Inspiring Talks of gurudev Sivananda
24 TH April, 1948
VAIRAGYA
‘Constant reflection on the great utterances of the Great,
Sarva Dukham Vivekinah
and developing Mithya-drishti or Dosha Drishti in relation to the objects of the world through discriminative thinking—these will help you to develop true Vairagya,’ said Siva when Sri Jayadayal Goenka of the Gita Press, Gorakhpur, sought Siva’s Darshan today.
As soon as Sri Jayadayalji came in, Siva noticed a wound on his foot, immediately got the necessary dressing from the dispensary and applied the bandage.
There they were—Sri Jayadayalji and his party in Siva’s Kutir on the lap of the Ganga—listening to Siva’s words of wisdom on Bhakti, Yoga, Jnana and Vairagya.
A member of Sri Jayadayalji’s party gave expression to his admiration of Siva’s work and added that the excellently got-up Diamond Jubilee Commemoration Volume had enabled Siva’s message to spread far and wide. This led to a discussion of Guru-worship, and Siva said:
‘Some say that we should not worship a living saint. But, the wise say that whereas no one need be fanatical in his desire to celebrate the Jayanthi of any saint, he need not go to the other extreme, either. Those who like to celebrate, let them. It ill-behooves a Sannyasin or saint who has gone above likes and dislikes to abhor the idea of such celebration. Vairagya-Abhimana is as dangerous as Abhimana for worldly possessions.
‘Worship of saints has been taken more or less as a necessary Sadhana in the life of an aspirant in India. Even the Upanishads declare that a Sadhaka should have the same devotion to his Guru as he has to God. The idea is that by constantly thinking of his Guru, the Sadhaka is kept on the right path away from evil, and moulds himself on the pattern of his teacher.
‘Thus even a third-class teacher is fit to be worshipped by the fifth-class aspirant! The latter is sure to be benefited.
‘When a Sadhaka superimposes on his personal Guru the characteristics of the Impersonal Absolute—as in the case of idol-worship—the Sadhaka’s devotion reaches the Supreme! God, the Indweller knows the Sadhaka’s devotion and guides him along the proper path.
‘Even wise men sometimes lack this broader outlook and argue that the human figure of a saint should not be adored with devotion due to God! As with God, so with Guru—the way to the Impersonal likes through the personal.’
25 th APRIL, 1948
MONSIEUR BOGROFF OVERPOWERED BY LOVE
‘A Guru is necessary. But you must first prepare the ground for the reception of the seed of knowledge from the Guru. He cannot do this for you. Simple living, simple food, simple clothing, aversion to sensual pleasures, speaking the truth, developing a heart of love, continence, endurance, self-control, all these you will have to develop.’
‘You should have a keen longing to meet a Guru and be initiated by him. Then God Himself will provide a Guru for you. God books written by realised Yogis who have trodden the path will greatly help you. Mere talking will not do. You must practise!’ thundered Siva, as Mon. Bogroff listened spell-bound.
Mon. Bogroff, a Russian businessman in France, was on a flying visit to Ananda Kutir, prompted to see Siva, by one of Siva’s admirers in Delhi, —Sri B.L. Nehru. He came in to say ‘How do you do?’ but stayed most part of the day under the spell of Siva’s love.
Bogroff admitted that Indian Yoga largely meant to the French either black magic or tall talk! And, he felt that Siva’s message of practical synthetic Yoga for Self-realisation was badly needed by the West.
Bogroff told Siva that he was interested in Raja Yoga and requested Siva to select a place for him where he could practise. Siva said: ‘Any cool place will suit you. You can go to Uttara Brindawan to Sri Krishna Prem (Mr. Nixon),’ and then briefly described the glory of Sri Krishna Prem and gave his address also. And, quietly Siva autographed a copy of ‘Sayings’ and handed it to Bogroff. The latter took leave of Siva with perceptibly great reluctance; took a number of snaps of Siva; took a number of Siva’s books; and took, most of all, Siva’s potent blessings.
IT IS OUR OWN HOME
‘Do not feel shy. Be quiet at home in this Ashram. It is our own home.’ Thus instructed, Sri Rao Saheb A.V. Raman of the Government of India when his young daughter was pondering over the acceptance of the proffered cup of coffee. He had lost his heart to Siva even on his first visit to the Ashram last year on his way to Badrinath.
I AM THOU
With Sri Raman, Siva was long conversing on Delhi affairs rejoining here and there with his own practical philosophy.
A youth who had accompanied Sri Raman found Siva lending an ear to his eloquence on the general principles of office organisation and organisation of squadrons and air force ranks. In this youth’s opinion, the huge organisation of the Divine Life Society deserved to be a directorate with Siva as two-thousand rupee Director! A hearty laugh of encouragement from the Director of the Universe whose salary is the wealth of the world!
Sri Annapurna’s mouth was watering as Siva the ‘mountain recluse’ was recalling to her some of the delicacies served in costly urban hotels. To her discomfiture, Siva knew more of the culinary art than she herself knew!
Srimathi Liliane sits there entranced as the dexterous fingers of Siva play the keys of her piano. ‘This simple looking Sannyasin long secluded from urban life, knows this, too.’
Siva’s divine eye pierces into the very soul of every one, and he at once finds out the other man’s interest. Conquest of hearts is then child’s play.
28 th APRIL, 1948
TO FOLLOW AND TO ADORE
What a flower of devotion—this Sri C. Alavandariah! Guru Siva is verily God unto him. He has known Siva from the latter’s Swarg Ashram days.
Sri Alavandariah and I went to Siva’s Kutir at about 8 a.m. and sat outside the Kutir, meditating on the lotus feet of Siva. What bliss, what peace pervades the entire atmosphere! No wonder: we were even physically so near the omnipotent dynamo. Time sped.
Siva came out of the Kutir punctually at 8 a.m. as previously arranged. Sri Alavandariah had with him four pieces of white silk, and a Gerua-Tiruman paste. (Tiruman is a kind of plaster of Paris used by Vaishnavites to put on their caste-mark. Gerua is the ochre powder.)
Siva then seated himself on a chair outside his Kutir. A small wooden plank was placed just near his feet. Over this were spread one small four-folded blanket and a small piece of cloth—to serve as padding.
With indescribable, but visible, joy Sri Alavandariah smeared the gerua paste on the soles of Siva’s lotus-feet, as Siva sat diving deep within and bringing up his real Swarupa.
Then, Siva placed his feet squarely on the silk cloth spread over the padding and stood up, uttering ‘Sivoham: Satchidananda Swaroopoham’. He then reclined in his chair again as we were busy removing the silk cloth with the precious, divine impression of Siva’s lotus feet (indeed so even by their appearance on the cloth) and applying the gerua paste again, for the next impression.
When the four prints had been taken, Siva enquired in his own child-like simplicity: ‘What will you do with these?’ Even a trace of Gurudom was absent: and I felt that he had lost all identity with the foot-prints which he deemed to be ‘Sivananda’s’.
Alavandariah explained: ‘Swamiji, Vaishnavites revere this greatly. They take the foot-prints of their Acharyas and worship them as the very Lotus Feet of the Acharyas themselves. Then the devotees place these foot-prints on their head and do their Japa or Dhyana. They derive wonderful benefits by this practice. They get concentration of mind more easily; their thoughts are noble, pure and sublime.’
‘Especially, Swamiji, when the foot-prints are those of a living sage like yourself, the effect is bound to be miraculous. Even when I touch these foot-prints I am transported to realms of peace and joy. The moment we press these foot-prints to our eyes or place them on our head, or worship them, we are bound to feel your divine spirit working within us, and the yearning will be awakened in us to follow thy footsteps. Only, I need your blessings.’
SIVA WORKS THROUGH MANY
Srimathi …., a Punjabi lady who had migrated into India on account of disturbances in Pakistan, recollected the work she had been able to do in Pakistan before the riots, under the auspices of the Divine Life Society. All this she had to discontinue. All the materials had to be left behind in Pakistan. Siva at once said: ‘Start your work afresh in Dehra Dun.’ She replied: ‘Yes, Swamiji, I must do some work. Your spirit, a spark of which works in me, does not allow me to remain idle even for a day. I want to do some work at Dehra Dun also. But, before the start is made, I want your blessings.’ When she got this, she took the dust of Siva’s feet with reverence and left with the great joy of satisfaction at heart.
