Priyavrata And Jada Bharata

24 May 1995, Summer Course 1995, Brindavan

Published English.

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Sukharthi Tyajate Vidya. Vidyarthi Tyajate Sukham. Sukharthinah Kuto Vidya. Kutah Kuto Vidyarthinah Sukham.

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The human body is given for a purpose, not for the enjoyment of worldly joys. Craving for worldly joys is an animal quality. was a man who understood these truths. Every human life has a purpose, a meaning. Recognize the purpose of your life and achieve it. A life without a goal is an animal’s life, a foolish life.

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Prince felt strongly, "Having taken a human birth, it is improper of me to desire physical comforts." was the second son of . Yesterday you understood the nature of , the son of . Today, grasp the character of , the younger brother of .

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Physical pleasures are like dreams. They are ephemeral and unreal. All dream experiences are non-existent in the waking state. Similarly, all the joys of this world cannot confer happiness on the . Recognizing this, sacrificed all comforts, left his kingdom and departed for the forest. At what age? At the age of nineteen years. Today, no one of that age even attempts to sacrifice worldly comforts. They believe that youth is the time to indulge in physical pleasures to the full extent.

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Not so with . He entered the forest to sanctify his time in Divine contemplation, to dedicate his life to the search for God. He ceaselessly meditated on God, picturing the Lord’s form in his mind to the exclusion of all other thoughts.

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Students of ancient India Worldly people are bound in the ideas of 'I' and "Mine." Thus, they invite sorrow and waste their valuable lifetimes. Man is trapped because he does not recognize the correct approach to deal with the feelings of 'I' and 'Mine' . He considers 'I' to be the body and 'Mine' to be his physical possessions. This misinterpretation leads him astray. 'I' is the . 'Mine' refers to the body. The correct attitude is: "I () must use my possession (body) for knowing myself. I should dedicate actions to myself () and not to my possession (body).' ' Mine" refers to while 'I' is the . The is only a tool to know the . realized that the body was given to know the Indweller, not to enjoy the world. This is the difference between the students of today and students of ancient India.

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Today, students set their aspirations on the physical world. They believe worldly joys to be true and lasting. They dedicate their time, body and actions to the pursuit of temporary happiness. But ancient students trusted that the alone is permanent. They understood that the body was given to realize the and exerted their utmost to experience inner bliss after renouncing external joys. For many years, ate only roots and tubers, drank only water and underwent great austerities to secure knowledge of the . He sat alone in caves and purified his mind. Purity of the mind is most important for the vision of the .

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What causes impurity of the mind? Attachment to worldly objects through the senses. We should not allow the senses to follow objects and pleasures. These ephemeral objects attract man in a variety of ways. Falling prey to attraction, man is cheated of Bliss. Objects are alluring, no doubt, but they bind and trap. The seriousness of the bondage is not apparent initially. realized the supreme importance of sense control. The same idea was taught by when he said, - sense control is the greatest . - is also skill in action, which sense control bestows.

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teaches determined to achieve nothing less than perfection in . He didn’t go home for many years. went in search of him, pleaded and even ordered him to return, but without success. "I have no interest in the kingdom. I don’t even know myself. How can I understand the people and give them satisfaction? I’m sorry. This task of administration is beyond me," told flatly. With no alternative, continued to rule the world.

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One day saw Emperor in the throes of depression and inquired, "O Emperor! There is no dearth of anything in your kingdom. Why this dejection?" It was usual for to probe into others’ affairs to ensure their welfare!

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said, "My son does not agree with me. I want him to rule this kingdom. Please help me convince him." What other work does have, anyway? He went to ’s cave and taught him at length: "O foolish boy! God has given us a body for a task. You can experience Divinity by using the body in worldly duties while keeping the mind focused on the Lord." asked, "How is that possible?"

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explained, "Your prime duty is to obey God’s command. God bestowed this body on you for certain duties. Will God give you a body for no reason? Each individual body has its responsibility. Each responsibility has a goal. You are a prince. Your lies in administering your kingdom. Return home, initiate projects for public welfare and make your subjects happy. Redeem your life in this manner.

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could not disobey or the Lord. He took ’s teaching to heart and returned to the kingdom. established both his sons as kings and retired to the forest of . In deference to and , ruled the kingdom for a few years. But he could not continue for long. He felt joyous only in solitude. He recognized that true spiritual practice is difficult, if not impossible, in the midst of people, objects and worldly activities.

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realized that each person has come to this world for himself, not for anyone else. There is no lasting bond between people. A traveler reaches an inn. He meets other travelers there. The next day, each one departs to their own destination. Scores of birds collect on a tree at sunset. At dawn, they fly away in their individual directions. Devotees should not lose focus of why they are here and where they are headed. Your journey is eternal - cultivate eternal qualities, not attachment. Today we behave like animals by giving too much importance to the body. We should progress from animal to human, then from human to Divine. For these reasons, longed for solitude and left his kingdom eventually.

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succeeded as King. was also a seeker of the . But he did not consider it necessary to renounce the kingdom to perform spiritual effort. He spent his days ruling efficiently, purifying his mind and performing spiritual inquiry. He maintained a harmonious balance between worldly and spiritual duties. ’s son was the famed .

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The story of was truthful and honest. He took excellent care of his subjects. He performed actions only after thinking of God. He never did even the smallest action, like drinking water, without offering it to God. At all times, in all situations, never forgot God. It is said that (India) is named after him. After many years as monarch, handed over the kingdom to his son and went to where he built a hermitage for himself. Having severed all worldly attachments, he passed his days meditating on the Lord.

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One day, was sitting on the banks of the and watching the waves of the river. He reflected about the ups and downs of the waves being like the joys and sorrows in life. To him, the waves had consciousness. He felt that everything in Creation had awareness and was a form of God. While he contemplated in this manner, he heard a loud roar - the roar of a lion. Meanwhile, a doe had come there to drink water. She also heard the roar, panicked and jumped into the river. She was in the final stages of pregnancy. The fear and physical stress of the situation caused her baby deer to be delivered immediately. The doe was swept away in the river’s current but was able to reach out and save the baby deer.

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cleaned the deer, took it back to his hermitage and began tending it with parental affection. Now all his time was occupied in attending to this deer. If the deer wasn’t in his sight, it was in his mind. Feeding it milk, collecting grass for it, cleaning it - He wasted all his time in such activities. ’s attachment for the deer kept increasing and consequently, thoughts of God decreased. He thought of the deer constantly. A few years passed in this manner. When ’s death came unexpectedly, he took his last breath while thinking fondly of the deer and calling it by name.

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Practice remembrance of God What is the inner meaning of this story? left his body at a time when he was incapable of entertaining elevating thoughts. His final thought was about the deer and so, he was born as a deer in his next life. But he was able to remember his past life and the needless attachment. "My mind, which delighted in thoughts of God, fell prey to attachment for an animal. How foolish! What a pitiable life I am leading now," he regretted. Such are the disastrous consequences of uncontrolled attachment.

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That is why when go on pilgrimage to , we find dying people repeating the name of God continuously. No one can tell if the Divine Name will come to one’s lips at the final moment. So, these bedridden people have someone whispering into their ears, the :

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The repetition of the name '' once is equal to repeating the entire (thousand names of ).

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Whatever thought you entertain last, you will achieve that form in your next birth. The contemplation () done during your lifetime becomes your sole ornament () after death. If you remember the Lord’s name throughout your life, it will be easy to recall it in your last moments.

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Some people do not agree. They say, "If we must practice in youth, when are we to enjoy the world? When I have nothing to do after retirement, I will begin ." This is foolishness. Suppose a man joins the army. If he is given a gun on his first day and asked to go to battle, he will be confused! He must undergo rigorous training in a variety of martial skills. With diligent practice over many years, he will become a good soldier. For this reason, talked about the importance of practice in the .

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Practice () is very essential. Even mundane activities like walking, talking, speaking, reading, writing are based on practice. We must prepare for death also by constantly remembering the Lord’s Name and Form. Only then is it possible to recollect Him in our final moments. Therefore, practice, practice, practice, from a tender age. This is the main significance of the story of .

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Rebirth as '' After his life as a deer, was born as a . Recalling his past mistake, he resolved not to cultivate attachment to anyone. He decided that this would be his repentance, although his mistake was done unknowingly. So he behaved like a vegetable. If anyone called him, he did not respond. Whatever anyone said to him, he didn’t pay attention. People thought he was deaf and dumb, but was unmoved.

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In the forest lived a gang of robbers. The leader of the gang had no children. Someone advised him that if he sacrificed a human being to Goddess , he would obtain a son. So the leader commanded his henchmen to catch a healthy man for this purpose. The robbers spread out in the forest and began searching. was seated under a tree. The robbers found him and carried him to their leader. hadn’t had a bath for a long time. He was dirty. They took him to a river and forcibly bathed him. They applied sandalwood paste on his body and decorated him like a sacrificial offering. was not mindful of their actions or the reasons for those actions. The robbers took him to the temple of . They asked him to sit down and he complied. They lifted a sword to behead him.

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As the sword was about to strike, Goddess appeared. She came walking from the inner enclosure of the temple and slew the entire gang of thieves. Then the Mother Goddess blessed with words of advice: "I am very pleased with your devotion and perseverance. Continue in this manner, and establish yourself in the Self. Don’t worry what the world thinks of you. Be unaffected by praise and blame. Be fearless. Think of the Lord all the time." But did not even hear Her! He was engrossed in the , without interruption.

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Then Mother disappeared. walked out of the temple, still engrossed in the .

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On another occasion, , King of , was passing by in a palanquin. was seated under a tree. The palanquin-bearers found the palanquin very heavy and accosted to lend them a hand. They dragged him from his spot and placed the palanquin on his shoulders. quietly obeyed. But before taking every step, he would make sure he wasn’t stepping on any insect, since he perceived the in every being. - God is the Indweller in all beings. This truth was recognized by . The feeling of unity - that no being should be harmed - was steadfast in him. ’s caution caused the palanquin to be slow and jerky. The king got angry, "Hey, men! Why are you walking so strangely?" The bearers said, "O King! This new man is responsible," pointing to .

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The king turned to and abused him at length, calling him a 'walking corpse' . Then opened his mouth, "O King! Not only this body but all bodies are walking corpses. Yes, the body is walking, but it is only a (dead body). The One making all bodies walk, the only One alive, is . Bodies are inert. The inner consciousness is God." The king heard these words and commanded the palanquin to be lowered.

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was actually on his way to see Sage to learn about the . He stepped down in humility and said, " himself has appeared to me here." He sat with and clarified his understanding of the . taught him in a clear, lucid manner. was overwhelmed by ’s teachings and fell at his feet.

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- remnants of desires ’s wisdom spread all over India. His main teachings for eradication of worldly attachments were:

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You may chant the morning to night, know all the scripture, undertake various or perform - God will not be achieved by any of these activities. This was the truth taught by . These acts are only for mental satisfaction. How far is their reach, how permanent is their effect? This body composed of desires can never achieve God - recognized this truth.

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An example. A camphor box has the smell of camphor even after all the camphor is removed. The body is a container smelling of sensual pleasures. Even after desires are curbed, (remnants of desire) exist. As long as the slightest tinge of desire exists, will prevail. As long as exist, one cannot reach God. So, patiently maintain self-effort with determination till the final trace of desire is erased. This is - Teaching of the .

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Pray to God for God Man has not taken birth to cultivate and satisfy desires. A life based on desires is narrow. Human life is meant to be as sacred and infinite as our innate Divinity. Do not pray to God with desires. "Lord, if I pass this exam, I’ll break two coconuts for You." Is God short of coconuts? Will He satisfy your desires in fond anticipation of your coconuts? People go to and pray, "O ! Fulfill my desire and I will give you every hair on my head." What good is your hair to the Lord? You entertain rotten desires and hold your rotten hair as ransom! No, no. This is not true prayer. It is only begging, with selfishness as the motive.

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Therefore, do not pray to God with desires. You should be able to assert, "I pray to You for You! I do not want anything else." This truth was propagated by . With such sublime teachings, succeeded in destroying the false pride and excessive desire in many kings of his time.

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is inescapable Why was able to teach the kings of his time? Because he had experienced and overcome these obstacles himself. At one time, he used to delight in thoughts of God. Then he fell to the status of an animal. He toiled to regain his original state of detachment and devotion. Thus, preached - cannot be escaped at any time, in any place. Good for good, bad for bad, you are bound to reap what you sow.

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Karma data vasama, naruda, karma data vasama? Ghana pathambulu chadivina kanee, Kula devatalanu kolachina kanee, Karadavulake poyina kanee, Kathina tapassule chesina kanee, Karma data vasama, naruda, karma data vasama?

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Is it possible to evade , O man, is it possible? You may have studied all the scriptures, Pleased your family deities, Departed into forests, Performed austere penance, But, is it possible to evade , O man, is it possible?

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Chinna chelimilo munchina kanee, Enni samudramul ninchina kanee, Kadavento ra, Neerante ra, Kavalannanu ekkuva radu ra, Karma data vasama, narudua, karma data vasama?

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Whether you dip it in a small pond, Or in a mighty ocean, As is the container, so is the amount of water you collect. You cannot get more, even if you want. Is it possible to evade , O man, is it possible?

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Your experiences and your destiny are only as grand as the size of your heart. To gain more peace and bliss, expand your heart. Many millionaires have become paupers and paupers have become rich. These are consequences of God’s grace, not results of your desires. told the kings, "You do not get joy by desiring it. Joys and sorrows come by themselves, as they please. They may come alone or even together! So, increase the size of your heart."

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Uplift yourself by practice All your sadhana must be directed to achieving God alone. You must uplift yourself. No one else will do it for you. . Raise yourself by your own efforts. Consider a guidepost on the road. It points to in one direction, to in another direction and so on. Destinations are indicated, but walking is still required! And the one who should walk is yourself. In the same way, reading scriptures and undertaking different are of no avail till you contemplate on Divinity with a pure heart.

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Today men read sacred texts but without faith. A student requested his teacher, "! I’ve been reading the for twenty years. I know all verses by heart. But I haven’t acquired any good fruits from this effort. Please prescribe a by which I can get results." The teacher exclaimed, "Get out, you madman! You have been reading the - instructions of the Lord Himself. You have no faith in the Lord’s words, and you profess faith in some obscure ? If you followed the sincerely, why would you need a ? What good is a to one who has no faith in the Lord?" People today also do not follow teachings. As a result, their , , , pilgrimages ... all are a waste.

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When we put teachings into practice, the unity of thought, word and deed must be present. While reciting a , we must demonstrate its meaning in action. Only then can we win the fruit of the .

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One student learnt about the nature of Divinity. He heard his teacher often speaking of the , which means, "I am ." So he began reciting it all day. A passer-by was intrigued.

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He asked the boy, "Son, where did you learn this ?" The boy replied, "From a great teacher.' ' What does mean?' ' It means - I am .' ' Indeed, you are . So how is Goddess related to you?' ' How sinful, how sinful," the student exclaimed.

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If the boy considered himself , then would be his wife, wouldn’t she? However, with faith, the student would have realized that and all of Creation are as well! We must recognize that all powers reside within us. Merely reciting without experiencing their significance is a waste of time.

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Students, you have seen that the descendants of were seekers of . They attained and delighted in . Not just ’s family, but all characters of the were pure. Unfortunately, scholars misinterpret and disparage God. The great devotees of the considered their bodies as God’s property and the Indweller as Divine. They rightly recognized the body to be like a bulb and the inherent Divinity to be like the current.

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Balance worldly studies and Therefore, students should not pursue education with only worldly happiness in mind. Students constantly ask, "What job will this study equip me for? How much will I earn? What lifestyle could I sustain?" They are busy planning their future, but not bothering to understand the meaning of education. They expect to become highly-paid executives after securing MBA degrees. They think, "I will command a monthly salary of 5000, 10000, even 20000." But they have no motivation to apply their skills towards social welfare.

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It is wrong to think, "What can I get from society?" With proliferation of useless education, security is absent in . Why? Because educated people are like thieves, feeding off society for their costly lifestyles. It is only uneducated people who are trying to render service to society as per their capacity. With worldly studies, pursue as well.

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I do not ask that you earn high positions or wealth. Authority comes and goes. Become ideal men and women - this is what I desire for you. The characters in the are immortal for their glorious deeds. You heard the stories of nineteen-year-old and , a mere five-year-old boy! Their virtues are sung thousands of years after their times. Imagine, how sacred and pure they must have been, for their names to be taken with reverence in this !

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We also hear of Einstein and Newton - great scientists. They have come and gone. But where are their names? Einstein is mentioned in scientific discussions, no doubt. But when we talk of other subjects, like art, Einstein is nowhere. However, exalted beings like and shine constantly in the hearts of young and old, paupers and millionaires alike.

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I do not say that you should neglect or renounce your studies. No. But do not consider them as the main purpose of life. Education without contemplation on God is useless. Cultivate Divine Love like these great devotees and make your lives meaningful. In ancient India, even young boys had great renunciation. Not just boys, girls were exemplary also. So, boys and girls, follow the ideals of , fulfill your own lives and set ideal examples to society. Blessing you with this expectation, I conclude My discourse.