stuffs and other things, who is learned, who is never idle, who is a Brahmana of vast learning and whose narratives are charming, who has never erred before in respect of wealth, anger and love and by whom these defects have been eliminated, who is devoid of the defect of infatuation and fascination, who has unwavering devotion to God and Bhagawat Dharma, whose moral policies are supreme and who is of a reserved disposition, who is never contaminated by contacts, who is eloquent and who has no prolonged doubts, who never finds faults with any scriptural text, whose life is a personification of penance, who never spends his time without recollecting God and who always keeps his mind under control.
‘I salute that Narada who puts in great efforts, who exerts his intelligence, who is never satiated with concentration and meditation and who never errs in his efforts, who does not become elated by the acquisition of wealth, who does not become dejected on account of non-acquisition, who is richly endowed with all good qualities, who is efficient, pure and unafraid, who knows the proper occasions and is conversant with good policies.’
“Everyday I recite this hymn of Narada, O King. Therefore, the excellent sage has great love for me. If any other person too remains pure and repeats this prayer everyday, he will ree long attract great favour of the celestial sage.”
Through this eulogy of the celestial sage Narada, the Lord presents the ideal virtues of devotees. Such is the glory of a devotee that he is eulogized by God Himself. One who remembers the virtues of the Lord’s devotees, becomes dear to them and imbibes their virtues as well. Recollecting and talking about a devotee and his virtues purifies the heart and brings good to the world.
Naradji, who has the good of all living beings in his mind, helps those who are desirous of progressing on the path of God. It is impossible to assess how many and in what manner beings have been transported by him to the Lord’s pious feet. He is ever engaged in guiding the devotees and inquisitive seekers and in the good of saintly souls who desire to attain liberation in life. Our crores of obeisances at His feet!

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)

Useless Pride..

A rich man was pedantically showing his huge mansion and meticulously pruned garden to a Mahatma while boastfully indulging in self-display and self-acclaim. Furthering his conceited conversation, the wealthy man said, ‘This house is matchless in the Asian continent.’
Viewing the world map, the Mahatma promptly enquired, ‘What is this?’
‘The earth.’
“Can you show me Asia in it?”
The rich man pointed towards Asia in the map.
Then the Mahatma asked for the location of India and thereafter of Mumbai, which was visibly no bigger than a small dot on the map.
The Mahatma enquired, ‘Can the map exhibit your mansion also?’
The rich man replied, ‘No great sire, it can’t be seen in this map.’
The Mahatma replied, ‘Then your pride is unmistakably vain।’

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)

No man is the cause of another’s joy or sorrow..

Lord Sri Ramachandraji was resting in the forest while his brother Lakshman stood guard with his bow and arrow. Seeing Lord Rama in this pitiable state, King Nishad started cursing Kaikeyi, “O Kaikeyi! It did not even occur to her! These were the golden days for our Lord, whereas now He is sleeping on the ground! The King of kings, Maharaj Dasharathnandan (the son of King Dasharath), would have been seated on the throne in the royal court. The man of perfect youth, perfect beauty, perfect knowledge, perfect love, perfect light and the perfect life, Sri Rama has been banished to this forest. How evil minded has Kaikeyi become!”Nishad cursed Kaikeyi in this manner in front of Lakshman. He thought that Lakshman would sympathize with him and he too would curse Kaikeyi. But Lakshman was elevated far above the instinct-driven animal life. He was also slightly above human life fraught with joys and sorrows. He said to Nishadraj: “Why do you curse mother Kaikeyi?No man is the cause of another’s joy or sorrow.”Those who attribute the cause of their sorrows to others are ignorant. They have lost their good sense. Some people spent crores of rupees on carrying out malicious propaganda against Bapu. If I had said, ‘These people have distressed me through their malicious propaganda. Oh! They made me sad’ then I would have really become a ‘Sorrow Maker’. Those slanderers continued with their malicious acts, whereas I continued to remain cheerful. As a result, the number of people attending my satsangs actually increased. Maybe that was my fate.King Nishad says, “What happened is not good”. Lakshman replies, “No man is the cause of another’s happiness or sorrow. Everyone has to bear his own destiny. Everyone has their own way of thinking. It is our thoughts that make us happy or sad. Do not curse mother Kaikeyi.”Nishad then asks, “Is Sri Ramchandra suffering because of His destiny or because of the fruit of any sinful act? What do you think?”Lakshman replies, “Sri Rama is not sorrowful. You are sorrowful. Sri Rama knows that this is destined; this is a leela (divine play). Events of joy and sorrow, profit and loss, life and death - these are nothing but mere drama, whereas I am the Eternal Essence, pervading every atom of the endless universes. It is only to enact My leela that I incarnate in human form, as Sri Rama. Sri Rama is not bearing any fruits of destiny. Sri Rama transcends the gunas (qualities), space, time and destiny. The mahapurushas (great men) do not bear the fruits of their destiny, their destiny is nullified. Moreover, destiny relates only to the body. It does not touch the Self. Fame and defamation are of the body, disease and health also affect only the body, how can these affect Me? The Self within is the knower and master of all circumstances. This is what all jnanis (Knowers of the Truth) know. Sri Rama is the crest jewel of all jnanis. Where does he experience sorrow? On the contrary, King Nishad, you seem to be creating sorrow for yourself.”Now pay attention. What is your opinion in interpreting this anecdote? Kaikeyi was deceitful, selfish, and elicited a promise from King Dasharatha in her son’s favour. What she did was improper. Taking it in this sense, if you desist from doing anything inappropriate protecting your inner being from mistakes or deceit, then it is good. Another way of looking at it could be to consider that Kaikeyi had affection for Sri Rama. Through her acts she portrayed renunciation and sacrifice (of her prestige) and thus contributed in the divine mission of Sri Rama. Despite the contempt she received, despite knowing that the people will malign her, Kaikeyi acted in this manner. Remembering Kaikeyi’s renunciation and affection, this way you can arouse goodwill towards her in your heart. Do not make your heart impure by cursing Kaikeyi. Also, do not make your heart deceitful thinking, ‘Kaikeyi caused Sri Rama to be exiled. She did the right thing and we should also act in the same way’. Adopt the correct perspective from this story. Adopt the one that helps you fill your heart with love for the Beloved, His wisdom, His equanimity and His supreme sweetness. Such a perspective will be good and right for you.If someone among your relatives, a sister-in-law, mother-in- law or daughter-in-law does something improper and you desist from doing that wrong in your life, you have taken the right approach. However, if you spoil your heart by blaming her thus, “She has done wrong, this niguri (a person who has not taken Diksha from a Satguru) is like this….”, then you are destroying your inner peace and your behavior will become like an animal’s. If your sister-in-law or mother-in-law has a virtue of forbearance, practice it in your life and be even minded.If you find any virtue in any person, practice it in your life and if there is any vice in any body, then protect yourself from that. By doing so, you can develop your mind. Neither should you find vices in others, nor assuming a person to be at fault, accuse him. Do not become a slave of any bad habit of others.If you feel hatred for someone on seeing his vices, your mind will get polluted. However, on noticing the vices, if you resolve to protect yourself from them and at the same time wish him to get rid of that vice, then you are developing your mind. This world is replete with virtues and vices, good and evil. You should be glad and get inspired by the virtues of others and save yourself from the vices you notice in others. Delve into it. Realize that this warp and woof of good and evil is the driving force behind this world; In reality, God is the Essence, the Truth, Consciousness and Bliss absolute. I am seeking peace in Him..

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)