Alas! The unfortunate men make a futile search for immortality amidst the thick forest of Vedanta

Nama Article 28th February 2008

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 1 , Chapter 6. Shloka 04

Krishna Leelamritam Tyaktva Dourbhagyena Yuta Narah
Amrutatvam Vichinvanti Hanta Vedantakanane

Alas! The unfortunate men make a futile search for immortality amidst the thick forest of Vedanta. They leave behind the nectar of immortality found in meditating on the pasttimes of Lord Krishna.

 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 1 , Chapter 6. Shloka 05

Aatma Rama Gana Shreshto Jevanmuktah Shukah Swayam
Mohitah Krishna Leelabhih Tasyaiva Charitam Jagau

Shri Shuka, the best of accomplished gnanis who revel in the Self, himself being an enlightened soul, got enchanted by Shri Krishna's Leela. Hence he delivered the great literary work Shrimad Bhagavata with Shri Krishna's life as it's theme.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Despite Shri Shankara being a staunch believer in the conception of the Formless Supreme Being.........

Nama Article 27th February 2008

 

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

 

Vaishnava Samhita: Vol. I, Book 1 , Chapter 6. Shloka 26

 

Meaning:

 

Thus seeing Shri Gopala who is worshipped by all the devas, Shri Shankara was totally enchanted, despite his staunch believer in the conception of the Formless Supreme Being.

 

Transliteration:

 

Evam Vilokya Gopalam Shankaro Jagatam Guruh

Nirakara Paropyesha Vimugdha Hridayoabhavat

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

While speaking on Bhakti marga alone Lord Says.........

Nama Article 26th February 2008

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Karma, Yoga or Jnana mãrga take many births to attain Bhagavãn. But, through Bhakti mãrga one can attain Bhagavãn very easily. What is the 'pramãna' (evidence) for this? None less than Bhagavãn. Bhagavãn Himself says so.

 

In the Gita, Bhagavãn tells Arjuna who desires to become a Yogi, 'aneka janma samsiddhih!' Through the practice of Yoga you can attain to Me but only after many births.

 

Bhagavãn then goes on to speak of Jnana mãrga and explains to Arjuna, 'Bahoonam janmanãm ante' only after many births can you attain to Me in this path.

 

But, while speaking on Bhakti mãrga, Bhagavãn tells Arjuna, 'na chirãt' - it will not take long. You can attain to Me now, in this very janma.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Who will suffer terrible misfortune?

Nama Article 25th February 2008

 

Meaning

 

If someone renounces the world (Sanyasi), and then gets involved in worldly entanglements, he shall suffer terrible misfortune ||

 

Transliteration

 

bairaagee banDhan karai taa ko bado abhaag ||

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

When it is difficult for one to forego even betel-chewing and snuff, is it so easy to renounce all ties?

Nama Article 23rd February 2008

 

Source: http://www.madhuramurali.org/swamigal/essay/ji_bss00_lec4.html

 

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

 

Let us consider JNANA YOGAM. If a question arises as to why we should go to temples, do puja etc. the answer is definitely not acquisition of wealth, power or any such worldly benefit. Such benefits are enjoyed even by non-believers. Similarly should we consider accidents/diseases, these also occur irrespective of whether one believes in God or not. Going to temples, performing puja etc. cleanse our mind and a pure mind is essential if one is to attain jnana.

 

Everyone in this world is endlessly searching for God. A thief, too, is searching for God. Everyone is looking for joy and hence all are looking for nothing but God. But the search is carried out in all the wrong places. True joy lies in God's feet and not in worldly pursuits. If one tries to find joy amidst worldly pleasures, the exercise would be as futile as trying to catch one's own shadow.

 

The concept of Jnana yoga is to realize that this joy is within one's own self. Just as achaara anushtanam forms the basis of Karma marga, vairagya (dispassion and determination) forms the basis of Jnana yogam. Sanyasa means 'SARVA SANGA PARITHYAGAM'. i.e. to renounce all. When it is difficult for one to forego even betel-chewing and snuff, is it so easy to renounce all ties?

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Take the Lord's Name as your support

Nama Article 22nd February 2008

 

Sant Kabir

 

Meaning

 

Make silence your ear-rings, and compassion your wallet; let meditation be your begging bowl.

Sew this body as your patched coat, and take the Lord's Name as your support.

 

Transliteration

 

mundraa mon da-i-aa kar jholee patar kaa karahu beechaar ray |

khinthaa ih tan see-a-o apnaa naam kara-o aaDhaar ray. ||

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Thus shielded by the Omnipotent Name, he remains safe and his meditation proceeds unhampered

Nama Article 21st January 2008

 

Parable of Swami Sivananda

 

With a grain of sugar, the ant is enjoying its meal. Two young men are watching the self-forgetful way in which the ant is applying itself to the task. Fast runs a lizard, to devour the ant.

 

At a little distance it halts for a while to take proper aim.

 

One young man says: "Look, the lizard wants to eat the ant. It is the Law of Nature. It is written in the law that the ant is the lizard's food. Watch. "

 

The other young man says: "No. We should not idly stand by, while the lizard swallows the ant. I will prevent it." Saying so, he tries to catch the lizard with its waging tail. Lo, a part of the tail is in his hand, but the lizard proceeds unaffected. Instantly he covers the ant with the cupped palm of his hand. Its fury made futile, the lizard discovers that the ant is well protected, and vanishes.

 

Even so when a Sadhaka tries to meditate, the old Vishaya-vasanas come to swallow his Sadhana-Sakti. While he remains for a while absorbed in the joy that meditation on God gives him, the formidable foe from within rises to attack. The pessimistic foolish gives up effort, in despair.

 

But, the wise one does not. Often in his underestimation of the power of darkness, he tries to give a straight battle to the enemy. The evil Vritti is not caught thereby, but it escapes his grasp and draws nearer. The light of wisdom dawns in him and he quickly covers the Antahkarana absorbed in meditation with the powerful shield of the Name of the Lord and total self-surrender to Him.

 

Thus shielded by the Omnipotent Name, he remains safe and his meditation proceeds unhampered. The evil Vritti, its power totally lost vanishes.

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Service itself is meditation...........All these are God’s Names and if you remember this point your work will become worship

Nama Article 20th February 2008

 

Gospel of Swami Sivananda

 

The Master enquired of Sri Swami Nityananda, "Where is Swami X. working"?

 

Swami Nityananda mentioned the department in which Swami X. was working.

 

Then the Master said, "Service itself is meditation. Work itself will lead to knowledge. When the time comes one will attain Self-realisation. While engaged in selfless service one will come across various names, like 'Gopal', 'Krishna', 'Govind', and so on. All these are God's Names and if you remember this point your work will become worship".

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare