Supremacy of Human Birth

Original Article by: Smt.Ratna Suresha

 English Rendering by: MS Anantha

An aged householder had earned more than enough for ten future generations to enjoy. One day he suddenly realized that he has earned enough for his family, but he has not done anything worthy to transport him to the other world.  Before he went to sleep, he called his son and told him "Jaathasya maranam dhruvam", meaning, anybody who takes birth should die definitely. "In the next birth, I will come before you as a pig. You have to kill me without hesitation. Subsequently in the next birth, I will be born as a human being again and attain salvation, through Saadhana (rigorous spiritual path)". Same night the old man slipped into eternal sleep. Years rolled by. One day a big drove of pigs, along with their families arrived in the backyard of the son's house. The son suddenly remembered his father's words. He came with a rifle ready to shoot the pig. Suddenly, the pig said "Wait, don't kill me. I might have told something earlier, but now in this birth, I am happily living with my family". The householder's son thought that the command given by his father, in his previous birth as a wise human being is worth following. He killed the pig. Rest everything went as the old man had wished in his previous birth.

In God's creation, Human body is a great and wonderful instrument. It is possible to realize God, only with this human body, following the four-fold path to salvation. Let us remember the prophetic words of Mahayogi SriRanga Mahaguru "All the fourteen worlds put together do not equal this human body". Maharshis through their inner vision share the same view - "You have obtained this human body after paying huge money in the form of meritorious acts (Punya). Hence attain salvation (Moksha) i.e. realize God, by reaching the shore before this human boat breaks." 

Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs.

Gain by Serving the Guru

Original Article by: Smt MA Sumedha

English Rendering by: MS Anantha

Respond to (lekhana@ayvm.in)

Sage Sri Naarada shiromani was famous for devotion to God and is considered to be the Master for Bhakti Shaastra. We find details of his previous birth in Srimad Bhaagavatam.  He is born to a servant maid working in ashram of sages.  Even at the age of five, he was not interested in playing, but was deeply interested in Vedas, Vedic literature and very much engrossed in devotion to Lord. Once some saints were residing for some time in the same ashram during Chaturmasya (Four months of 'non-mobility'-austerity). Naarada was appointed to help them. He developed a fascination and respect towards those saints, looking at their intense devotion to the Lord. The way those saints performed Bhajans and prayed to God with devotional songs impressed him so much that he became much more dedicated and started living their way. He could wash off the sins of his previous births by serving them well. After four months, the saints moved out from there. But Naarada continued the teachings of sadhus implicitly. Unfortunately he lost his mother due to snake poison. But he never lost his heart. He was still courageous and took the event as the decision of fate. He thought of it as an opportunity to release himself from the bondage of the family. With realized mind, he started moving as per the directives of the Master. He entered a deep forest and took to penance there and after a long time, visualized Sri Hari in his dhyanam (Meditation).

            Sriranga Mahaaguru was stressing always that implicit faith and devotion in the Guru (Master) is essential for anyone who pursues the path of meditation. Everyone requires the guidance of Guru. The fruition and duration of penance for any person depends on the intensity of his faith in his Guru. Though the time Sri Naarada spent with saints was very less, still he followed the teachings of the Master throughout his life. He pursued his penance in spite of plenty of obstacles coming in the way. The famous song "Guruvina gulaamanaaguva tanaka doreyadanna mukuti" of Sri Purandaradaasa clearly emphasizes the state of our mind. Here, becoming a servant to Guru does not imply   exploitation. It helps to control the sense organs and to have a well-stabilized mind which leads to success in one's life. Let us hope, everyone achieves such a sweet and happy state   of mind by serving one's   Guru.

Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs.

Essence of Upanishadic Story

Original article by: Dr. Yashaswini

English Rendering by: M.S. Anantha

In the earlier days, Human beings used to earn in plenty but still they were not content with their earnings; hence they continued to amass more and more. On the other hand, the Demons (asuras) were indulging in numerous evil and violent acts. They were enjoying themselves by inflicting pain on others and doing injustice to the people. Next, the Devatas (Deities) indulged in sensual pleasures as if they did not have any control over the sensual organs. Like this, even though all these three, namely Deities, Demons and Humans, were enjoying life in their own ways, but still they were not getting any mental peace. It is said that too much of pleasure results in pain. Hence, not satisfied with the way they lived, they met Brahman, with heavy heart, and presented their problem.

Brahman, understanding the specialties of each one of the three, uttered a letter "da", as a solution to their problem. This letter "da" was understood by each of them depending upon their mental makeup. Devatas knew that all the sense organs are working by their divine forces and hence can be controlled by them. Hence, they understood the meaning of "da" as "daamyata"(Control). So they controlled their sensual organs and became mentally stabilized, thus achieving the happy and satisfied life. Demons thought that their nature has been to torture others and that has to be subsided by using those forces only. Hence they understood the meaning of "da" as "daya" (Merciful). So they started showing mercy on all, which resulted in good mental attitude and contentment. Next, the nature of human beings is to store the wealth for themselves. Hence they understood the meaning of "da" as "daanam" (Donating).  Keeping enough money for themselves, they started distributing their money to others also, thereby maintaining the social balance. Being themselves happy, they made others also happy and thus led a peaceful and contended life.

All the three attitudes - Devatva, Demonic and Humanistic - are present in all of us and will ever be playing alternately within us. The essence of this story of Upanishad is that one should control the sense organs, should not inflict pain on others and himself should not get pained, should be  merciful, to earn enough to lead a normal life, to donate to the society as per norms for the welfare of the society and to meditate on God.  Finally, the truth is to become an Immortal being. As per Sri Sriranga Mahaguru's decree, if one lives keeping an eye on what has been stated above, it will indeed lead to a TRUE LIFE.

Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs.   

Nature of A Person

Original Article by: Vid. Narasimha Bhatta

English Rendering by: M.S. Anantha

  (Respond to lekhana@ayvm.in)

Praarabhyathe na khalu vighnabhayena neechaih

Prarabhya vighnavihataa viramanti madhyaah |

Vighnaih punahpunarapi pratihanyamaanaah

Praarabdham uttamagunaa na parityajanti ||  (Subhashita Nitishataka 72)

Meaning: The low-natured persons will not start any work fearing obstructions. The average person leaves the task while encountering obstructions. But the virtuous people will not stop the work already started in spite of repeated obstructions and they finish the work undertaken.

Explanation: In this Subhashita, the nature of three types of persons, namely the Higher, Middle and Lower levels, are explained. The classification is based on the mental makeup of the persons. Mind is the root cause for any job that is undertaken. Based on the person's mental make-up, we can measure the quality and success of the job accomplished. The person's character can be judged depending on how much control he can exercise on his mind. The work begun can be finished if and only if the mind is fully concentrated. In this case, the person will continue to work till success is achieved, in spite of many obstacles coming in his way. He belongs to Higher class. For example, a brave soldier, whatever may be the odd circumstances, will fight till the end and finish the task of killing the enemy successfully. A coward will always be afraid of the obstacles coming in the way and leave the job undertaken without completing. He belongs to the Middle class. There is another class of people who will not make-up their mind at all to start the job, fearing that the job started may have to be stopped in the middle due to obstacles. These belong to the Lower category. The essence of this Subhashita is that one is sure to be successful if the job is started with a mind that is courageous and ready to face the situation with innumerable impediments. He is the most successful man.

Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs.  

If Exists, let it be Visible !

Original article by: Mythily Raghavan

English Rendering by: M.S. Anantha

(Respond to lekhana@ayvm.in)

Once upon a time cholera had spread in and around the villages of a city. A doctor came to educate the villagers about their health. Addressing the villagers he said "The water which all of you are drinking daily contains disease-spreading bacteria. So please do not drink this water." Most of the people accepted the words of the doctor. But one person protested and told the doctor "Sir, if bacteria are present in the water, they should have been seen by us. If not, at least, the bacteria should have got stuck in our throats while drinking this water! Hence, I cannot accept what you say."  The doctor tried to convince him saying that the bacteria are so small that they cannot be seen by our naked eyes. Even then he did not agree. Finally, the doctor took some water-sample and took him to a laboratory in the nearby city. There the doctor showed him the minute bacteria in the water sample through a microscope. At once, he became dumb-founded after seeing the bacteria dancing in the water-sample.

Sri SriRanga mahaguru taught us a lesson through this anecdote. "If you can grind a glass suitably so that it acquires the capability of a lens for a microscope, then we can see even the tiny things, which cannot be seen with our bare eyes. Similarly, if your mind is subjected to proper spiritual orientation, then, just like a microscopic lens, it will acquire the ability to 'see' even the imperceptible Paramatman.

The ancient education system propounded by Maharshis (seers) was very successful in achieving this state. In early boyhood days, they would embrace Brahmacharya (celibacy). Under the able guidance of a proper Guru, their minds would become matured by studying vedic literature and through practice of penance they were able to visualize and enjoy the inner light, the Paramatman.  Then, by the command of their Guru, they used to embrace the Gruhasthashrama (house-holder's life) and successfully spread the divine knowledge acquired by them. Today such a system of education may not be in vogue, but still several methodologies blessed by Maharshis such as stotras and poojas would cleanse the mind, if meticulously followed. This would prepare the mind to enjoy and experience God, the Almighty.

Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs.