Inspiring Talks of Swami Sivananda
DECEMBER, 1948
1 st DECEMBER, 1948
TAPO BHUMI
Sri Lakshminarayama Sastrigal and his sister came into the office and bowed to Siva. After enquiring about their health, etc., and whether they had taken their morning coffee and tiffin, Siva said:
‘Take your bath in hot water. It is rather cold today and cloudy, too.’
Smilingly, Sri Lakshmi Ammal said: ‘Swamiji, should we take hot water bath on the very bank of the Ganga? But, the water of the Ganga is really very cold: otherwise, we would have taken our bath earlier in the morning as we usually do in the South.’
‘That is different. Uttara Khand is Tapo Bhumi. The Achara of the south does not apply to those who live here. The very life here is Tapas and soul-purifying. The very atmosphere bathes us continually in a spiritual Jnana Ganga.’ After a pause, Siva added half in humour: ‘Do you know? When Suka Deva was roaming about in the Himalayan forests, he did not even clean his teeth. He purchased a packet of tooth powder only when he reached Delhi.’
Side splitting laughter was the result of this humorous remark full of sublime import.
SANYASIN IS NOT HUMAN BEING?
In the evening, after the Kirtan, Siva took Srimathi Lakshmi Ammal round to the Library, to the stock-room of books, to the Yoga Museum, to the Yajnashala and the photographic dark room. Padmanabhanji was showing them the photo-printing process. When this inspection was over and we were about to leave the dark room, Siva said:
‘What has a Sanyasin go to do with photography? What use has he for photographs?’
We turned to Siva himself for an answer.
After a few moments, Siva added: ‘That way people will start asking: ‘What has a Sanyasin to do with food? With clothing? Is not a Sanyasin a human being? Everyone’s body and bodily needs are the same and all that the householder needs and does, the Sanyasin, too, needs and does. Only the attitude is entirely different.’
2 nd DECEMBER, 1948
WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
The Judge Saheb (Sri Yogi Gauri Prasadji of Swarg Ashram) has come, on a sort of official visit to advise the Society on certain legal matters. After he had finished the discussions, he was talking to us about certain legal peculiarities, concerning the copyright on books.
‘You see, I have got most of your books, Swamiji,’ commenced Judge Saheb and was drawn away from the main theme of his talk. ‘And, I am trying to build up a good library of your books. They are so valuable, you know, that I intend leaving them to my children by a special will. I know that the children will cherish them as the richest treasure left by me. Swamiji, you have explained in these books in a language that is unrivalled for its simple grandeur what others have taken great pains to attempt to present in their bombastic language. Even a layman or a college student can just pick up your books and solve all his problems. That is what no one else can do: and I think that it is only due to our own personal realisation of the Supreme Truth that this direct simplicity characterises your books.
‘Another peculiar thing I tell you. I refer to your books every now and then to confirm my own opinions. You see: after I discuss a problem with someone else and after offering my own opinion on it, I take up your works and find that opinion has your weighty authority behind it. These books are something like the Vedas and the Upanishads for me. As the Yogis and Siddhas of yore verified their experiences from the Sruti, I feel that when I find the same view is expressed by you also, I must be right.’
All the time Siva sat there without a trace of any sort of emotion, deep like the unfathomable ocean, as though to ask:
‘Who are you talking about?’
11 th DECEMBER, 1948
THE ANCIENT PROCESS
The morning university class was just over.
‘Atmaramji,’ called out Siva, ‘are you taking notes of these lectures?’
‘No, Swamiji.’
‘You see: that is a mistake. Gaining knowledge is not such an easy thing. Just imagine: how many wonderful points are given out by Chidananda Swamiji, Sivanarayanji and others. The Rishis have prescribed the three-fold process of Sravan Manan Nidhidhysasan for the gaining of knowledge. If you do Sravan for one minute, you should do Manan of the same topic for ten minutes: then Nidhidhyasan for one hundred minutes. Then these ideas will become your own. Merely nodding to these talks will be of no use. Further, when you develop the habit of recording the thoughts that are given out here, you will also begin to listen most attentively to the talks. Otherwise, the tendency will be to doze off during the lectures.’
‘Even today I am a student. I carefully listen to the lectures delivered here, then go to my room, think over the matter, and write my articles.’
Then turning to others, Siva said:
‘Atmaramji, too, will deliver lectures in the morning class. Did you see his wonderful performance the other day—the doctor’s parade? Full of humour: it produced side-splitting laughter. He has a brilliant intellect: and he is full of zeal and steady application to the work he undertakes.’
BE THOU LIKE ME
‘Everyone should be trained to lecture. Kesavji will talk hereafter on Vedant. Vishnuji will talk on Asans and Hatha Yoga. Everyone here has all the faculties hidden within. You should all try to bring out those talents and develop them. In this Ashram you have the fullest scope for that.’
CHARTER FOR PARIVRAJAKACHARY
‘Balan Swamiji, you should have a comprehensive understanding of all the Yogas. When you go out after Sivaratri on your first attempt at the life of a Parivrajaka, even though you may not do any positive propaganda, you cannot avoid people coming to you and asking you various questions. ‘Swamiji,’ someone will say, ‘Give me Upadesh on Bhakti.’ Another will need a little talking-to on Vedanta. Some other man will be fond of the Upanishads. You cannot avoid these personal talks. And, even these are as important as lectures on the platform. You will be in charge of all the sections of the university hereafter till you leave on the great pilgrimage. Just half an hour talks. Read some books: sit and think about the subject for ten minutes, jot down points and deliver lectures. It is very easy.’
‘Kesavji, Vishnuji, Dasarathji—all should be trained in lecturing. When you deliver a lecture, every word should be clearly audible. The tone should be clear, bold and effective. Everyone should hear every word. Then alone will it create an indelible impression on the hearers.’
‘You can get by heart some of the English songs in my book, ‘Inspiring Songs’ also. See how various ideas are combined in one song in the Hare Rama tune. Even if you do not deliver lectures, if you sing this one song, people will be thrilled. Study Gita, Upanishads, Bhagavata, Brahma Sutras, Ramayana and assimilate the ideas contained in them. You should become master of all these.’
THE RAZOR PATH
‘God-realisation is not such an easy job. These helps—Swadhyaya, Sravan, Manan etc.,—are only intended to show us the way. When you have a keen longing for liberation, you will learn from the scriptures and from the lectures delivered by Chidananda Swamiji and others here how you should proceed.’
‘All the time you should be vigilant and watchful. You should learn from everyone the lessons of divine life. Merely sitting in a corner and practising Yogic Kriyas will not help you. What power do you wish to acquire? What is it to you if you gain the power to create a new world or to arrest the course of the sun and the moon? Siddhis and Riddhis will only fatten your egoism, and you will be farther removed from God. Do not run after them.’
‘On the other hand, consider yourself a blade of grass. Develop humility, patience, perseverance, forbearance, love, truthfulness and purity.
‘I have never longed after Moksha. I have never aspired for God-realisation. I shall go on serving everyone. I shall go on purifying my heart through selfless service. I shall always try to see God in everyone. God Himself should take pity on me and give me Mukti. Otherwise, I shall take birth again and again and go on serving, till God Himself voluntarily offers me Mukthi.’
‘Look at Sri Sthanu Subramanyam. See how wonderfully he has trained his heart. He has come to stay here for a few days. But, with him he has brought a box of medicines. He runs here and there to serve the sick. Examine your heart: have you got this one quality? Does your heart melt at the suffering of others? He does his Japa and Nitya Anushthan regularly here. Have you got that tenacious adherence to the path?’
‘I want all of you to become dynamic Yogis. Here you will get the greatest scope for the fullest development. People who have had training here have opened new Ashrams and Societies. Just think what a wonderful thing it would have been if all those dynamic workers had remained here itself and worked to expand this institution! Yet, it is a good thing that they are all doing wonderful work in their own way.’
‘One who organises an institution should have perfect tolerance, understanding, adaptability, humility and dedication. Some of the Mahants will drive away a young recruit if they feel that the young recruit has more talents and will one day shine superior to the Mahants themselves. This is very bad. What do you care if a new-comer is greater than yourself? You should try to win his heart, make him also dedicate himself to the cause and thus try to utilise his services to this great cause. That is the real spirit of an organiser. If you have such dedication, even if this new-comer, out of malice, drives you away, you will take Bhiksha from the Kshetra and work for the cause. You should always work to make everyone equal: if not better than yourself. Never suppress another: never ignore another’s talents. I want everyone to come to the Ashram: a scavenger, an artist, a journalist, a songster, a poet, an orator. I shall give them the fullest scope to develop their talents on the right lines. I shall serve them and win their heart. I shall give them the longest rope. If they have mischief in their heart and if they want to do evil to the institution, God will protect the institution.’
‘I am not bothered about the institution. My nature is to work. My goal is to serve. This service has been in me from my very childhood. Even if this organisation collapses, I shall sit in a hut, serve some patients, print some leaflets and serve humanity.’
‘Study the Gita. Find out how many divine virtues that the Lord has enumerated there, you have developed. Purify the heart. Serve, serve and serve. Meditation will come by itself. Samadhi will come by itself. Do not hanker after powers, Siddhis and Riddhis. They are all hindrances in the spiritual path. See God in every face. This is the essence of the teachings of all the Vedas.’
12 th DECEMBER, 1948
THE MAHANT SIVA
Kesavji delivered his first discourse on Vedanta. Vishnuji analysed the importance of Hatha Yoga. Sivanarayanji was eloquent in his exposition of the Gita. All during the morning class.
At the end, Siva was visibly delighted at the performance of the budding lecturers. ‘Simply grand!’ was his only comment. They felt greatly encouraged and enthused.
He thus demonstrated what he had said earlier—that his greatest joy is when he sees that his disciples shine gloriously.
CHARITY IN DISGUISE
Sri R.P. Gandhi, a worker in Government employ, came into the office, bowed to Siva and narrated his tale of woe. He is a refugee from the Punjab. He had lost everything in the riots; and he had recently received an intimation from his bankers that his bank, too, had completely failed. His sisters were sick: and the whole family had, owing to the shock, poor health.
‘Swamiji, I have some good religious books. I wish to dispose of them as I am not able to make both ends meet with the salary I am getting. I wonder if you will purchase some of these books.’ He showed the list which totalled Rs. 68.12.
Siva scanned the list: but I found his eyes straying elsewhere. He was deeply immersed in thought.
He read out the names of the books. Most of them were either in the Ashram library or were unnecessary.
‘Does not matter,’ he said to me. ‘Select some good books out of this list for half the amount. Premanandaji, get Rs. 40. Rs. 30 we shall give him as the price of the books. And, Rs. 10 as my humble offering ….Yes, merely purchasing books is not charity. I should also give him some money as a donation.’
With the money came, Siva handed it to him with reverence and regard: ‘Patram Pushpam!’
It is not a gift or charity, but it is worship of the Lord, the flowers being the currency-notes.
Where it is a matter of help, Siva finds his joy. And, he adopts strange ways to carry out his heart’s desire to serve and to help.
An incident which occurred a few years ago comes to mind.
Siva was going to the Swarg Ashram with a party. On his way, he met a Sadhu who was fond of sweetmeats. Nearby was sitting a sweetmeat vendor, a very poor man, who subsists on these sales. Siva quickly perceived his chance. He took out some money, purchased the sweetmeats and gave them to the Sadhu: thus he had helped both of them in a strange way.
COAT OF ARMS
Devotees of the Lord are familiar with ‘Kavachas’ or Stotras invoking the Lord’s protection. Every Kavacha ends with a Phala-truti: ‘He who repeats this morning and evening will be free from diseases, etc.’
Siva has worn a wonderful Kavacha on him. The moment he sits on his chair in the office (and this I noticed only today), he quickly gazes at the various pictures of Gods and Goddesses hung on the wall around him—Vishnu, Venkatesa, Saraswati, Lord Krishna, Siva, etc. Try this once. You will at once be inspired with glowing spiritual thoughts, divine energy and potency. A great secret worth careful note by every Sadhaka. To Siva (as it is to most of us) the pictures hung on the walls are not mere decorations. But, they are realities to him who are there ever watching over him, inspiring him from within, guiding him and protecting him.
Now I understand why and how he pulled up an inmate for changing the place of the picture of Saraswati. Ordinarily we would never have noticed if such a changes takes place in our rooms or houses.
13 th DECEMBER, 1948
FUMES OF PROSPERITY
What a miracle!
Yesterday and today the Ashram witnessed a continuous series of Havans. Lord Viswanath was surrounded on all sides by sacred fires around which were seated pious souls offering oblations into the sacred fire with the repetition of Mantras.
Yesterday, on one side there was Gita Havan, for it was Gita Jayanthi, the day on which Bhagavad Gita was revealed to humanity. On another side was going on the grand Gayatri Havan with fifteen Brahmins sitting round the fire offering oblations to the repetition of the Gayatri Mantra.
The Gita Havan was performed by the Ashram, for the welfare of the whole world, and for the spiritual illumination of the entire humanity.
Gayatri Havan was arranged on behalf of a pious devotee.
Today there was a unique Havan in connection with the Ati Rudra Yajna. This Yajna in Kali Yoga is comparable to the Aswamedha Yaga in the previous Yugas. It entails enormous expense. It is only due to Siva’s divine presence and grace that the Ashram has been able to undertake to perform this Yajna. Otherwise, it is difficult even for Rajahs and Maharajahs.
14 th DECEMBER, 1948
GLORY OF MANUAL LABOUR
Siva’s eyes on his entrance into the office in the morning fell on the few banana peels lying in a corner.
‘Nowadays, no one sweeps the office in the morning. All enthusiasm has faded away, I think.’
‘Last Sunday, I swept Swamiji.’
‘Day before yesterday was my turn.’
Siva listened as a school-master listens to the lame excuses of children who had forgotten to do home-work.
‘If there is a genuine interest in keeping the office clean in you all, then even the thought of ‘my turn’ and ‘his turn’ would not arise.
‘Vji may be busy with letters. But, then at least the junior inmates ought to take this work upon themselves. I am not saying because the others are senior: but they may feel that they may be able to do more intellectual work in that period.
‘Manual work is very essential. It will keep your body healthy. It will provide you with a spirit of service. You will be able to develop humility, forbearance and other divine virtues. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. You should take delight in such Seva. There should be no compulsion from outside, nor should you do it just because some one else is asking you to.’
15th DECEMBER, 1948
NEVER CLAIMING ALLEGIANCE
The Avadhuta Swamiji is seriously ill. Sri Rajagopalji and Chidanandaji are in constant attendance: through their efforts and by the grace of Siva, the old Swamiji had actually been rescued from the jaws of death two days ago.
Siva was at Avadhuta Swamiji’s bedside, affectionately enquiring about his health.
Govindaswamiji who had a malarial attack, came to the spot.
‘How are you?’
‘Swamiji, he had high fever in the afternoon,’ explained Chidanandaji.
Siva noticed Govindaswamiji’s unshaven face. ‘I think a good shave is urgently necessary. It will relieve him of half the feverish appearance. I always believe that a neat and clean appearance goes a long way in the curing of a disease.’
‘Swamiji, I thought it would be nice to clip Avadhuta Swamiji’s beard also a bit, because now he is greatly inconvenienced while taking milk or coffee on account of the beard.’
‘No, no. We should take Sendamangalam Swamiji’s permission before doing so. (Sendamangalam Swayamprakasha Swamiji is the Avadhuta Swamijis Guru.) Without his Guru’s permission, you cannot cut his hair.’
This, in spite of the fact that the old Swami had made Ananda Kutir his abode, and had Guru-like veneration towards Siva. Siva would help, lodge, feed and maintain a Sadhu, but not claim his allegiance.
17 th DECEMBER, 1948
THE END OF EVIL
Certain principles of Divine Life Society’s organisation were being discussed.
‘My idea is service,’ said Siva. ‘I will, therefore, keep the doors of the Ashram open even to a rogue. I will take him in and try to mould his character on right lines. Through him I will serve humanity. In this service his heart also will get purified.
‘I do not want to lose one worker. For, you see: this Ashram and Society started like a small mustard seed, and by God’s grace it has grown into a big institution now with branches all over the world. Thousands of aspirants are writing that they are benefited by our service.’
Sri R.V. Sastriji interrupted: ‘Yes, Swamiji. That is perfectly true. Sri Satchidananda Swamiji wrote to the All-India Congress Committee for a pass to join the Congress Session. The letter reached Sri Rajendra Prasad for sanction. Sri Rajen Babu noticed the name ‘Sivanandashram’ on top of the letter and at once remarked: ‘Oh, this Swami has written from Sivanandashram. They are doing very good work. There is no worry. Issue him a ticket. Sri K.S. Venkataramani was with Rajen Babu at that time and K.S.V. himself told me this.’
Siva continued: ‘It is all due to His grace. We are merely instruments in His hands. We should always see in what ways we can promote the work: and we should avoid the evils that eat away the very roots of the organisation. Jealousy, for instance, is a great evil which will prevent the growth of any institution. But, it is a human vice. It is in everyone. It can be totally eradicated only when one attains Brahma Jnana.’
‘But, what we should all strive to do is to cripple jealousy so that it is unable to work its way into the very vitals of our being. This can be done only through constant Vichar and Vairagya. When jealousy arises in the mind, try to put it down and prevent it from taking positive shape.’
‘Anger is another evil. If you get angry towards any one in the morning, in the noon you should do Vichar and in the evening you should make proper amends and become one with the other man. Always try to co-operate with all, adapt yourself with all, mix with all, and work for all. The most important point is service. That should be your motto. Then everything will be all right. You should every moment feel: ‘How can I enable the divine life message reach thousands of more aspirants?’ Then gradually all evil qualities will leave you.’
20 th DECEMBER, 1948
NO IMPORT: BUT CULTIVATION
Chidanandaji’s discourse was on Raja Yoga during the morning class today. Siva felt that the visitors should have the benefit of listening to C’s discourse. He sent Vishnuji to call them.
Sri Sthanu Subramania Iyer, who was staying down-hill near the Ganges-bank, at once went up to the Bhajan Hall to attend the class: but, Sri R.N., who was staying very near the Hall failed to turn up—even after being called.
Commenting on this peculiar behaviour, Siva said:
‘Everything depends on the Samskaras with which each man is born. A man full of evil Samskaras will not enjoy Satsang in the same measure as another born with good Samskaras. A devotee with spiritual Samskaras will thirst for Satsang, will run to places where Satsang is held: but one who has not got them will neglect to attend even if the Satsang is held nextdoor.
‘These virtues are products of long and arduous cultivation. One divine quality is fully developed in man as a result of patient endeavour through many lives. That R.N. is here shows that he has some good Samskaras. In course of time these will gain strength and he will take delight in Satsang.’
21 st DECEMBER, 1948
MOTTO OF SERVICE
The Superintendent of Post Offices has come to inspect the Ananda Kutir Branch Post Office.
The moment he was ushered into the office by Sri Atmaramji and was introduced to Siva, Siva showered on him the blessings of Jnana: his own priceless books. Soon the Superintendent was surrounded by books, magazines and leaflets. As Siva was autographing the books, the Superintendent was explaining the purpose of his visit to Ananda Kutir:
‘Though, Swamiji, my main object is to inspect the Post Office’s registers, etc., I was equally eager to pay you my respects in person. My brother-in-law also wanted to have your Darshan.’
‘Are the Post Office accounts and registers here all right?’
‘I am going to inspect them formally, Swamiji. But, I am sure they must be all right. We have had no worries about this Post Office. We know that the Post Office is being managed very efficiently, in spite of the very heavy load of work they have to carry. Because your motto, as also the motto of all the workers here, is selfless service.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Swamiji, even though I have not visited this Ashram previously, I have heard a lot about your humanitarian services and the noble work the Ashram is doing.’
22 nd DECEMBER, 1948
I BELONG TO YOU
Today is the 87 th Birthday of Sri Raghavacharyaji, the founder of Sri Darshana Mahavidyalaya, near the Ashram. Siva had been invited and he went up to the Vidyalaya with fruits, etc.
As he was nearing the Vidyalaya, Sri Raghavacharyaji, Sri Vishnu Dutt Sastriji and others were hurrying towards him to welcome him. Noticing this, Siva remarked: ‘Do not trouble yourself, Maharaj, I belong to you all. This honour is, therefore, superfluous.’
DUTY OF DISCIPLES
Siva then delivered an inspiring talk. After describing in detail Sri R.’s services, to the cause of the spread of Sanskrit knowledge and a knowledge of the Darshanas, Siva felt that Sri Acharyaji’s disciples should join hands with one another and bring out a short life-sketch of Sri R. ‘It is your duty, the duty of all the disciples of Sri Acharyaji Maharaj. Where there is a will, there is a way. You should all at once set about the task.’
SAGUNA vs. NIRGUNA
Siva led the gathering to the famous RAM chant. He demonstrated to them how his RAM chant, in some respects, even excelled OM chanting. ‘ OM is Nirguna and RAM is Saguna. Chant RAM. It is even more inspiring. You will quickly get into Bhava Samadhi. It will bestow on you peace and joy.’
THE DESTOYER OF EVILS
Then Siva taught them the loud RAM Japa-Kirtan. It is unique. You have to quickly repeat Ram Ram Ram. ‘This is wonderful,’ said Siva. ‘It is very efficacious when you wish to counteract evil thoughts. You can gain peace very quickly. Not only this, this quick chanting of RAM automatically brings about Kevala-Kumbhak and thus goes a long way in stilling the thoughts. It is a powerful form of exercise also. It increases the gastric fire. You will be able to digest your food properly. This is an all-round exercise, very suitable to you all, the disciples of Acharyaji, who is a Samuchaya Vadin.’
LIFE OF MY LIFE
Siva noticed some books lying stacked in a corner. He quickly pointed out to one of the inmates of the Vidyalaya (and this effectively proves the truth of the earlier remark ‘I belong to you’): ‘Please keep these books nicely. They are very precious. They are more valuable than our life itself. Tie them nicely in a good wrapping paper and keep them safely. I will ask Kesavji to assist you in this work.’ Who else will do this? Divine Life is dissemination of spiritual knowledge: and whoever does this, Siva is at-one with him.
23 rd DECEMBER, 1948
BLESSED IRONFILINGS
I was just passing along the verandah outside the dining hall when I heard this very interesting conversation between Sri Balanji and a visitor. I reproduce the gist of it: it gives you an idea of what Siva did silently, months ago.
‘Balanji, I heard your wonderful lecture this morning and last evening. How long have you been here?’ The visitor obviously was unaware of the fact that Sri Balan is an M.A. and a prosperous free-lance journalist.
‘I came here a little over a year ago on just a casual visit. I stayed for a couple of days and felt irresistibly like staying on. On and on I have stayed, granting myself piece-meal extensions, until at last I feel that I have, as you would say, come to stay.’
The visitor was deeply interested. With just an exclamation, ‘Achcha?’ that involuntarily escaped him, he listened, eyes gleaming in curiosity.
‘You see,’ continued B: ‘there is the rare blessing of Ganges here. You might say that there are other places where the Ganga flows. There are the Himalayas. I know you would again say that there are other places in the Himalayas. You have a Society here that has its numerous departments to cater to the needs of aspirants of all temperaments. Here, again, you might suggest that there are other institutions approximating to this, or at least with departments enough to suit MY temperament. But, then, you do not have one thing anywhere else. And, that is the closest proximity to a living sage and Jnani (and, what is extra-ordinary) who would talk freely with you, mix with you, crack jokes with you, at the same time clear all your doubts by his mere glance and elevates you by his mere thought. He is truly your father, mother, friend, all.
‘Not only I: but quite a few there are like me who just came for a day and then decided to spend their whole life here. Do you know our Sivanarayanji who delivers inspiring Hindi lectures? He, too, came three years ago just to attend the Birthday celebrations. He used to deliver Hindi lectures during the celebrations. His talks were highly interesting, full of educative humour, of stories and anecdotes which produced side-splitting laughter among the hearers. Swamiji found good spiritual Samskaras in him and suggested he might stay on for some time more. S. actually renounced the world and has stayed on. The miraculous thing: this has saved his life, so to say, because he was living in what is now Pakistan. S. attributes all this to Swamiji’s grace and timely suggestion. What else do you call a person who gives you life, than father and mother in one?’
With a look suggestive of an inward envy at the happy and glorious lot of these ironfilings who were without any effort on their own part drawn to the Great Magnet Siva, the visitor left the spot. He must have reflected within himself: ‘Has this iron-filing, myself, reached that level of rustless purity that would enable it to be drawn to the magnet?’
SCALE OF VALUES
Sri Seth, the Society’s auditor, expresses profound gratitude at having been able to stay in the Ashram.
Siva said: ‘This is your own home. You can come here as often as you can. You are, after all, so near. Make it a point to spend all your holidays here and attend all important functions here.’
‘Swamiji, the world is such that if, instead of saying all this, you had said: ‘Come to Rishikesh. There is such and such a chance of your acquiring ten thousand rupees.’ I would have rushed to Rishikesh any number of times. It is very difficult to gauge the value that one derives from this Satsang, seclusion and Tirtha Yatra. Very few people can even understand that there is a lot of good in them.’
How true, indeed!
28 th DECEMBER, 1948
OLD MAN’S SONG
Swami Omkaranandaji and myself had been deputed by Siva to represent him at the Tehri-Garhwal Constituent Assembly to be inaugurated at Tahri tomorrow.
Familiarity breeds contempt: is a proverb in which I had cent per cent belief. For once I had to experience an exception.
At Rishikesh, we ran into a tea-shop for a cup of tea. The shop-keeper is an old resident of Rishikesh.
‘I have been here for the past forty years. I have been watching all the Sadhus and Mahatmas. But I have never seen anyone approach Swami Sivanandaji’s greatness.’
‘Oh, yes, he has written a number of books,’ explained some one else.
‘That is all right. Of course, he is a great learned man, too. But my point is not that. I have never met anyone who has got his heart. Swami Sivanandaji’s is a divine heart. I remember how he used to serve all sick Sadhus and Sanyasins, poor people and lepers here. I shudder to think: he used often to sleep with dangerously sick patients suffering from cholera and typhoid. No, no: there is no one in the world with Sivanandaji’s heart.’
30 th DECEMBER, 1948
SIVA THANKS YOU
The crowded Sadhana Week programme had almost come to an end. The Drama ‘Four Letters of Yama’ had been staged under the direction of Sri Swami Chidanandaji. Many were the interludes to the play: there was the humorous Doctors’ Parade conducted by Sri Kesavji with his discourse on Namopathy and its uniqueness; there was the formal opening of the Anand Kutir Brahma Jnana Research Pharmacy with Swami Chidanandaji as the doctor-in-charge (Dr. Brahman), and with sparking humour C. explained his Adhyatmic prescription for the root-maladies of man: lust, anger, greed, etc.; and there was Siva’s dialogue between meat and milk which, Chidanandaji explained, actually meant Rajas vs. Satwa; dialogue between Astika and Nastika; and discussion among the senses re: their superiority. The boys taking part in the Four Letters had given a very good account of themselves especially in the tense death-scene.
Siva stood up on the platform, and spoke in fluent Hindi. Below is the gist of his stirring address.
‘I thank you all for coming here on this occasion, for sitting through this performance in this cold. I am deeply indebted to you all for this.’
Look at Siva’s attitude: surely, the entire audience is grateful to him for taking all this trouble for their sake! But, no: HE is grateful, and HE thanks you for giving him an opportunity to serve you. Let us all learn this Yoga attitude from him.
MORAL OF THE DRAMA
‘Lord Yamma sends four letters to man. But, every time he is misguided by his worldly friends, and he ignores these letters. Hairs turn grey: but he paints them black. Teeth fall: he takes on false teeth. Eye-sight fails: he puts on spectacles. His vitality is exhausted: he resorts to tonics. He does not see that death is inevitable; and that only God’s Name will really help him in the end. In the end he repents. But it is too late. He cries for help. But who can help him? There is only ‘matlab’ (selfish) friendship in the world. Note this point well. No one but the Lord Himself is your real friend. Every one else loves you for his or her own purpose. Understand this moral very well.
‘Always repeat the Name of the Lord. Merely doing one or two Malas of Japa will not do. All the day you should repeat His name. Then only will His grace descend upon you and save you. This is a very easy form of Sadhana. This is the safest, too. Even if you don’t realise God in this birth, if you go on repeating His name, you will continue the thread in the next birth: the Samskaras will be there and you will soon realise Him.’
MAHA MANTRA
With ‘Sunaja’ Kirtan (Siva’s favourite), he continued:
Serve Love Give Purify Meditate Realise
Be good, Do good, Be kind, Be compassionate
‘This is the essence of all the Vedas, of all Sastras, Puranas, not only of the Hindu religion, but of all the religions of the world. Always aspire to purify the Antahkarana. Service alone can purify the heart. Service will give you opportunities of analysing yourself and finding out the impurities that lurk in you. Gradually you should develop all the Daivi Sampath or divine qualities.
‘Isavasyam Idam Sarvam—the Lord pervades the entire creation. Realise this well. Feel this. Bow to all. Be kind to all. When you have some sweetmeats, distribute them to others’ children first, before giving them to your children. This is the way to develop the heart. Give to the health officer (scavenger, in Siva’s dictionary!) the fruits that you take yourself: do not give him stale plantain fit only to be thrown away. Analyse yourself. See how many good Samskaras you have developed. Look at the Auditor’s wife. Even in this cold, she daily goes to the Ganga for her bath in the morning. Find out how many good Samskaras you have implanted in yourself. Perfection is not an easy thing: but you need not despair, you will surely attain perfection if you purify yourself every moment.
ONENESS OF GOD
Siva had instituted the two-party Kirtan with Krishna Dhwanis. After some time, he said:
‘There is Uma Raniji: she is a devotee of Lord Siva, and she would like Siva-Dhwanis.’ So saying, he started Siva-Dhwanis.
‘All the names are one. God is one. He is called variously. Particularly, in the case of Rama Bhaktas, they are asked to repeat the Panchakshari for six months in the beginning, and worship Siva. It is said that only then will they get Rama’s Darshan. There is a secret behind this: ‘Sivasya Hridayam Vishnur, Vishnoscha Hridayam Sivah’. Both are one. Do not act like the silly devotee of Siva who plugged the Vishnu-side nostril of a combined image, lest the fumes from the incense which he was waving before the image should enter Vishnu’s nostril. Know that all forms of the Lord are one: all names of the Lord are one and have equal effect. Some people foolishly imagine that one name is superior to another. Soham is the best they will say. What do they understand by Soham? They think that the body is the Atman. What else can they understand? Their minds are full of dirt. Without cleansing their minds, they cannot understand the Mahavakyas. They do not practise Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. They speak derisively of these: they jump to Jnana Yoga. Finally, they achieve nothing at all.’
MODERATION
Again Siva sang his other favourite Kirtan in the Maha Mantra tune:
Eat a little, drink a little, talk a little, sleep a little
Mix a little, move a little, work a little, rest a little
‘Eat and drink in moderation. You will have health and long life. It does not mean that you should starve. You should be moderate. Have one good meal at noon. Take a light diet of milk and fruits at night: that, too, before night-fall. In this respect the Jain custom of finishing their supper before sunset is very healthy. When you go to bed, you should have digested your food. Then you will have a refreshing sleep: and you will be able to’ get up at 4 o’clock next morning.’
‘But, what people generally do is just the reverse. They run hither and thither during the day: and at night—that, too, very late, they take a heavy diet. They do not have proper digestion. They suffer from Dyspepsia. They do not enjoy sound sleep. And, on top of it all, they get up at 8 a.m. A day’s programme is before them. They do not know what to do. They get bewildered. Their mind is confused.’
‘Mixing with all sorts of people is very bad. That does not mean that you should be gloomy and secluded. Talk to people: be cheerful: but be moderate in this. Too much of talking will only result in fights and quarrels.’
He again sang the song.
‘This is the ‘Song of A Little’. You will be able to remember this very easily. The moment you think of ‘A Little’, you will remember the instructions, too. This is the Law of Association which governs the mind. Have you not heard of the famous ‘tion’ sentence? Examination is a great botheration to the Hindu nation whose sole occupation is cultivation.’
Everyone laughed.
‘Here you will make many pious resolves. But the next morning you will forget all about them. Get these small songs by heart. Sing them every morning and evening. They will inspire you. They will not allow you to slumber again.’
At this stage Siva noticed that some people were feeling drowsy, while some people were slightly inattentive (the time was nearly 12 midnight.)
‘I have got a medicine which will revive you marvellously. You will get new vitality without having recourse to tea.
Now sing:
Jaya Jaya Radhe Shyaaaammm ....
Jaya Jaya Sita Raaaaaaaammmmmm ….
Now, the shooting Dhwanis:
SHYAM SHYAM SHYAM
(The words are shot out with force)
The effect of these on the audience was miraculous. Siva continued:
‘Remember the moral of today’s drama always. The more you reflect on it, the more strength you will get. Vairagya alone is the priceless treasure. Turn away from the world: and direct your gaze towards the Lord in the heart. Do not run after worldly pleasures. You can never get any satisfaction in them. Even a millionaire is only a poor man. A crorepathy is more worried than an ordinary man. When the bank fails, the crorepathy’s heart also fails. He sleeps over the concealed iron-safe in which he has stored his wealth. He is afraid of thieves. Even his sons hate him: everyone is jealous of him. He has hardly a true friend. Throw away worldly riches and acquire the priceless treasure of God’s name. No one can rob you of this wealth.’
Then Siva sang his Vedantic song:
Sarvam Brahmamayam re re
Sarvam Brahmamayam
Sarvam Vishnumayam Jagat
Sarvam Vishnumayam
Matha Pitha Brahmam
Ladka Ladki Brahmam
Ganevala Brahmam
Sunnevala Brahmam
Orange juice Brahmam
Soda Lemonade Brahmam
Tablavala Brahmam
Harmoniumvala Brahmam
‘People with little understanding cannot realise the significance of this great truth: Sarvam Brahmamayam. But, when you have real Vairagya and Viveka, then you will understand the real meaning. People who try to understand and interpret the utterances of the sages with the help of their own finite intellect are deluded and they are led astray. They are like Virochana in the Upanishads.’
‘Sarvam Brahmamayam means that the Adhishthana or support for all is Brahman. The name and form are illusory. You will have to negate them and take the essence, the substratum of everything, which is Brahman.’
‘This understanding will come only when the mind is purified of its dross through selfless service and Upasana. Therefore, I say again: serve, love, purify, meditate and realise.’
Sri Sudarshan Sareen specially requested Siva to sing his ‘Govind song’. Siva poured forth his precious instructions in the form of this famous song. ‘The nature of God, ethical teachings, essence of Yoga—all are given in the form of this beautiful song. Siva concluded the song with:
May God bless you Govinda
With health and long life Govinda
Peace and Prosperity Govinda
And Kaivalya Moksha Govinda
May you all become Govinda
Jivanmuktas Govinda
In this very birth Govinda
31 st DECEMBER 1948
SIVANANDA’S SIVA
Today is the Viswanath Mandir Pratishtha Anniversary Day. A programme of Ekadasha Rudra Abhishekam and Laksharchana is being put through in the temple. The Abhishekam is over and several Sadhus and Sadhaks are sitting inside the Mandir worshipping the Lord with flowers and bael leaves. The Laksharchana had already progressed well and the Lord (Siva Lingam) had been fully covered over with a thick shawl of flowers: a wonderful sight.
Siva was circumambulating around the temple. Suddenly he appeared at the threshold of the shrine. One of the Sadhaks offered Siva some flowers and bael leaves to worship the Lord with. And, as the Sanyasin outside was going on with his recitation of the Mantras, Siva also joined us in offering flowers to the Lord. This went on for a few minutes.
Lo! In a mood of complete self-forgetfulness, Siva had turned on the Sadhus and Sadhaks sitting around the Lingam and is worshipping them with the flowers intended for the Lord. I looked up: but there was not a trace on Siva’s countenance or eyes that would indicate his recognition of who exactly we were. The eyes gazed on: they looked at us—but what can anyone say what he saw?
Sadhus and Sanyasins had vanished: Grihasthas and disciples had vanished: boys and old men had vanished: man and woman had vanished: all distinctions melted away before his purified gaze. Lord Siva alone remained. Siva in the Linga being worshipped by Siva in the human garb. And, Siva worships Siva in the Lingam and in all: Sarvam Siva-mayam,—a silent discourse.
