Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 10)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)
 
What do the deities do?

Deities keep doing one thing. What do they keep doing? They keep showering flowers. Look at the scriptures. The holy Ramayana, for instance, describes at fifty odd places that deities showered sacred flowers from heaven. What are these flowers? They symbolize goodwill, co-operation, guidance, respect and caring. What attracts these virtues? Divinity, which is covertly present in the world. It alone had survived (in the past) and will alone survive (in the future); it can never be wiped out. If the demons (evils) do not die then why should God (the highest symbol of divinity) die? Like-minded people are attracted towards each other. A deity is attracted by deity-like humans and ideals are attracted by ideals; this results in the growth of benevolence, opportunities and co-operation from all directions. This is what has been happening, is happening and will continue to happen.

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 09)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)

If your personality is refined and has evolved in the righteous direction, then cooperation and harmonious association will be showered upon you from all directions according to your wishes. You won't have to ask for them. You will receive them effortlessly. When divinity is expressed in your personality, benevolence and respect begin to bless you. So many examples are available before you. Look at revered Baba Amte! He donated everything and dedicated his whole life for the service of the socially discarded leprosy patients. This is an act of greatness, a symbol of true humanity, a boon of divinity. Blessings of deities cannot be expected by sacrifices of any lesser magnitude than that of people like Baba Amte. And there is nothing greater to be blessed by. Begging has never brought anything worthwhile to anyone and will never be able to bring anything in future either.

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 08)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)

What do you want from the blessings of a deity or a great saint or from the power of a mantra? A job of few thousand rupees in lieu of the invaluable treasure of divinity? If any deity bestows divinity upon you, then it will raise the worth of your job so much that you will be grateful forever. Vivekananda had gone to Paramhans Ramkrishna to ask for a job but instead he got what a great soul like him indeed deserved - divinity, true devotion (bhakti), strength (shakti) and peace (shanti). What are these? These are divine virtues. When saints shower their kindness upon you, they inspire unique enthusiasm and optimism in your inner self, which propels you towards enlightened values of ethics and morality. When one is attracted by the soothing wave of ideals and is immersed in it, then his magnetism, his charm, his voice, his overall personality and his authenticity are so overpowering that everyone is impressed by him, attracted towards him and wants to cooperate with him. Vivekananda got abundant love, honour and support from all over the world. Who showered them? Goddess Kali. If gurus like Ramkrishna are alive somewhere or are reborn, they will always grant blessings that will develop virtuous personalities of their disciples. 

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 07)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)
 
Our folly!

Man is an intelligent being but at times displays his foolishness more than his intelligence. I don't know from where he has developed the notion that Gods fulfill all desires; they bestow the boons of wealth, son, job, victory and what not. Unfortunately, this misconception has entered in the field of spirituality too. This delusion has caused great harm as it has deprived the deluded devotees of enormous benefits and bright possibilities of genuine spirituality. Deities have given only one thing in the ancient times and will give only one thing in the future too. As long as deities survive, devotion (to God) is sustained, and if the regularity of worship is maintained, one thing will be granted - divine virtues. If you are endowed with the virtues of divinity, then you will acquire far more glorious success than what you dream of and desire now.

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 06)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)


Success is earned by unflinching courage. courageous temper is a spiritual quality. A yogi accomplishes miraculous feats with its support; tantriks and great personalities also achieve grand successes because of their extraordinary courage. Everyone needs it for attempting and succeeding in something (significant). If you are a yogi, you will be able to perform difficult yoga practices with the strength of your inner valor. If you are a leader, a reformer, then also you will progress as per your courageous zeal. It is a divine quality by origin. You may choose to use it the way you want....

What is noteworthy or specific in a person is the effect of his inner qualities. If deities bestow something upon someone, it will always be the wealth of virtuous qualities, virtuous potentials. Goddess Gayatri, whom you pray to and worship through anushthans, will also endow you with divine qualities. What will happen with the virtues you acquire? Well, virtuous qualities and potentials can bring you all that you aspire for. Whether materialistic or spiritual, whenever someone has gained success, it has been attained with his virtuous potentials and talents only. Without the qualities of character and talents one cannot gain anything worthwhile - neither worldly nor spiritual.

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 05)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)

Attempting to fulfill your desires is not bad per se, but is subject to one scrutiny - what is being desired, and what for? If they are for a worldly (materialistic) purpose then it is necessary to know whether you deserve the object of your desire, how would you digest it if received, and how will you utilize it? Man is prone to make mistakes but not the Gods. Deities can't bless you with things you often crave and ask for. Great personages, who had living contact with deities, did not generally benefit materially. What did they receive? The virtues of humanity, the seeds of divinity. The virtuous talents and powers thus acquired enabled them to progress. The cultivation of these noble qualities has allowed great men and women to accomplish what sounds impossible for a normal human being. With the growth of divinity in personality, anybody can reach great heights of glory in the worldly as well as spiritual domains. It is only the wise usage of your virtues that is important; it does not matter whether they are used in the spiritual or material field. Your qualities, deeds and nature are sources of power in themselves. Where and how to use them depends entirely upon your choice.

Awakening Divinity in Man (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 04)

(Source: http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2003/Jan_Feb/v1.AwakeningDivinity)

Vigor and strength of human body is good but if it is not controlled by wisdom, it would become an instrument of demonic deeds, resulting in effects similar to that of adding fuel to the fire. Deities never commit the mistake of showering wealth or worldly resources on the unworthy. If they do, then they would be helping the evil forces to inflict incalculable disaster on humanity. Dear children! "Humanity" signifies the power which elevates and excels our thinking, attitude, ambitions and activities. It is a great attribute.