Monday, October 26, 2009

padmawatipuri dham



Shri 5 Padmavatipuri Dham, Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Shri 5 Padmavatipuri Dham, Panna and its sacred places.

Adorned with divine lustre Padmavatipuri Dham is in Panna town at the centre of Vindhyachal in Madhya Pradesh. Moving around in different places along with his disciples Mahamati Prannath reached Panna with a divine message of awakening from Shri Krishna Pranami religion. Seeing a desert island he decided to unfurl the flag of Jagani there. He helped the brave king Chhatrasal and adorned him by the title of Maharaja. He remained there for elevan years, and took samadhi inside the dome itself. The place, therefore, is knwon as the seat of salvation [Muktipitha] or Padmavatipuri Dham.

Shri Gummatji: This is a circular building and nine domes are adorned on it. Eight domes in eight directions and a vast dome in the centre, on which pot [Kalash] is kept. Because of the charm of these domes, it is named as Shri Gummatji.

Shri Bangalaji: The king Chhatrasal had constructed a large bunglow for the preceptor Prannathji and so it is called Shri Bangalaji.

Shri Sadguru Mandir: This is the temple of Nijanandacharya Shri Devchandraji Maharaj, founded by Mahamati Prannathji to worship the preceptor in Shri Padmavatipuri.
Shri Baijurajji Mandir: This is a temple made in memory of Shri Baijuraj, who was in fact, Tejkumvri, the better half of Shri Prannathji. It is a grand and charming temple founded in Vikram Samvat 1750.

Shri Chopada Mandir: This is a place where king Chhatrasal received Prannathji in Panna for the first time. A temple was made there and it is called Chopada Mandir. Natural scenery all around is very charming and there are two tanks (Kund) nearby supposed to be Ganga and Jamuna.

Shri Khijada Mandir: This is the place where in Vikram Samvat 1742 on the sacred festival day of Dashera, Mahamati Prannath gave a sword namely, "Vijaya Zulfkar (Victorious Sword)" to Chhatrasal to become victorious against the unjust and oppressive rule of the Mughals, put his hand on his head and blessed him. A temple was constructed there which is known as Shri Khijada Mandir because a Khijada tree was also there earlier.

maha mangalpuri dham



Shri 5 Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat, Gujaratand its sacred places.
"Mangalpuri mahima badi, Hai sab ka Gurudwar, Chale jagavan saathko, Shri Prannath bhartar."
Situated on the bank of the holy river Tapi, the so-called daughter of the Sun God of light, thoroughly engrossed in full essence of devotion like Lord Krishna and Radha of Vrindavan, and quite similar to the most religious and spiritual knowledge places of God Shiva's Kashi, is Surat.
Since ancient times, keeping the harmony of these two streams, Devotion and knowledge, Nishkalank Buddhavatar Mahamati Shri Prannathji established the religious throne - the religious traditional throne by the grace of which with a view to reach the salvation place - Paramdham, to awake the latent soul of Brahma Shristi - on the prestigious and pious land of Surat. Thus proclaimed the preaching of Sadguru Shri Devchandraji Maharaj's generation.
On Vikram Samvat 1729, in the month of Ashadha, 2nd day of the bright fortnight in auspicious Abhijit Muhurt, Shri Prannathji was officially postured to this religious throne by the entire Supreme being - the so-called Aksharatit almighty "Shri Raj - Lord Krishna" who really invested and convened thy power upon him and held his hands to be eligible for the same post. First amongst all, Maharani Baijuraj offered the prayer to Shri Prannathji by lighting the lamps and thereafter all the gathered Sundersath (devotees) - about 3700 - collectively offered their prayers by lighting the sacred lamps to Shri Prannathji and Maharani Baijuraj jointly. The divine words of the prayer being:
"Arati karu re Shri Jeevan Mehraj, Puran sukh kaj,Akhand dhani Shri Raj, Shri Jiyavar ni arti…"
Thereafter, all the Sundesathji, in Surat, started to proclaim salutations such as Shri Anand Mangal Shri Dham Dhaniju ki jai, Shri Yugal Swaroop ki jai, Shri Baijuraj Maharaniju ki jai,, etc. all of which are still being recited during all auspicious occassions. Hence, the establishment of this religious preceptor's throne of all the Nijanand sect took place. Shri Prannath stayed there continuously for 17 months to perform the knowledge and eternal bliss regarding the books - Raas, Prakash, Shatritu, and Kalash. The religious discourses and preachings of which being the greatest auspicious work started for the first time in this sacred land of Surat. And that's why it is called the highest resort of salvation and declared as the place of pilgrimage popularly known as - Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat.
In Jamnagar, Sadguru Shri Devchandraji Maharaj said to Shriji (Prannathji):
"Yah vastu hukam ki, So hove ek hi thor,Mohe uthay tum baitho, Par na hove kahu aur."
"to view with reverence the salvation place - Paramdham, is totally in the hands of the Supreme being - Hukum. That's possible at a single place only. If you desire to view Paramdham, you may depose me from this throne, you have to be sitting at this throne then only will you be able to view the same". Of course, unless and until you are not subrogated by your superior Dhani to sit on this throne, it is never possible for you to become Mahamati or Prannath.
"Hui pehchan piyun so, Tab kahiyo Mahamati naam,Ab mein hui jaher, Dekhya vatan Shri Dham."
Hence, since his coronation as a preceptor on this religious throne at Surat, Prannath could perfectly know his superior Dhani, and he became Mahamati Prannath. He could now view Paramdham and he was known as Nishkalank Buddhavatar in the universe. At this particular Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Mahamati Prannath vowed like Bhishma that -
"Tab Shriji Sahibji ne kahya, Jo koi lula paangla sath,Indravati na chhode tinko, Pahunchave pakad hath."
"Anybody amongst the Sundersath, either handicapped or disabled, the soul of Indravati will hold his hand to take him/her to the salvation place but will never abandom him/her. "
Hence, it is strongly believed that in this highest pilgrim place Surat, Mahamati Prannath and Maharani Baijuraj, by their post and power endowed upon them, still remain here and will remain here forever.
"Uttam puri Surat hai murat sab tirthan ki,Naad vansh gadi par sohe nihkai hai.Nitya hi viraje guru roop se Shri Prannath,Jinake pad bandete darshan nijdham hai."
Thus this ancient, sacred and religious throne of Shri Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat was established by Shri Mahamati Prannath.
This is a place in Surat. It is here that Shri Prannathji was offered the sectarian leadership [Gadi] for the first time and was adorned by the name of Prannath. As this pious work was performed here in Surat, it has been named as Shri 5 Maha Mangalpuri Dham. Even today thousands of pilgrims visit this place in Saiyadpura. It is known as 'Mota Mandir'.
Gopipura: It is at this place that the house of Navarang Swami [Mukunddasji] is situated. When he accepted the discipleship of Prannathji, he gave his body, mind, wealth and everything at the feet of his preceptor (Guru). A temple was constructed there and it is known today by the name of Shri Krishna Pranami Mandir Gopipura.
Temple of Bahucharaji: Bahucharaji is the name of a Goddess. It is said that a saint from Navatanpuri Dham reached there with 'Shri Mukhvani' and gave discourses for a week. After it was over, the goddess Bahucharaji appeared before him and asked him to place 'Shai Mukhvani' in her temple. As that saint came from Navatanpuri, this temple is under the possession of Navatanpuri Dham. Here Pranamis and non-Pranamis both come to visit and to have their desires fulfilled.
Shri Shyamdas Maharajni Deri: Shri Shyandasji Maharaj was a great ascetic in the tradition of sectation leadership of Mahamangalpuri Dham, Surat. He had asked to keep his 'Samadhi' near the temple after he left this abode but it was not done and his 'Samadhi' was kept far off near a river. During the British rule, engineers tried to construct a railway there but were not successful. Then they decided to dig up the place and found the blood of a living saint. They constructed a small temple there and decided to give forty four rupees for its maintenance.

brief discription about pranami pilgrimage

Shri 5 Navtanpuri Dham, Jamnagar, Gujarat Shri 5 Navtanpuri Dham, Jamnagar and its sacred places:

It is in Jamnagar district of the Gujarat state. Earlier Jamnagar was known as Navanagar which was established by Jam Raval in Vikram Samvat 1596.
According to the tradition at the end of Dvapar when Shri Krishna was going to Vaikunth leaving Dvaraka he asked Arjun to shift the residents of Dvaraka from there. Krishna knew that after great departure Dvaraka would get immerged in the sea. After the departure of Krishna, Arjun shifted all the residents from there and kept them in a desert place where a town was formed and the name it took was Navanagar which afterwards became Jamnagar.
As we know with a craving to search the supreme essence, Swami Shri Devchandraji went to Kutch - Bhuj and from there came to Jamnagar. Swamiji reached here at the age of 26 and stayed here with his parents. For fourteen years he listened to the discourses of Shrimad Bhagavat given by of an excellent scholar Shri Kanji Bhatt. After an acid test Parabrahma Parmatma Shri Krishna gave his 'darshan' to Shri Devchandraji and said - "You are the pious soul of Sundarbai the divine Supreme abode. Other Souls have also descended on this world to see the mortal sports. I give you this Tartam Mantra to awaken all the souls and take them all to the supreme abode.
Shri Rajmandir is a place in Jamnagar where Shri Devachandraji lived with his parents and listened to the discourses of Shrimad Bhagvata for fourteen years. Shri Chakla Mandir is the house of Shri Gangjibhai who was the first disciple of Devachandraji. Shri Shyamji Mandir is very ancient and here the idol of Shyam Banke Bihari is worshipped. It was here that Shri Devchandraji listened to the discourses of Shrimad Bhagavat from the scholar Kanji Bhatt. Foot-prints and photographs of Shri Devchandraji are still kept there. Shri 5 Navtanpuri Dham (Shri Khijada Mandir) was founded by Nijanand Swami Shri Devchandraji. Shri Krishna Pranami religion was founded on this pious land.
Formerly it was a garden. According to the tradition once Shri Devchandraji went to the garden. He took a small twig of a Khijda tree and cleaned his teeth by it and then tearing into two, planted them into the ground. During the course of time they grew in to big trees and both the trees are still attached to the main wall of the shrine. The devotees visit it to get their desire fulfilled and return with pleasure. This is the reason that the temple is famous by the name 'Khijda Mandir' all around. Gadi Orado is a place of three rooms. In the middle is adorned the divine throne of the revered preceptor and so it is known as Gadi Orada. Jamunajino Kuvo is a place where the revered preceptor had decribed the Advait-absolute abode [Paramdham] to Sunder Sath. Hearing the divine description of the water of Jamuna, Sunder Sath expressed the desire of drinking that water. Drawing a line with his finger the preceptor described the original place of Jamuna and at once the water of Jamuna was seen there. It is therfore called Jamunajino Kuvo.
Shrijinun Medi Mandir is the birth place of Mahamati Prananathji. Worship is performed here daily, in the morning and evening. Sadguru Samadhi is a place where Shri Devchandraji left this earthly abode and so this is famous as Sadguru Samadhi Mandir. Nau Deri is a place where the funeral of the religious parents of Shri Devachandraji Maharaj was performed.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Guru of pranami dharma

1; Anant Shri Vibhushit Nijanandacharya Sadguru Shri Devchandraji maharaj (V.S. 1687 to 1712)

2; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Kesharbai Maharaj (V.S. 1746to 1755)


3; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Tejasvi Babaji Maharaj (V.S. 1755 to 1796)

4; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Brahmachariji Maharaj (V.S. 1796 to 1832)

5; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Dhyandasji Maharaj (V.S. 1832 to 1846)

6; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Mohandasji Maharaj (V.S. 1846 to 1858)

7; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Fakirchandji Maharaj (V.S. 1858 to 1870)

8; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Amardasji Maharaj (V.S. 1870 to 1900)

9; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Jivramdasji Maharaj (V.S. 1900 to 1936)

10; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Biharidasji Maharaj (V.S. 1936 to 1945)

11; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Sukhladasji Maharaj (V.S. 1945 to 1973)

12; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Dhanidasji Maharaj (V.S. 1973 to 2001)

13 ; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Dharmadasji Maharaj (V.S. 2001 to 2048)

14; Dharmacharya Shri 108 Krishnamani Maharaj (The present Aacharya Shri)

15; mangaldas ji maharaj

16; krishnapriyacharya maharaj

17; thakurdas ji maharaj

18; suryanarayan shastriji

19; mohanpriyacharyaji

20; tahalkishor shastri ji

21; sadanandaji maharaj


22; Shri Jagatrajji MaharajShri Baba Dayaram Trust SocietyModel Town, KarnalHaryanaPhone #: (0184) 265069 / 265712(Temple, School, Dispensary)

23; Shri Tartam Jyotiji MaharajShri Chhatrasal Seva TrustVed Road, SuratGujaratPhone #: (0261) 7512722(Temple, Hospitial, Student Tution & Ashram)

24; Shri Radhikadasji MaharajShri Krishna Pranami Jankalyan TrustDadri Gate, BhiwaniHaryanaPhone #: (01664) 43302(Temple, School, Ashram & Mobile Dispensary)

25; Shri Shyamanandji MaharajShri Krishna pranami NijdarwarMaloya RoadChandigarh (U.T.)Phone #: (0172) 643564(Temple, Dispensary & Ashram)

26; Shri Hemkar Sastriji MaharajShri krishna Pranami Balseva AshramIndrapur-5, Salakpur, SunshariNepal.(Temple & Ashram)

27; Shri Mahendra Adhikariji MaharajShri Pranath Vani Prashikshan kendraMukthi Dham, Ithari-4Nepal.Phone #: (025) 80930(Talim Kendra i.e. Threading Center for Pranamis)

28; Shri Krishnadasji MaharajShri krishna Pranami MandirSevoke Road, Siliguri, West BengalPhone #: (0353) 423828(Temple, School, Ashram & Goshala)

29; Shri Dharmaguru Krishnadasji MaharajShri 108 Pranath MandirPanna, Madhya PradeshPhone #: (07732) 52046

30 ; Shri Parmanandji MaharajShri Pranami MandirOld Savji MandirSatna, Madhya PradeshPhone #: (07672) 24456

31; Shri Dr.Budhiprakash BajpaiKhopara MahalKanpur, Uttar PradeshPhone #: (0512) 324767


32; Shri Hemant BhandariShri Pranath Pranami MandirMerta City, RajasthanPhone #: (01590) 20843

top 14 are gadipati of pranami dharma [

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Dharma

Dharma

What is Dharma ? ; Dharma is so called, because it holds: Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root DHR- to hold- and its etymological meaning is ‘that which holds’ this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm. It is the eternal Divine Law of the Lord. The entire creation is held together and sustained by the All-powerful Law of God.
Practice of Dharma, therefore, means recognition of this Law and abidance by it. That which brings well-being to man is Dharma. Dharma supports this world. The people are upheld by Dharma. That which accrues preservation of beings is Dharma. Dharma leads to eternal happiness and immortality. That which is Dharma is verily the Truth. Therefore, whosoever speaks the truth is said to speak Dharma, and whosoever speaks Dharma is said to speak the truth. One and the same thing becomes both. Dharma includes all external deeds, as well as thoughts and other mental practices which tend to elevate the character of a man.

Dharma comes from the Divine and leads you to the Divine. Definition of Dharma No language is perfect. There is no proper equivalent word in English for the Sanskrit term Dharma. It is very difficult to define Dharma. Dharma is generally defined as ‘righteousness’ or ‘duty’. Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. It is also the principle of unity. Bhishma says in his instructions to Yudhishthira that whatever creates conflict is Adharma, and whatever puts an end to conflict and brings about unity and harmony is Dharma. Anything that helps to unite all and develop pure divine love and universal brotherhood, is Dharma. Anything that creates discord, split and disharmony and foments hatred, is Adharma. Dharma is the cementer and sustainer of social life. The rules of Dharma have been laid down for regulating the worldly affairs of men. Dharma brings as its consequence happiness, both in this world and in the next. Dharma is the means of preserving one’s self. If you transgress it, it will kill you. If you protect it, it will protect you. It is your soul companion after death. It is the sole refuge of humanity. That which elevates one is Dharma. This is another definition. Dharma is that which leads you to the path of perfection and glory. Dharma is that which helps you to have direct communion with the Lord. Dharma is that which makes you divine. Dharma is the ascending stairway unto God.

Self-realisation is the highest Dharma. Dharma is the heart of Hindu ethics. God is the centre of Dharma. Dharma means Achara or the regulation of daily life. Achara is the supreme Dharma. It is the basis of Tapas or austerity. It leads to wealth, beauty, longevity and continuity of lineage. Evil conduct and immorality will lead to ill-fame, sorrow, disease and premature death. Dharma has its root in morality the controller of Dharma is God Himself.


Dharma In Other Religions
All other religions also lay stress on Dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and Islam are all remarkably alive to its value. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Kant, Swedenborg and Spinoza are all striking examples in the interesting history of Western philosophy for the high pedestal on which they have placed morality, duty and righteousness, and adored them all as the only means to the attainment of the goal of life. Each religion lays greater stress on certain aspects of Dharma. Benefits of the Practice of Dharma Of the four grand objects of human aspirations ( Purusharthas), viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to immortality, infinite bliss, supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma alone is the primary Purushartha. Dharma is the first and foremost Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can you ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of all human endeavours, viz., Moksha (liberation) which is the best and the highest of all desirable things.
Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the highest good, namely, Moksha (liberation). The practitioner experiences peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within himself. His life becomes thoroughly disciplined. His powers and capacities are exceedingly intensified. He realises that there is one underlying homogeneous essence, a living truth, behind these names and forms. He is transmuted into divinity. His whole nature gets transformed. He becomes one with the Eternal. He beholds Brahman (the Supreme Reality) above, Brahman below, Brahman to the right, Brahman to the left, Brahman in front, Brahman at the back, Brahman within, Brahman without and Brahman pervading the whole world.

Dharma

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Self Realisation[meditation occasion]

Self Realisation


From Svetasvatara UpanishadTranslations by Swami PrabhavanandaThe Rishis (seers of truth) inquire within themselves:

What is the cause of this universe? Is it Brahman (the Supreme Reality)? Whence do we come? Why do we live? Where shall we at last find rest? Under whose command are we bound by the law of happiness and its opposite?

Time, space, law, chance, matter, primal energy, intelligence- none of these, nor a combination of these, can be the final cause of the universe, for they are effects, and exist to serve the soul. Nor can the individual soul be the cause, for being subject to the law of happiness and misery, it is not free.The Rishis (seers of truth), absorbed in meditation, saw within themselves the ultimate Reality, the self-luminous Being, the one God, who dwells as the self-conscious power in all creatures. He is one without a second. Deep within all beings He dwells, hidden from sight by the coverings of the gunas -sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas.

He presides over time, space, and all apparent causes. Like oil in sesame seeds, butter in cream, water in the river-bed, fire in the tinder, the Self dwells within the soul. Realise Him through truthfulness and meditation.Like butter in cream is the Self in everything. Knowledge of the Self is gained through meditation. The Self is Brahman (Supreme Reality). By Brahman is all ignorance destroyed.Fire, though present in the firestick, is not perceived until one stick is rubbed against another. The Self is like that fire; it is realised in the body by meditation on the sacred syllable OM (AUM). Let your body be the stick that is rubbed, the sacred syllable OM the stick that is rubbed against it. Thus shall you realise God, who is hidden within the body as fire is hidden within the wood.He who is realised by transcending the world of cause and effect, in deep contemplation, is expressly declared by the scriptures to be the Supreme Brahman. He is the substance, all else the shadow. He is the imperishable.

The knowers of Brahman know Him as the one reality behind all that seems. For this reason they are devoted to Him. Absorbed in Him, they attain freedom from the wheel of birth, death and rebirth.Matter is perishable. The Lord, the destroyer of ignorance, is imperishable, immortal. He is the one God, the Lord of the perishable and of all souls. By meditating in Him, by uniting oneself with Him, one ceases to be ignorant. Know God, and all fetters will be loosed. Ignorance will vanish. Birth, death and rebirth will be no more. Meditate upon Him and transcend physical consciousness. Thus will you reach union with the Lord of the universe. But you must know this. Nothing further is there to know. Meditate, and you will realise that mind, matter, and Maya (the power that unites mind and matter) are but three aspects of Brahman, the one Reality.To realise God .... To realise God, first control the outgoing senses and harness the mind.

Then meditate upon the light in the heart of the fire - meditate, that is, upon Pure Consciousness as distinct from the ordinary consciousness of the intellect. Thus the Self, the Inner Reality, may be seen behind physical appearance.Control your mind so that the Ultimate reality, the self-luminous Lord, may be revealed. Strive earnestly for eternal bliss. With the help of the mind and the intellect, keep the senses from attaching themselves to objects of pleasure. They will then be purified by the light of the Inner reality, and that light will be revealed.The wise control their minds, and unite their hearts with the infinite, the omniscient, the all-pervading Lord. Only discriminating souls practice spiritual disciplines.

Great is the glory of the self-luminous Being, the inner Reality.Hear, all ye children of immortal bliss, also ye gods who dwell in the high heavens: Follow only in the footsteps of the illumined ones, and by continuous meditation merge both mind and intellect in the eternal Brahman. The glorious Lord will be revealed to you.Control the vital force. Set fire to the Self within by the practice of meditation. Be drunk with the wine of divine love. Thus shall you reach perfection.Be devoted to the eternal Brahman. Unite the light within you with the light of Brahman. Thus will the source of ignorance be destroyed, and you will rise above karma.

Sit upright, holding the chest, throat and head erect. Turn the senses and the mind inward to the lotus of the heart. Meditate on Brahman with the help of the syllable OM. Cross the fearful currents of the ocean of worldliness by means of the raft of Brahman - the sacred syllable OM.With earnest effort hold the senses in check. Controlling the breath, regulate the vital activities. As a charioteer holds back his restive horses, so does a persevering aspirant hold back his mind. Retire to a solitary place, such as a mountain cave or a sacred spot. The place must be protected from the wind and rain, and it must have a smooth, clean floor, free from pebbles and dust. It must not be damp, and it must be free from disturbing noises. It must be pleasing to the eye and quieting to the mind. Seated there, practice meditation and other spiritual exercises.

As you practice meditation, you may see in vision forms resembling snow, crystals, smoke, fire, lightning, fireflies, the sun, the moon. These are signs that you are on your way to the revelation of Brahman.As you become absorbed in meditation, you will realise that the Self is separate from the body and for this reason will not be affected by disease, old age or death. The first signs of progress on the path of Yoga are health, a sense of physical lightness, clearness of complexion, a beautiful voice, an agreeable odour of the person, and freedom from craving.As a soiled piece of metal, when it has been cleaned, shines brightly, so the dweller in the body, when he has realised the truth of the Self, loses his sorrow and becomes radiant with bliss.The yogi experiences directly the truth of Brahman by realising the light of the Self within.

He is freed from all impurities - He is pure, the birthless, the bright.He is the one God, present on the north, the east, the south and the west. He is the creator. He enters into all wombs. He alone is now born as all beings, and He alone is to be born as all beings in the future. He is within all persons as the inner Self, facing in all directions. Let us adore the Lord, the luminous one, who is in fire, who is in water, who is in plants and trees, who pervades the whole universe. At the periods of creation and dissolution of the universe, He alone exists. Those who realise Him become immortal.The Lord is one without a second. Within man, and within all other beings, He projects the universe, maintains it, and withdraws it into Himself.

His eyes are everywhere; His face, His arms, His feet are in every place. Out of Himself He has produced the heavens and the earth, and with His arms and His wings He holds them together.He is the origin and support of the gods. He is the Lord of all. He confers bliss and wisdom upon those who are devoted to Him. He destroys their sins and their sorrows.He punishes those who break His laws. He sees all and knows all. May He endow us with good thoughts!This vast universe is a wheel. Upon it are all creatures that are subject to birth and death and rebirth. Round and round it turns, and never stops. It is the wheel of Brahman. As long as the individual self thinks it is separate from Brahman, it revolves upon the wheel in bondage to the laws of birth, death and rebirth. But when through the grace of Brahman it realises its identity with Him, it revolves upon the wheel no longer. It achieves immortality. The Lord supports this universe, which is made up of the perishable and the imperishable, the manifest and the unmanifest.

The individual soul, forgetful of the Lord, attaches itself to pleasure and thus is bound. When it comes to the Lord, it is freed from all its fetters. Mind and matter, master and servant- both have existed from beginnigless time. The Maya that unites them has also existed from beginningless time. When all three- mind, matter, and Maya- are known as one with Brahman, then is it realised that the Self is infinite and has no part in action. Then it is revealed that the Self is all. O Lord, Thou hast revealed Thy sacred syllable OM, which is one with Thee. In Thy hands it is a weapon with which to destroy ignorance.

O protector of Thy devotees, do not conceal Thy benign person. Thou art the Supreme Brahman. Thou art infinite. Thou hast assumed the forms of all creatures, remaining hidden in them. Thou prevadest all things. Thou art the one God of the universe. Those who realise Thee become immortal.I have known beyond all darkness, that great Person of golden effulgence. Only by knowing Him does one conquer death. There is no other way of escaping the wheel of birth, death and rebirth.There is nothing superior to Him, nothing different from Him, nothing subtler or greater than He. Alone He stands, changeless, self-luminous; He, the great one, fills this universe.Though He fills this universe, He transcends it. He is untouched by its sorrows. He has no form. Those who know Him become immortal. Others remain in the depths of misery.The Lord God, all-pervading and omnipresent, dwells in the heart of all beings. Full of grace, He ultimately gives liberation to all creatures by turning their faces forward Himself.He is the innermost Self. He is the great Lord.

He it is that reveals the purity within the heart by means of which He, who is pure Being, may be reached. He is the ruler. He is the great light, shining forever. This great Being, assuming the form of the size of a thumb, forever dwells in the heart of all creatures as their innermost Self. He can be known directly by the purified mind through spiritual discrimination. Knowing Him, men become immortal.This great Being has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet. He envelopes the universe. Though transcendent, He is to be meditated upon as residing in the lotus of the heart, at the centre of the body, ten fingers above the navel. He alone is all this- what has been and what shall be. He has become the universe, yet He remains forever changeless, and is the Lord of immortality.Without organs of sense, yet reflecting the activities of the senses, He is the Lord and ruler of all.He is the friend and refuge of all. He resides in the body, the city of nine gates. He sports in the world and without in innumerable forms. He is the Master, the ruler of the whole world, animate and inanimate. He moves fast, though without feet. He grasps everything, though without hands.

He sees everything , though without eyes. He hears everything, though without ears. He knows all that is, but no one knows Him. He is called the Supreme, the Great One.Subtler than the subtlest, greater than the greatest, the Self is hidden in the heart of all creatures. Through His grace a man loses his cravings, transcends grief, and realises Him as Brahman Supreme.If the truth of these scriptures are meditated upon by a man in the highest degree devoted to God, and (devoted) to his guru (spiritual teacher) as to his God, they will shine forth. They will shine forth indeed!

pranam ji........

Why Should One Pray ?

Why Should One Pray ?
Translations by AJ Vekaria


Many people are heard to say: "I believe in God and virtuous life, I do my duty I am honest and charitable. But I do not believe in all these rituals organized religions want us to do. And I don't think it is there, he will look after everyone and we do not have to ask him for anything. Prayer is just a sort of flattery. God does not expect us to pray to him. You can't please Him by flattery". This may appear to be a rational and reasonable argument. But it is not quite

so. Let us see how we can counter this argument.
Firstly let us find out what we know about the name or form of god. Let us consider only those aspects of God on which there is universal agreement. Briefly stated, God is kind and benevolent, omnipotent and omnipresent. These aspects of God are universally accepted and no religion in the world refuses any of these except you to pray to Him? Will He shower his mercies on you only if you pray to Him? This is the question many people may ask. Will not the God be pleased with you if you are a good man and will he not look after you even if you do not pray to Him?
Yes, IF you are really honest, kind, dutiful, sincere, service-minded, disciplined and have all the virtues and none of the vices definitely God will look after you. But how can you be all that? The world is full of temptations. However virtuous a man may be there if likelihood of committing sins, of succumbing to the temptations and God cannot be expected to tolerate ADHARMA. Is it not then necessary for a man to think of God, for then alone he can save himself from committing sins? If one has to get the thought of God on such occasions, one has to spend sometime in meditating on God and his prayers to God "O, LORD LEAD US NOT TO TEMPTATION" is more directed to himself (a sort of auto suggestion) than to God. For God has given you a free will, This prayer, if regularly done, cannot but give you tremendous will-power to The thought of God can desist you from doing wrong.

Secondly, when do most people pray? Of course, when they are in grief. "God, save me!" is a very common prayer. What purpose does this prayer serve? If you believe in KARMA, you have to face the results of your actions, enjoy or suffer depending on your actions. God, when you cannot escape the results of the past Karma? argument. But what should you do when in great trouble when you have nothing else to look for? If you go to someone and tell him all your troubles, the person may show some sympathy, may offer you some help, but not every time. There are some occasions when no one can help you and your telling someone all about your troubles may give you relief but you are actually hurting the other person by making him listen to all the unpleasant things. So pray to God, "Oh, God, save me !" When you say God is all powerful and merciful, is it not reasonable to except Him to forgive you and save you from the troubles, the results of your past action? Of course, you MUST be sincere and genuinely repent for what you have done and if so, God will forgive you, provided you will not repeat the wrong acts for which you were made to suffer. One may argue that even this is not necessary. God will automatically forgive you and save you even from your troubles which are the results of your KARMA. if you are now good, virtuous etc. But by praying to God at such times, are you not again re-assuring yourself that there is god who alone can and will save you? Will not that give you confidence and courage to boost your morale and enable you to withstand all the miseries? Here again the prayer is more directed to yourself than towards God.

So prayer is no flattery of God. It is very much necessary for us to lead a virtuous life and to withstand all the trials and tribulations in life. But praying to God (in whichever form you figure Him in Your mind and whichever form it pleases you, whichever method you adopt-chanting his name, singing in praise of Him, offering flowers etc., visiting temples and prostrating before the deity- all are equally effective) everyday you develop a habit of remembering God always which could stop you from committing wrongful acts and also give you the courage and confidence to bear all the miseries because you constantly remember that God is there to forgive you and save you.

Like the moon during the lighted fortnight, calamities increases for him who is a slave to his senses. The king who wishes to control his counselors before controlling his own self, or the king who wishes to subdue his adversaries before controlling his counselors, fights a losing battle, losing his strength. A king should first subdue his own self. He will then never fail to subdue his counselors and later his enemies. Great prosperity waits upon him who has subjugated his senses, or controlled his soul, or who is capable of punishing all offenders, or who acts with discernment or who is blessed with patience.

Paths to the Highway

Paths to the Highway


A common western view is that India is ascetic, otherworldly and life denying. This is however not true. India has not condemned enjoyment as evil. Hindu scriptures claim that there is nothing wrong with pleasure; it is one of the legitimate ends in life, but one must see that pleasure is fulfilled as richly and aesthetically as possible.

It is inevitable that when man pursues pleasure he must one day realise that pleasure is not all that he wants. A man of maturity knows that pleasure is not wicked, however he does conclude that it is too trivial to satisfy man’s total nature.

Hindu philosophy knows that one cannot gain by suppressing desire or by imagining that it does not exist.

All Hinduism asks is that one has an awareness of the above facts. Then one can go after desire and pleasure in a prudent manner and deal with people and circumstances with the fair play it deserves.

During the stage where man is involved in pursu­ing worldly goals a Spiritual master is not likely to disturb the aspirant beyond offering some suggestions as to how to deal with the mundane problems of his everyday life.

When man follows the desire of fame and wealth to its hilt, another stage unfolds in his life when he asks: "Is this all? Am I going to leave all this that I own or have achieved behind, when I die?"

Man realises deeply that he does not want to die. Sometimes one may find oneself driven to suicide but no one really feels happy about dying.

Man wants to be immortal and man seeks Joy. These two desires together coin into one word Mukti or Liberation -- a liberation from the sorrows of Life and Death.
Hinduism not only promises infinite being and infinite joy but also claims that they are already his.

Why is this then not obvious, one may argue?

The Hindu sages claim that the reason that we are not aware of the infinite joy that is within us is because of the dust of distraction and false ideas that cover the light of our infinite centre.
Jesus Christ also claims that the "Kingdom of God is within you."


The Three Pathways

But how does one reach that Infinite Ocean of Bliss which is now hidden deep within us.
How does one start his journey towards divine perfection?

The Hindus have prescribed three different paths to purify one’s personality and to guide people to a higher state of being.

If the goal is one, should there not be one path to it?

Different starting point is determined by the kind of person one is, by the kind of personality one possesses.

There are, according to Hindu analysis, three different kinds of persons.

Some are basically reflective; their way to God would be through knowledge.

The second kind is primarily emotional. Their way to God would be through Devotion and Love.

The third kind is essentially active. Their way to God would be through work and service.
The Path of Knowledge

Such people follow where their Intellect leads. By prolonged intensive reflection such personalities touch upon the unchanging element in themselves, which Hindus call the atman.
By constant introspection they pierce through the various identifications of the roles, that they have played, i.e. as father, as son, friend, husband etc.

By doing so they touch upon true self, which is synonymous with peace and joy. With it they finally identify and merge.

Bhakti Marg - The way to God through love.

This path is dominated totally by Love. Love for love’s sake and not for any other ulterior motive. This love for God will automatically weaken the world’s grip of attachment and desires.
This path knows only to give of oneself totally without asking for anything in return.

Karma Marg - The Way to God through Action

It is needless to state that the human body was made and meant for action. People who are idle or made to retire from their profession are generally not very happy personalities.

Hinduism does not believe that one must take to the woods in order to worship. We must in fact turn each activity of ours into a thoughtful movement, which takes us closer to God and to our ultimate goal.

One must come to feel that one is only an instru­ment through which God’s work is done. That way the ego is kept at bay. One must work like a person who loves and does everything for his beloved seeking nothing for himself but taking pleasure in service alone.

Activity is an essential function of life and when one looks closely it becomes obvious that the way of knowledge and the way of devotion are both comple­mentary. Both are required to round up a personality to perfection.

Hence the conclusion, one may be predominantly a follower of one path, but all the paths must even­tually join into one main Highway.

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Raj

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