The Underlying Truth

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Life which begins with a wail must end with a smile. When you were an infant, all those round you smiled though you kept wailing. But when you die, all around you must weep at the loss and you should smile in peace. The pleasures of sensual enjoyment must finally be converted into happiness of divine union. Sensual pleasures must be left behind and you must develop a taste for the higher and more lasting pleasure derivable from the springs of your own personality. For divine union, devotion is the main thing. Peace and happiness are the other essentials.

The fire of sorrow and joy burns when the fuel of vasanas or past impressions is fed into the furnace of mind. Take away the fuel and the fire dies out. Take away vasanas, the force of the impulses, promptings and urges and you become your own master.

De-individualisation is moksha. When you recite Radheshyama, dwell on the significance of the Name; the deeper mysteries of the word must be present before the mind’s eye: then, Namasmarana repeating the names of God — will yield quick results. Radha is not an individual; it symbolises the earth. Krishna or Shyama is the Creator, the active principle: the awareness, the Supreme Being. Shakti, the Supreme energy, is Paramatma and the individual is the jivatma. The ocean is Shakti and the wave is the wave-name is called moksha, liberation. That is, merging of the wave in the ocean from which it seemed to differ.

During bhajan (group singing) contemplate on such underlying truths. The chant “Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare”, has 16 words and each signifies a virtue to be cultivated along with that bhajan. A seeker should be full of devotion, prepared to suffer, be free of attachment to the transitory, eager to serve God, be of correct conduct, charitable, of good reputation and character, content, blessed with good qualities, virtuous, learned, wise self-controlled, socially pleasing, humble and submissive to the Divine.

The fish are happy because they are immersed in water; when out of water, they struggle and suffer mortal pain. So too, we are happy when we are immersed in love, peace and truth. Life is what is when we are thrown out of water; sadhana or spiritual discipline is the struggle to leap back into the life-giving elements. For success in this struggle, do not depend upon another; depend upon yourself and on the Grace of God.

Namasmarana is the best antidote for all ills. Never be ashamed to sing the name of God. Vemana did not visit any temple for long; for years he was laughing at those who considered the image as a symbol of Divinity. But when his daughter died, he was one day holding her picture in his hand, weeping over the loss. Then it struck him that if the picture could cause sorrow and bring tears, the divine image can evoke positive feelings and bring tears of joy to those who know the beauty and glory of God. The image was a reminder of divine presence.

Remember, only buds that are ready will bloom; the rest have to wait, patiently. Meanwhile, carry on with remembering God’s names; the best antidote for all ills.

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Speaking Tree, Pg. No: 14, 25, April, 2011

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