RAJA ALANKARAM JUN 27 2015

DURGA & MANI

WHAT'S THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR A TRUE HUMAN?

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

Everyone should so lead life that no pain is caused to any living thing. That is their supreme duty. Also, it is the prime duty of everyone who has had the chance of this human birth, to spare a part of their energies occasionally to prayer, repetition of the Lord's name, meditation, etc. Everyone must equate living with truth, righteousness, peacefulness, and good works that are of service to others. One must be as afraid of doing acts that are harmful to others or deeds that are sinful as one is now afraid to touch fire or disturb a cobra. One must have as much attachment and steadfastness in carrying out good works, in making others happy, and in worshiping the Lord as one now has in accumulating gold and riches. This is the code of conduct (dharma) of all human beings.

DURGA & MANI

HOW SHOULD WE TREAT OUR PROPERTY AND THOSE RELATED TO US?

OMNIPRESENT SAYS:-

'Mine' and 'yours' — these attitudes are only for identification. They are not real; they are temporary. 'His'(All belongs to the Lord) — that is the truth, the eternal. It is like the headmaster of a school being in temporary charge of the furniture of the school. He has to hand over the items when he is transferred or retired. Treat all things with which you are endowed just as the headmaster treats the furniture. Be always aware that the final checking-up is imminent. Wait for that moment with joy. Be ready for that event. Have your accounts up to date and the balance already calculated to be handed over. Treat all things entrusted to you with care and diligence.

DURGA & MANI

WHAT TREATMENT SHOULD WE PRESCRIBE TO LIVE IN BLISS?

OMNIPRESENT LOVINGLY EXPLAINS:-

The doctor first diagnoses the disease and then prescribes the course of treatment. So too, you must submit yourself to the diagnosis of your illness, viz. misery, travail, and pain through Self-Enquiry. Investigate fearlessly and with care, and you will find that your nature is bliss(ananda)! You have falsely identified yourself with the temporary, the frivolous and the paltry, and that attachment brings sorrow. Realise that both joy and sorrow are passing phases, like clouds across the blue sky. Learn to treat prosperity and adversity with equanimity. Just as fish lives only when it is immersed in water, so too human being lives only when immersed in bliss. You must have bliss at home, in society, and in the world, but more than all, in your heart. Your heart is the spring of joy. That spring must be touched by constant recitation of Lord's Name and dwelling on His Glory. Never give way to doubt or despair.

DURGA & MANI

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR OWN RESPONSE TO CRITICISM?

OMNIPRESENT SAYS:-

It is not the nature of a spiritual aspirant to search for faults in others and hide their own. If your faults are pointed out to you by someone, don't argue and try to prove yourself right, and don't bear a grudge against them for it. Reason out within yourself how it is a fault and set right your own behaviour. Rationalising it for your own satisfaction or wreaking vengeance on the person who pointed it out —these are not the traits of a spiritual aspirant or devotee. Depression, doubt, conceit —these will harm one's practices and are akin to Rahu and Kethu (planets which bring ill-luck). When your devotion is well established, these qualities will be easily discarded. Seek always the truthful and the joyful, and avoid all thoughts which are untrue, sad and depressing. Always be cheerful, smiling, and enthusiastic under all circumstances. This pure attitude is most desirable. Never get inflated when praised or deflated when blamed - be a spiritual lion!

DURGA & MANI

WE FEEL WE R ILL TREATED BY OTHERS. WHY?

OMNIPRESENT SAYS:-

Everyone is liable to make mistakes without being aware of it. However bright a fire may be, there will be smoke emanating from it. So also, whatever good a person might do, there will be a minute trace of evil. Make every effort to ensure that the bad or evil is minimised, and good is maximised. You may not succeed in the first attempt. Carefully think over the consequences of whatever you do or talk. In whatever way you want others to honour you, love you, or behave with you, in the same way you should first behave with others, and love and honour them. Then they will reciprocate. Instead, without you honouring or loving others, if you complain that they are not treating you properly, it is surely a wrong conclusion. Those who advise others about true and good conduct must follow the advice themselves. Then there is no need for advice, others would simply learn the lesson by example.

DURGA & MANI

AHAM BRAHMASMI

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

You may ask: "How am I to declare, Aham Brahmasmi (I am Divine)?" Yes, you can do so. But, first understand the Aham, the 'I', the Divine Principle. Scriptures declare - Ekam Eva adhvitheyam Brahma - The Absolute is One without a second. Though people worship the Absolute with different names and forms, the Supreme Reality is only one. Just as the same person is called in different names by different people at different times, God has many names and forms - all these are creations of the human mind. Scriptures emphatically declare that the Lord is the nameless and attributeless Eternal Reality. Understand properly the true and Divine nature of the Aham ('I'). The 'I' is the master of your body, senses and the intellect, and is the power that permeates the entire cosmos.

DURGA & MANI

PUSHPA ALANKARAM JUN 24 2015

DURGA & MANI

VENNAI ALANKARAM JUN 20 2015

DURGA & MANI

WHAT WILL SET US FREE?

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

In our country, there is a peculiar method of trapping monkeys. This process consists of bringing a big pot with a small mouth and putting some material which is attractive to the monkey inside that pot. A monkey, out of curiosity would put its hand inside the pot and get a handful of that material. It will be trapped, unable to pull its hand out! The monkey imagines that someone inside the pot is holding its hand. Then it will attempt to run away along with the pot! No one is holding the monkey. The monkey trapped itself, due to its own attachment. The moment it lets the material go, it will be free. Similarly in this big pot of the world with narrow mouth of temporal pleasures, people are tempted! When they are lost with involvement in those pleasures, they think that someone or something is binding them down. No one is responsible for this bondage. The moment you give up the pleasures and detach yourself, you will be free! 

DURGA & MANI

ARE THE PRACTICES SUCH AS BHAJANS AND MEDITATION SUFFICIENT TO GIVE US SPIRITUAL BLISS?

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

If a person is ill or if his mind is immersed in something else, the taste of food cannot be grasped. So also, if the heart is full of ignorance (tamas) or is wayward, no joy can be experienced even if one is engaged in remembrance of the Lord, devotional singing, recitation of the name, or meditation. The tongue will be sweet as long as there is sugar on it. Likewise, if the pillar of light called devotion continues to burn in the corridor of the heart, there will be no darkness. A bitter thing on the tongue makes the whole tongue bitter. Similarly when greed and anger enter the heart, the brightness disappears, darkness dominates the scene, and one becomes the target of countless griefs and losses. Therefore, those who aspire to attain the holy presence of the Lord must acquire certain habits, disciplines, and qualities. The usual ways of life won't lead to God. They have to be somewhat modified by means of spiritual discipline.

DURGA & MANI

VENNAI ALANKARAM JUN 13 2015

DURGA & MANI

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO INCREASE OUR VALUE

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

God is All-pervading (Sarvavyapi). He loves His devotees (Bhakta-Vatsala). Make your heart the Seat of the Lord. Soil which has veins of mica is valuable, but that which has veins of gold is even more precious. The soil is valued according to the preciousness of the metal in its fold. So too, hearts are evaluated by its contents. Keep God in your hearts; then they will become precious possessions. If God is implanted in the heart, you will see only God everywhere. For, Sarvam Brahmamayam (All is Divine) is a fact. Resolve this day to engage only in virtuous deeds, good thoughts and good company. Let your mind dwell on elevating thoughts. Do not waste a single moment of your waking time in vain boasting or idle gossip or demeaning recreations. While life persists, do good things, speak softly and sweetly, never injure or insult another, serve those in need and keep the image of God ever before the mind's eye.

DURGA & MANI

WHY SHOULD WE REMAIN HUMBLE AND TRUST THE LORD'S WISDOM

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

 Egoism is the most dangerous illusion that has to be exploded and destroyed. Even Arjuna had it! One day, after the battle when Krishna brought the chariot back to camp, he wanted that like all charioteers, Krishna should get down first! The Master must get down later, after the charioteer opened the door for him, isn't it? Krishna refused, and insisted that Arjuna should alight before He Himself did. At last, Krishna won. Arjuna got down and then as soon as Krishna left His seat and touched the ground, the chariot went up in flames! If only Krishna had got down first! The fact was that the various fiery arrows that had the power of burning the chariot had hit the target, but due to the presence of Krishna, their powers could not manifest themselves. Seeing this Arjuna was humbled; his egoism received a rude shock. He realised that every action of the Lord was full of significance.

WHO IS DEAR TO THE LORD?

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

Those devoted to the Lord are full of love; they always stand by righteousness (dharma); they speak the truth; their hearts melt with mercy; they are devoid of wrong; they avoid sin; their nature is well-founded; they will renounce everything gladly; they eat in moderation; they are engaged in doing good to others; they have no selfishness; they aren't worried by doubts. They won't lend their ears to flattery but are eager to listen to the praise of the good nature of others. They have beautiful, strong, and holy character. True spiritual aspirants will endeavor to acquire the above qualities and possess a good character. Anyone who is engaged in repetition of the name (japa), penance (tapas), and sacred vows (vrata), anyone who has self-control (samyama) and discipline (niyama), anyone who has faith, patience, comradeship, kindness, and joy as well as unalloyed love (prema) towards the Lord — such a person is very dear to Me.

DURGA & MANI

RAJA ALANKARAM JUN 06 2015

DURGA & MANI

WHEN SHOULD WE BEGIN THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICES?

What is the use in planning a well when the house is on fire? Where is the time to dig now? When will water become available? When is the fire to be extinguished? It is an impossible task! If, at the very start, a well was ready, how helpful it would be on such critical occasions! Beginning to contemplate on God during the last moments is like beginning to dig the well when the house is on fire. Therefore equip yourself right now, by contemplating on God off and on, so that it will stand you in good stead when the end approaches. Start today the spiritual discipline that has to be donetomorrow! Start now what has to be done today! One doesn't know what is in store the next moment; therefore there should be no delay in engaging in spiritual practices. For this physical stamina is also necessary, so the body has to be tended to, though over-tending causes damage. To the degree that is essential, the body should be looked after with great care.

DURGA & MANI

WHY SHOULD WE NOT POSTPONE OUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICES EVEN FOR ONE DAY?

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

DUThese days, people are content to visualise and experience evanescent worldly joys. People have no rest. Spending the nights in sleep and days in eating and drinking, they grow and grow, until, in old age, death pursues them. Then, they can't decide where to go or what to do; all senses have weakened. No one and nothing can rescue them, so they end as obedient meat in the jaws of death! How sad it is that this human life, precious as an invaluable diamond that can't be priced at all, has been cheapened to the standard of a worn-out worthless coin! There is no use repenting later without meditating on God or practising some spiritual discipline to realise Him now. It is the right of the aspirant (sadhaka) to have the vision of God and not the sight of death (Yama-darshan)!

RAJA ALANKARAM MAY 31 2015

DURGA & MANI

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SACRED GAYATRI MANTRA

OMNIPOTENT SAYS:-

The Gayatri mantra is the royal road to Divinity. There is no fixed time or regulation for reciting it. Nevertheless, the young celibates (Brahmacharis)would do well to recite it during the morning and evening Sandhya (twilight hours) to derive the greatest benefit. However because the Divine is beyond time and space, anytime and anyplace is appropriate for repeating God's name. The Bhagavata declares:"Sarvadaa, sarvatra, sarva kaleshu Hari chintanam - Contemplate on God always, at all places and at all times." You must learn to think of God in whatever you see, whatever you do and whatever you touch. You must realise that you are playing temporary roles on the cosmic stage. You must get back to your true Divine Selves when the play is over. By regularly reciting the Gayatri, you must purify your lives and be an example to the world in righteous living.

DURGA & MANI

VENNAI ALANKARAM MAY 23 2015

DURGA & MANI

VENNAI ALANKARAM MAY 16 2015

DURGA & MANI

RAJA ALANKARAM MAY 10 2015

DURGA & MANI

VENNAI ALANKARAM MAY 03 2015

DURGA & MANI