A DIVINE MESSAGE
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2022 Holi Edition
Click on these pictures or the text to read each of these articles...
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Philosophy
Practice to realize God's presencePractice to realize God's presence with you always.
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Kripalu Leelamritam
Don’t bank on weak branchesThis is a story of when Shri Maharaj Ji tried to pluck mangoes from a weak branch of the tree.
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Kid’s Story
Wait, what is the hurry?The human body is short lived. So strive for the satisfaction of the eternal soul.
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Practice to realize God's presence
All schools of religious faith universally accept the fact that God is Omnipresent, Almighty and All pervading. Though no schools of religious faith deny it yet despite acknowledging these traits out of ignorance we fight using the different epithets of God like God, Khuda, Allah, Brahm, Bhagwan, Sat Shri Akal, Ahur mazd etc. And yet everybody claims their God created the world, their God is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Almighty.
When there is only one world then how can the God who created it be many? Since, that is besides the point of this article we will keep this question aside (we might discuss this in a future article).
God is omnipresent.(2)
Omnipresent means that He permeates every inanimate particle and every mobile and immobile being. Not just human form, God resides in the heart of each soul even in other species of life such as dog, bird, insects, tree and all the other living beings.
He does not ever leave any jeev alone. In fact, it is NOT be an exaggeration to say "He cannot leave any living being alone even for a fraction of a second".
When there is only one world then how can the God who created it be many? Since, that is besides the point of this article we will keep this question aside (we might discuss this in a future article).
God is omnipresent.(2)
Omnipresent means that He permeates every inanimate particle and every mobile and immobile being. Not just human form, God resides in the heart of each soul even in other species of life such as dog, bird, insects, tree and all the other living beings.
He does not ever leave any jeev alone. In fact, it is NOT be an exaggeration to say "He cannot leave any living being alone even for a fraction of a second".
Lord Narsingh
You must have heard that the mighty demon king Hiranyakashipu challenged his own son Prahlad “Is your God omnipresent"? Prahlad stated firmly, “Yes. He is.”
Then Hiranyakashipu asked “ Does He stay in my palace; the palace of a demon”?
Prahlad said,”Yes He does. Not only does He live in your palace, He lives inside your heart too”.
Hiranyakashipu asked one more question, “Does He live in this pillar as well”?
Prahlad asserted “yes, of course?” Hiranyakashipu hit the pillar despicably with a mace. The pillar shattered and God appeared and said, “ Hiranyakashipu, look!!! I live everywhere.”
While He lives inside each soul yet He doesn't disturb anyone. He quietly resides to observe; like an umpire He notices every single idea of every living being and gives judgment accordingly.
Curious why He notices every action? He is waiting for the moment when the soul would surrender completely unto Him. After a soul completely surrenders He delivers the jeev from Maya instantly. He doesn’t spare even a fraction of a moment. That’s why He is also called Causelessly Merciful. Complete surrender means surrender of Mind and intellect -
Then Hiranyakashipu asked “ Does He stay in my palace; the palace of a demon”?
Prahlad said,”Yes He does. Not only does He live in your palace, He lives inside your heart too”.
Hiranyakashipu asked one more question, “Does He live in this pillar as well”?
Prahlad asserted “yes, of course?” Hiranyakashipu hit the pillar despicably with a mace. The pillar shattered and God appeared and said, “ Hiranyakashipu, look!!! I live everywhere.”
While He lives inside each soul yet He doesn't disturb anyone. He quietly resides to observe; like an umpire He notices every single idea of every living being and gives judgment accordingly.
Curious why He notices every action? He is waiting for the moment when the soul would surrender completely unto Him. After a soul completely surrenders He delivers the jeev from Maya instantly. He doesn’t spare even a fraction of a moment. That’s why He is also called Causelessly Merciful. Complete surrender means surrender of Mind and intellect -
मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय॥ गीता 12.8
mayyeva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṃ niveśaya॥ Gita। 12.8
mayyeva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṃ niveśaya॥ Gita। 12.8
“Endow your mind and intellect with only Me”.
Ok, that is true BUT what do I need to do to surrender my mind and intellect?
Ok, that is true BUT what do I need to do to surrender my mind and intellect?
The greatest of all Jagadgurus of this Kaliyug Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj not only told the highest goal to pursue, then He went above and beyond and also explained how to attain the goal. He professed that to surrender the mind thoroughly unto Him, all we have to do is, “feel His presence everywhere and every moment”. He is already present in each and every particle of the innumerable cosmic eggs. We cannot see Him since He is divine and our senses are material.
He is the veritable bliss jeev has been seeking. Since eternity every moment we have been doing nothing else except searching for happiness. We inherently wish to attain not just some happiness, but that happiness, which is ever-increasing, unceasing and no other form of happiness stands a chance in front of it. If any other happiness is greater than the already received one then the greed of attaining the greater one puts a halt on the former happiness received and replaces it with misery.
It explicates that our only goal in life is to attain happiness. God is Happiness. So, to be happy it is indispensable to meet God. Now the question arises, how can we meet God (happiness)? Senses cannot perform any action unless the mind is engaged in it. This is so since the senses are controlled by Mind. The Vedas state -
He is the veritable bliss jeev has been seeking. Since eternity every moment we have been doing nothing else except searching for happiness. We inherently wish to attain not just some happiness, but that happiness, which is ever-increasing, unceasing and no other form of happiness stands a chance in front of it. If any other happiness is greater than the already received one then the greed of attaining the greater one puts a halt on the former happiness received and replaces it with misery.
It explicates that our only goal in life is to attain happiness. God is Happiness. So, to be happy it is indispensable to meet God. Now the question arises, how can we meet God (happiness)? Senses cannot perform any action unless the mind is engaged in it. This is so since the senses are controlled by Mind. The Vedas state -
इन्द्रियेभ्य: परा ह्यर्था अर्थेभ्यश्च पर मन:॥ कठोपनिषद 2.8
indribhya: parā hārthā arthebhyaśca para mana: ॥ Kaṭhopaniṣada 12.8
indribhya: parā hārthā arthebhyaśca para mana: ॥ Kaṭhopaniṣada 12.8
“The mind controls the senses”.
The mind has an unwavering determination that happiness can be attained somewhere in this world only and in anticipation of receiving happiness from the material realm one keeps indulging more in the material realm.
Sadly, we are so busy in looking for happiness in sansaar - the world that we have no time to pay attention to know the right area or path for achieving happiness. The saints invite us to satsang. We say, “sorry we are very busy. We have no time?” “Busy doing what?” “It is obvious, searching for happiness”. The saint says, “You are searching for happiness in the area of misery. Come here. I will lead you to the area of happiness.” We answer arrogantly, “We have no time to listen to you”.(1) This is our pitiable condition.
The mind has an unwavering determination that happiness can be attained somewhere in this world only and in anticipation of receiving happiness from the material realm one keeps indulging more in the material realm.
Sadly, we are so busy in looking for happiness in sansaar - the world that we have no time to pay attention to know the right area or path for achieving happiness. The saints invite us to satsang. We say, “sorry we are very busy. We have no time?” “Busy doing what?” “It is obvious, searching for happiness”. The saint says, “You are searching for happiness in the area of misery. Come here. I will lead you to the area of happiness.” We answer arrogantly, “We have no time to listen to you”.(1) This is our pitiable condition.
Every experience tells us that we are running constantly in an absolutely reverse direction yet we have no time to seek the right direction. So the first step would be to reflect on what our goal of life is? (1) Thereby,
आदौ श्रद्धा ततः साधुसङ्गोऽथ भजनक्रिया॥ भक्तिरसामृतसिन्धु १.४.१५
ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhusaṅgo'tha॥ Bhaktirasāmṛtasindhu। 1.4.15
ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhusaṅgo'tha॥ Bhaktirasāmṛtasindhu। 1.4.15
"first aspire for the true association of a genuine saint and have unflinching faith in His words.”
He will inform you of your true goal. Now, after true cognizance of one's goal,
He will inform you of your true goal. Now, after true cognizance of one's goal,
भजनक्रिया
bhajanakriyā
bhajanakriyā
"one can do Keertan in a way that benefits the person".
One cannot do keertan all the time. Hence the easiest way of surrendering mind recommended by Shri Maharaj Ji is -
One cannot do keertan all the time. Hence the easiest way of surrendering mind recommended by Shri Maharaj Ji is -
Practice realizing God's presence every time with you
Commence a practice of realizing the presence of God every time with you.
It is difficult in the beginning but after regular practice for a few days, it gradually becomes easier and easier.
Thus, gradually the mind also becomes pure. Then an aspirant starts to enjoy chanting, and experiences divine bliss in chanting the sweet names of the Lord. Name of God is drenched with divine nectar, as God has placed Himself in His name. But our dirty minds fail to perceive it. Constant practice of Keertan and feeling His presence all the time, enables us to enjoy His sweetness. Once an aspirant tastes even a little bit of His sweetness, the interest in chanting develops speedily. When this practice is perfected you will see him everywhere and in everyone.
So, to obtain everlasting and ever increasing bliss, we have to start this practice. When an aspirant diligently commences this practice, Guru also helps him by giving power to enhance the result of the aspirant's efforts.
Hence take shelter at the lotus feet of an authentic Guru of Bhakti-Marg and sincerely start individual sadhana with roop-dhyan first and then continuous sadhana of feeling presence of God all the time everywhere ceaselessly(3). Such Sadhana would lead you towards God realization, which will offer you an unprecedented happiness, infinite knowledge, infinite power and an unceasing satisfaction forever.
It is difficult in the beginning but after regular practice for a few days, it gradually becomes easier and easier.
Thus, gradually the mind also becomes pure. Then an aspirant starts to enjoy chanting, and experiences divine bliss in chanting the sweet names of the Lord. Name of God is drenched with divine nectar, as God has placed Himself in His name. But our dirty minds fail to perceive it. Constant practice of Keertan and feeling His presence all the time, enables us to enjoy His sweetness. Once an aspirant tastes even a little bit of His sweetness, the interest in chanting develops speedily. When this practice is perfected you will see him everywhere and in everyone.
So, to obtain everlasting and ever increasing bliss, we have to start this practice. When an aspirant diligently commences this practice, Guru also helps him by giving power to enhance the result of the aspirant's efforts.
Hence take shelter at the lotus feet of an authentic Guru of Bhakti-Marg and sincerely start individual sadhana with roop-dhyan first and then continuous sadhana of feeling presence of God all the time everywhere ceaselessly(3). Such Sadhana would lead you towards God realization, which will offer you an unprecedented happiness, infinite knowledge, infinite power and an unceasing satisfaction forever.
Otherwise, the covetousness of becoming a millionaire and then a billionaire would continue to give you endless dissatisfaction. And, by the time you amass enough wealth, you might be old thereby the time to leave this amassed wealth behind would soon arrive. Then you will be deprived of material wealth and the time and energy spent in amassing it would therefore be all gone in vain. The soul goes alone with subtle senses, mind and the karma earned in this life. So you will not take any material thing with you. Instead you will take the heaps of sins done to amass that wealth.
So the practice of feeling the presence of God is indispensable for everyone for the success of this human life. Any logic, insistence or negligence would be detrimental for one's own interest. No one wants to be malefic to themselves in any manner, so chant the glorious name of the Lord, stay in His holy association at all times and achieve the Divine bliss, God realization, the ultimate happiness we all are seeking since eternity.
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Kripalu Leelamritam |
Shri Maharaj Ji as a young boy was very naughty. With a few boys from Mangarh He used to walk all the way to Kunda on foot to school. On the way to school they used to stop in sugarcane fields, mango orchards and ponds all along the way. They would play in the fields till barely a few minutes were left for the morning bell. Then they would sprint to the class just in time.
Shri Maharaj ji used to be very swift in climbing trees, like a monkey. Once he along with his friends were in a mango orchard. The boys noticed a mango on one of the higher branches which looked ripe. None of them could muster enough courage to reach the mango. Shri Maharaj Ji arrogantly challenged, “I can pluck it.” The other boys requested him to do so as they wanted the mango. Maharaj Ji climbed the tree swiftly and tried to reach it. Sadly it was beyond Shri Maharaj Ji’s reach too, so he stepped on a rather weak branch in order to reach the mango. The mango not being adequately ripe couldn’t be plucked merely by a soft touch. So, Shri Maharaj ji had to step out further to yet another weaker part of the branch. Since the branch was fragile, it couldn't hold His weight and gave way. As He was falling, He tried to catch hold of other branches to stop Himself from falling. But that second branch was also frail thus it also broke. Thereby, Shri Maharaj Ji fell on the ground along with both of those branches and got badly injured.
Moral: The Vedas say-
Shri Maharaj ji used to be very swift in climbing trees, like a monkey. Once he along with his friends were in a mango orchard. The boys noticed a mango on one of the higher branches which looked ripe. None of them could muster enough courage to reach the mango. Shri Maharaj Ji arrogantly challenged, “I can pluck it.” The other boys requested him to do so as they wanted the mango. Maharaj Ji climbed the tree swiftly and tried to reach it. Sadly it was beyond Shri Maharaj Ji’s reach too, so he stepped on a rather weak branch in order to reach the mango. The mango not being adequately ripe couldn’t be plucked merely by a soft touch. So, Shri Maharaj ji had to step out further to yet another weaker part of the branch. Since the branch was fragile, it couldn't hold His weight and gave way. As He was falling, He tried to catch hold of other branches to stop Himself from falling. But that second branch was also frail thus it also broke. Thereby, Shri Maharaj Ji fell on the ground along with both of those branches and got badly injured.
Moral: The Vedas say-
प्लवा ह्येते अदृढा यज्ञरूपाः
plavā hyete adṛḍhā yajñarūpāḥ
plavā hyete adṛḍhā yajñarūpāḥ
“The path of Karma is a very frail bridge to bliss”. It breaks midway therefore don’t tread on it. The most the path of Karma can bestow is heavenly gratification. That is limited happiness for a limited duration. Eventually, one is hurled down to the same cycle of birth and death in rather more inferior species of life. Similarly, the path of gyan frees us from the clutches of ignorance and it dies itself thereafter. In dearth of true knowledge, it just ends up boosting one’s ego and causes devastation in the gyani’s life as well.
It implies all the paths without true devotion are like the frail branches that cannot support your goal of 'Anand prapti' (attaining divine bliss). Thus it's wise to seek the shelter of Bhakti as that is the only path that can take you across the ocean of Maya and provide eternal bliss.
It implies all the paths without true devotion are like the frail branches that cannot support your goal of 'Anand prapti' (attaining divine bliss). Thus it's wise to seek the shelter of Bhakti as that is the only path that can take you across the ocean of Maya and provide eternal bliss.
Kid's Story |
Once upon a time there was a Seth Ji (a rich businessman) whose wife was very devotional but Seth Ji had no faith in Saints, religious activities or devotion. Whenever his wife tried to inspire him to get involved in devotional undertakings, her husband would casually brush her off saying “Wait!!! what's the hurry”.
In this way the husband had spent all of his youth pursuing the worldly wealth and pleasures and now both of them had aged. The wife used to be very sad that her husband is an atheist. One day the husband had a high fever, the wife thought this was the right time to teach him a lesson. Wife took him to see a doctor and on the way, they brought the medicine as well. When they reached home, the husband was quite tired. He went to lie down and asked his wife to bring the medicine. Wife dutifully replied, “wait I'll bring it”.
Husband waited for it for a good hour and then asked for it again. Wife again replied, “wait I'll bring it”. Husband waited again and then yelled in his feeble voice, “give me my medicine”. Wife again replied “wait I'll give”. By now 2-3 hours had passed since they came back home with the medicine, and she hadn't yet given the medicine. He had high fever and the whole body was aching. He was really looking forward to getting some relief. So, the husband was really upset was now welling up with anger. He mustered some strength to get out of the bed and stumbled all the way to where she was relaxing, not doing anything at all. Seeing this, he was infuriated and demanded “why are you not giving the medicine”. Wife replied “Wait!!! What is the hurry? I’ll give”.
Suddenly, Seth Ji realized that these are the same words that he tells his wife when she wants to go for satsang. He had been so engrossed in the material pursuits that he had overlooked all activities which would benefit the soul. He was so angry when the medicine was not given by his wife for 2-3 hours, whereas the wife has spent the whole life wanting the medicine for the soul and he has been denying it! Suddenly his anger abated. Seeing that the husband understood his mistake, the wife gave him the medicine and he recovered.
In this way the husband had spent all of his youth pursuing the worldly wealth and pleasures and now both of them had aged. The wife used to be very sad that her husband is an atheist. One day the husband had a high fever, the wife thought this was the right time to teach him a lesson. Wife took him to see a doctor and on the way, they brought the medicine as well. When they reached home, the husband was quite tired. He went to lie down and asked his wife to bring the medicine. Wife dutifully replied, “wait I'll bring it”.
Husband waited for it for a good hour and then asked for it again. Wife again replied, “wait I'll bring it”. Husband waited again and then yelled in his feeble voice, “give me my medicine”. Wife again replied “wait I'll give”. By now 2-3 hours had passed since they came back home with the medicine, and she hadn't yet given the medicine. He had high fever and the whole body was aching. He was really looking forward to getting some relief. So, the husband was really upset was now welling up with anger. He mustered some strength to get out of the bed and stumbled all the way to where she was relaxing, not doing anything at all. Seeing this, he was infuriated and demanded “why are you not giving the medicine”. Wife replied “Wait!!! What is the hurry? I’ll give”.
Suddenly, Seth Ji realized that these are the same words that he tells his wife when she wants to go for satsang. He had been so engrossed in the material pursuits that he had overlooked all activities which would benefit the soul. He was so angry when the medicine was not given by his wife for 2-3 hours, whereas the wife has spent the whole life wanting the medicine for the soul and he has been denying it! Suddenly his anger abated. Seeing that the husband understood his mistake, the wife gave him the medicine and he recovered.
Moral:
Every Human being is a union of two components, the divine soul and the material body. Soul is experienced and referred to as Me or I. Body is referred to as mine. All gracious God has given the body as an expedient to the soul to achieve the ultimate goal of life, Divine Bliss or God. But just like Seth Ji, most people are concerned about their bodies only and keep postponing spiritual matters, which nurture the soul. This is proof that we consider the body as I. That’s why we forget that body is an instrument to attain the goal of life, the Divine bliss. We all want bliss and are seeking it day in and day out.
Body is inert. Thus physical wellbeing cannot satisfy ‘Me’ the soul. So be on the lookout and be concerned about the satisfaction of the soul. If the soul is satisfied, physical needs would reduce automatically. Its a fact that any amount of physical affluences can never ever satisfy the soul. Rather it is like adding fuel to fire, an inverted medicine, which increases misery instead of satisfying the soul.
So be wise, do just enough to maintain a healthy body, to work for the goal of life which is what I (the soul) is seeking. So with the help of our body we can strive to attain our spiritual medicine that the soul desires and craves for.
Every Human being is a union of two components, the divine soul and the material body. Soul is experienced and referred to as Me or I. Body is referred to as mine. All gracious God has given the body as an expedient to the soul to achieve the ultimate goal of life, Divine Bliss or God. But just like Seth Ji, most people are concerned about their bodies only and keep postponing spiritual matters, which nurture the soul. This is proof that we consider the body as I. That’s why we forget that body is an instrument to attain the goal of life, the Divine bliss. We all want bliss and are seeking it day in and day out.
Body is inert. Thus physical wellbeing cannot satisfy ‘Me’ the soul. So be on the lookout and be concerned about the satisfaction of the soul. If the soul is satisfied, physical needs would reduce automatically. Its a fact that any amount of physical affluences can never ever satisfy the soul. Rather it is like adding fuel to fire, an inverted medicine, which increases misery instead of satisfying the soul.
So be wise, do just enough to maintain a healthy body, to work for the goal of life which is what I (the soul) is seeking. So with the help of our body we can strive to attain our spiritual medicine that the soul desires and craves for.
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