June 26th: Who is GURU?

"GUKARO ANDHAKARAHA RUKARO TU TAT NIVARTAKAHA SAHA GURUHU ABHIDHIYATE"

The word GURU is made of two syllables.
  GU and RU

GU means Andhakaraha (Ignorance)
RU means Nivartakaha   (one who eliminates or eradicates)

Hence, GURU is the one who can eliminate ignorance (Andhakaraha) of the ignorant.
Ignorance is nothing but not understanding the true nature of the self, ATMAN. By imparting Vedanta Jnanam a true Guru eradicates ignorance.

What is the true nature of ATMAN?
It is SAT-CHIT-ANANDA.

A GURU who is a JNANI alone can eliminate ignorance for others and has the practical knowledge as opposed to theoretical. A GURU should also be a "TATVA DARSHI". Please reflect on this example:

If I have to lead a person to Nariman Point in Mumbai and I only know the directions (theory) and have never been there, how can I possibly lead others? I should have first gone to Nariman Point, understood different routes and difficulties getting there and based on the experience I should have determined the better ways and means to go there. Isn't it?

Also, a GURU is only meant to imparts wisdom (JNANAM) to the disciple. Hence the GURU himself first has to be a JNANI, isn't? Otherwise, it is like using an "Unlighted Candle" to light up another "Unlighted Candle". The other candle can never light up. Hence.the first candle should already be lit-up to light the others
.
You see the point?

Hari Om

May 27th: The Three Birth Defects

At a major corporation, a person was asked to give a speech about his LIFE experiences during his retirement party. The man then narrated  his childhood, his education, marriage, children, house, property, tragedies in life, so on and so forth.

If you think about it, all the above life experiences can be broadly classified into only two. 
   1. Happiness (Sukham)
   2. Sorrow       (Dukham)

This is not just that old man's story. This is the story of all of us. Isn't it? There are only two things in life, Happiness and Sorrow. All the struggle in our lives is about securing happiness and  divorcing sorrow as much as possible. This is the GIST of LIFE that we lead. Isn't it?

Everyone of us only seek happiness. None of us want sorrow. Why is that so? It is because of 3 birth defects.

1. Mala           (Impurities of mind)
2. Vikshepa    (unstable mind)
3. Ajnana Avarana (Veil of ignorance)

Mala
 There are a total of 6 kinds of impurities of MIND. In Samsrkit these are known as Arishad  Vargaa. Namely:
     Kama       -   Materialistic desires such as wealth, prestige, status, attention and etc.
     Krodha     -   Anger
     Lobha       -   Greed
     Moha        -   Delusional emotional attachment and temptations
     Mada        -   Ego. The, I, I, thought
     Matsarya  -   Envy and Jealousy

When the above 6 are in favor of us it is called, happiness otherwise it is sorrow. Simple as that!!

Vikshepa
It is the instability of mind. Reflect on this anecdote. Rama sat to perform pooja. While he   was doing pooja, he started smelling something wonderful coming from the kitchen. 
Needless to say that his wife was making his favorite food. Now let's see how his 'Mind Talk' goes.

 "Last time she messed up cooking my favorite dish on purpose. I know...because of the fight we had last night. She is never happy with me. I bought her everything she wanted and yet she is unhappy. I think, her brought-up itself is not right. Her home town has terrorists and extremists. She is an extremist by herself. One of the major problem of this world is terrorism and extremism. No one does anything. We really need good political leaders in the world.....".  See where the mind talk begin and headed to?
This is  Vikshepa. 

This unstable mind causes in us, worry, compulsive thinking, giving rise to Sorrow

Ajnana Avarana

As you can see from the above two. The happiness or sorrow are just the states of mind that one creates for oneself. Here the mind is impure and unstable. 
Ajnana Avarana simply means, not realizing that mind is impure and unstable.

Now, how to get rid of these 3  birth defects?
The answer is in our Vedas. All the four of them. Rug, Yajur, Sama & Atharva. 

How? Each Veda is further divided into 3 parts or Khanda. Each part is stipulated to address each birth defect as follows:

    1. Karma Khanda - Karma Khanda includes, Pooja, Vrata, Japa, Tapa, Homa, Dana 
        Dharma. The main purpose of these karma is to cleanse and address the defect, 
        MALA. Here the goal is  "Purity of Mind".

    2. Upasana Khanda - It simply means to persistently worship your favorite Deva 
        (Ishta Daivam). This part of Veda is to address the birth defect, Vikshepa. The main 
        purpose of Upasana is to progressively achieve stillness of mind. This why all 
        great gurus like, Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Shivananda,
        Vivekananda, Adi Shankara did the 'Devatha Upasana'. The rigorous the upasana 
        the calmer and thoughtless the mind. Here the goal is "Stillness of Mind".

    3. Jnana Khanda - This is all about knowing you, that is knowing "Who am I?" 
        Once, one knows the true nature of oneself the Ajnana Avarana automatically
        vanishes. Hence, Karma Khanda and Upasana Khanda automatically leads into 
        knowing one's SELF. The Upanishads talk about this Jnana. Here the goal is 
        "Realization of SELF".

The easiest way to understand this is, there is a precious diamond at the bottom of the bucket. But the water in the bucket is muddy (Mala) and disturbed (Vikshepa) like our Mind. Once, the muddy water is cleansed and the disturbance settles due to stillness, the lustrous diamond at the bottom automatically appears. No thing else need to be done. Here, the bucket is our body, the precious diamond is the ATMAN.

Hari Om

Apr 25th: The Peace of Mind

What is, 'Peace of Mind'? Is it within or without you?

Please reflect on this story. As the backdrop of the story goes...

Once there was a very famous actor who was accused of a murder and was going through a Trial. The prosecutor pursued several counts against him and he is facing  "Death Sentence".
That day was the judgement day...all the media gathered around. Hundreds of thousands of actor's fans were slowly gathering and the situation was getting tensed up.

Assume that I am one of the fans who is first in line to get into the court hall. After a long waiting, I was allowed to go in. When I stepped in, I observed that there was no one else in the hall and it was very very quite and peaceful. In less than 10 mins the hall was full. Needless to say that the hall got very very noisy.To converse, people had to shout at the top of their voices and everything turned chaotic in no time.

The supreme court judge finally walked in...so everyone stood up. In a matter of minutes the hall re-transformed slowly and steadily back to the condition when I first stepped in which is peaceful and calm.  Of course, the judge finally had to say, "order...order".  The story stops here...don't worry about the judgement :-))

This incident relates to the 'STATE OF MY MIND AND THOUGHTS', how?

The Court Hall is my mind. The worried, anxious and distressed people causing chaos in the hall are my thoughts that aroused due to conflict at work or argument at home or worry about something and any compulsive mental behavior. The Judge is MY THOUGHT TOO!. But it is the strongest of all other thoughts and hence the other thoughts listen, respect and follow what the strongest thought says.

Let's do a walk-thru of my mind and thoughts in relation to the court scene. My mind is always at a peaceful state...like I first entered the hall. I then created commotion by giving birth to variety of thoughts...stress, disappointment, anxiety, jealousy, distress, depression and so on.....just like the actor's fans pouring into the hall. I myself transformed my peaceful state to chaotic state. Now, who can bring back my peace, is it the 'judge' in me or someone or something else? Remember, the court hall has always been peaceful. The disturbance evolved and then devolved, but the peace in the hall remained as is with no change...as it has been there always. So, my mind is always at PEACE unless I bombard it with thoughts. When bombardment of thoughts stop, peace is evident.You get the point?

But, we all try to go out and seek peace and solace in discourses, meditation, mantra japas, kriyas and what not...We just need to know that there is a "judge" within us who could easily bring everything back to peace. "Only you can do it...no one else can". Isn't it? Hence my natural state is peace, I unnecessarily create commotion and conflicts. I will have to find the judge (the conscious I) in me who can stop my mind from thinking the thoughts.

How silly it is to ask you, "how can I stop writing this blog". You may say, "just stop writing it...simple as that". Seeking peace elsewhere is just as silly. Just try to stop thinking the thoughts. Have a tiny pause between the thoughts at first. Focus on expanding the duration of those pauses. This practice shall go on until the duration of pause exceeds the duration of thoughts. Once the pause between the thoughts is abundantly apart...the mind has been mastered.

"MANA EVA MANUSHYANAM KARANAM BANDHA MOKSHAYOHO"

--Mind is the cause of bondage....at the same time mind is a great instrument for liberation or moksha.

We're in control of our minds. It's up to us to choose, bondage or liberation.

Hari Om

Apr 5th: The Secret of Work

KARMA YOGA - Part 1

Karma is simply 'the actions'. In other words, the effort and endeavor that we put in, to succeed in our life. As a student, father/mother, brother/sister, peer or manager at work.  When we play one or more of these roles, we always have a purpose and anticipation as to how the result of the action should be or want to be. Isn't it? But, is the result always what one wanted or expected? The answer is a "NO". Because of this big "No" we suffer, get stressed out and cause remorse in our own life. One thinks that despite one's fullest efforts, one-other who is a lot less deserving is successful than one. One then concludes that one-other is luckier and so one gets demoralized and disheartened. This phenomenon replicates across various relationship at both family and professional level. This could tremendously impact both mental and physical well being of an individual.

Hence it is imperative that we all truly understand as to how we correctly go about doing ACTIONS  in our life at different levels...student, father/mother...brother/sister...peer/manager at work and so on. When we act upon on this world with SELFLESSNESS, that is, without doership (Kartaa) or  being a beneficiary (bhoktaa) and as an offering to god (eshwararpanam) then the action becomes KARMA YOGA.

Lord Krishna explains it very beautifully in Bhagvadgita, Chapter 2, Sloka 47.

"KARMANYEVADHIKARASTE MA PHALESHU KADACHANA
 MA KARMAPHALAHETURBHU MA TE SANGOTVAKARMANI"

KARMANI           - In doing Karma (Actions)
EVA                      - Only
TE                          - They ('We have' in the context)
ADHIKARAHA   - Authority or Discretion

MA                            -    Not   |
KADACHANA       -      ever  | Never
PHALESHU             -    in Results or Outcomes

Meaning
"We only have the discretion or authority to choose what type of Karma (Action) that we would like to perform. However, one has absolutely no control or authority over the result(s) that come out in the wake of the action taken".   Let's see how this can be related to us.

Hidden Message
Let's say at work you're competing with your peers for getting recognition, promotion or simply securing a superior task. There is nothing wrong in aspiring. In fact, one should sincerely put in every effort to achieve one's aspiration. However, the result may or may not be in one's favor. The other person may be more successful. One just can't control it. It is the Eshwara who decides the outcome based on one's eligibility to it.

At a lower level of thinking, it appears to one that one is always unlucky, in a bad spot or opportunity deprived. But the other person is quite opposite, that is lucky, in a good situation, full of opportunities and shown bias. The fact of matter is, when it is looked at a higher level..."What has to happen will always happen and what not to happen will not happen". WE HAVE NO CONTROL WHAT-SO-EVER. However, one should make a sincere attempt and effort. For example, if one ends up standing in the middle of the highway and says 'trust the Karma' then one is sure to get killed. Hence the effort for Karma is absolutely essential. In Sanskrit it is called, "PURUSHA PRAYATNAM" (Conscious Effort).

The motto should be, "Do your best and leave the rest to the hands of Eshwara".

Second Line:

MA            -   Not (Shall not)
KARMA   -   Action(s)
BHU          -   Be the
HETU        -   Purpose or Reason (of the)
PHALA     -   Results

AKARMANI    -   In NOT doing KARMA (Actions)
TE                     -  They ('We' in the context)
MA                   -   Not (Shall not have)
SANGAHA      -   Attachments
ASTU               -   So be it

Meaning
"A Karma (Action) should never be done in anticipation of one's own expectation. At the same time, any Akarma (Inaction) should never drag one into the obsession that one is missing out on opportunities when compared to others . Thus not, getting attached to even Akarma (inaction) and the sense of deprivation".

Hidden Message
One should never do any Karma (Action) for it's RESULT. Remember, it's not in our hands but only the Eshwara. Karma should be done for it's own sake based on the role one is playing...student, father/mother, peer/manager. Just do whatever is appropriate for the role that you're playing to facilitate a smooth running. For example, think as to what Karma a father/mother to keep the family in the order and do it accordingly. Likewise, at workplace, relatives, friends and etc.

The catch here is that the intent is for a smooth running of Vyavahara (daily business) and nothing else with no expectations and results. If things don't work out then think again and make changes accordingly until the role you're playing is working and also is harmonious with others. This should be a continuous improvement process until the goal is achieved. But again, in spite of all efforts one may or may not reach the goal as it is not at all in one's hands. Accept it and move on.

Likewise, don't feel peer pressured if you're NOT doing any action either. For example, your peer is very ambitious, moving up in the chain, making consistent career growth and money. But, you're stalled and can't move up. Don't worry about it...just keep trying to the best of your abilities and never worry. Again, please remember, the results of the action whether belonging to YOU or OTHER is invariably decided by Eshwara. So why sweat it (worry). How can one attribute failures to oneself when one has no control over it (results), isn't it? Please think about it.

When all the four aspects (see below) of the above sloka are thoroughly understood and implemented then the KARMA that one performs is magically transformed into KARMA YOGA.

 The tenets of Karma

1. Our choice or authority is only to choose the Karma (action) that we would like to perform
2. We do not have any control or authority what-so-ever on the outcome of our actions
3. We shall never do Karma in anticipation of our own dictated outcome or result
4. Never worry Akarma (inaction or insufficient action) that compares our accomplishments with others

With his approach, a higher center opens up from our self which is above, hatred, jealousy, remorse, anxiety and attachment. The MENTAL BURDEN that we have carried all along has been eased.

Hari Om

Mar 13th: Positive and Negative Emotions

Emotion

In our day-to-day lives we encounter negative and positive emotions. Jealousy, hatred, anger, anxiety, depression, suffering are some of the examples of Negative Emotions. While, compassion, empathy, love, positive attitude, emotional stability (sthithapragynatha) are some of the examples of Positive Emotions.

All negative emotions take a toll on our health, relationships at home & work and deprecates our general well being. On the other hand, positive emotions fosters a congenial environment wherein it mitigates all negative emotions as stated above. 

Not a single one of us want to be unhappy, do we? So, why do people suffer in life? People suffer because of their expectations and beliefs.  There was a women who was suffering in her life. She believed that she could wear a number six shoe on a number eight foot!

With Negative Emotions our interpersonal relationships tend to get tensed up, particularly on the work front. Isn't it? Instead of producing results, we become busy managing our negative emotions with people. We are busy keeping internal accounts and settling scores with each other.

Hence, emotional cleansing is not only good from a spiritual perspective but also on the work front.

How to cleanse Negative Emotions

When the negative emotions occur such as jealousy, hatred, anger, anxiety and etc. do not participate in them. In other words, just observe the thoughts and look within if your emotions are affecting your body physiology, such as eyes wide open, anger in the face, body shiver, acid re-flux. Instead of supporting the cause for the negative emotions, start observing your body reactions. This will automatically begin de-energizing the negative emotion. This can be better understood by the following example:

When you're watching an action packed movie, there are scenes such as burning buildings, chasing, destruction and host of negative things. But, the movie screen on which it happens is not affected. It remains plain and white. The screen is the mind and destructive acts are the negative emotions. Emotions come and go but your mind (the self) remains unaffected.

Is there any other way to purify emotions?
Yes, there is. There is always a subject, whether a person or a thing around which the negative emotions revolve. So, when a negative emotions occur, mentally try to do the opposite of that on the subject (person, incidence or a thing). For example, when you see someone you dislike or feel jealous, try to shower love or appreciation mentally on that person. If you practice this over and over, the negative emotions gets weakened and will soon be replaced by positive emotions. In Sanskrit it is called as, "Partikpaksha Bhavana".

This Sadhana over time will move a person up from a lower self to a higher self.

Hari Om

Mar 9th: Evolution and Involution of Consciousness

In the last post, "The Three Stages of Consciousness", we saw the three realms from which Sadhana is performed. For continuity and better understanding please read that post first. Today, we will take it a little bit further and see how the consciousness evolves for a person at the beginning of the day and the involution at the end of the day.

Evolution of Consciousness

Closely observe these chain of events before you wake up in the morning. 

1. A person goes to a deep sleep state (Sushupti, state 3 consciousness). Although alive,         for all practical purposes one is like a dead meat. No sense of  your body and mind.               Everything is absent here except the Soul made of pure consciousness.

         Atma Chaitanyam (nothing else exists for one)

2. Then comes the dream state, (Swapna, state 2 consiousness). The imaginary world             exists but is limited to your dream. Everything in this state looks real like wide awaken           state, but it  not truly real. Only subtle body exists and mind that dreams.

       Atma Chaitanyam  (Still nothing else evolves)

3. This state is just before one is wide awaken. This lasts only for a few seconds or a split of     a second. Here there is no mind or thoughts (Chitta Vrittis). So, it is a thoughtless        state which only has  "I thought...I am so and so" (Moola Talampu). This Moola Talampu (I thought) rises from the  Moolam (Atma Chaitanyam).

      Atma Chaitanyam > Mola Talampu (I thought)

4. Once the "I thought" is fully established as part of awakening process, it  performs what      is called as ADHYSANA (penetration) into DEHA (body), INDRIYA, (Sense organs),  MANAHA (Mind) and BUDDHI (Intellect). Please remember that "I thought" is also the that rised from Atma Chaitanyam (pure consciousness). 

As the Adhyasana (penetration) in Body, Mind, Indriya and so on...one begin to realize         their existence. Once the penetration fully done, then the person is wide awake and world     and his self appears to be existent to him or her.

   Atma Chaitanyam > Mola Talampu > Adhyasna > DEHA (Body)

                                                                                       > Indriya (Sense Organs)

                                                                                      >  Manaha (Mind)

                                                                                      >  Buddhi (Intellect)

     

Involution or Self Inquiry

Atma Vicharana (Self Inquiry) helps an individual to begin at the Step #4 and slowly, steadily makes his or her way into Step #1, where there is nothing except the PURE CONSCIOUSNESS which is the ATMA CHAITANYAM.

Hari Om

Mar 5th: The three states of Consciousness

Before we get into the 'States of Consciousness', let's see what exactly is, 'Consciousness'.

In Sanskrit Consciousness is called, "CHAITANYAM". Chaitanyam simply means LIVELINESS (action or activity). In other words anything without inertia.

Deeply reflect on this. What is responsible for the formation of a fetus in a mother womb which grows in to a baby in nine months and comes out as an infant? It doesn't stop there..goes through several transformations such as BALYAM (Childhood), YEVVANAM (Youthhood) , KAUMARAM (Middle age), VARDHAKYAM (Old Age). How is this all happening? Well, one can say that science has the explanation. But, regardless of how minute level it goes and explain the reason(s), there is always a level that is further, that they don't understand or haven't uncovered yet. Isn't It?  At some point 'Science' has to stop and say that it can't go any further and that,  "God alone knows it". 

VEDAS can explain where Science couldn't go any further. It says CHAITANYAM is behind all of this. The SAME CHAITANYAM that is behind every creation and transformation in this Universe. For instance, animals, insects, plant, trees and so on.  Anything we see in this world can be traced their origin back to PANCHA BHOOTAS (Earth, Water, Light, Air, Space) and whose substratum (moolam) is again CHITANYAM.

Having set the stage, let's now move on to 'The States of Consciousness' for a human being.

First State

  Jagratta (Wide awaken state)

 The body here is STULA SHARIRA (physical form). The mind is fully manifested which means that you are aware of yourself, your body and the world.

Second State

  Swapna (Dream State)

The body is SOOKSHMA SHARIRA (subtle form). The mind is not fully manifested. In your dream you see the world and everything appears to be REAL to you. But, you're not aware of your physical body. There is only mind, subtle body and the world. 

Third State

  Sushupthi (Deep Sleep State) 

The body is KARANA SHARIRA (Causual body). The mind is not manifested or non-existent. Recall the feeling when you wake up from deep sleep. You had no identification with this world. "My Bed, My House, My wife, My Children, My Car and so on" were virtually not there. Yet, you (self) existed. Didn't you? Surprisingly, we wake up and feel relaxed and rejuvenated in spite of the absence of mind. 

As you may have noticed, MIND is the center point for all the three states. When Mind is fully conscious (First State) you and the world fully exists. When it is partially conscious (Second State), you and mind are partially existent. In the third state where there is no mind, nothing exists.

As Annamayya says, "NINDARA RAJU NIDRINCHU NIDRAYU NOKATE...".  When nothing exists for you, how does it matter whether you're a king or pauper?

This "Deep Sleep" state is closet to what can be compared to BRAHMAM; yet it is way far and far away. Note, although it is the only one that compares, but can't truly describe Brahmam. As the Taittiriya Upanishad says, 'YATO VACHO NIVARTANATE APRAPYA MANASASAHA". Which means, BRAHMAM is the state where words or mind are unable to describe it, so they concede that it is beyond their ability and hence return back.

What is the 'Swaroopam' (it's form) of BRAHMAN?

It is, "SAT-CHIT-ANANADAM".

  SAT - Satyam. One that doesn't change.

  CHIT - Chaitanyam

  ANANDAM - One that is PURNAM (complete) is ANANDAM

Hence we virtually witness BRAHMAM every night in deep sleep. But it is missing the important component, "Awarness". By incessant and persistent Sadhana and with Eshwara Anugraham (God 's grace) one attains BRAHMAM.

Hari Om

Mar 2nd: The Three Stages of Sadhana

There are three different levels or stages from which Sadhana is pursued. These are also known as ORDERS OF REALITY. When Sadhana matures in each stage, a Sadhaka gets transitioned into the next stage of reality.

The three stages or orders of reality as follows:

First Order of Reality - A Sadhaka thinks that Eshwara is different from him or her. (If Sun is the god then I am the worshiper...different from Sun).

Here, all Mano-Vak-Kaya karmas done by a Sadhaka is offered to Eshwara and whose outcomes (postive or negative) taken as   ESHWARA PRASADAM. 

What are Mano-Vak-Kaya Karmas?

Simply, these are the karmas done by a Sadhaka using Manas (Mind), Vak (voice) and Kaya (Body) which are,  Chintana (Dhyanam), Japa and Pooja respectively. These are also called as Tri-Karanas. Let us see a little bit more about these below:

 Mana (Mind): Mana is the representative among rest of the Antahkaranas viz., Buddhi, Chittam & Ahankaram.

Here is a simple example to understand ANTAHKARANAS.

"I am passing by a sweet shop...How about I eat some Rasgullas (MANASU).   Wait a minute, last time when I had my blood work done, my sugar was high (CHITTAM/Storage). What a life is this, I can't even eat what I like (AHAM, EGO). I will shut my mouth now and move away from sweets or else I will have to face the consequences for high sugar (BUDDHI)".

Here the mind is the one which is recollecting (Chitam), using its intelligence (Buddhi) and undermining the Ego (Aham) to make a decision that is in the best interest of me. Hence rest of the ANTAHKARANAS depend on mind to make it happen for them.

 Vak (Voice):  It is the representative of all 5 Jnana Indriyas. How? Anything one experiences such as, Seeing, Feeling, Tasting, Hearing, is expressed only thru Vak. Isn't it? For example, when my finger burns (feeling) I scream (Vak) that my skin is burning. 

 Kaya (Body): The physical act of karma is only done thru body.

So, we often hear,  "one should do karmas with Tri Karana Suddhi". Now, we know from above as to why is that.           

2nd Order - Anta Eshwara Mayam, Andulo Nenoka(Jeevi) Bhagam (If Sun is Eshwara then I am the 'ray-Surya Kiranam) BHAVANA

  What ever I do is mere, "Eshwara Sankalpam. Nenu (Jeevudu) Nimitha Matrudanu". It means, "God is instrumental in making things happen, I am just a medium". In other words, instead of,  "I am doing...its just HAPPENING (Eshwara Sankalpam)". So, we're merely instruments through which Eshwara is making things happen.

3rd order (Highest) - Non-duality. There is only one, that is, pure consciousness

Here there is no DIFFERENCE between Sun and Sun Rays; nor  I, Eshwara and Universe. It's all one.  Hence, there is no TRIPUTI anymore. All the three elements of TRIPUTI becomes ONE.

As a side note, TRIPUTI consists of three elements:
     SADHAKA - The one who pursues.
     SADHANA - The act of pursuing.
     SADHYAM - The goal or final destination (I chose this as my website name)

The one who reaches this goal (Sadhyam) is called a Siddaha. For example, Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Sivananda and a lot others.

To better understand this here is a simple example. The waves in an ocean look different from the ocean but if you touch them it's only water. Likewise   although, we see the differences (VIKALPAMULU) in this world, the substance is the same, just PURE CONSCIOUSNESS.

  This is actually the essence of the highest MAHA VAKYAM of Vedas, "TATTVAMASI".

     TAT  - That

     TVAM - YOU

     ASI  - ARE    (YOU ARE THAT)

YOU'RE THAT, what? You're that Chaitanyam (Conciousness) that is the substance of everything in this world. So this Jeeva Koti (Living beings), world, Universe etc. are just like WAVES who appear differently but when you realize them it's all Chaitanyam (Pure Conciousness)...just like water.

Hence a Sadhaka's final goal is to realize that it is JUST PURE CONSCIOUSNESS. The act of realization is called as Sadhana.

Hari Om

Feb 26th: Life Events and Situations

Are we handling the events and situations in our lives appropriately?

We don't know how to react to situations in our lives. Instead of being thankful for what we have, we tend to deprive ourselves of the trivial.

Reflect on this story:

Once, a mother and a 5 year old girl went to a beach. They had so much fun in the water. When they were about to get out, a huge wave came unto them and swept the child away from the mother into the ocean. The mother was devastated. She prayed to god that her child is everything to her and that she is ready to fore-go anything and everything for her. She just wanted her girl back.

Another huge wave came unto the mother, but this time it brought her child back . Her prayers were heard. The child was in perfect health, so the mother was very happy and embraced the child with tears in her eyes. However, in the next minute, the mother looked very upset and was scolding the child.  It turned out that the child had lost those very expensive shoes bought the day before. She went home with a feeling that her day was ruined!

The moral of the story is, "learn to deal with the events and situations (good or bad) in your life in their REALITY without missing the OBVIOUS".

Hari Om

Feb 23rd: Action and Reaction

In Sanskrit it is called, Anukriya (Action) and Pratikriya (Reaction).  We face situations in life; good and bad. We also face conflicts and disagreements on professional and family fronts.

A reaction to the above situations creates a conflict within a conflict and can intensity or deteriorate the situation. Whereas, an action creates Harmony, eases the intensity of a situation, promotes calmness & inner peace which eventually leads to resolution.

Reflect on this anecdote:

A 50 year old man lives on the 25th floor of a multi storied apartment. He was standing in his balcony. A neighbor shouted at him, "Hey Varma, your daughter Kavitha ran away with our watchman. She is a disgrace to the family!". The man thought he can't face the society and the insult, ending his life is the only solution. So he jumped from the balcony. He realized the following when falling through the floors:

20th Floor: "Wait a minute, I don't have a daughter named Kavitha"

15th Floor: "I don't have any kids and I have never been married"

10th Floor: "Oh my God! I am not even Varma...I am Sharma"

Pratikriya (Reaction)

Pratikriya (reaction) can ruins our lives. As you can see, it creates unnecessary stress and anxiety and make us loose the ability to look at things IN REALITY.  Instead of clearing the conflict, a reaction creates further disagreements and conflicts within itself.

Anukriya (action)

Anukriya (action) is simply creating harmony in a conflict by working with the conflict instead of working against the conflict.  So, an action is a wisely act of handling things without causing any mental, physical or emotional disturbances whatsoever.

The outcome of a "Reaction" is invariably bad. On the other hand, the outcome of an "Action" is always positive and productive.

Hari Om

Feb 18th: Soul vs Self

What is a, soul and self (I)?

Self is composed of two things, Body and Mind. Whereas, Soul is the foundation or space from which the Self operates.

When someone asks you a question, "who are you?".  The common answer is, "I am the body, I am the mind".  In vedic terminology it is called, "Dehatma Buddhi".

What is Mind and how is it "you"?
The answer we often hear is, "I think therefore, I am". But it is really, "I am (I exist), therefore I think". So, mind is yours...you're not the mind.  Likewise, body is yours, you're not the body.  The possessor  can't be the possessed. Hence, the SOUL is not the SELF.

What one needs to do to find the SOUL?

Reflect on this anecdote:

A student asked the master, "What I need to do to get enlightened?"
The master answered, "As much as you can do to rise and set the Sun".
The student looked confused and said, "Looks like, I don't really need to do anything. Then what is the use of all these spiritual practices ".  The master said, "They're only meant to keep you AWAKE when Sun rises and sets".

Hence one needs to learn to be AWAKE to see the difference between the SOUL and SELF. As the master says above, all the kriyas we do such as, pooja, japa, dhyana are meant to keep us AWAKE.
This is a good way to do a soul searching.

Hari Om

Feb 16th: What is LIFE?

Life can be a process of GROWING or AGING.
Adding years to life is aging and adding life to years is growing. Most of us are aging and only a few are growing.

Please reflect on this anecdote:

A mother coaxes her son, "Please get up, you have to go to school". The son replies, "I don't want to go to school".  The loving mother says, "You have to go to school to come up in life".  The son says, "No one likes me...not even teachers".  "But son, you're 50 years old and you're the principal of the school; you have to go to  school". Reminds the mother.

Very few people grow up. Most of us grow old. Hence one way of empowering our lives is to GROW UP, which means, ADDING LIFE TO YEARS rather than adding years to life.

So, how to, "ADD LIFE TO YEARS"?
It is by making every moment of your life lively. Being lively to every moment is nothing but being aware of every moment.

We're most of the time dwelling in the past, thinking about future and very rarely in present. Instead, try to stay in the present and go to Past and Future, only as needed.

One way to practice this is to enhance your AWARENESS on the things/activities around you. Such as walking, taking shower, washing hands, working, spending time with your family and etc. This will slowly and steadily transforms your aging life into a lively life (growing). At some point this growth becomes the growth of WISDOM.

Feb 11th: Look within yourself

"To know, and not to act on what you know, is equivalent to not knowing"

Hence the stuff we learn during Sadhana is not a mere knowledge. It's purpose alone is served when, what is learned is put into practice.

Look within yourself, how much of what you learned is being practiced or it has been just a learning without any practice!

Think about it!

Feb 9th: Is it Belief or Experience?

"Never believe anything unless you experience it, but be open for everything so that you can experience something"

 The spirtual knowledge a sadhaka gains thru reading a text or hearing from a guru etc. can only become a belief/practice upon experiencing it (Anubhava vedya jnanam). When a sadhaka has an open mind that is beyond his/her 'notion of learning' then the scope of the 'experience' also expands accordingly.

Feb 7th: Dropping EGO

Why is it so difficult to drop the ego?

The perception of ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’ depends on your state of being. Generally it is difficult as our whole life’s journey hinges on ego trips. We want to be rich Why? Not for fulfilling our basic needs. Ego wants us to be richer than others. We want power. Not for contribution but because we want to feel better than others. We want to be different. Ego continues to seek more of name, fame, money, prestige and sometimes religiousness.

Running after the ego’s wants is like chasing your own shadow. By understanding this, life will be liberating.
Our sufferings have come through our ego and our pleasures have also come through our ego. Pleasures are deceptive. Our sufferings are an illusion. Learn to be a witness to your pleasures. You will see a self that is above joy and sorrow. In fact, you can see and experience a self that is above joy and sorrow. More than an experience, it is an experience-less experience.

Hari Om

Feb 6th: The EYES!!

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.

She told her boyfriend 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you'. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,’ Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.

Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

An insight into Gayatri Mantra

Introduction

Gayatri Mantra is the most sacred and widely chanted mantra than any other vedic mantras. The mantra got its name as it is written in, "Gayatri Chandhas" (meter). This chandhas has 3 padas (lines) and each pada has 8 syllables with a total of 24 syllables. Speaking of other meters, most of Bhagavat Gita is written in "Anustubh" Chandhas. Each poem has, 4 lines and each line has 8 Syllables for a total of 32 syllables in a stanza (padyam). Vedic poets when wanted to convey more profound tatvam, used to switch chandhas from lower to higher meter in the middle of poetry. Note, this is just by adding a few more syllables. Sanskrit is an amazing and powerful language!

The Dakshina murthy stotram is written in "Shardula Vikridita" Chandhas. This one has 4 lines and each line has 19 syllables. This is one of the longest meters and hence packed with such a profound tatvam. Besides these, there are a few other prominent ones such as Ushnuk, Brihati, Trishutbh, Jagati and etc. That's about the types of chandhas in a nut shell.

Now, the Gayatri Mantra per its chandhas rules should only have 3 lines. But we know that it has 4 lines. The reason is that the first line, "OM Bhoor Bhuvas Suvaha" is added at the beginning of the mantra which is not actually part of the mantra. The significance of this line will be discussed in detail after 'introduction'. The rest of the 3 lines were actually taken from Rig Veda. Rig Veda is the oldest veda that has hymns in praise of Indra, Agni, Vayuvu and Sun gods. From a few hundreds of hymns for Savitr devatha (Sun god), 3 were taken out and the Gayatri Mantra was created.

We now know that, Gayatri Mantra was created taking verses from Rigveda in praise of Savitr devatha (Sun god). Hence the Gayatri Mantram ought to be for worshipping Sun god. Isn't it? But, we think of goddess Gayatri Devi when we chant the mantram. Why is it so?  So, when we do "Upasana" of the Mantra, to make it easier for our minds to focus/concentrate, our vedic rishis gave it a form, "Gayatri Mata'. But, the mantra itself is on Sun god.

Now, the question here is, why Sun? Do Hindu's worship a ball of fire? The answer is NO. The Sun is an embodiment of "Light"; and the light symbolizes "JNANAM". Jnanam is Daivam ("Pragynanam Brahma"). So Hindu's worship Eshwara in the form of Sun as he is symbolically a 'Jnana Pradata'. Likewise, Hindu's worship Eshwara in the form of Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, Durga, Kaali for their specific powers.

"OK, does this mean...Hindu's worship multiple gods, is Hinduism a polytheistic religion?" This is a general misconception among other religions about Hinduism. The answer is a NO. Just as how, the water, manifests in different forms like a, river, lake, waterfall, ocean, well, pot; so also, Hindus worship only one formless god (Eshwara) whose power is manifested in many forms (Shakti Swaroopaalu). Shiva is one manifestation, Vishnu is another; Ganesha, Durga and so on.

"Why do Hindus worship multiple gods and why even do the idol worship?"

Hinduism also says that god is supreme, one, and formless. This universe (jagat) is truly a manifestation of godliness as everything here is so perfect to support creation, sustenance and end of creation (Layam). It is very hard for a common man to comprehend and feel this 'Daiva Shakti'. So, our very smart vedic rishis introduced the concept of Deities and Idol worship.

Sage Jaimini, disciple of Veda Vysa, was the one who, during 'Purva Mimamsa' (first inquiry into the purpose of Vedas) conceived all the 'Vedavihita Karma' (karma taught in vedas) such as pooja, abhishekha-yagadulu and the rituals to various deities.  Each of these deities, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Durga and so on, possess a specific set of powers that belong to 'one formless god'. Hence these deities are actually the Shakti Swaroopas with a form so that even a common person could easily relate/connect to the power of almighty. Another thing that our very thoughtful rishis did was to give these Shakti Swaroopas a human like form so that it is very easy for everyone to feel the existence of god. The connection can now be made very easily with pooja, dhyana, japa.

Other religions too have some kind of form worship. For instance, christians wear 'cross' and cross themselves. It symbolizes Christ's sacrifice, compassion and love towards mankind. Muslims with a thought-form of Mecca in their mind turn in that direction when praying (Namaz). 'Forms' are used widely. A soldier salutes to his national flag as it symbolically represents his nation. Respect to the flag is respect to the country. Exactly the same way, worshiping idols is actually worshiping the formless eshwara.

Coming back, every bit in a deity’s form (Roopu Rekhalu) symbolically represents the already manifested power of God that we see and experience everywhere in this universe.  Unfortunately, we tend to focus more on the form and rituals than understanding and implementing the Tatvam behind it...which is the sole purpose of a God-form. Otherwise, why do we need a God-form? Think about it!

Gayatri Mantra - Slokam 1

OM BHUR BHUVAS SUVAHA

This line is added to the Gayatri Mantra and is not part of the mantra. But, it is very very profound. This is meant to be used during "invocation". Before taking a deep dive into the line, let's see, what and why of "Invocation".

Any mantra or sloka begins with Omkaram. It is called "VYAHRTHI". Vyahrti simply means, Uccharana (pronunciation). In Hinduism any ritual, prayer, pooja, japa, hoomam, yagnam, etc is done with a Bhavana (thought) that eshwara is present with you at that time of that kriya. For example, at the beginning of pooja we do "Avahana" and at the end "Udvasana". Omkaram when chanted at the beginning of pooja, japa, dhyana, mantras and even yoga, invokes eshwara into the kriya.

One question here is, isn't eshwara omnipresent and all pervading? Then why "invocation"? Reflect on this example, you have an ipod that has all the songs that you want to hear. You can only hear them when you turn on the ipod and press "play".  Isn't it? Likewise,  invocation opens up the channel between you and eshwara to establish a live connection.

How can OM invoke eshwara? OM aka Pranavam is a single syllable which is made of 3 sub-syllables. A(అ)-kaara, U(ఉ)-kaara, M(మ్)-kaara. 

There are several interpretation of these sub-syllables. The following is from most renowned gurus. 

A(అ) - Denotes, creation of the world (jagat). When this syllable is said, one’s mouth is open wide and the prana vuyu  is at it's peak. Symbolically, the bigger the creation, the greater the parana vayuvu required.

U(ఉ) - Denotes, sustenance of the world. When this syllable is said, one’s mouth is not open as wide.  Slowly and steadly prana vayu passes out thru the mouth. Symbolically, once creation takes place, only a little prana vayu is needed to thrive.

M(మ్) - Denotes, Layam of the world. When this syllable is said, one’s mouth is closed, there is no prana vayu. Prana vayuvu is needed for surivival. This symbolizes destruction of the creation (layam). I encourage you to say the 3 syllables to understand the above explanation better.

Hence chanting OM before the beginning of anything invokes one, who is the, "Srusti, Sthithi, Laya" Karakudu or simply Eshwara.

“BHUR BHUVAS SUVAHA”  is called “MAHA VYAHRTHI".  Note, OM is VYAHRTHI, this is MAHA (great pronunciation). This is one of the reasons what makes the Gayatri Mantra, a MAHA MANTRA. We will uncover it as we move along. These are actually 3 Lokas, BHUHU BHUVAHA SUVAHA, of the  Sapta (7) Lokas.The rest are being, MAHAHA, JANANHA, TAPAHA, SATYAM

BHUHU means Bhoolokam, 

SUVAHA means Swargalokam

BHUVAHA means Antariksha (space) which is everything in between Bhoomi and Swarglokam. 

Due to Sanskrit Sandhi, 

   BHUHU becomes BHUR. 

   BHUVAHA becomes BHUVAS 

  SUVAHA remains as SUVAHA. 

Hence it is, OM BHUR BHUVAS SUVAHA

In north India, SUVAHA is said as SVAHA. Hence, in north Indian temples you often hear priest chanting it as SVAHA. SUVAHA is native to south India. Both are correct and the same.

Hence, the first line is meant to invoke, the 'Sruhsti, Sthithi, Laya Karakudu' or Eshwara in the 'entire Universe' before the begin of, chanting the actual Gayatri Mantra. Again, one of the reasons this mantra is so great and sacred is because of this MAHA VYAHRTHI...BHUR BHUVAS SUVAHA. No other Mantra has it.

Gayatri Mantra - Slokam 2 & 3

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI

Sanskrit slokas at times are jumbled. To understand their meaning it requires unjumbling the words as follows:

DEEMAHI TAT  VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA SAVITUR

DHEEMAHI - We meditate on

TAT           -  That  (We mediate on that)

VARENYAM - Sacred. One and only one. Unique. (We mediate on that sacred)

BARGO     -  Light. (We meditate on that sacred light)

DEVASYA  -  Eshwara (We mediate on that sacred light of Eshwara)

SAVITUR   -  Savitha means Sun, Savitur means, "of Savitr devatha".

So it is:

"We meditate on that sacred light of eshwara in the form of Surya Devatha"

Please pay close attention to this above line. It says, "We Meditate (DHEEMAHI)". So, although an individual chants this mantra, it is on behalf of the entire mankind. This is the other reason why this Mantra is the most sacred and Maha Mantra. 

Gayatri Mantra - Slokam 4

DHIYOYONAHA PRACHODAYATH

This line also need to be unjumbled and needs breaking the words (breaking Sandhi) to understand the meaning better:

DHIYOYONAHA when sandhi is broken it becomes, DHIYAHA YAHA NAHA. So when unjumbled:  

YAHA PRACHODAYATH NAHA DHIYAHA

 YAHA                   -   May he (he, the sun god who is the manifestation of Eshwara )

 PRACHODAYATH -   Illumin or Enlighten (May he enlighten)

 NAHA                   -   Our (May he enlighten our)

 DHIYAHA             -    Minds (May he enlighten our minds )

  

So it is, "May he Illumin or enlighten our minds". Again, please pay attention to "our minds". It doesn't say that enlighten the mind of the one who is chanting. 

The Literal Meaning

 ”We meditate on this light of Eshwara who is manifested in the form of Savitr devatha. May he (Sun or Eshwara) enlighten our minds with Jnanam"

The Inner Meaning

As Krishna says in Gita, "AGNANENAVRUTAM JNANAM TENA MUHYANTI JANTAVAHA". Which means, we're all actually Jnanis. But we're ignorant as our self is veiled by  AJNANM and thus stuck in illusions and delusions. Now what is AJNANAM or Illusion. It is identification of the "SELF" that says, "My Body, My House, My Family...My..My...My". Reflect on this real life situation. If you ask a 65 year old man about his life experiences thus far, those are broadly classified into either "Sukham" or "Dukham". Due to ignorance we all seek for Sukham not realizing that Dukham (Dwanda) invariably follows it. 

JNANAM is simply seeking "ANANDAM" (unconditional happiness) that which is without a dwanda, unlike Sukham and Dukham. The best way to seek JNANAM is, "Do things in your life out of happiness instead of for happiness".

That said, now,  think about this. If the prayer is about seeking JNANAM for entire humanity (not My...My.. stuff) and not at all individual-centric, how come it could be... a secret, can't be discussed openly, men or brahmins can only chant, females or other varnas (caste) should not chant. It is like a loving mother saying to her kids that, " I have a very yummy dinner prepared for you kids, it is highly nutritious and beneficial for your well being. But your eldest brother can only enjoy it; and the rest... forget about eating, you can't even know what it is". How can a mother be so cruel to her children, aren't children all equal? Here mommy is like our Vedic Rishis who created the Gayatri Mantra and the kids are us, the humanity and the beneficiaries.

Another important aspect here is, we're chanting the Gayatri Mantra for JNANAM for humanity as discussed under "Inner Meaning". Aren't these restrictive perspectives of the mantra contradicts what is truly sought when chanting the Mantra?

PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT.

Gayatri Mantra is very suitable for a Sadhaka to do Atma Vicharana (Self Inquiry) which is usually done in privacy. This is how the restrictive perspectives and misconceptions of the mantra might have evolved from.

As guru says, Gayatri Mantra can be chanted irrespective of gender, religion, caste or creed. Also, there is no restriction on when or what time it should be chanted. It can be chanted anytime, anywhere, high or low tones, outward or in ward.

This very very Important. The correct way of chanting Gayatri Mantra is with SWARA using, regular, low and high pitch as shown below. Without Swara it is considered incorrect as the meaning is altered.

Please note that the last line actually pronounced as, DIYOYONAFH PRACHODAYAT.

When VISARGA (AHA sound) joins with PAKARA sound, the syllable should be pronounced as "FH", per Sanskrit grammar rules.

Please click on the following audio click. Sa-Swara Gayatri Mantra chanting in the voice of Sri Swami Tattvavidananda.

Gayatri Mantra with Swara

HARI OM