ಶ್ರೀ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚೈತನ್ಯ ಮಹಾರಾಜರ ಪ್ರವಚನ
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
Sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-March.16
How to Reduce our Attachment for Prapancha
Our present situation is like that of a person who wants to eat his cake and have it too. We aspire to the contentment which God alone has and can give; while, at the same time, we do not want to give up our clinging attachment for prapancha. Our love for either, thus, lacks constancy, whereas genuine love is single-minded, unswerving.
True, abiding happiness can be found with God alone; but it is by no means necessary to give up prapancha; what we need to give up is only our attachment for and entanglement with it. This can be done if we realize the true nature and value of prapancha. We have our own experience to convince us that prapancha, however diligently we do it, cannot bring true happiness; and yet it is almost necessary, unavoidable, to do it. What then, is the degree to which it is necessary to us? No more than the walking stick which an old man or a disabled person carries with him when going out.
In order that our present bonds of attachment to prapancha should weaken and finally be severed, and that, correspondingly, love for God should steadily increase, we should abide by the rules laid down by the shastras, exercising control over our acts, thoughts, and speech. Their observance will gradually wean us away from worldly life. If we ascribe all ownership and doership to Rama, whatever 'profit' or 'loss' ensues will automatically go over to Him, and we shall stand unaffected in prapancha.
Upright, moral behaviour is the very foundation as well in the spiritual quest as in the conduct of worldly affairs. The dictates of the shastras aim at ensuring that one controls passions. Our thoughts should be pure, and untainted by selfishness, hatred, or jealousy. Never wish ill to others. Exercise rigid control over speech. Always speak gently, sweetly. We want to employ the tongue for uttering the sacred name of the Lord; how, then, can we defile that tongue by uttering anything that hurts the heart of another, that is hurting the Lord who resides therein? Let us withdraw our interest from mundane matters and apply it to God.
What I advise you is strictly the same that the saints have been advising for ages. If you believe in it firmly and act accordingly, I assure you that Rama will make you happy.
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Sunday, March 15, 2020
Sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-March.15.
The Divine is Nothing but Yourself Minus Upadhi
An exposition of Brahman in words is not possible beyond a certain limit, just as a mere description of the sweetness of sugar cannot give a satisfactory, complete idea of it. However, we may comprehend the truth from a proper understanding of the "non-truth." Similarly, one who correctly understands maya or illusion can be said to have comprehended Brahman or the Reality.
Maya, after all, is nothing but the shadow that obscures Reality and precludes a true view of it. The Reality is ever-existing, never changing or perishable; maya, on the other hand, is anything and everything that comes into existence and eventually perishes. So long as one remains steeped in maya or unreality, there is evidently no possibility of realising Brahman, which is the Truth. Under these circumstances, the impermanent, perishable, illusory maya tempts us away from God that is the unchangeable, imperishable Reality, the home and treasure of bliss. That philosophy alone is worth the name which emancipates us from the illusion, and takes us to the Reality. Since God, or Brahman, is alone true, lasting and blissful, whatever is done for its attainment is true. Realisation that we are basically a part and parcel of the infinite divinity, is true emancipation. This realisation will come only if and when a person strips himself of all upadhi.
Om, the sacred syllable, is the joining link between the Brahman, which is impalpable and the creation, which is palpable. In the spiritual quest, we gradually cast off tangible forms and intellectual concepts until we arrive at this link, Om, which is but another word for nama, since nama and Om are identical.
In the Bhagavadgeeta, Lord Krishna admonishes Arjuna: "If you really possess true knowledge you must calmly and courageously face the situation; if you don't, do not pose as a wise man and indulge in glib talk of truth, morals and duties, do not put forward fallacious arguments and pleas, but listen to and be led by one who really knows." In plain words, this amounts to saying, "Surrender yourself to and be led by the saints."
Compared to the creation, man and his capacities are insignificant, and we are mere pawns in the hands of a Superior Power. So whatever pleasant or unpleasant things happen, should be contentedly accepted as the will of that Superior Power, that is, God.
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