Satsangam

Satsangam : How do we know what dharma, or the right thing to ... : To, All  Members, Dharma as a value, like honesty and non-violence, has to be interpreted in a given situation.  These val...

To, All  Members, Dharma as a value, like honesty and non-violence, has to be interpreted in a given situation.  These values are universal but the interpretation is subjective, depending upon time, place and conditions.  We face many conflicting situations where we need to interpret what a given value means in a given situation.  It is possible to commit mistakes when we interpret these values, as we are limited in knowledge and wisdom.  To decide what is right or wrong in a given situation may require a lot of information and wisdom, which we may or may not have.  We can only make a judgment based on our best intentions and live by it.  We cannot expect to be always right.  The result of our actions may not always be in accordance with our intentions.  Thus, following dharma is a process of learning.  Sometimes our intention may not be to violate dharma, but our judgment of the situation may be wrong....

Satsangam : “This is a hero!” : : To, All Members, I have all along been like a hero -- I want my work to be quick like lightning, and firm as adamant.  Like...

To, All Members, I have all along been like a hero -- I want my work to be quick like lightning, and firm as adamant.  Likewise shall I die also.  Therefore kindly do my work for me – no question of success or defeat enters here at all.  I have never retreated in a fight –shall I now…?  There is success and failure in every work.  But I am inclined to believe that one who is a coward will be born after death as an insect or a worm, that there is no salvation for a coward even after millions of years of penance.  Well, shall I after all be born as a worm?...  In my eyes this world is mere play – and it will always remain a such….  When I fight, I fight with girded loins –  that much I fully understand; and I also understand that man, that hero, that god, who says,  “Don’t care, be fearless. O brave one, here I am by your side!”  To such a man-god I offer a million salutations.  Their presen...

Atmeeyam : ( 22/10/2012. ) : 3.Duty: An Empirical Manifestation of True Being :... : The Teachings of the Bhagavadgita : Thus it is that we cannot expect any fruit of our actions, because our actions are duties th...

Satsangam : Why did Arjuna not forgive Duryodhana? : To, All Members, Answer:  All actions have to be judged based on the codes of conduct that prevail at that time. The codes o...

To, All Members, Answer:  All actions have to be judged based on the codes of conduct that prevail at that time. The codes of conduct we follow today may not be relevant, say, some 50-100 years from now. Therefore when we talk of what happens in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, we have to take into account the laws and codes of conduct that were prevalent then. As kshatriyas it was the duty of the Pandavas to protect dharma and those who followed dharma. That was the purpose of the law and that is what a kshatriya was required to do. Lord Krishna says (BG 4-8), paritranaya   sadhunam   vinasaya   ca   dushkrutam, dharmasamsthapanarthaya   sambhavami   yuge   yuge. For the protection of those who are committed to dharma and the destruction (conversion) of those who follow adharma, and for the establishment of dharma, I come into being in every yuga. The sadhus and people who are on the righteous path must be protecte...

Satsangam : A house of fame : : To, All Members, Most buildings are landmarks, at the most. Some have the good fortune to become monuments. And when they do,...

To, All Members, Most buildings are landmarks, at the most. Some have the good fortune to become monuments. And when they do, they define cities. But it is rare in history when a monument is famous not for its architecture or the purpose for which it was built, but for the person who occupied it. That is the story of Vivekananda House in Chennai. On the shore of the Marina, this iconic monument is legendary for being the place where the determined and triumphant Vivekananda stayed, returning from America after having won countless hearts and many disciples with his elucidation of Hinduism and his message of universal brotherhood at the World Parliament of Religions held in 1893. Vivekanandar Illam , — Illam in Tamil means house — though beautiful to the eye, was not intended to be an architectural splendour. Neither was it built for the stay of monks who landed in the erstwhile Madras. It was built in 1842 by Frederic Tudor, founder of an American ice company, so he ...

Satsangam : How can we justify this? :  In the famous sloka from Bhagavad Gita Krishna emphasis the whole life of Krishna .  ( Chapter 4 Sloka 8 ) . Krishna has insisted ...

 In the famous sloka from Bhagavad Gita Krishna emphasis the whole life of Krishna .  ( Chapter 4 Sloka 8 ) . Krishna has insisted that the Pandavas do Adharma against the main characters in Mahabharatha during the war.  How can we justify this?  Pandavas thought that they were living for righteousness , but the mighty Kauravas took all the wrong measures (foul play ) to defeat the Pandavas.  In order to overcome the challenges created by these people, Krishna had to insist that the Pandavas break their principles.  Unless they react the way the Kauravas acted they cannot be successful.  So Krishna teaches us a big lesson that we should look into the attitude, action and the mentality of the people whom we are associated with.  Accordingly one has to take a stand.  Then alone they can win over the evil or the weaknesses . It is like taking a thorn which hurts one leg with another thorn.  So the steps one ta...

                                                                Swami Sri Adi Sankaracharya Let's light the lamp again In this broad daylight when the Sun seems to be losing to the shadows Let us pour out love from the depths of our heart and re-kindle the wicks which have gone out. Let's light the lamp again Considering the milestones as destination We lost sight of our ultimate goal In the entanglement of the present Let's not lose sight of our tomorrows Let's light the lamp again.

Satsangam : "HAPPY DEEPAVALI" : To, All Members Deepavali signified the shining of Self after the destruction, through enquiry, of the greatest sinner...

To, All Members Deepavali signified the shining of Self after the destruction, through enquiry, of the greatest sinner, Naraka [the ego], who took the abode of this filthy body, which is the form of hell, as 'I'. ('Guru Vachaka Kovai' B5) Sri Ramana Maharishi. Wish you and your family a   "HAPPY  DEEPAVALI".

Satsangam : Diwali is a festival of lights : : To, All Members, According to Hinduism light represents positive attitude in life which alone enlightens our LIFE throughout...

To, All Members, According to Hinduism light represents positive attitude in life which alone enlightens our LIFE throughout.  Like darkness and light exist , similarly both positivity and negativity exist in the mind.  Like only when we put on the light , darkness disappears .  Similarly only when we ignite positive attitude the negativity dispels.  Therefore let us work together to enlighten each other.  Eventually a world of light ( enlightened people ) can be developed. WISHING EVERYBODY A VERY HAPPY DIWALI. Swami Udit Chaithanya..

Satsangam : 10 Ways to add light to life this diwali: : To,   All  Members, Everyone is now in festive mood. There is light and sparkle in the air. Celebrations are taking rounds as...

To,   All  Members, Everyone is now in festive mood. There is light and sparkle in the air. Celebrations are taking rounds as gifts are entering each home. Fragrance of sweetmeats and flavours of delicacies are warming hearts and bringing people together. All of this will be over soon. Or may be not... Deepawali means a series of lamps. Lamps represent the light of happiness, knowledge and love. When life becomes a continuous series of giving happiness, sharing knowledge and dedicating love, then every day is a Diwali. So, don't just light lamps and eat sweets. Don't just meet people and give gifts. Don't just pray for money and live in bits. Live a fuller and more meaningful diwali, do something higher. This diwali, add light to life. Here are 10 ways to add light to life this diwali: 1. Visit/Invite someone you don't like at all and light lamps together. It's easy to spread lights to friends. But it's brilliant if you can share some ligh...

To,  All Members, Whatever may be a householder's profession, It is necessary for him to live in the company of holy men now and then.  If a man loves God, he will himself seek the company of holy men.  I give the illustration of the hemp-smoker.  One hemp-smoker loves the company of another hemp-smoker.  At the sight of a person who does not smoke, he goes away with downcast eyes or hides himself in a comer; but his joy is unbounded if he meets a hemp addict.  Perhaps they embrace each other. (All laugh.)  Again, a vulture loves the company of another vulture.   Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Satsangam : Satsangam : Your idea is grand but : ...? : Satsangam : Your idea is grand but : ...? : To,  All Members, Your idea is grand but our nation is totally lacking in the faculty of o...

To, All Members, Sri Ramana Maharshi: ~~~~ From: Guru Ramana: II-XI. Q.: I am a beginner in meditation.  I pray Bhagavan to guide me.  You exhort us to go on enquiring “Who am I?”  May I know where it will lead me? M.: It is not mere asking; you must go into the meaning of it. Many meditate on certain centres in the body till they merge in them,  but sooner or later they will have to enquire into their own nature,  which is unavoidable. Then why not straightaway concentrate on  yourself till you merge in its source? Q.: Yes,  for twenty years I have been concentrating on certain chakras and have been seeing things and hearing sounds, but I got nowhere nearer the Truth.  Now shall I go on asking “Who am I?” as soon  as a thought arises in my mind? M.: Quite so.  So long as you are not disturbed by outside thoughts dwell on its meaning. The aim is to reach the root of the ‘I’-sense,  through con...

Satsangam : Your idea is grand but : ...? : To,  All Members, Your idea is grand but our nation is totally lacking in the faculty of organisation. It is this one drawback w...

To,  All Members, Your idea is grand but our nation is totally lacking in the faculty of organisation. It is this one drawback which produces all sorts of evil. We are altogether averse to making a common cause for anything. The first requisite for organisation is obedience. I do a little bit of work when I feel so disposed, and then let it go to the dogs -- this kind of work is of no avail. We must have plodding industry and perseverance…By degrees we must spread the world over. The first thing needed is obedience. You must be ready to plunge into fire -- then will work be done. . . (p.321-2, V.6, Swamij’s letter to Sw. Akhandananda dt Sept 1895) Only that kind of work which develops our spirituality is work. Whatever fosters materiality is no - work. Therefore work and no - work must be regulated by a person's aptitude, his country, and his age. Works such as sacrifices were suited to the olden times but are not for the modern times. From the date that the Ramakr...

Satsangam : Absorbed In the World of Matter : : To, All Members, It is quite normal and usual for human beings to live and act in a manner that shows virtually total absorption...

To, All Members, It is quite normal and usual for human beings to live and act in a manner that shows virtually total absorption in the world of matter and the life as presented to our normal human awareness. This stems from the standpoint of the Divine which involves itself in the manifested world, the Kshara Purusha, and a near total one-pointed concentration of the consciousness in that focus. When one is in that state, there seems to be only the outer reality and any reference to the Spirit, God, or other forms of consciousness is treated as an illusion! We see in fact today, many noted scientists, thinkers, philosophers and caring individuals who try to explain away consciousness as purely a phenomenon of Matter with nothing else beyond. The Gita of course does not accept this viewpoint and through the development of the three eternal standpoints, and various techniques for separation of the identification with the outer forms and forces, it has provided us ways to e...

Satsangam : The Dharma followed by Rama and Krishna looks cont... : Raja Dharma-Spiritual Dharma :  Today's so called Dharma is basically based upon either social system or family system.  E...

Raja Dharma-Spiritual Dharma :  Today's so called Dharma is basically based upon either social system or family system.  Even if a girl is tortured, she has to suppress in the name of Kula Dharma or family responsibilities.  Similarly a girl cannot do certain things that is opposed to Social Dharma.  For e.g.. a girl cannot think of doing a pooja because the social system opposes it .  But during the time of Krishna , Krishna emphasised much on the attitude and upliftment rather leading a life of suppression and depression .  The married Gopis , they get out of their family circle and sing and dance along with Krishna even during night.  Similarly Krishna inspired the women to do Pooja and all kinds of spiritual activities.  Even now when we visit Vrindavan thousands of ladies including widows get out of their families and social entanglements and they get involved in spiritual upliftment.  So during the time of Ra...

Satsangam : Ramana Maharishi On Two Ways to Self-Realization: : To, All Members, Bhagavan Ramana : Sri Ramana used to say that there are two ways to Self-Realization. Either one has to ...

To, All Members, Bhagavan Ramana : Sri Ramana used to say that there are two ways to Self-Realization. Either one has to inquire deeply with steadfastness about the arising of the aham vritti (the “I” thought–the feeling awareness of I AM) or surrender entirely to the Guru that is one’s own Self, the very Heart of one’s existence. In either approach, the pure ego, the sense of identity, the “I” ness merges in the Heart and the Self reveals It Self to It Self. Bhagavan Ramana often made the point that, although the spiritual effort is critical, one cannot go beyond a certain point with effort alone, and that Grace is needed. When asked, how one could obtain Grace, Sri Ramana would say that Grace is ever-existent and always there. One only needed to be aware of It. That is why Sri Ramana often brought attention to the nature of awareness and it’s source, the Heart. This can be grasped at many different levels depending on the spiritual maturity of the aspirant....

Satsangam : Body is a means to spiritual progress : : To, All Members, Sri Ramakrishna would often draw the attention of the devotees to the limitations caused by the body in our st...

To, All Members, Sri Ramakrishna would often draw the attention of the devotees to the limitations caused by the body in our struggle for spiritual progress. It is very difficult to get rid of the idea of identification with the body. People in general cannot think beyond the idea of body and mind. But true spiritual progress is possible only when one transcends these limitations. How to solve this riddle? What should be one's attitude in this regard? Our shastras say that the body is the medium or the means for spiritual striving or sadhana. So, in the initial years of spiritual life one can assume the idea that the body is the abode of God and view it as something sacred. It is to be taken care of, but at the same time no indulgence should be allowed. The body should not be misused by indulging in too much of bhoga or enjoyment. Initially, one faces a lot of hurdles, but as one persistently pursues the spiritual ideal, one is able to slowly overcome the identif...

Satsangam : Therefore look within. See the Self! There will be... : To, All Members, From Talk -272 :  between a devotee and Sri Ramana Maharishi : *D.: There are widespread disasters s...

To, All Members, From Talk -272 :  between a devotee and Sri Ramana Maharishi : *D.: There are widespread disasters spreading havoc in the world e.g. , famine and pestilence.  What is the cause of this state of affairs? *M.: To whom does all this appear? D.: That won't do. I see misery around. M.: You were not aware of the world and its sufferings in your sleep; you are conscious of them in your wakeful state. Continue in that state in which you were not afflicted by these.  That is to say, when you are not aware of the world, its sufferings do not affect you.  When you remain as the Self, as in sleep, the world and its sufferings will not affect you.  Therefore look within. See the Self! There will be an end of the world and its miseries. D.: But that is selfishness. M.: The world is not external. Because you identify yourself wrongly with the body you see the world outside, and its pain becomes apparent to you. Bu...

Satsangam : The Purushottama–the Nature of the Supreme Divine ... : To, All Members, The Gita introduces and describes the concept of a supreme Person, the Purushottama, who holds within his B...

To, All Members, The Gita introduces and describes the concept of a supreme Person, the Purushottama, who holds within his Being, all of the creation, while not being bound by the forms or beings of the creation; and who is also the unmanifest, the unmoving; however, the Purushottama goes beyond both of these aspects, so that he is not defined, limited or circumscribed by any description we choose to place on him with our limited mental capacity of conceptualisation and expression in language. The Upanishads make it clear that the Eternal Brahman is “not this, not that” and that neither mind nor speech can limit the Reality. We therefore cannot attach ourselves to either the Akshara Purusha (unmoving Self, unattached to the world) or the Kshara Purusha (the consciousness that participates in the manifested universe) to gain any true understanding of existence. The Purushottama, then provides a concept which exceeds both aspects and all limits, and is the ultimate Creato...

Satsangam : Be persistent and march ahead in life : : To, All Members, The devotees would often approach Sri Ramakrishna and plead about the inability to get over their neg...

To, All Members, The devotees would often approach Sri Ramakrishna and plead about the inability to get over their negative tendencies. In spite of all their efforts in practicing spiritual disciplines like prayer, japa, meditation, etc, they would say that they find it impossible to get rid of their desires and tendencies towards enjoyment, etc. Sri Ramakrishna would console them and explain to them that the difficulties are due to their samaskars or results of actions in their earlier births. He would explain this through a beautiful analogy from daily life. He would say that people bring home and cage the parrots when they are very young. With great difficulty they make them learn the holy names such as Rama, Krishna, etc. They have to spend hours day after day in training the parrots. They stand before them and utter the holy names repeatedly so that the young ones become familiar with the sounds and start repeating them. After tremendous effort with great...

Satsangam : What is the right meaning and interpretation of Dh... : To, All Members, What is the meaning of Dharmam which confuses all minds. Generally Indian minds say that one has to suffer in ...

To, All Members, What is the meaning of Dharmam which confuses all minds. Generally Indian minds say that one has to suffer in the name of Dharma.  Dharma is always considered as one's own duty and duty is misunderstood as a blind sacrifice and suffering in the name of responsibilities.  Dharma means balancing the flow of Life.  Unfortunately many women suffer in life in the name of Dharma ( Duty ) because they have chosen a person as their husband, mother - in - law , father - in - law etc.  If the husbands behave badly women should not react.  She has to obey and sacrifice her freedom.  But today society is much evolved through education , civilisation and socialisation .  Society is more concerned about individual freedom than so called duties and responsibilities.  However the orthodox hindu system blindly keeps on holding onto Dharma ( Duty System ) inspite of sufferings around .  Hence they are frustrated ...