Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 11)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

My Guru had asked for my time and efforts. I dedicated every moment of my life for His work. Well! in return, he bestowed on me so many boons, endowed me with gifts that could not have been attainable by tapa and upasana for several lives.

This is what I am entreating you to do. Please give me a fraction of your time and effort to disseminate the knowledge and ideals of spirituality.

If you expect to gain something, you will also have to give something. Higher attainments demand greater sacrifices.

The Shastric (ancient) Scriptures describe - "Ekada Naimisharanye" - referring to the conversation of Rishis - Shaunak and Soota - that focuses on the sagacious discussions of the saints, the thinkers, the Brahmins of that time, in the lush forest-fields of Naimisharanya. I had also wanted to develop a Naimisharanya for the present Age, where people would live for pure selfless love, enlightenment and high ideals; where they would amicably share each other's joy and sorrows; where they would happily sacrifice their selfish desires and comforts for the welfare of the world.

This is what I expect to happen in Shantikunj and its newer expansion Gayatri Nagar. I inaugurate the Gayatri Nagar with this expectation, and with full confidence in my Guru's assurance that all my aims devoted to attainment of divine goals would be accomplished gloriously.
                                      
        || OM SHANTI ||

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 10)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift) 

Your life should be such that I, the Guru himself, will come to you and ask for assistance, your active collaboration in his altruistic world-uplifting efforts.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa himself used to go to Narendra (Vivekananda), seeking his help in dissemination of devotion and knowledge, in transforming the society.

A tongue cannot work like a mike, and a mike alone is of no use without a tongue (voice), combination of both serves the purpose. The voice (message) of the Guru is spread through the mike (efforts) of the disciples. My Guru is the voice and I am his mike.

I want you also to be able to do the same in turn.

I would like you to be worthy of spreading divine message.

If you could cultivate this ability, there would be no delay in the working of His grace in your lives. God keeps the boons of shaktipata and kundalini ready in His hands to bestow them upon deserving souls. You could also receive them provided you have the desired level of shraddha (inner faith and dedication) and patrata (worthiness).

We have taken up the mission of revival of the Vedic knowledge and Rishi traditions of Yagya along with Gayatri Vidya.

We have now introduced the medium of "Gyan Rathas" to spread this knowledge through mission's publications.

You may devote two valuable hours per day for this noble task.

This would indeed be more virtuous than singing devotional songs or worshiping divine idols for the same time.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 09)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

I cannot describe in words the dreaded physical and mental ailments that I have seen people suffering from. Many come here to get rid of their beastly tendencies, the sinful life they have been living so far.

How to tell you, how contented (glad) I feel by helping them out, by liberating and uplifting their lives, by giving them happiness.

You see! All this is the astonishing power of awakened kundalini.

On the Vasant Panchami day every year I keep thinking that all of you present here should also share in my precious fortune and lead your lives to glorious heights; may your noble deeds and names become immortal on the golden pages of the annals of humanity.

Your life should rise above its present state of suffering and perversion.
You should be able to resolve all your problems yourself and also have the potential to help others in getting rid of their problems.

Then you will not have to come to me and beg - "Guruji! Kindly save me; remove my sufferings; etc."

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 08)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)  

This is how I could launch the grand missions of Vichar Kranti and Yug Nirman Yojna, to destroy the smog of evils and ignorance prevailing in the minds of people, and lay the foundation of an era of bright future for all.

It looks as if each and every part of my being is filled with immense vigor, valor and courage like that of Rishi Parashuram.

If people see any sign of a social reformer or a great personality in me, it is all an expression of the shaktipata bestowed by my Guru on that Vasant Panchami day in 1926.

The awakening of kundalini is said to bestow siddhis and riddhis (spiritual attainment of supernormal talents and angelic potentials). With the help of these, an accomplished sadhaka or siddha yogi can miraculously help others and also reach higher realms in his own spiritual ascent.

My Guru came, activated my inner consciousness and awakened my kundalini. This resulted in the flow of viveka (spiritually illumined wisdom) and karuna (saintly love and compassion) within me, and eventually filled me with enduring contentment, peace and bliss.

This is what we are blessed with, as we dedicate all that we have, in the performance of our duties, as per the enlightened guidance of viveka and saintly impulse of karuna.

People come here full of varied sufferings and tensions of worldly life; with tears in their eyes, they come to me for help. I experience limitless inner peace and blissful repose in allaying their agonies, resolving their problems, eradicating the adversities of their lives.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 07)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)  

I keep recalling these lines of Goswami Tulsidas; they generate an inexplicable joy and power in me.

The power of inner-self, awakened by such shaktipatas, is indeed immense. I have experienced it myself.

It is with this enlightened force that I have stood successfully for the divine ideals and principles, against even the great Mahamandaleshwaras, the Shankaracharyas - the so-called religious leaders of our times.

I have collided against heavy golden shields and broken them (routed all the adversities and avarice that tried hindering my ethical, altruistic path). Be that social reformation, revival of our Rishi Culture in scientific light, upliftment of women, mass awareness against unjust religious traditions - I have marched alone on every front; my inner courage, the light of my awakened soul, have enabled me to surmount all obstacles.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift) 

What happened in Meerabai's life is another example of shaktipata. This ardent devotee of Lord Krishna was under tremendous pressure from her in-laws - they were against her going out of the palace or calling satsang inside the palace; even her saintly life-style and engrossment in her devotion of Krishna was unbearable to many of them.

Helpless, Meera wrote to her contemporary saintly poet Goswami Tulasidas, to advise her about what she should do, what should be her duty in those circumstances?

Tulsidas explained to her that such was the law of the world - circumstances don't change according to one's ideals or resolutions. One has to change one's attitude and mental conditioning for the desired results.

In fact, he sent her a couplet of poetry that said:
"Jake Priya Na Rama Vaidehi, Tajiye Tahi Koti Bairi Sama, Yadyapi Param Sanehi."
Meaning: You should leave those who do not love Lord Ram and Sita, even if they happen to be your nearest ones.

These words worked like a shaktipata on Meerabai's mind, and gave her the spiritual guidance and inner-strength to pursue what eventually made her a true saint, an immortal example of supreme devotion.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 05)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

The shaktipata gave me the courage to come out of the house against all odds, and work for the freedom movement, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, at the young age of barely twenty years. I even had to go to jail and face tortures at the hands of the British government; but the inner power enabled me to continue my march on the path of self-realization, along with honest transaction of all the duties,  including familial and social responsibilities, assigned by my Guru.

There never was a looking back; no agony for the sufferings that came on the way.

This is what is called the marvelous power of determination inspired by shaktipata.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

 (Post 04)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

A tiny fish traverses the great depths and lengths of the oceans against the direction of the flow of water.

Similar is the case of awakened consciousness. No resistance, no obstacle, howsoever mighty, can ever hinder or deflect its chosen path.

In ordinary case, one can't even imagine how difficult it is to follow an ideal against the worldly trends of selfish pursuits.

One has to face uncountable obstructions, challenges, dangers and immeasurable resistance from multiple directions:
    - the pressures and attractions of attachment with family, friends;
    - the fears of society, and what not;
    - above all, one's own weaknesses, ingrained habits and intrinsic tendencies make it almost impossible for one to proceed along the path of noble ideals.

One who can do that is indeed spiritually empowered in my view. 

This is the spiritual force that my angelic master had bequeathed to me by his shaktipata.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

 (Post 03)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

You will find many such examples of the umang of Vasant in the history.

Fifty-five years ago (in February 1926), the day of Vasant Panchami had blessed me with enormous bliss and fortune. It brought my divine Guru to me. The angelic light of his aura appeared before me; it induced the divine impulse of self-realization and enlightenment in me. It was on this auspicious day that I had met my eternal guide and was blessed by his shaktipata (spiritual grace) upon me.

Today we are gathered here on this sacred day of Vasant Panchami.

I wish that it could bring the same good fortune for you all, bless you with the same inspiration.

What did my divine mentor do?

What is shaktipata?

Often people have misconceptions about shaktipata; that some electrical current like brilliance is transmitted from the eyes or hands of the spiritual master, which enters the body of the disciple and gives a shock like treatment.

No, this is not shaktipata.

It does not work at the level of the gross body.

It is in fact a sublime process of awakening, empowering and exalting the inner consciousness-force of the deserving disciple by the spiritual will of the Guru. The elevated power of consciousness is reflected in the enlightenment, sublime transmutation of the intrinsic tendencies, thoughts, convictions and inner sentiments; and not as any current of light experienced in the body. The force of evolved consciousness is that which induces immense courage and foresight of adopting and firmly standing for higher values and ideals.

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 02)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

Adi Shankaracharya's awakening umang was also born around Vasant Panchami.

His mother had lots of expectations from this bright child - "he would be a big officer, a prosperous, successful man; he will get married and bring a nice daughter-in-law for me, I will enjoy the company of my grand-children".

Sensing Shankars inclination towards ascetic life, she even used to warn him that he will have to suffer the pangs of hell for the sin of not obeying his mother.

The umang awakened in this child gave him the courage to face all hurdles; he was prepared to go to any hell during or beyond this life if it were a must for pursuing the goal of ultimate realization.

One day he entered the deep waters in the village-river and screamed for his mother's help. He told her - "I am about to be drowned and die this very moment; but I am seeing God standing to save me only under one condition - He (God) is asking you to offer my life to Him (for His work), then He would save and protect me forever". Now his mother had no choice; She agreed and said - "Okay! I am ready to make this sacrifice for saving your life".

Shankar jumped out of the swirling waters that very moment and touched her feet on the banks of the river. He said to his mother - "Look! God has saved me, but now I am His".

Let the Spirit of Spring Permeate and Uplift Your Life (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 01)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Jan_Feb/v1.SpiritSpringPermeateUplift)

Translation of Excerpts from the Discourse on Vasant Panchami Day February 1981: "वासंती हूक, उमंग और उल्लास यदि आ जाए जीवन में"

Let us begin with a collective chanting of the Gayatri Mantra:
"Om Bhur Buvah Swah, Tatsaviturvarenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat ||"

Sisters and Brothers,

"Vasant Panchami" (auspicious fifth day, of the month "Magha", of the Indian lunar Calendar) marks the emergence of Spring.

It is the day of enthusiasm, inspiration, inner illumination.

The advent of Spring sparks an awakening and exultation in Nature, in all living beings.

Such a Spring had brought about a sea-change in the life of Samarth Guru Ramdas (the noble Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji) in his early youth.

"Can't I make a better use of my life?" - was what he was pondering over at that time.

There, his family was busy in preparations of his marriage, and here in some corner of the house, he began to see the consequences - wife, then children, then children of the children, their marriages and so on.

His awakened soul instantly warned - Is this what you are born for? Look at the dignity of your life; there could be another path, the path worthy of greatness! With this he began to realize the majestic value, the purpose of his life.

This was the moment of great transformation, quantum leap, in his life. Such was the force of this exaltation that he did not look back, and continued to rise higher and higher in his life. Nothing could stop him; he cast away the bridegroom's costumes from his body and ran away in search of the path of ultimate light.

So, what did this emotional splash of Spring do?

It transformed an ordinary boy, a teenager, into a great spiritual master, a saint, an immortal Guru.

Spring induces some kind of umang (inspiring enthusiasm and enchanting, enlightening emotional thrust) in every heart. Its nature and extent depends upon what we deserve.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 24)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II) 

People often tell me - "Guruji, I can't engage my mind in devotional practices, it keeps jumping towards the worldly thoughts".

I ask them in reply - "Does your mind ever get occupied in something with interest and attention?"

Obviously, the answer comes out to be "No, not really".

This is because you have not bothered to train your mind to focus. You do not recognize the potentials of a focused mind. You should train your mind to be alert and attentive, and cultivate the tendency to enjoy the work at hand.

In devotional or spiritual practices, you should have the deep mental absorption that emanates through the heart, like that of a yogi. If you sincerely practice the dhyan yoga I have taught you, and learn to meditate upon light with deep fervor, I assure you that your mental concentration will improve significantly.

This depth of mental concentration, together with your noble sentiments employed in this dhyan yoga, will bless you with all that a great devotee of spirituality deserves.

I wish you all success.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 23)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II) 

Any effort carried out with one-pointed absorption of your mind leads to grand success.

Friends! We should try cultivating keen interest and focused approach, as the scientists have towards their fields of research. In terms of basic education or training, there may not be any difference between a scientist and someone who has merely passed a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree - first degree in science education.

Who is a scientist?

The answer would be one who is fully engrossed in his research and dives deeper and deeper, like a submarine in the ocean, to discover/invent the pearls of knowledge.

Scientific achievements are the wonderful outcomes of rigorous mental concentration. This quality is essential for success in every walk of life. You need to apply it not only in your devotional practices but also in all the works you undertake.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 22)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II)

This is the secret of success in all walks of life.

We do not accomplish anything significant, as our attention and interests are scattered in many directions. I ask you to control the agitation of your mind and focus it, as per the instructions, in the practice of dhyan yoga. Because of its wayward diversions, you are neither able to concentrate upon your studies nor to work for proper health; you are not able to do anything significant; there is always an instability, as well as scattering of your efforts.

This haphazard state of your mind should be controlled with the help of meditation along with the devotional practices of japa.

Your mind should be well organized and trained to imbibe the habit of "work while you work and play while you play".

Be that a worldly task or spiritual practices, whatever you do, should be done with full attentiveness. Deep mental concentration is a spiritual quality.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 21)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II)

You must have heard about the glorious intrepidity and self-mastery of Arjuna in Mahabharat. He had perfected the art of focusing all his attention at the desired objective. This is why he was the only one who succeeded in piercing through the left eye of the rotating fish by his arrow, just by looking at its image in the water below, during the Swayamvara of Princess Draupadi.

Hundreds of princes and kings had come to participate in this difficult contest of qualifying to marry Draupadi. Guru Dronacharya asked one common question ... . When they stretched their bows and looked at the image of their target, he asked them "What do you see?" Someone replied - "The entire fish"; some said - "its head"; etc. As predicted by Dronacharya, none of them could hit any part of the fish.

Arjuna was the only one who saw nothing except the left eye of the fish. The Guru applauded his perfect mental concentration. Arjuna indeed hit the target and won Princess Draupadi’s hand.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 20)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II)

The feeling of "Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya" should emerge from the depths of your emotions while concentrating on the glow of rising Sun in your heart.

It implies emancipation of the soul, the inner self from the darkness of ignorance into the eternal light of pure knowledge and divine love.

Deep and focused mental concentration is a major prerequisite for meditation.

If we focus our potentials and efforts in a constructive direction, we would achieve the goal of our life.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 19)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II)

Bhakti-yoga aims at awakening of this divine sentiment; it means cultivation and expansion of compassion, kindness, altruism and love for sentient beings.

This is what is true service and true devotion of God. Many of you think that worshiping a deity, bending the head at its feet, beseeching and crying before it, ringing the bells in a shrine, distributing some alms, etc., is what serves the purpose of devotion.

Is this what you call "navadha bhakti" (highest yoga of devotion)?

No my child! This is only hypocrisy, mimicry and a caricature of devotion; it is far removed from real bhakti-yoga. It is self-deception.

Well! Then, how will you practice bhakti-yoga?

For this, you will have to understand its true meaning and adopt it with the help of the meditation on divine light.
 

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 18)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II) 

You usually think that you have great love for your children. But, that also is a delusion.

You mostly have attachment to them. You consider providing them with worldly comforts and worldly means as the best expression of love for them. You relentlessly endeavor to amass wealth and possessions that you could bequeath to your children as tokens of your love!

But have you ever thought that wealth without virtues is a source of depravation?

Thus, by piling up comforts and pelf for your child, you simply make him a lustful, depraved and selfish person, who will spoil his own life and may become a burden for the society.

How can you say that you truly love your child?

Friends! Do you know what is love?

It is the sentiment of causeless joy derived from selflessly working for the welfare of beloved ones. It means giving; it means generosity, compassion, and selflessness.

Bhakti-yoga aims at awakening of this divine sentiment; it means cultivation and expansion of compassion, kindness, altruism and love for sentient beings.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 17)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II) 

But, this divine spark within us has practically been extinguished in our lives because of our misdeeds.

If we can’t love our soul, then whom would we love? Ask this question to yourself  - whom do you love truly?

Do you love your wife? No, not really.

You only long for the sensual pleasure and comforts she offers you. A leech sticks to the body and sucks the blood; most of us do the same with the lives of our wives. The youth of a wife is often ruined in satisfying the lust of her husband, and in producing and taking care of the children. She gets prematurely aged and becomes a victim of varieties of ailments. Still he does not understand her problems, doesn’t care for her sickness.

All her potentials, all her resources, have been sacrificed in the thankless service of the husband and his family. If you had truly loved your wife, you should have lovingly taken care of her health; should have helped uplifting her educational and mental levels; should have encouraged development of her talents. On the contrary, you have practically killed her future.

Do you have the noble sentiments of love and devotion? No! If these had a place in your heart, you would have looked after your old parents and other dependents with greater affection. You would have happily offered your altruistic services to the needy.

The Practical Aspect of Dhyan Yoga (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 16)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Nov_Dec/v1.PracticalAspectDhyan_Yoga_II)

We should also love our inner self, our soul.

We have always neglected our soul. We have never experienced its presence. Ages have passed, but we have never heard its voice, or bothered about its aspirations.

An old woman, entirely dependent upon you, keeps asking you to take her to the Himalayas for pilgrimage. You, engrossed in your selfish motives, won’t pay any attention. You might even reply rudely that at this last phase of her life, why to worry about going here and there; she should just lie quietly wherever she is!

It sounds strange, but this is how we have been treating our soul. Our soul is a helpless captive in the smog of our ignorance. If we had loved it and taken proper care of it, it would have become so strong and active that its divine power would have transmuted us into angelic beings.