Five qualities needed to reach God

Five "adjustments" are needed in our personality to reach God. They are in the nature of preparatory exercises which should be attempted by each one of us. These are: freedom from pride and infatuation, conquering the vice of attachment, dwelling constantly in God, complete disappearance of desires and remaining unaffected by the pairs of opposites such as pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, love and hatred and name and fame. Those who possess these traits will attain the Supreme Being and the unchangeable state of Bliss. These requirements were enunciated by God Himself to Arjuna. in the Bhagavad Gita.

Having described the real form of the world-tree, Lord Krishna in His message said that this deep rooted one should be felled by the sharp sword of non-attachment. This formidable Weapon of detachment or dispassion should enable an aspirant to avoid developing attachment towards children, to wealth and to the world. Such a person should also be strengthened by a resolute bent of mind towards the Supreme Self and sharpened again and again on the whetstone of the practice of true discrimination. Then he should seek for and know the abode of God. The one who has reached this goal will never return to the world. He seeks refuge in the primeval person, from whom has emanated this beginningless flow of creation. The one who desires for the cessation of this worldly thirst for enjoyment should surrender himself to that Lord and worship Him with pure devotion.

Swami Chinmayananda said in his discourse that in his bound state, a man wrongly identifies himself with his perverted ego and tries to lord over the phenomenal world. The evil that makes men tethered to worldly activities is attachment. Such a person will lavish his affection, on his children but to a distant relative, he would not show the same warmth of love. Dwelling constantly in God can be experienced by reading scriptural lore, at least a few verses daily Those who reach the goal should avoid desires because the same will arise one after another and are hence endless Joy or sorrow should not toss such a persons up and down Desires having fled from him without leaving any taint behind, the undeluded should reach the goal. the Lord's abode.
November 6, 1992

Gita Prescribes charter of duties

The duties assigned in the scriptures should be carried out by men and women. Where the Law of Righteousness (Dharma) requires to be strictly enforced, the question of transfer of responsibilities to each other either by men or women, will not arise The procedure of proxy cannot be applied or adopted in this field The Lord bas declared that His devotee, who stick to the duties enjoined upon them, will never be let down. True devotee, need not be concerned about problems because those who have taken refuge in Him are assured of His protection. A guarantee to this effect has been given by Him in the Gita.

If a vow taken by a devotee is found to be in conflict with that of His own, God will see to it that the words of His disciples carry weight. But devotion should not mean an act confined to a few hours a day, expressed in profuse emotional exuberance. Nor is it marked by an extravagant display of the method of worship. The devotion as contained in the Gita is backed by moral considerations. Freed from passion, anger and fear, absorbed in God, taking refuge in Him, purified by spiritual knowledge, they seek His grace.

Sri Vishwesha Thirtha Swami (Pejawar Math) in a discourse gave instances of God giving up His own vow in favour of the one taken by His devotees, indicating His desire to give importance to it. In the Kurukshetra war, the Lord had clearly spelt out His decision not to resort to arms, Bhishma, on the other hand, felt sure that circumstances would compel Him to use arms. The latter won because at one stage, when Bhishma's ferocity reached its climax. Sri Krishna could not remain a spectator seeing His other devotees perish. He rushed towards Bhishma wielding the sacred wheel.

In the Ramayana, Rama was steadfast in His resolve to obey His father's command and spend 14 years in the forest. Bharata was equally determined to see that Rama returned to Ayodhya giving up His vow. He argued that if he should now be considered the King, then he had the power to transfer the reins of administration to anyone and Rama was its legitimate ruler. Rama fulfilled His obligations to the sages, punished the culprits and then assumed charge of the State. The Gita prescribes the charter of duties, the performance of which is imperative. Adherence to Virtue (Dharma) takes us near God who asks us to submit to Him.
                                                               November 25, 1992

Gita shows the way to get God's blessings

A devotee should remember that the forms of God are many but Truth is one. The names are innumerable but God is one. Religious differences are only cultural differences. Man turns intolerant when he forgets that God exists in all beings and that all paths lead to the realisation of that one reality. "Purify your heart first as hatred, pride and egoism divide one from another." Man should follow the commandment of peace that there is unity in diversity.

The Bhagavad Gita of 700 verses is a constant companion for every man as it embodies in itself an immediate solution to the pressing problems of man and carries a wonderful message of encouragement, hope, cheer and consolation, It is a direct appeal to divinise the entire nature of man. Gita gives him a positive promise of salvation, making him fearless.

Swami Vishnu Devananda in a lecture referred to his master Swami Sivananda's advice to god minded persons that they should bask in the sunshine of Divine love, anoint themselves with the oil of selfless service, wear the raiment of purity and piety, eat the bread in the name of the Lord, drink the nectar of meditation, perfume themselves with the scent of charity, dive into the Divine source and draw inexhaustible strength therefrom.

Men can derive God's blessings if they live conforming themselves to the commands in the Law of Righteous conduct, do only praise worthy deeds, abstain from intoxicating drinks, abhor committing sins, lead a contented life, behave humble, keep the heart pure, always associate themselves with the wise, develop dispassion, and discrimination and sing God's praise. The doors of immortality are kept open for those endowed with fortitude, forbearance and discipline. Explaining how Swami Sivananda transformed people by preaching that God is Love, Swami Vishnu Devananda said Divine life enables man to be in tune with God as it represents the synthesis of the fundamental principles of harmony of all religions. Aspirants should beware of cravings, which cause pain, sorrow, unhappiness and re-births, strengthening the ego in men. Though man was born to reach the goal of self-realisation, he is led astray by worldly temptations.
                                                                    March 30, 1993

Gita is God's recipe to remove grief

Life should have a purpose and meaning, God Himself has said. Man can live in peace and without problems if he keeps his mind pure. But invariably the mind has wicked propensities which do not allow him to experience happiness. The message for humanity to do its duty and remain free from grief has been given by Sri Krishna in His sermon to Arjuna. God's utterances in His dialogue with Arjuna, called the Bhagavad Gita, show the way to maintain the balance of mind. Arjuna was only a symbol and through him, the Lord provides us the answer to all our ills.

From time immemorial, Hinduism has been and will be guiding mankind. Its teachings have been interpreted by many. Likewise, the Divine declarations in the Bhagavad Gita have been analysed and commented upon by so many from different angles. There is still scope for new interpretations, revealing how this great Hymn is a source of inspiration for all.

Adi Sankara has referred to the essence of the 18 chapters in just one verse "For those who deserve no grief, you have shown your poignant feelings For the living and for the dead, the wise will not grieve" After explaining what Arjuna should do, the Lord concludes, "Abandoning all righteous deeds, seek me as your sole refuge. I will liberate yon from all sins Do not grieve "Listening to God's exposition, Arjuna replied that his delusion had been destroyed "I will do as you command.

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, Kanchi Sankaracharya, in a lecture said that from the sentiments expressed in the Gita, it could be seen how destiny played its role in man's activities. Grief would certainly be experienced but man can remain unaffected by it. Gita is God's recipe to wipe out man's tears. The Lord's dissertation outlines how one should conduct oneself. If the message is applied, there will be no scope for doubts in men.

God resides in our minds which should be kept pure. But bad thoughts are bound to creep in. They can be removed by upholding righteousness. This human document enables men in their journey through life by outlining his charter of duties.
                                                                    October 4, 1993