||  Shree Hari   ||

Renunciation of Egoism

अहंताका त्याग

Just as we are obviously a fraction (ansh) of the Supreme Being (Paramatma)  ‒‘ममैवांशः’,‘ईस्वर अंस जीव अबिनासी’, “Mamaivaansho” “Ishvar Ansh Jeev Avinaashi”, in the same way the gross, subtle and causal body are all a fraction (ansh, part) of Nature.  To make yourself situated in Nature,  and to situate Nature within you - this is the main (mool) point.   Why do we regard the body’s rest and relaxation as pleasurable ?   We have made ourselves situated in the body.   By making the “self” situated in the body, “egoism”  is born and by making the body and the world situated within the “self,”  we develop “mamta”  (a sense of mine).    This is the main point that has to be understood.  

By making the “self”  situated in the body,  the assumption that “I am the body”,  in this manner the oneness (inseparability) with the body takes place,  which is only assumed.   Because you are “sentient”  (conscious element), whereas the body is “insentient”  (inert, jada).   How can the conscious element, have any oneness with the body ?  The body is separate and you are separate.   The body can be known, and you are the knower of the body.   However,  by making yourself situated in the body,  the body became predominant, and the self became ancillary.   Due to our “self’ becoming subordinate, the bodily sense of I-ness becomes main, the inertness becomes main.  Therefore on having material things, we consider it to be our progress.   Whosoever has money,   we regard them as superior and great men. We regard the “jaati”  of the body as superior.   The more worldly things that we possess, such as house, property / land, money etc. that much we regard ourselves to be great.   The reason being that in essence we have situated ourselves in the body.   We have assumed the body to be greater than our self.  We have believed ourselves to be dependent on the body.  We have accepted ourselves to be subservient to the body, then with this our egoism will increase.     He becomes very pleased on receiving respect, honor, good treatment, and worship of the body;  because he has assumed that he is situated in the body.  The respect of the body, is assumed to be his own respect,   The pleasures of the body are assumed to be his (self) own pleasures.  To assume the greatness of the body, as one’s own (self’s) greatness is a very big mistake.   The reason being,  that the body is temporary, destructible, inert,  therefore how can our greatness be due to the body ?

By keeping things within us, we develop attachment.    This body, this money,  this property, etc are mine;  because we have kept these in ourselves.    The money is lying somewhere,  but you have kept it in your self, that this is my money, my wealth.   Intellect, knowledge, etc.  are established within one’s self, that I remember so much,  I have knowledge of that many scriptures, and holy text.   I have such a large family, and so he develops a sense of mine-ness with the family.  

In this manner,   by situating the “self” in the inertness, sense of I-ness (ahamta, egoism) and by establishing the inertness within one’s self,  one develops a sense of mine-ness (mamta).   The blending - mingling of the two is called as ‘अन्योन्याध्यास’ “anyonyaadhyaas.”   The body appears to be real - this is “arthadhyaas” “अर्थाध्यास” and I am the body - this is “gyaandhyaas” “ज्ञानाध्यास.”    Just as when you see a snake in a rope, then there is  “arthadhyaas” (to gain knowledge of one object upon seeing another object, just like seeing a rope, one thinks that it is a snake)  in the rope.   And when one realizes that ‘this is a snake’ it is “gyaanadhyaas” (the egoism that persists due to knowledge of one object by another and due to which a sense of I-ness persists.) There are several other  types of knowledge of one object over another.   I tell you a straight-forward thing, that we have placed ourselves in the body and we have placed the body in our self ‒ this is “anyonyaadhyaas” “अन्योन्याध्यास.”   By situating the self in the body, a sense of I-ness (egosim, ahamta) and by placing the body within the self, a sense of mine-ness (attachment,  mamta) is born.   (to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

The Indispensability of Satsang

सत्संगकी आवश्यकता

Just as we are obviously a fraction (ansh) of the Supreme Being (Paramatma)  ‒‘ममैवांशः’,‘ईस्वर अंस जीव अबिनासी’, in the same way the gross, subtle and causal body are all a fraction (ansh, part) of Nature.  To make yourself situated in Nature,  and to situate Nature within you - this is the main (mool) point.   Why do we regard the body’s rest and relaxation as pleasurable ?   We have made ourselves situated in the body.   By making the “self” situate in the body, “egoism”  is born and by making the body and the world situated within the “self,”  we develop “mamta”  (a sense of mine).    This is the main point that has to be understood.  

By making the “self”  situated in the body,  the assumption that “I am the body”,  in this manner the oneness (inseparability) with the body takes place,  which is only assumed.   Because you are “sentient”  (conscious element, whereas the body is “insentient”  (inert, jada).   How can the consciousness element, have any oneness with the body ?  The body is separate and you are separate.   The body can be known, and you are the knower of the body.   However,  by making yourself situated in the body,  the body became predominant, and the self became ancillary.   Due to our “self’ becoming subordinate, the bodily sense of I-ness becomes main, the inertness becomes main.  Therefore on having material things, we consider it to be our progress.   Whosoever has money,   we regard them as superior and great men. We regard the class “jaati”  of the body as superior.   The more worldly things that we possess, such as house, property / land, money etc. that much we regard ourselves to be great.   The reason being that in essence we have situated ourselves in the body.   We have assumed the body to be greater than our self.  We have believed ourselves to be dependent on the body.  We have accepted ourselves to be subservient to the body, then with this our egoism will increase.     He becomes very pleased on receiving respect, honor, good treatment, and worship of the body;  because he has assumed that he is situated in the body.  The respect of the body, is assumed to be his own respect,   The pleasures of the body are assumed to be his (self) own pleasures.  To assume the greatness of the body, as one’s own (self’s) greatness is a very big mistake.   The reason being,  that the body is temporary, destructible, inert,  therefore how can our greatness be due to the body ?

By keeping things within us, we develop attachment.    This body, this money,  this property, etc are mine;  because we have kept these in ourselves.    The money is lying somewhere,  but you have kept it in your self, that this is my money, my wealth.   Intellect, knowledge, etc.  are established within one’s self, that I remember so much,  I have knowledge of that many scriptures, and holy text.   I have such a large family, and so he develops a sense of mine-ness with the family.  

In this manner,   by situating the “self” in the inertness, sense of I-ness (ahamta, egoism) and by establishing the inertness within one’s self,  one develops a sense of mine-ness (mamta).   The blending - mingling of the two is called as ‘अन्योन्याध्यास’ “anyonyaadhyaas.”   The body appears to be real - this is “arthadhyaas” “अर्थाध्यास” and I am the body - this is “gyaandhyaas” “ज्ञानाध्यास.”    Just as when you see a snake in a rope, then there is  “arthadhyaas” (to gain knowledge of one object upon seeing another object, just like seeing a rope, one thinks that it is a snake)  in the rope.   And when one realizes that ‘this is a snake’ it is “gyaanadhyaas” (the egoism that persists due to knowledge of one object by another and due to which a sense of I-ness persists.) There are several other  types of knowledge of one object over another.   I tell you a straight-forward thing, that we have placed ourselves in the body and we have placed the body in our self ‒ this is “anyonyaadhyaas” “अन्योन्याध्यास.”   By situating the self in the body, a sense of I-ness (egosim, ahamta) and by placing the body within the self, a sense of mine-ness (attachment,  mamta) is born.   

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

The Indispensability of Satsang

सत्संगकी आवश्यकता

continued....

This is about an incident in Bikaner.   There was a boy who was very obedient to his parents.   Daily he dropped his mother off for satsang, and when the satsang would come to an end,  he went to pick her up.    One the mother told the boy that do listen to satsang for 2-3 days,  please sit here.  He began to listen to satsang.  He now says that he cannot leave listening to satsang.   Without tasting what will one know how the ladoos taste ?   Therefore those who have never done satsang ,  those poor souls, what will they know ? ‘मायाको मजूर बन्दो कहा जाने बन्दगी’. There are people who cannot even tolerate others listening to satsang!  If others give food to sadhus ‒ this too they cannot tolerate and they say ‒‘मुफ्तमें खावे मोडा ।’ 'for free these people are eating food'.  We do not steal,  we do not rob.  When people feed us, we eat.   And they even prevent others from giving food  !  But they simply can not bare it.   They can not tolerate satsang,  they cannot tolerate bhajan-dhyaan (worship and meditating on God).  

मजाल क्या है जीव की जो राम नाम ले,

पाप   देवे  थापकी  तो  मूँडो  फोर  दे ।

Neither do they themselves do satsang,  nor do they let others do satsang.    ‒‘खेतका अड़वा, न खावे न खाने दे ।’  The scarecrow in the fields neither eats himself, nor lets others eat.   But you remain firm,  unshaken.    You become engaged in God then the sins,  the fire within will all be destroyed.   Just as with the Sun the darkness of the entire world comes to an end, in the same way, with satsang, the darkness in the heart, is destroyed once and for all.   

Narayan !     Narayan !!     Narayan !!!

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

The Indispensability of Satsang

सत्संगकी आवश्यकता

continued....

Satsang can be acquired with great rarity.   There is immense glories of satsang.  Hanumanji began to go towards Lanka,  then a Lakini caught hold of him, that where are you going after disrespecting me ?   All those who are thieves in Lanka, they become my meal ! Hanumanji,  gave her one blow on the face,  and her mouth began to bleed.  In such a condition,  she said ‒

तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख    धरिअ तुला एक अंग ।

तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग ॥

                                                                             (मानस ५ । ४)

Taat svarga apabarga sukha dharia tulaa eka amga,

tula na taahi sakala mili jo sukha lava satasamga  

(Manas., Sundarkand, 5/4)

“In one scale of the balance, dear son, put together the delights of heaven and the bliss of final beatitude; but they will all be outweighed by a moment’s joy derived from communion with the saints.”  

There is no happiness greater than that which is reaped in Satsang.   Even the pleasures of heaven and liberation cannot compare to the joy attained in satsang.  There is that much glories to satsang pertaining to love and devotion of God.   Hanumanji’s blow to the face was a form of satsang for the Lakini.   Lakini realized that death was nearing for the demons, and now all the demons will be destroyed ‒

बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे ।

तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे ॥

               (मानस ५ । ४ । ४)

bikala hosi tain kapi ken maare,  

tab jaanesu nisichara sama  ghaare (Manas. 5/4/4)

‘When you get discomfited by blow from a monkey, know that all is over with the demon race.’  (Manas. 5/4/4)

After taking the blow, she rejoices and showers her blessings, saying that before entering Lanka,  remember the Lord,  then all your work will be accomplished and you will succeed.  The reason being,  that the association with the loving devotee of the Lord has taken place !  Therefore, there is immense glory of satsang.   No one can even express.

There is exceptional and extra-ordinary glory of saints.  I have heard, that Nabhaji had no eyes.  He was a devotee of God.   He went to the place where the saints were residing.    He hung around in braided hair, where the shoes were being kept,  and whatever he got something to eat, he ate and remained in bliss.   He was very prompt in obeying the Gurus and saints.   He had many realizations from obeying the saints and from worship and remembrance of the Lord.  Then Guruji ordered him to write the stories of the devotees of the Lord.   Nabhaji said,  Maharaj ! I can write about the divine tales of the Lord,  but how can I write about the lives of devotees of the Lord ? To that the Guruji said,  that the devotees themselves with come to visit you and they will tell about their principles, character, conduct and way of life.  Thereafter he wrote the “Bhaktamaal”.  The inner eyes opened up, and he wrote an exceptional description of devotees.   Therefore with Satsang, with the grace of saints what can be impossible ?

In this Kaliyug, where the Divine Name of the Lord is repeated,  when one gets satsang,  then understand that there is fragrance in gold ! Do not let such a beautiful occasion pass by.   Even by undergoing difficulties, any which way,  bring people to satsang.   Bring old ladies to satsang.  Hold on to their hands and bring them with you and make them sit in satsang.    If they are unable to sit, then spread a bed cover in one corner and let them lie down, so that they can listen while lying.  Or bring a chair and let them sit on it.   In this manner, let them have an opportunity to listen to satsang.   I wish to tell all the brothers the same thing, that whoever is old and aged, bring them.  Let them sit in one place,  or else, wherever there is shade, let them lie down over there.    After the satsang,  take them back home.  You will accrue much virtues.   When giving someone food also increases one’s virtues, then surely giving someone an opportunity for satsang, leads to virtues ?  Fall at the feet of even those people who do not believe in satsang,  and bring them to satsang.   

(to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

The Indispensability of Satsang

सत्संगकी आवश्यकता

continued....

Meerabai had no fear doing ‘bhajan’ (worship and devotion of God).    Even though undergoing a lot of pain and struggles, she continued to do her bhajan’.    ‒

राणाजी   म्हें   तो    गोबिन्द   का   गुण   गास्याँ ।

हरिमंदिर में निरत करास्याँ, धूँधरिया घमकास्याँ ॥

Being a female and raised in a wealthy well-known family,  protected and behind a veil,  also married being veiled ‒ that Meerabai without any fear,  and completely by herself, alone she went to Dwarika ! She had no fear in her mind.   If the men that are sitting here, were thrown out of their house, they will find it very difficult.  There will be great turmoil within them, as to where to live?    what to eat ?  But even though being a female,  Meerabai had complete faith in God.  

 

मेरे तो गिरधर गोपाल, दूसरो न कोई ।

जाके सिर मोर-मुकुट, मेरो पति सोई ॥

He who is the provider and sustainer of this entire world,  can He neglect His devotees ?  ‘यो हि विश्वम्भरो देवः स भक्तान् किमुपेक्षते ।’ Therefore there is no need to fear anyone, or to worry about anything.   If someone objects to satsang etc.,  then clearly say to them,   that regarding this matter, I cannot listen to you,  because there is harm to you in this, and harm to you is not agreeable to me.   Do satsang, bhajan,  dhyaan without any doubt and without any hesitation.   Yes !  You do not have to do bhajan just for show.  You do not have to be hypocritical.  

It should not be that you are one kind from within, and another kind on the outside ‒‘ऊपर मीठी बात, कतरनी काँखमें । आग बुझी मत जान, दबी है राखमें ।’  It is very wrong to be sugar coated and sweet talk on the surface level, and from within being pretentious and deceitful !

क्यूँ खोदे तू खाडो रे ।

तू तो जाणे दूजो पड़सी, आसी थारे आडो रे ॥

Why dig a hole.  You know that someone will fall in,  and it will also come in your way.   

Therefore with great caution,  make this life pure,  make it beautiful.   Turn to God,  then there is nothing to fear.   I have taken refuge in the Lord the master of the three worlds,  now what is there to fear ?  But we are not to be rude, lack in restraint,  or be harsh in our behavior.   Your behavior should be one filled with much love, and reverence, because by conducting ourselves with love,  our feelings become pure,  refined, which will have an influence on God,  saints-great souls.  They will be on our side.   

One gets very little opportunity for satsang

             तात मिलै पुनि मात मिलै सुत भात मिलै युवती सुखदाई ।

             राज मिलै गज-बाजि मिलै सब साज मिलै मनवांछित पाई ॥

             लोक मिलै सुरलोक मिलै बिधिलोक मिलै बैकुंठहु जाई ।

             ‘सुन्दर’ और मिलै सब ही सुख संत समागम दुर्लभ भाई ॥

(to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji

||  Shree Hari   ||

To listen to DAILY 5:00 a.m. SATSANG with Swamiji,  please visit :

Dropbox link for June 2014

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/htdiyx28yo8dntt/AAACM2e5dVxKhClXtjbgAnjoa

The Indispensability of Satsang

सत्संगकी आवश्यकता

continued....

Virtuous women protect the earth, the world ‒‘एक सती और जगत् सारा, एक चन्द्रमा नौ लख तारा ।’ You have that much strength !  Therefore you must properly abide in ‘dharma’,  in righteousness.   Protect  dharma “righteousness” then “dharma” will protect you in this life and in the life beyond ‒ ‘Dharmo rakshati rakshitah’ ‘धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।’ Many sisters do not know this, that what does dharma state ? What do the scriptures say ? Then read Valmiki Ramayana,  Tulsidas Ramayan and various scriptures and holy text.   But in reading the various holy texts,  our intellect remains predominant, due to which the essence, the main meaning is not revealed.  Even on reading many good  things in the holy texts,  due to our intellect being predominant,  we are not able to understand those points well,  unlike when listening to satsang and comprehending.   Therefore brothers !  sisters !  do satsang.  Nowadays you cannot get good messages and points.  You can get them in very few places.    If you do get it,  then you must take exceptional advantage of it.   If even million different work is not getting done, then too one must not miss the opportunity.    ‒ ‘kotim tyaktvaa harim smaret’  ‘कोटिं त्यक्त्वा हरिं स्मरेत् ।’ If the field dries up, then what good is the rain ‒

का बरषा  सब  कृषी  सुखानें ।

समय चुकें पुनि का पछितानें ॥

                                                           (मानस १ । २६१ । २)

kaa barashaa saba krishi sukhaane,  

samaya chuke puni kaa pachitaane

(Manas 1/261/2)

What good is a shower when the entire crop is dried up; what use repenting over an opportunity lost?  

Therefore do not let an opportunity slip by, and with great enthusiasm become engaged in Satsang,  ‘bhajan’  (worship and devotion of God) and meditating on God.   Serve the elders.   Obey their instructions.   Fall at their feet,  cry and ask their permission to give you relief to attend satsang !  Tell them, that whatever you say I will do that only; but I would like to be granted this one permission.   Who will be so cold hearted ? who will not listen to this one point, especially  coming from one who is serving them !

This story is about a kayasth (hindu community belonging to the writer class) living in Lucknow.   The girl was from a Vaishnav family and of pure conduct,   but all the behavior and eating habits of the husband were impure.  Maharaj ! I heard from Sharanandji Maharaj such a story that I was completely awe struck.  The girl used to be obedient and even prepared meat dishes.  But for her own meals,  she would first bathe,  wear different clothes, and make her own roti separately and eat.   She must be facing so much difficulty,  isn't it, tell me !  To do such dirty work, and to maintain her own purity ! One time the husband fell ill, then with great promptness, efficiently, she served him round the clock, keeping awake all night.   When the husband recovered from his illness, then being pleased with her, he told her to ask any one thing from him.   She said, you please stop smoking.   This point left such a deep impression on the husband, that he even left meat eating and alcohol.  Because even after serving so much, in the end she only asked for one small thing - to leave cigarette smoking ! therefore mothers ! sisters  !   have very few claims, and simply serve.   But one is not to leave satsang and bhajan (worship and devotion of God);  because by obeying this point the husband will go to hell.    Your behavior and conduct should not be such that the husband has to go to hell,  therefore to save the husband, mother-father etc from sins,  engage in satsang.  Do not leave your dignity and code of conduct.    Let your life be pure, free of blemishes,  and restricted, thereafter let there be no fear.  

(to be continued)

From book in Hindi ‘ Satsang ka Prasaad’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji