Pointers for Blissful Living-Part 2 (1-6 February 2014)
The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa organized a series of spiritual discourses based on the Shri Ramcharitmanas from the 1st to the 6th of February from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. The talks were conducted by the spiritual head Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji and took place at the ashram premises at 159 Road 703 in Montford, Chatsworth. The talks were well attended by more than 100 people. Many partook of the scrumptious dinner prasad that was served daily.
The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa organized a series of spiritual discourses based on the Shri Ramcharitmanas from the 1st to the 6th of February from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. The talks were conducted by the spiritual head Pujya Swami Abhedanandaji and took place at the ashram premises at 159 Road 703 in Montford, Chatsworth. The talks were well attended by more than 100 people. Many partook of the scrumptious dinner prasad that was served daily.
Pujya Swamiji discussed how we are rarely aware of what our real desires are in life and we run after superficial desires like attaining a good job, car , house etc. but ironically the biggest requirement and real desire of the jeev is Lord. Swamiji elaborated how the jeev wants a lover that is 1) most powerful 2)intellectually and mentally strong, 2) gives undivided attention all the time and 3) whose nature is very good and possesses all good qualities in infinite measure. Alas! It is only the Lord whom can fulfil all these conditions.
Swamiji began describing the places where Lord Ram would reside along with Lakshmanji and Mother Sita. The 1st place where the Lord resides is in the heart of those ears are like the ocean, thirsty to listen to the (katha) glories of the Lord. Swamiji explained that when we listen to the glories or katha of the Lord, then our desire to see Him increases and our love deepens. The 2nd place is in the heart of those whose eyes long to see God as the Cataka bird longs to see the raincloud. Swamiji mentioned how the Cataka bird is a mythological bird that drinks water only from the Swati Nakshatra (the specific constellation of stars) otherwise it would rather die than drink water anywhere else. Likewise, one should only want to see the Lord alone and not crave any worldly desires. The 3rd place is in the heart of those whose tongue speaks only on the qualities of Lord Ram just in the same way that the swans will eat only the pearls of the Mansarovar Lake. Swamiji explained how quality has a pulling and attracting power. The Lord is the possessor of all qualities therefore He is the most attractive and can give maximum joy. The Mansarovar Lake of fame is compared to the Ramcharitmanas whose 3 purposes are – to drink(listen to the leelas), clean (develop our character)and swim ( gyanis delve deep).
The 4th place is one who takes everyday as prasad. Swamiji described in detail how prasad buddhi is in the mind, thinking that everything that comes to us has been touched by the Lord be it joy or sorrow. The bitter and unconducive situations in one’s life becomes tolerable and acceptable when one takes it as a prasad from the God. Swamiji highlighted that when ones develops prasad buddhi then the poison of ahamta(I-ness and ahankar) and mamta (My-ness and enjoyership) goes away. . It was expounded by
Swamiji that we should always see the hand of Lord in everything and anything that comes to us. In prasad, we think everything is a manifestation of my Lord, not for indulgence but to sacrifice and serve.
The 5th place is one who does puja everyday which is a big communicator with God. The principle of puja is when I want to offer something more than the ritualistic offerings. Our talking, dressing actions , everything we do can be offered as a puja to the Lord. It was discussed how ahankar is the inability to merge into the higher desire. Ahankar is a sense of joy of separateness and the tendency to hold onto the wrong insistencies and notions. Swamiji elaborated that prasad is in what we receive and puja is in what we give. Swamiji expounded on how the Lord is seated in our hearts scanning all our thoughts and intentions. A way to check if God is happy is that the people in general will have a good impression and feeling towards that particular person.
The 6th place that Lord will reside is in the hearts of those who bow down when they see Brahmin, Devta and guru. A Brahmin is one who is a wise person and extreme upasac. Swamiji stressed the point that these 3 are the big donors in anybody’s life. If they are not in society, then people will be deprived. It was mentioned that the power of mantra is so immense that diseases can be cured. Devtas become strong when they are propitiated, and if they are happy, then a person has outer prosperity and good inner thoughts. When Devtas go away by a person’s bad conduct, a person feels weak and powerless. It was highlighted by Swamiji that Devtas give power, Brahmins give prosperity and Guru gives( mukthi) liberation. The example of the greatest Guru bhakthas were that of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. We all should think of making the Guru happy so that we can be in the umbrella of His security. The biggest contribution in anybody’s life is the spiritual contribution which is something only a Guru can give. There would be a continuation of this topic in the forthcoming talks from the 1st to 6th of March. Please contact the ashram office on 031 4017915 for further details.
