Long ago, there was a Brahmin called Sangira stepped in ignorance and bereft of faith in Vedas as a result of sins committed by him in his previous incarnation: “Puraa kashcin-mahaa-murkhah-Sangiro namma baadabaha, Poorva-janma-kritaath-paapaath-Veda-shraddha vivirjithaha”. He was interested in Logic; he tried to know the transcendental principal of the Brahman and the pictures of good... Continue Reading →
Shashivarna & Shubhaga
“Suspecting devotees of God”, said Iswara, addressing Vishnu, and doubting Brahma, you and me bring about major impediments to rise of jnana in a person. Displaying total lack of understanding of those on the dharmic path and causing harm to the reputation of those who have understood the Vedas also impede one’s progress towards Atma... Continue Reading →
Durghata
Durghata, born of poor parents, was a well-known legendary figure with notoriety for having committed more sinful deeds than others. He was not afraid of his vicious record nor of the results of his inglorious past. Flaunting his cruel hands, he dared to indulge freely in devilish deeds. He had killed many virtuous men, destroyed... Continue Reading →
Andal
A great devotee of Vishnu called Vishnuchitta, a resident of Srivilliputtur, had developed a flower garden mainly for the purpose of offering everyday a garland chiefly to tulasi leaves to the temple in the vicinity. His labour of love behind the offering was intense. His faith in God was equally unique and unwavering. One day,... Continue Reading →
Alchemy!
In the heart of a thick forest, stood a small hut. In front of the hut there was a platform of stone and a deer-skin adorned it. Seated in half-padmasana posture radiating peace was one whose body had grown thin with thapas. An emaciated exterior, a far reaching forehead, a pair of eyes glittering with... Continue Reading →
Some Jeevanmuktas
( A ) Sri Shuka Maharshi A lofty king among mountains called Himalaya stretching from East to West adorns our land of glory in the North like a yardstick meant to measure it. At the foot of the mountain lies a place of divinity called Badarikashram. Once it was at this place that Veda Vyasa... Continue Reading →
Nityananda
“Yogananda! Your idea appears to be well-founded indeed. It may well be that Gurudeva’s view is also identical. Adhyayana may demand two people being present in a place but it is in the fitness of things there should be only one person for thapas, namely the tapasvi alone!” “Nityananda! I have also been thinking over... Continue Reading →
The Glory of Indian Motherhood
(Immediately after the royal wedding, Kashiraja was ushered into Queen Madalasa’s chambers. The Queen bowed and started an interesting conversation with the King. “Madaalasaam manjula vaagvilaasam”, was the poetic tribute which Kalidasa gave. ) “I want to spend my time in Brahmacharya.” “Then why did you get married?” “I was not interested. My view was... Continue Reading →
The Supreme Self – Chapter – 27
Guru says, "Child, the transcendental journey and experience known as Swayambhu Linga that leads to immersion and absorption into the Supreme Self can be achieved only with the help of the atoms or the "body" or manifest state of the self-luminous akshara and the unmanifest state of the self-luminous akshara and therefore, it is essential... Continue Reading →
Sole Doer – Chapter – 26
Guru says, "Child, the real meaning of Swayambhu Linga is the transcendental journey and experience of the infinite, indivisible, unmanifest of the unmanifest and unknown of unknown known as the Supreme Self. This is beyond words and beyond description. To say it is space or void or to say it is wondrous or incomprehensible or to... Continue Reading →
Swayambhu Linga – Chapter- 25
Shishya bows down and asks, "O Great Guru! The astonishing feat of transcending the dense and subtle layers and planes of creation and creation differentials by You rendered all the Rishis and all of creation speechless. I beseech You to guide me further on this." Guru says, "Son, as I have said earlier all... Continue Reading →
Subtler than the subtle – 24
Guru says, "Child, as I have said earlier that all of creation lies within the dynamic and complex structure of an atom, it is therefore necessary to perceive its interwoven complex structure, formation and composition to understand how to experience it and transcend it. As I have said earlier, creation is expansive and universe... Continue Reading →
Trying to understand the entire gamut of creation – Chapter – 23
Guru says, "Child, it is necessary to understand the interwoven structure of the atom as it contains the entire gamut of creation and creation differentials. What is important to know is that every atom in a created being will be in the shape and form of the self-luminous akshara that it has taken up. ... Continue Reading →
Transcendence – Chapter – 21
Guru says, "Child, when the very purpose of one's existence is to know, realize, perceive, understand and experience the Supreme Self and to become immersed and absorbed into the Supreme Self, the most appropriate and best method is to abide by the guidance and instructions of the Self or the self-luminous akshara. The purpose of... Continue Reading →
Apramāda – Chapter – 20
Guru says, "Child, Brahmopadesham is the Supreme Knowledge that each and every created being will be taught by the self-luminous akshara that is the Self. Brahmopadesham is the knowledge, understanding, perception, realization and experience of the self-luminous akshara in entirety. That is the doctrine or upadesh of the Supreme Self. When is Brahmopadesham bestowed on a created being?... Continue Reading →
Brahmopadesham – Chapter – 19
Guru continues saying, "Son, it should be known that a created being is in dhyāna always. Since, the origin of all creation is Aksharam, every created being and all differentials of creation and even the myriad forms of the Supreme Self, mantras, Vedas, Vakhyas, rituals, practices, sadhanas, anuṣṭhānas, homas, yagnas, yāgas, dāna, dharma, jnāna, yoga, dhyāna, actions... Continue Reading →
What is dhyāna? – Chapter – 18
Guru says, "Child, is dhyāna only about sitting in the manner and position as prescribed in the scriptures or is there something more about dhyāna to be known? Introspection and contemplation about one's own creation and the form and shape of the self-luminous akshara in whose form he has been created in and the self-luminous... Continue Reading →
Dhyāna – Chapter – 17
Guru says, "Child, for a created being to even begin to show gratitude and practise acceptance for Self-Surrender, first he must contemplate and introspect on the Supreme Self. For a created being to know, realize, understand, perceive and experience the Supreme Self, the "body" or the manifest state of the self-luminous akshara is his greatest friend. ... Continue Reading →
Tyāga – Chapter – 16
Guru continues saying, "Son, why has renunciation of the fruits of action and inaction, words, thoughts and speech been given pride of place in a sadhana or anuṣṭhāna or practice? Why is it placed higher than jnāna and dhyāna? It is indeed difficult for a created being to even understand what renunciation entails as the... Continue Reading →
Karma phala tyāgaḿ – Chapter – 15
Shishya expresses, "O Venerable Guru! This indeed is beautiful and astonishing to hear. I am grateful and thankful to You for revealing the inner secrets of the Supreme Self. But, when both happiness and sorrow are inherent in each and every action and inaction, words, thoughts and speech and fruits of the actions and inactions in... Continue Reading →
Absorption in the Self – Chapter – 14
Shishya asks, "O Perfect Being! I surrender myself at Your Golden Lotus Feet and beg You to help me. Please tell me how am I to offer thanks to the Supreme Self." Guru replies, "Dear child, as Aksharam is the seed for the self-luminous akshara, and the self-luminous akshara is the seed for all creation... Continue Reading →
Self-Surrender – Chapter – 13
Guru says, "Son, the self-luminous akshara whose inherent nature is Aksharam is one's Guru, one's teacher or acharya, one's best friend or hiteshi, one's companion or sakha, one's Father, one's Mother, one's sibling and one's child. Supreme Self is one but forms are myriad. Why is being grateful and offering thanks imperative for one to become immersed and... Continue Reading →
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