 
Jnanajyoti - A Spiritual Diary

By Srinivasa Prasad Pillutla at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Srinivasa Prasad Pillutla

Discover other titles by Srinivasa Prasad Pillutla at <https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AtmajyothiPrasad>

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

****

Dedicated to

Sadguru M. Narasimha Prabhu

****

## Chapter About Sadguru Prabhuji

Sadguru M.Narasimha Prabhu

The words in this book are written by me, but the meaning came from the teaching of my Guru. Words fail to express my gratitude to my Guru, who is compassion personified.  
One can never repay the debt owed to Guru. It is only by carrying forward the teaching, can one repay that debt.  
I dedicate my spiritual diary as an humble offering to him.  
Guruji is the founder of Light of the Self foundation, bangalore, india.  
Guruji's recorded talks are available online at <http://www.youtube.com/user/AtmajyothiSatsang/videos>.  
Guruji's website is at http://www.atmajyothi-satsang.org and http://www.lightofself.org

****

## Chapter Preface

This is a spiritual diary.  
I have recorded my thought process over a period of 4 years since I met my Guru. When I met him in 2009, my mind was noisy, and compared to that, today my mind is extremely peaceful. I attribute that to the way Guruji guided the confused mind out of that state over a period of time, by clarifying the doubts of the intellect.  
Some of the articles in this book appear in question and answer fashion, while some appear as contemplative in nature, as if I am thinking aloud.  
I have sent each one of these to my Guru and corrected my understanding. I felt that this spiritual diary may benefit somebody.

****

## Chapter Gurupoornima (2009-07-07 17:33)

I make the following resolutions on Gurupoornima.  
Follow the path shown by Guru. Never swerve from the path due to ego. Let the Jnana flow be uninterrupted between Guru, Sishya, and the world. Do Jnana Yagna.  
Prostrations to Guru on Gurupoornima.  
The path is said to be sharp like razor's edge. Either one can grasp truth or one can let misunderstandings cloud mind. Truth is subtle and fine.  
Let the truth/jnana from Sadguru flow through me to the world.

****

## Chapter Gurupoornima July-5-2009 (2009-07-07 20:30)

Gurupoornima celebrations on July-5-2009 at Prabhu's home  
We, around 20 people gathered in Prabhu's home on July-5-2009 to celebrate Gurupoornima. Prabhu after  
Guru pooja gave a talk on the following topics,  
1) Importance of Guru and explained Gurugita  
2) Gurupaduka meaning  
3) Why SriVedaVyasa is prayed to on Gurupoornima  
4) Guruparampara  
1) Importance of Guru : Guru is greater than God. All the Gods bow before Sadguru's wisdom. Sadguru is one.  
2) Gurupaduka : Viveka (discrimination) and vairagya(detachment) are the two padukas(footwear) of Sadguru. The path taken by Guru is what we have to follow using these two tools. Jesus was able to walk on the water of samsara. The Jiva cannot walk on water (samsara sagara), it can only make numerous attempts to stay afloat and gasps for breath.  
3) Sri Vedavyasa : Sri Vedavyasa has compiled the four Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, MahaBharata, Bhagavadgita, Bhagavata for the benefit of future generations of people. While the stories of Purana may not be true, there is truth in those stories. The stories are not stories, they are capsules of knowledge containing deep spiritual messages. Bharata(Meaning Land of people interested in wisdom) or India is a land where since ancient times people are spiritually oriented. It has weathered many brutal assaults on its spiritual heritage, culture, dharma. Many wars has been conducted against India by hostile forces destroying libraries, temples etc. The reason Sanatana dharma and its principles are alive today is not because of Vedas but the knowledge and wisdom of vedas hidden in the stories of Ramayana, MahaBharata, Puranas, Bhagavata etc. And the credit for this goes to Sri Vedavyasa to have protected the paravidya(spiritual science) and aparavidya(material science) of Vedas. Please do not mistake that Vedas are related to religion. Meaning of veda is knowledge. All knowledge whether it is spiritual or material science has origin in Veda. Modern science is dependent on mathematics. Without Maths there is no science. And the basis of Maths is the concept of '0' zero. This concept of zero is coming from Veda. Sri Vedavyasa is not mentioned anywhere as the origin of all knowledge and todays generation has almost forgotten the saviour of mankind. Because of Sri Vedavyasa, the knowledge is encapsuled in the stories and passed on from generation to generation and the wisdom survived, and it has been passed on to the entire world. Bharata is the cradle of wisdom. It supplies the knowledge and wisdom to the world. So, the Gurupoornima is dedicated to SriVedavyasa.  
4) Guruparampara : Narayana or Sadashiva is the AdiGuru or Sadguru. There is Guru and Sadguru. Guru is a signpost who can show the path. Sadguru ends the spiritual sadhana and removes the ego. The people assembled there are Gurus, who should do jnana yagna to light the atmajyoti of other seekers after truth. Spread the jnana. Guruparampara is like a river. It never stops, we are all part of that parampara. An announcement is made about the website http://www.atma-jyoti.org , bhajans were sung and people disbursed.

****

## Chapter Sadguru (2009-07-08 07:13)

Quoting SriRaman Maharshi  
"Ordinary Guru asks you to do all kinds of techniques and practices. The sadhaka mind is already agitated, and frustrated before coming to him. After coming to an ordinary Guru, Sadhaka is even more confused as to his previous practices, and future practices. What Sadhaka needs is rest of mind. Know that if your Guru asks you to do this and that , He is Yama disguised."  
Sadguru will not show any path or ask you to do any practice. Sadguru will simply ask the sadhaka to take rest of mind. That is the end of spiritual practices. Hence in who's presence your mind finds rest and peace, that person is your sadguru.  
"Na Guror Adhikam, Na Guror Adhikam", There is nobody higher than Guru.

****

## Chapter How to solve a problem (2009-07-08 17:54)

I had a discussion with Prabhu regarding solving a problem. The discussion was whether to take political

route or not. Here is what Prabhu said,"When something is a seed, you can crush it easily. When it becomes plant it is difficult.When it becomes tree it is much more difficult.Enlightenment is working at seed level. Politics is working at tree level. You have to solve the problem at root. That is the solution.Enlightenment is slow process but solves the problem in a long term way. Buddhas enlightenment still affects people even after 2500 years. Many Dalits get comfort from Buddha.While politics is short term and quick solution but not long lasting. Where is Gandhis principles ?"

****

## Chapter Kodanda and Trishula (2009-07-09 07:44)

Prabhu : I dont have kodanda or trishul  
i : wisdom is necessary. You are like Rama to me.  
Prabhu: No. Clarity of understanding has to come. That is the idea. Guru is greater than Rama. Simple reason is the wisdom which shows God. Wisdom is more than kodanda and trishula  
i : Drik drishya viveka can be applied here? Tool=Jnana, and Drishya=God/Rama. While this is still in the domain of Maya, and the person who shows path beyond maya has to be greater than Rama. am I close ?  
Prabhu : Yes. Guru established in Truth is beyond maya. Gods pay respect to such wisdom. Vashishta a brahmajnani was Guru of Rama. Well to find out who is such a Guru where to find him whether he accepts  
you as a shishya is a different matter

****

## Chapter Do we need a physical Ashram (2009-07-09 12:01)

i : Do we need to build a Ashram ?  
Prabhu : I come from Grihastashram. The home which I live is Ashram. You may have seen people coming to study at my house. For a grahasthashrami, home itself is ashram. He should use it for study and teaching purpose. This is the way our Rishis lived. They studied Ayurveda, Jyotishya, did deep research at the same time living their life as grahasthas. Being a knower of Reality, I consider whole world as my Ashram too. I donot have motivation for name,fame or money for teaching. I simply teach what I know if people ask me. I dont even search for students. If there is a necessity, by Gods Will students come.Well, if there is a larger facility required for students if my house becomes small, that also God will take care.The difficulty with Ashram business is it involves lot of money and administration effort.The moment Ashram is there there is marketing effort, donation collection and what not.You must have seen my approach. No money. Everybody puts volunteer effort ( including food) shares with everybody and goes. The moment money comes into spirituality there is corruption. My role is to light the fire of wisdom in people. Due to time and space limitation, I can handle a max of 20-30 students per year. But I focus on quality and not on quantity. These 20 of my students will become light for others. Thus this is a system of Gurukul. My students belong to my family - Gurukul. If they follow what I do, have a facility in their home for study and teaching a few aspiring students, I think that itself a big achievement. If you remember Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he had altogether only 100 students in his life time. - 50 committed Grahasthas, 40 non committed Grahasthas, about 10 monks.The website is definitely giving an outlet where I can put my thoughts and help people through email/web technology. All said and done, I donot discourage building Ashram if it helps people. As I said, I teach students to become Gurus. You are one such Guru.It is your wish to do what you think is right. My job is only light the fire.  
i : Thanks for explaining what is Ashram, I will follow your path

****

## Chapter Death (2009-07-10 07:25)

Who is dying? Who's death are we afraid of ? Are we alive after death ? Everytime we take in breath, life is in the body. When breath goes out body is dead. But you are alive. In deep sleep the 'i' dies. You are not there. When you wake up , you come back to life. So why are you afraid of death. After every breath that goes out, some cells die. Human liver becomes a new regenerated organ every three months. We get a brand new brain every 6 months. old cells die, new cells are born. So what is death. What are we afraid of ?

****

## Chapter Fear and Desire (2009-07-13 17:58)

Guru Speaks :  
Prasava : to deliver a child it takes 9 months in mothers womb  
Prati prasava : For a guru to deliver a person from ignorance it takes 9 months, it is called prati-prasava.  
Enlightenment: Pain is physical, temporary and can be withstood by a person in normal circumstances.Suffering is psychological and long lasting, sometimes spans many lifetimes. Enlightenment means removal of suffering and not physical pain.  
Fear & Desire : Are the two motivating forces of life. Without these world does not move. Fear is the dominant one and desire comes secondary in determining the motive behind our actions. Desire is a 'nice to have' when compared to fear. We will attend to fear first, once it is allayed, we move on to fulfilling our desires. What is this fear? it is the fear of survival. We have died in so many lifetimes that the fear of death is ingrained in our psyche, and we are afraid to die. Death is a end point to our enjoyment. And why is end point not desirable ? because we have not enjoyed life fully. How long do we need to live to enjoy life to the fullest ? Even if we live for ages, we cannot be satisfied. This is because we have not learned to live one moment fully. We dont know how to enjoy fully atleast one moment of life. If one moment is lived fully, it is sufficient for a person to be satisfied and pack his bags and wait for death. That is the beauty of life that if one has lived just one moment fully, he is completely satisfied.

****

## Chapter Three Jewels of Buddha (2009-07-17 05:59)

Gautama Buddha gave 3 jewels to spiritual aspirants,  
1) Buddham sharanam gachchami  
2) Sangam sharanam gachchami  
3) Dhammam sharanam gachchami  
Let us take a closer look at the three jewels.  
Jewel 1 : Buddham sharanam gachchami  
Meaning : One should take refuge in Buddha  
Does this mean we have to go to a buddhist monastry and say to the Gautama Buddha that "Henceforth I declare that I take refuge in you". No.  
There are three kinds of Buddhas.  
1) Sleeping Buddha : 99 % people fall under this category  
2) Waking Buddha : Very few people who are self-realised  
3) Sleep walking Buddha : almost 1 % who has half baked knowledge and become self-styled Gurus.  
Now, If you are a sleeping buddha, then you have to take refuge in waking buddha. It is very difficult for a person to accept another person as a waking Buddha. The ego doesnt accept that a person can be enlightened and living. Ego can accept Gautama Buddha as an enlightened being because he is not there physically. Ego will accept any person as a great when that person is not alive. It cannot and will not accept that a living being can also be divine. It thinks that enlightenment is beyond this life. What it essentially saying is , you cannot attain enlightenment while alive. Hence the spiritual progress doesnt happen at all. The possibility of nirvana is nipped in bud. The moment a person acknowledges that it is indeed possible for a living being to be alive and at the same time enlightened, then the person is doing two things,  
1) Acknowledging the possibility of enlightenment in this lifetime for somebody  
2) Allowing hope to blossom in self for the same possibility that it can happen to me. this is the start of spiritual journey.  
This acknowledgement of the possibility of nirvana is what is called sharanam.  
So we have to find a person who is waking Buddha, and acknowledge and convince to ourselves that here is a person who has completed the journey and waking, I should take his/her guidance. This starts a process of awakening in that person.  
Buddham sharanam gachchami.  
Jewel 2 : Sangam sharanam gachchami  
Meaning : Take refuge in company  
Here sanga means 'satsanga', good company. It is said that it is the company that makes us.  
If we have good company then, we will inculcate good qualities.  
Two things happen in taking refuge in company,  
1) We learn from each other's suffering. There is a lot to learn from suffering.  
2) We are acknowledging that others are also equal to us, if not better.  
Jewel 3 : Dhammam sharanam gachchami  
Meaning : Take refuge in dharma  
harma means essential nature. It is the dharma of fire to burn, water to cool, and air to blow.The essential nature of a person is peace and happiness. We have to take refuge in the peace and happiness inside us. We are made up of body mind and soul. The dharma of body is that of hunger. The dharma of mind is to produce waves of thoughts. The dharma of soul is to be peaceful. Apart from this, a person will have dharma with respect to their profession etc.  
Fulfill the dharma according to the layer that you are. Fulfill the Dharma of all layers efficiently. This is the meaning 'Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha'.

****

## Chapter Dharma (2009-07-17 10:12)

Dharma : means essential nature. It is the nature of fire to burn, nature of water to cool etc.  
What does this line mean ? "Ramo vigrahavan dharmaha"  
It means The essential nature of Rama is that of bliss.Rama shows perfect Dharma in each aspects - As son, as king, as friend, as enemy, as a wise man, as husband.

****

## Chapter Jnana and Bhakti (2009-07-21 12:26)

There is a popular belief that Jnana marga is dry, Bhakti marga is enjoyable.  
Prabhu : The understanding of what is jnana what is Bhakti has to come from Guru.Self learning has pitfalls. Most of the learning about Jnana/bhakti happens through books or half baked wisdom. It is misleading. Even for Bhakti marga one has to follow an enlightened teacher.The diffculty is there are few really wise teachers and access is very diffcult. The moment there is a really an enlightened Guru, there is no Marga. The marga ends and wisdom shines.If one gets a enlightened teacher in Bhakti marga, one will have a vision of deity fully and no more marga remains.Jnana and Bhakti both are same. It is always for Inner Self. To start with people are given outer form.Getting stuck to outer form becomes great hurdle in spiritual life. Enlightened teacher of Bhakti will remove that ignorance and show deity in the heart.  
myself: then what is jnana, there wont be deities in jnana ?  
Prabhu : We have manas and chitta. Manas and chitta requires deities to purify. Once that happens jnana shines in buddhi. Outer deity has to become inner deity. That is what I taught in Ganesha meditation. That is what I will be teaching in other Chakras. Jnana is mainly for Ajnachakra.  
myself : Should we visualise a form in chakra ?  
Prabhu : Depending on your ability, you can visualise form, qualities,colour and feeling.These are generated conciously for the purpose of meditation. Ganesha is a form given to Parabrahma for the purpose of meditation and Bhakti.  
Prabhu : To become a good teacher, it takes lot of tapasya.  
myself : pls tell me what is tapasya  
Prabhu : Tapasya is unconcious spiritual practices you do before you get sadguru or enlightenment. It is like intense searching in a place you dont know. Because of your intense searching which happened, you will be able to guide others later.

****

## Chapter Stand firm on word given (2009-07-21 17:36)

Rama gives refuge to the sages in Dandaka-aranya and vows to protect them from the demons who descend right at the time of fire oblation. Sita expresses concern and advices Rama against it, for which Rama says "I will stand by my word even foregoing my life, Lakshmana, and you. I cannot forego my word. I will protect them at any cost."  
Moral 1 : One has to protect righteousness even at the cost of one's life  
Moral 2: One has to stand firm on the word given  
Another way to understand this is :  
Rishi : stands for wisdom  
Yajna : Jnana yajna  
Rakshasas : Negative tendencies  
Wisdom seeks refuge in Rama - Atma

****

## Chapter Self-realisation Vs God-realisation (2009-07-22 09:12)

This is from Prabhu.

We have two aspects of our being - Head and Heart. Head represents the intellect and Heart represents the mind ( manas, chitta etc). Accordingly there are two realizations which can happen.  
a). Heart Realization  
\- Heart includes chitta and manas ( Subconcious). Subconcious is 95 % of our personality. It over powers us with memories and concepts.  
Subconcious purification happens in many ways.  
a). Prayer b). Anusthana c). Upasana d). Listening to Stories of Lord ( Harikatha, Purana - designed for direct appeal to Heart). e). Bhajans f). seless service - Karmayoga/yajna g). Devotion - Bhakti. h).Purification of Chakras - As per Yoga/Tantra.  
Impurities or Demons in Subconcious are - Fear, shame, guilt, grief, doership, enjoyership,( Aham Karta,Bhokta, Jnata)Result of Purification of Subconcious are - Reduction of unwanted thoughts, deeper feeling of tranquillity. Result of purification are - Sadhana Sampatthi - Shama, dama, tititksha and Uparati.  
Realization of Heart - Deep feeling of oneness of the Universe, Feeling that whole universe is one family ( Vasudaiva kutumbakam), Overflowing joy, tears, elation. I call this as God Realization. (Realization of Ishvara - Saguna Brahman). Realizations include, I am not the doer, I am not the enjoyer ( Naham Karta,Naham Bhokta, Naham Jnata - God alone is - Harireva karta, Harireva Bhokta, Harireva Jnata).  
Samadhi - The intellect now is free from clutches of limited ego but still biased by Universal values, feeling of oneness. In yogic terms this can be called Savikalpa Samadhi.  
Limitations of this Realization : Heart realization is a beautiful realization. The ego sense expands to fill the whole universe. Still the vritti of mind remains since basic Avidya is not gone.  
Mukti or liberation - This falls into category of Krama mukti - gradual liberation. One experiences Salokya, Sameepya and Saroopya state of liberation. After death one goes to Higher Lokas of the deity he has done Upasana.

b). Head Realization  
Head means - Intellect and ahamkara (ego sense)  
Prequalifications for Head Realization are - purification of Subconcious, Shama, Dama, Titiksha and Uparati- Sadhana Sampatti.This is the cleaning of the intellect. Intellect is inuenced by Ahamkara - ego sense. In Heart Realization, ego sense doesnot disappear.  
Practices during this stage are :a). Shravana - Listening to Vedanta.b). Manana -Understanding of Vedanta Vakya c). Nidhidhyasana - Contemplation on Vedanta Vakya.  
Impurities or Demons in Head are - Ego sense, feeling of seperation from universe, self identity, personality, spiritual identity ( I am devotee, Dwaitin, Advaitin etc). Illusions of perception is affecting the intellect.  
Results of Purification of Head are - Clear understanding that I am not - Neti, Neti etc. Disappearance of ego sense - a state of total egolessness. Total freedom from illusion. Establishment in witness conciousness. Realization of Head : I am not the doer, I am not the enjoyer, I am not the knower. ( Naham karta, bhokta,Jnata). I am pure Chaitanya - Pure awareness. I am Brahman ( Aham Brahmasmi).  
Samadhi - Intellect becomes totally free from ego. It gets established in Sakshi - Witness. This is called Sama+Dhi - balanced intellect. Such a person becomes - Sthita prajna - one who is established in wisdom.Such a person gets established in Sahaja Samadhi - Natural state. This is also called Nirvikalpa samadhi.Effect of This realization - There is no limitation. This is final Liberation. Liberation from all bondages.  
However, body will continue to function according to Prarabhda till the life lasts. A musician will continue to be a musician after liberation. But his music will be divine.A speaker will continue to be a speaker. But his speach will be tinged with deep wisdom which cannot be found in books.He no longer needs scriptures (Vedanta) for guidance. What he speaks becomes Vedanta - Upanishad.  
Mukti or Liberation - Such a person becomes Jivan Mukta one who is liberated while alive. This is called Nirvana. He lives in a state of No mind. Even though mind creates thoughts in him, the key "i" thought due to ego sense is missing. He is not affected by thoughts like a sky which is not affected by clouds.

****

## Chapter Rama a Human ? (2009-07-22 10:44)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah  
Adhyatma Ramayan is told by Shiva to Parvati.  
Parvati asks Shiva "If Rama is ParaBrahman, why did he cry for loss of Sita, and acted like a mortal?".  
Shiva replies : Rama is indeed Parabrahman, beyond prakriti (matter), blissful, one without second, and Purushottama. He creates the universe with his Maya, He is omnipresent inside and outside of the universe as Akasa (space), He is the Atma in everybody's Antahkarana (Mind, Intellect, Ego), He makes the world move. Iron moves because of magnet. Matter, Universe appears as if it is alive and moving because of proximity to Rama even though they are Jada or achetana.Ignorant people attribute their ignorance onto Parabrahman. They think that Rama is like them.There is no day and night in Sun. Similarly there is no question of Knowledge and lack of knowledge in Rama, He always is full of wisdom. There is not a hint of ignorance in Rama. He is the origin of Prakriti and Maya or avidya or ignorance cannot influence Rama.  
Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

****

## Chapter Sita the doer, Rama the Witness (2009-07-22 11:54)

Rama Hridayam as told by Shiva to Parvati  
Rama tells Sita to impart wisdom to Hanuman.  
Sita to Hanuman : Son, Understand clearly that Rama is one without second, Parabrahman, substratum of all, cannot be percieved by mind and other sensory organs, ever blissful, Purest, Peaceful, Nirvikara(undisturbed), Omnipresent, Self-illuminated, and Unsinned.Know me as the prakriti who is the originator of universe. I create universe by the power of mere proximity to Rama. Ignorant impose creation and other activities to Rama while it is actually I who does that. Entire Ramayana is an act (karma) of mine.Rama is Omnipresent, hence there is no coming and going, We can also say, he wont stay at one place. He is always blissfull, so he doesnt have shoka. Rama is Poornakama (who's desires are fulfilled), He has no desires.He doesnt have dualities like 'likes' and 'dislikes' so he doesnt have Raaga(I want) and Dvesha(I dont want).He is beyond birth and death. He is immutable. He is not the doer.  
I will tell you about Paramatma, Atma, and Anatma now.  
There are 3 three types of Akasa (space or sky).  
1) Maha akasa : The undivided space or sky above

2) Jalavachchinna akasa : Sky divided into two by the ocean  
3) Chidakasa : The Sky in your mind which is a reection of sky on your intellect. This is Anatma.  
1) Paramatma : Unidived consciousness, Omnipresent, Witness to Prakriti.  
2) Atma : Divided consciousness, Amsha to Paramatma, witness. Not different from Paramatma.  
3) Anatma : Reection of Atma in Buddhi (Jiva) this is a mirage, not real. Because of the dosha in the Buddhi (Intellect), the doership and enjoyership, knowership is attributed to the Atma. Buddhi is the creation of Prakriti. It is anatma.  
Atma is amsha of paramatma hence it is not different from Paramatma. The non-difference between Undivided space (Paramatma) and divided space(Atma) is understood when a Sadguru points out through Shruti vakya like 'Tat tvam asi'.  
Here I am adding as an afterthought what Prabhu told about Viveka and Vairagya as the topic of Atma and Anatma came above.  
Viveka : Discriminate and know clearly what is Atma and what is Anatma  
Vairagya : Attach to Atma and detach from Anatma  
Viveka and Vairagya are the two paduka of Guru, that helps one cross over the ocean of samsara without leaving footprints.  
Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah

****

## Chapter Ahalya worshipping Rama (2009-07-23 09:29)

Adhyatma Ramayan is told by SriRama to Shiva, who in turn told it to Parvati. Hence it is a version that is directly told by the person who lived Ramayana.  
Story of Ahalya  
Ahalya becomes a stone by the curse of her husband Gautama because of the sin she has committed with Indra. By the mere touch of the feet of Rama, Ahalya's sins are washed away.She opens her eyes and recognises Rama as Narayana, Known by Omkara, Unreached by words. Entire universe is Rama as Shabda+Artha (Names and Meaning).  
Ahalya says "You are the creation, creator, and cause of the universe. You are the ulitmate goal and means to attain that".Ahalya thus becomes purified by worshipping Rama.  
What I understood from the above story  
Ahalya is Antahkarana (mind+buddhi+ego), gets corrupted or influenced by the desires of the mind (Indra). Such antahkarana becomes a stone, it cannot reflect ParamAtma. Vishwamitra shows the stone to Rama.Vishwamitra is Guru to Rama (Atma) to show Grace on the antahkarana which has become stone.On opening of eyes, Ahalya recognises Rama (Atma) as none other than Narayana (ParamAtma) , Who is reflected fully on the purified Antahkarana.  
While Eye-opener is the Grace of Guru and Rama, It is the worship/Bhakti of Antahkarana which acts as purifier.

****

## Chapter Sethubandhanam-Rameshwaram (2009-07-30 17:17)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah  
When the construction of bridge across ocean is started (sethubandhanam), Rama consecrates a Shivalinga.This is called Rameshwaram. Rama proclaims "Whoever visits the sethu (bridge) and prays to Rameshwara will get rid of Brahma hatya dosha (sins commited). Further whoever bathes in sethusamudram and visits the Rameshwaram temple and does sankalpa of going to Kasi (varanasi) and brings Ganga water back to Rameshwaram to do Abhisheka (pouring of water on shivaling) will definitely reach Brahmapada (Ultimate abode)".  
Meaning :  
Ocean stands for Samsara sagara. Varanasi is ajna chakra, Ganga water is jnana ganga. Rameshwara is the paramatma that is residing in Ajnachakra. Whoever worships Paramatma with wisdom , beyond Ajna chakra, he reaches the ultimate abode.  
Prabhu's correction :  
Brahma hatya dosha is killing brahma = self. Ignorance of self

****

## Chapter Maricha's sadhana (2009-07-31 09:59)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh namah  
Ravana discusses with Maricha about his plan to abduct Sita, and requests help. Maricha is horrified on hearing this. He advices Ravana against this plan and narrates his story.  
Maricha : Ravana, once when Rama was 16 years old, He protected Vishwamitra yaaga which I tried to obstruct. At a tender age he shot me down with a single arrow which threw me hundred yojana away. Later when he was roaming in Dandaka Forest, I became an Ox and tried to kill him, He again threw me into ocean with a single arrow. I am living in fear of Rama since then. Wherever I look, I see Rama. Even in sleep I think of him. I am afraid of words like Raja, Ramani, Ratna, Ratha that starts with sound 'Ra'. I am always thinking of Rama. Ravana, you cannot fight and win with Rama. Entire Rakshasas will be wiped out. Please desist from this act.Even after hearing this Ravana didnt heed Maricha words and ordered him to become a golden deer to attract Sita. Ravana gives Maricha two options, either help Ravana in his mission or face death.  
Maricha decides that Death in the hands of Rama will give him liberation, heaven, whereas death in the hands of Ravan will take him to hell, so decides to help Ravana.  
Meaning :  
Maricha(individual self/ego under the control of Ravana=demon) has left the four attachments (Raja=Kingdom, Ramani=Women/desires, Ratna=wealth, Ratha=Grandoiseness) and started thinking of Rama=Atma. This was done out of fear of Rama, not out of love of Rama. This is one kind of sadhana.The liberation is not happening out of Grace. Grace is not flowing. But his death is certain. He has two options. Help Ravana and get killed by Rama and go towards liberation, or meet his doom in the hands of Ravana by refusing to help him.  
Ravana the ten headed demon symbolises the evil that afflicts the ten indriyas, 5 jnana indriyas(sight, touch,smell, taste, hearing) , and 5 karma indriyas (tongue, hands, legs, genital-organ, anus) . Ravana is fully enamoured with Sita (maya/prakriti).  
Prabhu's correction :

Maricha is also maya mriga - one which appears golden but not so. Mirage - illusion. Maricha represents illusion of life.

****

## Chapter Gayatri Mantra (2009-08-03 09:40)

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra:  
Sanatana dharma teaches a person to pray to god for a sharp intellect. This is the meaning of Gayatri mantra.A person with purified intellect can and will find truth for himself. Bhu(waking state), Bhuvah(Dream state) , Suvah(deep sleep) are the three states of consciousness everybody undergoes everyday. The three states are illuminated/activated by Surya, Atma, and Paramatma respectively. And we also pray that the same pure intellect be granted to all living beings.

****

## Chapter Devanand Baba's discourse on mukti (2009-08-03 09:58)

Devanand Baba came to Prabhu's house on Aug-2-2009 and talked on mukti and mukta.  
Story of Trilinga swamy in Kasi :  
A swamiji lived in Kasi in 19th century. He was gifted a shawl in winter by a Rani (Queen). He danced with joy on recieving the gift like a child. There was a beggar who is also feeling the cold of winter. He begged Raniji to give him also a shawl. On hearing this, swami Trilinga gave his shawl to Raniji. Rani gave the shawl to the beggar. Beggar started saying 'Jai Raniji'. On hearing this Rani said to beggar to say 'Jai Trilinga swami'. Trilinga swami said, No beggar was right , it is indeed 'Jai Jai to Rani' who gave away the shawl.and Trilinga swamy told Rani, today you have become real Queen.  
Moral of the story :  
The person who is above the 'lena and dena', meaning 'giving and taking' is a real mukta.

****

## Chapter Oneness (2009-08-03 10:24)

Advaita bhavana or Oneness is a difficult feeling to understand for a person who is having Dvaita bhavana or duality. This is a description of Oneness coming from Prabhu which I gleaned from him in a casual talk.Panchabhoota (earth, water,fire, air, space) are one. We divide them into many. We divide land. When water is in a pot it appears different to us from the water in river. The fire that burns in our fireplace appears different from the fire in forest. But in reality they are one.  
Similarly mind is one. Its function of raising thoughts, desires, and wants is one in nature. There is only one mind, that appears many.Similarly the intellect is one. The function of intellect is to judge and take decisions. There is only one intellect, that appears many. Similarly Atma is one. It appears many because of the containers being different.This is the oneness and Advaita bhavana.

****

## Chapter Maricha's liberation (2009-08-03 17:55)

Rama knowing the plan of Ravana to abduct Sita, tells sita to create a maya sita, a chaya (shadow sita),and hide in fire. Sita creates a shadow sita and enters fire and stays there. Maya sita sees the maya mriga (Maricha, deer) and asks Rama to bring it so that she can play with it. Lakshmana says that it is none other than Maricha. Rama hurries towards Maricha on the pretext of bringing him to sita, but it is actually to give him liberation. This shows the karuna (grace) of Rama on even Rakshasa (evil person) when the evil person takes his refuge. When it is clear to Rama that the deer is indeed a Rakshasa, he shoots an arrow and kills the deer. Maricha cries out loud, 'Hey Lakshmana', 'Hey Sita' and dies. While all the devatas (Angels) are watching, Maricha merges with the Lord Rama. All the devathas are surprised at the emanicipation of a evil person and says to themselves " This Maricha has done many misdeeds, killed many good people, yet he is able to reach Lord, because he has spent his last moments in remembering Rama, albeit with fear. Whoever remembers Rama at the time of leaving the body will reach him".  
Meaning :  
Meaning 1: When a person's consciousness is that of Rama (witness) at the time of leaving the body, he doesnt take another janma (birth). The key to remember Rama at the time of death is to constantly remember him, either with love or with hatred.  
Meaning 2: Ego is nothing but a chaya (ghost) entity of the real I. Ego is a thought process of I, which assumes the role of master. Ravana the ten headed demon wants to takeover the ego also. When real sita enters fire(third chakra), Ravana takes the chaya sita who is in the prithvi tatva (muladhara) symbolically shown by Ravana carrying Sita along with the very earth she stands on.Rama can put an end to illusion of life (Maricha).

****

## Chapter Steps for enlightenment (2009-08-09 05:01)

1) Identify the gaps in your understanding of things  
2) Identify the means to fill the gaps  
3) make a sankalpa or take a vow for enlightenment  
4) make baby steps towards goal  
5) do not hurry towards enlightenment  
Nuggets of Buddhist wisdom :  
1) Prayer : When you pray, always be clear about your objective. What you are praying for.  
2) Three types of people : a) Who are happy with life b) Who are happy with their own enlightenment c) Those who can help others also to achieve enlightenment  
3) Gautama buddha prayed for helping others towards enlightenment in his previous lives. Intention is more important. If intention is there, it will happen sometime.  
4) I will wait for my enlightenment till the last person is enlightened.  
5) When you do a thing, always be clear about your objective

****

## Chapter Resolutions for enlightenment (2009-08-09 10:23)

I will do svadhyaya (study of self)

****

## Chapter Yaksha prashna : Dharmaraja's answers (2009-08-10 04:58)

In Mahabharata, end of Aranyaparva, a dialogue happens between a righteous crane and Yudhishtir (Dharmaraja). This is named as 'Baka-Yudhisthir-samvad' and spells out Truth understandable by layman and easily followable. Below is the story and the question answers.  
An agnihotra brahmin approaches Pandavas asking for help in arresting a deer that ran away with his samidhas, which got stuck in its horns. Pandavas being kshatriyas, who vowed to help and protect anybody who approached them for help, chased the deer. They were unsuccessful in catching the deer. They went deep into the forest and were tired, exhausted and thirsty. Yudhistir orders his younger brother Sahadeva to go search for water and bring back water for all of them. Sahadeva reaches a clear lake and was about to quench his thirst when he hears a warning, 'this lake belongs to me, you will die if you drink this water without answering my questions'. Sahadeva disregards this warning and quenches his thirst. Immediately he dies. Similar fate falls on next brothers Nakula, and Arjuna, and Bhima. Finally Yudhishtir the king himself goes in search of his brothers. He finds to his dismay that his brothers have died and lying on ground. He wanted to do last rites to his brothers with water oblation, and approached the lake, He hears the warning 'This is my lake and if you drink this water without answering my questions, you will die'. Yudhistir hears intently and finds that these words are spoken by a Crane. He replies, 'I have no intention of taking what belongs to others, but I will answer your questions to the best of my ability, but I pray you to show me your true form, as you cannot be a normal bird who can kill my brothers who are known for their valor'. On hearing this Crane shows his form as a Yaksha with grotesque eyes burning like sun, body tall like a palm tree.  
The following are the questions posed by Yaksha and answers by Yudhistir. I will not comment on what I understood on most of the questions but on a few.First 4 questions :  
What is weightier than earth? Mother  
What is taller than the sky? Father  
What is faster than the wind? Mind  
What is more numerous than grass? Thoughts  
My meaning :  
a) Mother (Natural mother, Prakriti, Shakti) are higher than earthly pleasures. As Lord SriRam said 'Janani Janma Bhoomischa, swargadapi gariyasi'.  
b) Father Shiva is taller than sky. Sky being in mind, and Shiva being witness to mind.  
c) Mind is obviously faster than anything.  
d) Thoughts are numerous in nature, uncountable like grass or waves in a ocean.  
Second 4 questions :  
Who is the friend of a traveller? A companion  
Who is the friend of a householder? A spouse  
Who is the friend of the sick? A doctor  
Who is the friend of the dying? His charity  
Third 4 questions :  
By renouncing what does one become loved? Pride  
By renouncing what is one free of sorrow? Anger  
By renouncing what does one become wealthy? Desire  
By renouncing what does one become happy? Greed  
My meaning :  
If we leave Pride, Anger, Desire, Greed aside we will be loved, free of sorrow, prosperous and be happy. This gives the cure for the condition that was explained in Gita sloka 'From unfulfilled desire gives rise to Anger,from anger delusion and subsequently fall of man'  
This answer tells us what to drop off.  
Fourth 4 questions :  
What treasure is the best? Skill  
What wealth is the best? Education  
What is the greatest gain? Health  
And the greatest happiness? Contentment  
My meaning :  
a) The skill here is 'Skill in karma'  
b) Education and wisdom of Shruthi is meant here  
c) Arogyam is the greatest gain : Not just bodily health, but also health of mind and soul.  
d) Contentment (Trupti) gives bliss. I remember a telugu couplet that goes like this 'Trupti chendani manujudu sapta dveepambulaina chakkam badune' meaning 'A person without contentment will not be satisfied even if you give him sapta dveepa(master over seven chakras)'  
fifth 4 questions :  
What is a man's self? His progeny  
Who is his God-given friend? His wife  
What supports his life? Rain  
What is his principal duty? Charity  
My meaning :  
a) Progeny is a mirror image of self  
b) Spouse is required for doing Yajna  
c) Rain happens because of Yajna, and Yajna happens because of karma. hence in saying that Rain is the support of life Yudhistir says 'Karma is the support of life'  
d) Charity means Yajna  
Sixth question :  
Is there a person who enjoys all pleasures of the senses, who is intelligent, is respected by all creatures and worshipped by the world, who breathes and yet is not alive?  
Answer : The person who fails to satisfy Gods, guests, servants, pitrs and his Atman, may breathe but is not alive.  
Seventh 4 questions :  
What makes the sun rise? Brahma  
Who moves around him? Gods  
What causes the sun to set? Dharma  
How is he held firm? Truth  
My meaning :  
a) The external world is a projection of mind of Brahman. It is illuminated by Sun.  
b) All the Gods are created by Brahma and they are dependent on the illuminator Surya  
c) Omkara has three padas, srishti, stithi, laya. It is the nature of all creation to go through these cycles,hence the setting of Sun follows the Dharma of laya into Brahman.  
The dissolved Sun is based on Truth (Satya), from which it will come forth again.

****

## Chapter Rama leaving Sita in Forest (2009-08-11 10:18)

This writeup deals with the question of Rama leaving Sita in Forest according to Adhyatma Ramayana.Sita says to Rama, "All the devatas requested me to come to Vaikunta, They say, Rama is always together with Sita, who are currently on earth, once she comes to Vaikunta he will also come and stay there to rule devatas."  
On hearing this, Rama says, "I will create a negative rumour about you in the world and leave you in forest on that pretext. You reach vaikunta by piercing the earth and stay there, I will also come there subsequently".  
After sometime, Rama asks the assembled ministers, "Are there negative rumours about me or sita, or kaikeyi,or other members of the rulers ?, pls tell me without fear".  
Minister Vijaya says "All the people of ayodhya are doubting the character of the Queen Sita after being abducted by Ravana, and they say that they also have to follow your example and tolerate bad character of their wives, because yatha raja tatha praja, So as ruler , so are the subjects."  
Rama asks all ministers, they all say that the all the people of Ayodhya are of the same opinion.Then, Rama asks Lakshmana to leave Sita in Forest.  
The story of just one washerman casting doubt on Sita and Rama leaving her on that count is not there in Adhyatma Ramayan. All the people of Ayodhya asked for removing Sita as a Queen.  
Prabhu's comment on this issue :  
spiritual Story told in the disguise of historical story.  
Rama represents the Self - Atman. Sita represents the Jivatman - ego self. Remember Sita was born to Earth - Representing body of human being - made up of mud - annamaya kosha. Sita was kidnapped by Ravana -ten headed monster -representing afflicted sense organs (5+5). Hanuman is the mind. After resqueing Sita, subjects of Rama \- representing thoughts, vasanas were ruled by the Self and Jivatman united with the Self. The vasanas show negative qualities \- thought process.Jivatman is forced to depart from Atman. Jivatman becomes one with the body - Body conciousness.

My additional commentary :

Sita = Jiva atman (Ego self)

Rama = Atman

When Ego self reaches a stage of Vaikunta (state of without blemish, vi + kunta = vaikunta = No drawbacks),it enables the Indriyas to be ruled by Devatas (divine qualities) properly. Hence devatas requested Sita to reach vaikunta first, meaning purified intellect is needed first, before Atman is realised as Paramatman.Rama leaving Sita in forest is symbolic of dropping of ego when intellect is purified.

****

## Chapter Guru, Mirror Or Grace (2009-08-11 14:21)

Prabhu replied to my mail about what is Guru tatva, Is Guru a mirror or is there Grace ?  
Students are at various levels - primary, middle school ... so on.  
Depending on where they are, teaching will have to vary. It is not same for everybody. It is student who has to know that he needs help. Until someone discovers that he needs help no body can help.  
How a Sadguru can help ?  
He has travelled the path. He knows the pitfalls, pains, problems, illusions in the path. He can show someone the path. But walking on the path is responsibility of Shishya. Guru cannot make you walk. You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. Situation is same here also.Guru can show you the path for Truth. He can help you overcome your mistakes so that your learning cycle comes down. However, it is you who have to see the Truth.  
Can I find the Truth myself ?  
Definitely you can. Anybody can. It is like asking, can I learn bycycle riding myself without anybodys help or music. Music is more difficult because it is subjective in nature. Same is with the spirituality. There are scriptures, you can experiment and learn. It is a long way reinventing the wheel and there are many pitfalls.Theoretically yes. It is possible.  
Guru is nothing but a mirror  
Guru is not a evangelist or missionary who wants to teach or convert people. If someone thinks that he knows everything - he comes to a true Guru, Guru will smile at him and make him feels that he knows a lot.If someone comes to Guru, that he needs, help, Guru helps.Guru teaches through the word and his life. You cannot see mismatch between his life and his words. There is no gap. He lives the Truth. He is a mirror in the sense that if you are egoistic, he will just reect back and say you are great. If you seek help, he shows the way through the words and his life. In a way he is Sakshi.  
Individual effort and Gurus Grace  
Spirituality is about reducing your negativities. It is about right way of living, it is about right speech, words,action so that the chitta gets purified. Who has to do this. Guru can show the way, method. Who has to follow this and work on himself.  
Many people think that Guru will take care and just dont do any effort on their own. They are lazy. Guru is not like a washing machine where you can put dirty clothes and clothes will come out clean. He can show the way of life, living. He can tell about Truth. Who has to implement the Truth?  
Individual effort is to clean himself, to lead a life of spirituality, to study scriptures, to follow the words,message of Guru and Scriptures. Instead many people start following Guru without working on them.  
Grace :  
Grace is result of Gratitude. It is result of your right way of living, it is a result of your Chitta Shuddhi.  
Grace is always there. Most of the people are not able to receive it since they dont lead a life of gratitude, of simplicity.  
What should be my resolutions ?  
It is you who have to decide. You have made the resolutions. In a traditional sense, resolutions are not made.It is discussed and given by Guru.  
Typically you start with very few resolutions and work on that.  
Like anything in life we have three options. a). I will find my way. b). I will seek help of others to find my way. c). I will work under the guidance of someone to find my way. You need to decide which is your way.

****

## 3 types of spiritual students (2009-08-15 03:38)

MahaBharata  
AdiParva Section-III Paushya parva  
There was a Rishi named Ayod-Dhaumya, who had three students Aruni, Upamanyu, Veda.  
1) How Aruni got enlightenment :  
Dhaumya asked Aruni to go to field and stop the breach of water-course. Aruni went to the field, tried all sort of things to do the bidding of his master. Having failed in all means, and thought a way out and he atlast put himself against the breach and stopped the flow of water.  
Dhaumya called aloud his name and Aruni got up, thus releasing the water. Aruni said, Sir I have put myself against the breach and protected the water, only after hearing your order, I got up and let the water escape. Dhaumya was very pleased with this, and said, Since you let the water escape, you should be renamed as 'Uddalaka'. Dhaumya granted Aruni wisdom and all the knowledge of vedas.  
Probable meaning of this para:  
For Students like Aruni, one instruction of Guru is sufficient to arrest the water(mind, thoughts) and enter into savikalpa samadhi. Aruni has tried so many things and was finally successfull. On Guru's calling he let the waters flow out again and emptied his mind. Then Guru's Grace flowed and wisdom has been given to him thus enabing him to become wise.  
2) How Upamanyu got enlightenment :  
Dhaumya orders Upamanyu to tend to cattle. Upamanyu does Guru's bidding and also goes begging for alms and feeds himself. Then Dhaumya corrects him, and tells him that without offering to Guru he should not eat. Upamanyu, next day brings back the alms to Guru, but goes begging second time to feed himself. Again Dhaumya corrects him and tells him not to beg again as that would deprive another beggar. Upamanyu, then feeds on the milk of cows that he is tending to. Again Dhaumya corrects him, and tells him not to deprive calf of the milk. Upamanyu, then tastes the leftover froth, after calfs drink their milk. Again Dahumya corrects him not to take anything. Upamanyu, being hungry eats Arka leaves and becomes blind and falls into a well. Then Dhaumya instructs him to invoke Aswani devatas for cure. Upamanyu sings the praises of Aswani devatas using Rigveda hymn like below,  
"O Aswins, I desire to obtain you by sravana(listening to Guru's words), nidhidhyasana (meditation on Guru's words). Igorant people think that you have a form. Day and night, two paths one for devas (elevated path) and one for pitrs (returning path) are decided by you. 360 cows(days) produce one calf(samvatsara, year, or time or Kaala). That calf is the creator and destroyer of all. Seekers of truth use this calf to milk the cows.You are supreme brahman, you created the five elements, all colors, all objects, all gods. You are the father, mother and infant. Please liberate me".  
Aswins become pleased with his prayer and appear and offers him a cake. Upamanyu refuses to accept it without offering to his Guru. Aswins are further pleased with this and restore his eyesight. Upamanyu goes back to his guru and narrates all this. Dhaumya then grants Upamanyu wisdom and knowledge of vedas.  
Probable meaning of this para:  
Upamanyu was taking instructions from his Guru, but also exploring with other Gurus (begging outside). Dhaumya asked him to tend to cattle (read scriptures), but he went and begged outside. After pointed out this folly, Upamanyu stopped that , but he started self study of scriptures without proper guidance (drinking milk of cows). After correcting this, he again was following instructions meant for others (taking the leftover froth from the mouths of calfs or upanishads). After correcting this, he experimented without proper guidance , got wrong knowledge , got blinded and fell into ditch (eating arka leaves, and falling into ditch). Thats when Guru took pity on him, and showed his Grace by showing him a path to get out of blindness and the ditch.Having realised his follies , Upamanyu did exactly as Guru instructed and then refused to take the result offered by Aswins without offering to Guru(cross verifying with Guru as to the correctness of knowledge).Thus he got enlightened.  
3) How Veda got enlightenment :  
Dhaumya asks Veda to hang around in his proximity and in his house for a very long time and do whatever he says. Veda served his master with shradda(faith, devotion), and worked like an ox to do whatever his master bade him to do. Very soon his master Dhaumya is pleased with him and granted him wisdom.  
Probable meaning of this para:  
Self explanatory. This type of student is one who needs to do lot of karma with faith in Guru.  
Guru's compassion, and Grace are one and same on all three types of students. We need to keep in mind the pitfalls that awaits any sadhaka as mentioned in story of Upamanyu, work like ox on Guru's instructions like Veda with faith, and be innovative like Aruni.  
Prabhu said "Excellent".

****

## Chapter Shiva's Bull (2009-08-16 17:36)

Shiva's Bull symbolises Dharma(righteousness), Power. It stands on four legs Satyam (Truth), Ahimsa(non-violence), Tyaga(Sacrifice), Prema(Love). Shiva is the Atman, witness-consciousness.  
When Shiva's Bull Charges, none can stop its course. Nobody dare stand on its way.  
Example : Mahatma Gandhi.  
He has made Truth, non-violence as his legs.

****

## Chapter Truth is temporary (2009-08-16 17:43)

Truth is temporary, Lie is permanent.  
When you say truth you dont have to remember it, and it doesnt leave any impression in your chitta.When you tell a lie, you have to remember life long that lie and build your life, and another lie on that. Lie lies permanently in your consciousness as vasanas or memory.  
rommel sharma (2012-02-27 21:08:18)  
wise words and I think key to a peaceful life as well :-)

****

## Chapter Buddha : 8 ways of life (2009-08-16 17:45)

Buddha's teaching summarised :  
1) Life is full of suffering  
2) There is an end to suffering  
3) The way to end suffering is to follow the following principles,  
Right understanding :  
Right Purpose :  
Right Speech :  
Right Conduct :  
Right Livelihood : Your livelihood has to come from your effort. Do not take anything that you have not worked for.  
Right Effort : Do not cheat in your work.  
Right Mindfullness : Always be aware  
Right Samadhi : Be balanced at all times.

****

## Chapter Greatest Virtue Violence or Non-violence (2009-09-08 09:14)

What is the greatest virtue of all ?  
"Ahimsa Paramo dharmaha, Dharma himsa tathaiva cha"  
Meaning : Righteous non-violence is greatest virtue, so is righteous violence.  
Remember that Lord Krishna inspired Arjuna to fight. When weak get trampled, one cannot sit idle and say they are practicing non-violence.Usually a Brahmana has to practice Ahimsa, and a Kshatriya has to practice righteous violence. Both are doing their ordained duty and hence accrue equal merit.  
Idam brahmyam, Idam kshatryam : When Kshatriya does not protect the people, it is the duty of a brahmana to take up arms and resort to righteous violence. Lord Parasurama, who is a brahmana, used his axe to conquer the world 21 times and shed the blood of erring kings. Parasurama then propitiated his forefathers giving the ablutions with blood rather than water. That place is a sacred place called Kurukshetra. Recent example is that of Hoysala kings in Karnataka , and Peshwas in Maharashtra. They are brahmins who took up arms to protect the Hindu dharma.

****

## Chapter Ardha Chandra Half moon symbolism (2009-09-15 14:20)

We usually find Ardha chandra (Crescent) on the forehead of almost all Hindu gods, Especially Shiva, SriRajaRajeswari and Shakti, Ganapati.  
What does this Crescent symbolise in Hinduism ?  
I apologise for this amateur attempt to interpret the crown jewel of Hinduism.  
Symbolism 1 : Turiya  
OM is the original name of God. It has 4 padas which are relatively accessible for all humans.  
Sound Aa, sound Vu, sound Umm constitute AUM. Fourth is Turiya. The crescent is actually moon on fourth day. and Crescent symbolises the fourth pada, Turiya.  
Symbolism 2 : Srishti(Brahma) , stithi (Vishnu), laya (Maheswara), Devi (Supreme)  
Aa = Brahma (Creation)  
Vu = Vishnu (Sustaining)  
Umm = Maheswara (Destruction)  
Bindu = Devi (Supreme)  
Symbolism 3: Waking state (Jagrat), dream state (Svapna), deep sleep state(Sushupti), Turiya (Devi, Atma, Paramatma).  
The fourth , Turiya, Supreme, Atma, Brahman, Paramatma is symbolised by the crescent.  
Symbolism 4:Upward Crescent is the symbol for divine delight. Jnana or wisdom.

****

## Chapter Chidambaram (2010-07-18 19:55)

While discussing with a friend the word 'chidambaram' came up. he defined it as 'hridaya akasam', the space that exists in hridaya or chit. I asked him again what it means and whether he experienced it anytime. He said no.I tried to give my explanation of the term 'chidambaram' as below,  
Chit = manas  
ambaram = akasa or space  
All external objects when grasped by mind is in the form of a concept (name and form), which exist for the time period of grasping in mind also in ethereal form or they exist as virtual image in the RAM(computer term) of chit. This space where images are formed is infinite as all the universe we see can be formed in this chidakasa also. and that chidambaram is experienced by all everytime.  
I may be wrong.

****

## Chapter Acceptance of body mind god (2010-08-03 20:28)

For the ego self 'i',  
1) acceptance of reality of bondage with respect to body and mind , understanding limitations of them  
2) acceptance of reality of universal law, force, destiny leads to peace.  
The mind has to know 'this is it'. For an unenlightened mind, if it thinks truthfully that 'I am unenlightened this moment, and this moment is all I have got' , it leads to peace for that moment. Any other thoughts including thoughts of what heights one may scale in spirituality etc , is all myth.There may be a liberation point (sahaja samadhi). But I have not achieved it. and for me to think that i have not achieved something is again a bondage. When I become hopeless of liberation completely, I may be completely liberated. Hope/Expectation , Desire/Greed, Fear/Anger, Jealousy/Love are what keeps a Jivabhava alive. As long as the kicks of destiny are not powerful one lives in delusion.  
Prasanth Jalasutram (2010-08-05 12:46:47)

well said prasad garu.

****

## Chapter Meditation and Liberation (2010-08-05 16:58)

All efforts for spiritual evolution, dharmic deeds, karmic deeds, wrong deeds are done by ego self 'i'. The little 'i' wants moksha or mukti also just as it wants other objects. Where as the effort for mukti done by ego is to dissolve ego itself.  
Now in the process of ego wanting mukti (liberation), there are those who really suffered in life and understood that life itself is suffering. As Buddha told in four noble truths, one has to understand suffering. For them liberation will happen naturally when they meet Sadguru, as they are ready. For some, Even though they suffered enough, hope is still there for the worldly pleasures. World hasn't stopped being beautiful for them.Understanding of world is not correct still. The vairagya is not perfect. For them there is the little 'i' coming near Self , getting the impression of Self in chittha, and then other vasanas of world pull them back. This process has to happen many times so that the impression/vasana of Self becomes stronger in chittha till mukti happens. During meditation , one (mind, ego) may become silent and become closer to Self. Similar thing happens in the presence of Sadguru. Physical proximity to Sadguru is like exposure to radiation. One's mind tunes to silence in the presence of Sadguru. Even thinking of Guru, one gets to a state of silence equivalent to doing meditation. One needs to do meditation when Guru's presence is not available. Then, there are lucky few who have the luxury of doing meditation in the presence of Guru under guidance. But who is getting liberated. 'i' is ego, it is false. 'I'/Self is always liberated. Then what is this effort of 'i' to be liberated ? It is the effort of 'i' to become closer and closer to divinity, and each trip near Self leaves a impression in the chittha of the sadhaka. So, the effort has to be two fold.  
1) To remove negative tendencies  
2) To develop positive impression  
Both of the above are actually done by the same effort.  
During meditation, the impression of peace of Self takes care of both the above goals.  
Is meditation the only key to such peace ?  
According to learned source,  
Sadguru, Sadhana, Shastra, Seva, Svaadhyaya, Sharanagati are the keys .  
Sadguru doesnt need explanation  
Sadhana : Practice. whatever spiritual practice one does under Sadguru guidance  
Shastra : One needs to understand scriptures and take them as guidance. Sadguru's words are scriptures themselves and have higher precedence.  
Seva : One needs to do service to the universe in the spirit of Yajna. not just to fellow human beings, but to all living and non-living entities in the universe.  
Svaadhyaya : Observation of the self  
Sharanagati : acceptance of Universal laws, destiny

****

## Chapter Activity, inactivity, non-activity (2010-08-06 09:17)

Activity and inactivity belongs to mind and body.non-activity belongs to Self.  
As far as mind+body is concerned, better to be active. Self is witness. It doesnt do anything. Can mind+body remain like that ? not possible. The agitations of mind is caused by the classic enemies of human. They are the arishadvarga (Desire, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Arrogance/Pride, Jealousy), the 6 enemies. Convert them into 6 positive opposite values (Giving, forgiving, Charity, non-attachment, humbleness, and appreciation).Why should one develop the above so called positive qualities, are they really positive ?  
Yes, they are good for a person. One can feel pain in body caused by emotions that come out of the 6 enemies. When one goes through the so called positive emotions, there is a feeling that happens in the body that is desirable.  
What is the method/training to achieve above good qualities ?  
So much has been told by countless seers, saints etc in the past. So there is no lack of literature. What is lacking is application of them. It is better to do practice for 1 min than read about practice. The only way is to practice.  
What is practice ?  
Find a person who is absolutely peaceful (Sadguru) and ask him what made him peaceful. He may show a way. Follow it.  
Who is Sadguru ?  
Who can make you peaceful. Guru can be anyone or anything from which you can learn. Keep learning from life's instances. See Guru in everything and everyone. This world is a big university , hence named as Universe. This is there to teach you. The silent humming of universe is telling something. Listen to the humming. Be silent. The mountain is silent. The trickling water is making a sound, when you stop treating it as noise, you can listen to it and there is a silence in that sound too.  
Is river active, inactive or non-active ?

****

## Law of conservation of Karma (2010-08-07 18:34)

Sharanagati or Surrender to God's will has an inherent danger in it. It may make us non-proactive in our spiritual practices and mental makeup. If one takes sharanagati too far, they will turn inactive, or reactive and prove counter productive. Some define surrender to god as 'Accept whatever happens as prasada / boon of God' . While this is true that whatever happens , is indeed prasada / boon of God, but, there is a method to the fruits that are served to us. It is not arbitrary. One cannot indulge in harming others and say , this too is in the grand plan of Universe. Then surely, the result of such harmful / hateful acts will visit that person either in this life or some other life. The fruits of Karma are like a postal despatch we made to our own address. It will be delivered. May be the government postal department fail in some cases, but the system of karma never fails.One cannot hide behind sharanagati.  
Then what is sharanagati / Surrender ?  
There will come a moment in one's life when one's energy is not sufficient to tackle a problem. Then the ego recognises its limitation. Then it seeks others' help. This is an acknowledgement that i is incapable and i needs help. In worldly matters, this help is in the form of a business transaction. We pay in cash or kind in return for help and the 'i' returns to its thought pattern of 'i' is master. In case of spiritual help, the giver, who is either God / Universe / Guru has no expectation from you. What can you give back in return to such an entity.  
Only be in deep gratitude.  
Accepting that there is a higher nobler force that runs universal karmic cycle, and that force out of its compassion will liberate us is called as sharanagati. Then surely the person who has sought refuge in highest entity will be given refuge and will be liberated out of compassion and Grace of that higher force.  
According to sanskrit language the word that describes that is 'Narayana'.  
Narayana means 'one who gives refuge to beings in universe' .  
May Narayana bless us all.

****

## Chpter Swaadhyaya (2010-08-08 22:03)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Swaadhyaya can be understood as 'studying again by oneself what is taught by Guru'. It can also mean 'swaadhyaya' = 'Studing oneself'. In this article I will use second definition, which is 'study of ones self'.Understanding one's self is swadhyaya.  
What are the benefits of Swadhyaya ?  
One gets the benefit of detachment (vairagya) and also one can see clearly the impermanence of body, mind,and world and also see the permanance of Self thus Swadhyaya leads towards the benefit of Liberation /Jivanmukti.  
What are the tools available to oneself ?  
'Observation' is the key tool available to everybody.  
How to do observation of oneself ?  
Observe action, speech and thoughts of yourself as if a third person is doing these above actions. When you talk about yourself, refer to yourself as a third person. This enables certain detachment. Observe your mind and thoughts. Thoughts raise and fall. You have no control over them unless you are an accomplished yogi. Dont be disheartened, Observe your body, what happens inside your body when a certain thought appears in mind. For example, thinking about a lost friend makes one depressed, and subsequently pain is felt by body.Thinking about a loved one, makes one glad, again pleasure is felt by the body.  
What is avidya / ignorance ?  
Taking impermanent as permanent and permanent as impermanent is avidya.  
What is impermanent ?  
That which has a beginning and end is known as impermanent. Buddha said, that which has beginning has an end. In Gita , Krishna said, 'Jaatasya hi dhruvo mrutyuhu', meaning, that which takes birth has to die.Now, when we categorise objects into permanent and impermanent, everything in universe appears in flux /motion, constantly changing, thus everything has a beginning and end. So everything we know is impermanent. But we take longevity of life as permanent and grieve when somebody dies and leaves us, as if that is unnatural to die. Nobody believes that they are going to die. Everybody think that they are here for ever. Certainly everybody agree that body will fall one day. Then what makes them think that tomorrow appears, and why do they work / slog. Let us say a doctor tells me that I have deadly disease and will die tomorrow. I dont think I will continue my current lifestyle. I may try to do things differently. That urgency is missing in people. That veil over the eyes that makes impermanent life look permanent is called ignorance.  
In Mahabharata , Dharmaraja remarks at this stupidity of people who think that death is not for them, and he wonders at this ignorance.  
Observation of world, body, mind, action, speech, thoughts will bring out clearly what is known as ignorance.If everything is impermanent , is there a permanent thing ?  
Find out for yourself. who is observing. That is the unchanging thing. The veil that makes the permanent invisible is also part of avidya.  
What does observation has to do with permanent and impermanent and avidya?  
It is by observation one can know these three.  
What are pitfalls in observation ?  
It could be mind again which is observing.  
How to overcome the above pitfall ?  
Just be.

****

## Chapter Expectations (2010-08-09 09:05)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
If there is a thorn in foot, we cannot walk or run. If there is a toothache, we cannot enjoy eating food fully.People have accepted life to be made up of 'happiness and sorrow'. One needs to aspire for a life where there is happiness only, without sorrow. The inevitability of the visit of 'sorrow' has been accepted by many as fact of life. It is like walking with a thorn in foot.  
Where is this thorn of sorrow coming from ?  
From Expectation.  
It is coming from our outlook / perception towards life and society. If somebody praises us , we feel happy. If somebody abuse us, we feel unhappy. In both cases we cant remain ourselves. Society has certain rules, code of conduct for the easy operation of itself. We take it too far and let it encroach upon our thought process.  
We have expectations on everything as guided and conditioned by society. Television determines our choices.It won't allow us to be ourselves.  
Mahatma Gandhi in a different context said, "I will open the windows towards outside world to let breeze come through, but I will not open it so much that outside winds sweeps away what I have".  
There are two places where Expectation spoils the mood.  
1) We cant scale upto the expectation of our society, thus leading to rejection by society and subsequently dejection on our part.  
2) Outside world cannot match our expectations, be it anybody.  
These two cause unhappiness.  
What do we do, 'We compromise' and accept unhappiness as part of life. But we never let go of expectations.We have no control over outside world. Things always take a different turn than what is expected. Bruce lee (karate champion) said, 'Expect the unexpected'.  
We will be happy if we just stop having expectations and live moment to moment witnessing the unfolding drama.  
What is wrong in having Expectations ?  
It is better if your thoughts/expectations are your own. What happens is, 99 % of the times our expectations are shaped by societal conditioning. We ape, we imitate what is shown as good. We never stop and think what is good for us. Society lives your life. You are another robot (human-bot) living programmed impulses.  
How to get out of this rut ?  
I dare quote buddha, Have,  
Right understanding  
Right purpose  
Right speech  
Right conduct  
Right livelihood  
Right effort  
Right mindfullness  
Right samadhi

****

## Chapter Seva (2010-08-10 20:46)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Why should we do seva / service to fellow beings ?  
The main reason behind seva is to purify oneself. Hence the motive of service is selfishness to improve oneself.  
What is seva / service ?  
Action taken to help others is known as seva. This action has to come naturally and involuntarily. If this action of seva is done to gain anything other than self-purification, then it becomes just another worldly transaction. Others who are being helped can be nature, eco system, persons, animals, rivers or forest or birds.  
How to do seva?  
With the feeling of 'I am not doing this help, this act of help is being done, help is happening' , one should do seva.  
How this system of seva work ?  
Imagine yourself as a flute in the hands of god. God wants to play music, and he breathes into the flute. If there is a block, then music cannot be played. One should allow god to act through oneself. The block is called 'ego', the sense of doership. If one is devoid of sense of doership, then god's music can be heard as seva through that person.  
When all things are happening in the universe inspite of ourselves, and despite of ourselves, the only flute that does'nt play this divine music is just a small body+mind which refuses to accede to god's will. If one let the divine music flow through oneself, then the junk and bad impressions get washed off.  
How not to do seva ?  
Thinking that the act of help is done by oneself. This accumulates further karma and strengthens ego.

****

## Chapter Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra (2010-08-15 19:57)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
The body and mind is called Kshetra. Either we can make it Dharmakshetra by following dharma, or we can make it a Kurukshetra by not following dharma. In sanskrit language the word 'Kuru' notifies 'to do /activity. The activity of and inside 'body and mind' is usually Kurukshetra.  
Dharma : The action that comes naturally for us to do is Dharma. Eg: Fire burns, it is the nature of fire to burn. It is dharma of sun to give light. It is the dharma of a child to smile and feel good. The mind has to take a decision every minute for each action towards which action to take. If one looks at a child, the actions of a child is innocent, it doesnt think before acting. What is possible for that moment is done. To act like a child is dharma.  
Karma : Any action that we do falls under either good or bad karma. When an action is done following dharma, It leaves no impression in the chittha (the storehouse of memory system) and converts kurukshetra into dharmakshetra.

****

## Chapter Shastra (2010-08-16 17:59)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Shastra = Scriptures / science related to God.  
What is a Shastra ?  
Scriptures are like guides and maps. Some person might have seen some truth, which might have been recorded, which becomes shastra.  
Why is it important ?  
Over years a vast literature has come into being due to different persons seeing truth and put into words.The seeming contradiction between those words are due to the limitations of the language. The scriptural evidence is there to corroborate the experience. Before experience it acts as a guide. Let us say we are following a Guru. How to know he is speaking the truth. Very simple, just cross verify with the scriptures.Question should be why are we following such and such Guru ? It is not what he speaks, that we should observe. Has be been living the scriptures.  
Living the scriptures  
The life of a saint is a living example of scriptural statements. Each of his action is according to one of the statements of scriptures. One learns by observing. This has been the experience of even animal kingdom. A lion cub observes its mother and learns to hunt. Similarly a Guru has to show by his behaviour the good qualities. This can only be possible by close observation on the part of Sishya.  
What are the dangers of Shastra ?  
Learning of shastras can be an intellectual trap. Take the example of the sentence 'One should do charity'.Now how many books, examples are sufficient to prove that one sentence. If a person shows by his behaviour that quality, the next person will be inspired by him. 'One should educate others, teach etc' is another example. It is easy to say, but difficult to practice.So shastra also has a limitation. One can get lost in the endless debates as to which book is correct and forget to do their practice (sadhana).  
Shastra is theory, and Yoga is practice.

****

## Chapter What is life (2010-08-17 07:12)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
What is Life ?  
Life is a sequence of events which is interpreted by one's mind. Each event has an external and internal component. The event that happens in the world and its impact on oneself. I would like to define 'oneself' as the ego-self. An event in the external world can occur by another external entity or by oneself. The event caused by oneself is also two kinds,  
1) action caused by oneself arising out of latent impressions.  
2) reaction to the external event.  
This event caused by oneself , causes one more event by external world. Hence the sequence of events happen in a cyclical manner.  
Eg: Somebody hurts you , one takes revenge, then otherside retaliates. This is seen everywhere in world ,where there is strife.  
No one has control over external causes of an event occuring, but one can minimise or eliminate its impact on mind. But always the mind tries to control the external events instead of controlling oneself. One should strive to be peaceful and stop the two types of actions one does. Instead one's action should be by inspiration.  
Eg of inspiration : One sees a nail on road that can cause tyre puncture to some vehicle. One can avoid and go, one can curse the person who threw that on road, or one can put it in dustbin.  
If one tries to help oneself, and others also by removing the nail and putting it in dustbin, It gives a good feeling. A simple thing like that gives happiness and peace.  
How to respond and stop reacting  
1) Develop positive responses, slowly one by one. Just as over years we have accumulated negative things, similarly, we can develop positive impressions.  
2) Stop, think and act. This is the difficult part. The time period between an event occuring, and our reaction to it is very miniscule. One needs to use the tool of Observation 'Swaadhyaya', to understand whether one is acting out of reactionary force or by responding. Before we act, there might be different possibilities for that action, the time to pick a relevent action is small. Thats why it is easy to act and then do post-mortem on that action and say, i should have done like that, I shouldnt have done like that etc. So push this post-mortem a little bit higher in the path of action. This is called observation, self-analysis on a constant basis. Then when the time comes to act, we have little extra time to take a decision on what is the action to take.  
All this you can find in any personality development books. Is there anything different I am saying. May be not. But the fact is , by observation of your feelings, you know what gives you happiness and peace, and you know what makes you sad. So avoid those actions that makes you sad, and do those actions that makes you glad.  
What are the pitfalls in this self-observation and analysis ?  
None. One needs to be aware / vigilant of falling back into old habit of impressions driving you.  
Example of how our impressions' pattern clouds the thinking ?  
1) A child sees a chocolate, he wants it and eats it when given.  
2) A diabetic patient sees a chocolate , he wants it but avoids it when given.  
3) A person who doesnt like sweets, sees a chocolate. He dislikes it.  
4) A romantic romeo takes a box of chocolates to juliet. How will she view it ?  
These are all the different reactions / responses to same object by different people in different contexts.  
The same child may grow up to dislike chocolates. A diabetic patient after bringing his cholestoral/sugar/BP under control can enjoy it. If romeo takes chocolates everyday to juliet, she may throw him out.  
What has changed ? is the external event of 'giving a chocolate' changed or is there a change in the attitude of the person recieving it ?  
Probable conclusion to these random thoughts:  
One may or may not have control over external events. If one wants to be happy and peaceful, try to find what are the actions that can make one happy and peaceful and do them. Often we find that those actions are very simple in nature, as I explained in the case of nail on the road.  
Ripples in the pond :  
Pond is the mind, ripples are the thoughts. In the process of becomming peaceful, there will be many ripples in the meantime. The practice is to be aware of them. A silent and peaceful mind is like a still pond.Let there be peace in the world. Let all living beings have peace.

****

## Chapter Ego (2010-08-18 02:38)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Ego is Identity. Ego is personality.  
"I am so and so" defines us. Ego takes many forms. Thats why one cant know it, grasp it. Its a shadow. The less said about ego the better.Our Job, our work, defines us. When you ask a person who has studied MBBS, who are you ?, he/she will answer, "I am a doctor". That person might be a doctor, but apart from treating sick people, that person also has other personalities like (parent, spouse, child, sibling) etc.  
Depending on who is asking the question 'who are you', one answers in relation to the questioner.The fundamental identity of oneself is masked. Nobody says that they are human beings.  
Sri Ramana has given the tool of self-enquiry to people who are interested to pursue spiritual path. He says 'ask yourself, who am I?'  
I would like to modify that sentence / explain that technique. Ask yourself 'who are you?'. If one asks 'who am I?' answer will not be forthcoming easily. What is the relation of the questioner with the answerer. It is self-same person. Or is it ?  
The substratum of all personalities is Self, also known as atma.  
If one enquires 'who are you?' , then what one is doing is trying to identify the role that one is playing. The role one plays is also same as ego. Knowing ego is like knowing one's role.Without knowing / experiencing the basic I-ness, we keep changing roles, Whereas the screen of I-ness is ever experienced through awareness.  
Nature of 'I' is peace and happiness. In pursuit of the same qualities one does so many things, actions going far from center.Today I have given resignation to my job, and with it one of the identities that I have (that of an employee of so and so company) is gone.  
"I am a pilot" is an example of an identity. Is that person really pilot, or 'he pilots a plane' ?. When did verb became a noun. That is the circus of language.

****

## Chapter Ignorance (2010-08-26 00:57)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Avidya = Ignorance of Self.  
Somewhere I read this story of a person who is chased by a tiger, trips on a wire and falls into a well, hanging upside down. Below there is a snake, and because of his fall, honey bees starts to sting him. One or two honey drops fall on his lips and he involuntarily licks and enjoys them.  
This is the story of all ignorant persons.  
Life is running out day by day, all the pleasures are fleeting moments in life. Yet we take these as permanent and do not try for higher nobler Truth. The person who tries for that is talked about as a fool.  
A Guru shows the direction in which a person has to walk. Self is permanent. Awareness of Self is jnana.Consciousness of worldly pleasures as if they are permanent is ignorance.

****

## Chapter Awareness (2010-08-27 06:27)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Awareness of Self is the key to liberation. Who's awareness ? It is the mind that wants liberation. Self is always the same. All the practices like meditation , pranayama etc are for mind.  
According to Gita, a mind trained in yoga is a friend, and a mind that is uncontrolled is an enemy of itself.Arjuna is the individual self (deluded with ignorance), and Lord Krishna is the Atma (Self, I), who is also denoted as Hrishikesa (Lord of indriyas / senses). One who has controlled mind is Krishna himself.  
Awareness towards external Universe  
Mind has to be aware that Atma / Self / God is the inner controller of oneself, and also for all other bodies that one sees. As Vishnu (all-pervader), Atma pervades all, including all living and non-living beings, hence also known as Vaasudeva (one who is the Atma of all). As entire universe has Vaasudeva as Atma, the entire universe is one family (Vasudaika kutumbakam).  
Awareness towards inner Universe  
In Avadhuta gita it is mentioned that what you view outside of body is 'Viswa' (universe), and what is viewed inside the body is 'Prakriti' (nature). What is outside in the universe is percieved by indriyas (senses) and understood by buddhi (intellect) and enjoyed by manas (mind). The experience of any event is felt by Jiva. One can see fire, but knows its burning capacity when actually one's finger is put in fire. Then the experience of fire is understood correctly by the subject. This is the inner prakriti of fire as experienced by the experiencer.One has to similarly be aware of inner universe (experience level). One has to understand the prakriti of the body, mind. Through observation of physical sensations, one understands body. Through observation of emotions, feelings and thoughts, one understands mind. Then one can enquire who is the witness to these modifications of mind. Then Self is revealed. That awareness of Self / Atma leaves an impression in the mind (chittha). This awareness is also practice for some minds as the pull towards outward universe is strong and the mind keeps going outward. Through practice one can make the impression stronger and stronger until it becomes natural and one is situated in the Self. In patanjali yogasutra and bhagavadgita it is said through 'Practice and Detachment' (abhyasa and vairagya) one attains the Liberation. Practice is to have awareness of Self, and detachment is to the external stimuli.

****

## Chapter Avadhuta gita (2010-08-31 12:12)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dattatreya Avadhuta gita  
A wonderful work describing the state of a jnani. This entire book is dedicated to the description of transcendental state. I will give few examples below,  
1) Chapter-I verse-2 : How shall I salute the being who is formless (nirakaram) , indivisible, auspicious (shivam), immutable (avyayam) and one who pervades all, including individual self (jiva).  
My commentary : Knowing/Experiencing Self (shivam) is being Self. One cannot salute oneself.  
Chapter II verse-10 : Lord is subtler than the subtlest, supreme, beyond mind, intellect, senses, spotless, and beyond words.  
Chapter-II verse-15 : Form and Formless is percieved by mind, that which is neither with form nor formless is known as Intermediate.  
My commentary: Universe and its forces are percieved by mind. It can percieve the formless also by meditation.But when situated in Self, the state is neither with form nor without form, it cannot be described.  
Chapter-II verse-35: There, neither is knowledge nor ignorance, no pranayama, no asana, no meditation using gazing, no nerve-current.  
Chapter-II verse-36: No manifoldness, no oneness, neither both, nor other state, devoid of minuteness, length,largeness, nothingness, devoid of knowledge, knowableness, and sameness. That is Isam, atma, and eternal.  
Chapter-III verse-4 : How can I say it is not advaita (one whole), and how can I say it is not dvaita (existence of duality in universe). How can I say about it which is eternal and non-eternal. I am homogeneous nectar of jnana, I am like sky.  
My commentary : Entire universe is one undivided entity, hence advaita. There is duality within the advaita , which is felt by Jiva. hence this cant be called advaita nor dvaita. But, 'I' is like sky( gaganam ), which is sivam.

****

## Chapter Mantra chanting (2010-09-15 18:09)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Chanting of the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya', can be done in two ways.  
1) For those who think that they are the body and mind :  
The universe is made up of two types of entities, namely  
a) matter (Prakriti, Shakti, Energy)  
b) spirit (Purusha, Shiva, Spirit)  
Those who think that they are body and mind , are still at Prakriti level, viz, they are nothing but energy, or parvati. Chanting of the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' should be done as if Parvati is doing tapas for Parameswara.  
2) For those who dont think :  
These people are already beyond mind, and they are at the level of spirit/purusha, but still Sadhana is needed to be completely established as Sakshi or witness.  
For them, the chanting should be done with the jnana (knowledge+wisdom) that, Om is all that is there as Shiva/Spirit/Witness, and 'Na maha' (i is not there).

****

## Chapter Guru sishya (2010-09-18 23:29)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Guru (spiritual teacher) is the eternal Self. Sishya (spiritual aspirant / student) is a particular body and mind entity. One can learn from any part of the Universe . Hence, Guru is said to be all-pervading. Guru is present in every being as Self and is known as internal Guru. When a particular mind is outward bound, and seeks spirituality, it automatically seeks it in the external world. To guide such persons, Guru with a form is necessary.Guru : In some highly evolved beings, who are self-realised, the expression of Self is natural to guide others.Such noble souls are rare to find. They can be taken as an external Guru.  
Fake Guru : As there is great demand for Guru, and supply is less, fake gurus are there to milk material gains out of this demand.  
Fake sishya : The hallmark of every being is to search for happiness, hence there can be no fake students.There can be students who are less hardworking.  
What happens when karma brings one to a Guru :  
There is no magical spell from guru that can act as a panacea for all problems one faces. Guru is ruthless, he shows you what you are, what your faults are. It is for you to take rectification action. Guru may suggest some ways to do that. But the action, you have to take. There is no respite, Guru completely destroys you.What is destroyed is your ego. What is left is the Self which is always there.

****

## Chapter Random Gita (2010-12-16 19:47)

Sri MadbhagavatGita  
Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Different beings are at different stages on the path of enlightenment. SriMad BhagavadGita is a travellers guide for all such beings. Gita nurtures a person's evolutionary process. There are different Gita's like Ribhugita, Ashtavakra gita, and Avadhuta gita etc. Bhagavadgita is coming straight from an Avatar, Lord Krishna. Here I will take random slokas from Gita and try to explain.  
Index of Topics : This index of topics in Gita is properly arranged in order of providing solution to the enquirer of truth. For Eg : chapter 12 Bhakti yoga comes after karmayoga (path of action), Jnanayoga(wisdom and knowledge), Viswaroopa yoga. One cannot have Bhakti (devotion) if one has not spent his sadhana in both karmayoga, jnanayoga and finally when one realises the glory of god as in viswaroopa yoga, Devotion automatically follows. Otherwise, The devotion one has without proper ripening through karma and jnana, will be called hipocracy.  
Chapter 4 , verse 9  
Those who understand what an avatar is, how avatar arrives in world, and those who know the actions of an avatar are untainted by karma, will attain salvation.  
The actions of avatar are purposeful and not done with selfish motive, but with a self-less attitude. This sloka encourages one to act self-lessly thus attaining God or Self.This sloka has the key for Karmayoga (self-less actions).  
Chapter 11 verse 32, 33  
Lord says he is Kaala (Death, destruction) who has the mission of destroying the worlds. The warriors assembled in the battlefield, will be dead inspite of Arjuna deciding not to fight, and asks Arjuna to be a nimmitta matra (just a tool in the hands of god).  
Things are happening inspite of us, the right attitude one needs to take is either act self-lessly or atleast know that it is Lord who is acting and we are just a tool.  
Chapter 15 verse 7,20 meaning of Vasudeva  
Jiva (individual) is an amsha(similar entity) to Lord in the world. Lord is present in the heart of every being.From him comes memory, forgetfullness, knowledge. Lord is the one to be known from all scriptures. There are two entities, Kshara (entity that gets destroyed, body), and akshara (entity that has no destruction, Jiva soul). Lord Eswara is above these two hence known as 'Above all entities' (Purushottama). Those who know me thus will know me as Vasudeva (residing in all beings).  
Chapter 10, verse 8,9,10,11  
Verses 8,9,10 explains what is satsangha. Those who spend their time in hearing, listening, and talking about God are good company and spending time with such people is called Satsangha.  
Lord provides good intellect to such people, and being innermost soul to all others, he shows the way from inside.  
Chapter 8 verse 14  
Those who remember me always, I am easily available to such.

****

## Chapter Merry Christmas 2010 (2010-12-25 11:06)

Merry Christmas 2010  
Sri Sadgurbhyoh Namah  
I wish all of you a very happy christmas. Some 2010 years ago , Jesus christ was born in a shepherds family to guide the people on the path of salvation. His followers around the world do lot of charity work (seva) as missionaries. A number of schools, hospitals, orphanages are run by the missionaries and try to distribute the love of Jesus to all. May God bless all of us on this happy occasion. 'Love, compassion, help to the needy' these three know no boundaries of religion.

****

## Chapter Creation & Bondage (2011-03-23 09:14)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Thoughts are the building blocks for creation and sustenance of the universe. It is our thoughts that crystalises into material world. No thoughts, no world. Silent mind is the destruction of world. The thoughts mentioned here for creation are the thoughts that are carrying 'I, me , mine' in them. They lead to bondage. Unselfish thoughts, on the other hand lead to liberation.

****

## Chapter Guru Tegh bahadur (2011-11-20 11:58)

I read this in todays newspaper about Guru Tegh bahadur, ninth guru of Sikhs.  
When Aurangazeb was persecuting Hindus and forcibly converting them to Islam, Guru Tegh bahadur offered his life along with his disciples to the tyranny of aurangzeb.  
Aurangzeb was a religious zealot, who started his forcible conversion of Kashmiri pandits. They went to meet Guru Tegh bahadur for protection. Tegh bahadur then asked them to go tell Aurangzeb that if he can convert Tegh bahadur, then they will also convert. Aurangzeb arrested and brought the Guru along with his disciples to Delhi and told him to convert to Islam or face death. Guru refused to convert, and all his disciples were killed in front of him, and he was asked to perform miracles. Guru Tegh bahadur refused to perform miracles, and also suffered the killings of his disciples with perfect equanimity. Aurangzeb, having failed to convert him, then ordered his soldiers to behead the Guru, which they did.  
Nov-24th is the birthday of Guru Tegh bahadur who faced his death smilingly. He is known as 'Shield of Hinduism'.

****

## Chapter World is a reflection of mind (2012-07-22 14:39)

Sri Sadgurbhyoh Namah Jul-9-2012  
'World is nothing but a reflection of what is inside of you' : today I understood this. I was casually walking in my house. I am feeling calm and serene and peaceful. When I look at my house, I think that my house is ok, not bad, peaceful etc. The environment around me is peaceful. The house is peaceful. This is not just because of non-friction at domestic front. It is because, If I am feeling peaceful, I can bear what is outside and tolerate it and the surroundings also are bearable and peaceful. Earlier, there was always turmoil in my mind, emotional disturbance, depression. The same house, back then, looked like a battlefield. If it was not, I would make sure that a battle takes place. What has changed ? the house is same. people are same.environment is same. Instead of hatred, jealousy, selfishness in heart, they are substituted with love, peace,and selfless give and take with world. It is a common misunderstanding of the phrases 'world is a reection of your internal self', 'you are responsible for the defects in world', 'What is inside is projected outside' etc ,as something too objectively and wonder how can the external objective world spring forth from one's mind.  
What we feel inside with the interaction of the world is largely depending on how we feel first internally. Our feelings, emotions and thoughts make life miserable or loveable.

****

## Chapter Outgoing mind Vs Introspective mind (2012-07-22 14:45)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah May-30-2012  
I am so used to suffering that the obvious has escaped my mind.  
outgoing mind, hankering after material success, job tensions, from morning waking to night sleep, the day is full of tensions, small and big. Driving a scooter also brings a tension and stress to mind in small amount. If we add these small tensions, the net result is a big stress. It is like living with a thorn in the foot. While meditating on self, mind becomes silent and there is peace and a subtle bliss. "I dont need stress" is the resolution one should make and start enjoying the inner state which is bliss. What is needed for survival should be done, but not more than that. I should not allow my activities to keep on piling up stress.

****

## Chapter Body consciousness (2012-07-22 14:48)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah May-28-2012  
Dear Prabhu,  
I am not the body. I have this body. I am the driver of this body. Ajnana is the feeling that I am the body. I got this understanding yesterday. I want to clarify with you.

Dropping body-conscious :

definition 1: Feeling of 'I have this body' Vs 'I am the body'. the body sensations will still be there for a jivanmukta also.

definition 2: earlier I thought that dropping body-conscious means, not having body feeling at all. No sensations of body. Here I require your guidance. which of the two definitions are correct. I tend towards def-1. Pls correct me if I am wrong.  
Prabhu replies : Def-1 is correct.

****

## Chapter Being selfish vs Being unselfish (2012-07-22 14:50)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah May-23-2012  
I am taking a resolution to avoid taking action on selfish thoughts. For every actionable thought that comes to me, I will evaluate it whether it is 'selfish' or for a large cause, and take action if it is for larger cause, and I wont take action if it is selfish thought. Also, I will not entertain selfish thoughts. I will maintain awareness and nip those thoughts in bud.  
My definition of selfish thoughts : Thoughts which generate fear, anger, greed,lust, and unpleasant feeling at heart center. Thoughts that generate sense of limited 'i'.  
My definition of unselfish thoughts : Any thought that expands consciousness limits. Thoughts which generate pleasant feeling at heart center.  
When I entertain thoughts related to 'I me mine', I also undergo suffering. Earlier I used to cling to selfish thoughts thinking that if I dont think about myself , who will ? Yesterday I analysed this and came to conclusion that I am in safe hands (Your hands a.k.a. Universal benevolent being), I need not think about preserving myself. No need of fear of survival. If I engage in unselfish actions, Universe will take care of me. There is no individual 'i' if only unselfish thoughts are there, thereby proving 'anatta' concept of buddhism. Universe is working for itself. I need to go with flow. Let go of everything including sense of 'i' and take refuge in God the higher self. My family, work, my definition of self, my definition of non-self all these are transient. I need to be aware and engage in unselfish acts wherever possible. Usually there is a mode in which I operate (unconscious/sub conscious minds). Actions done with conscious aware mind is almost negligible. I was able to see this also. When I forget my center of gravity, outgoing mind will pull and I am acting in unawareness. When I remember this and pull mind back to center, I am aware. Practice of awareness is correctly described as 'walking on a razors edge', it can be lost or it can be maintained. There is a subtle difference between aware mind and unaware mind.

****

## Chapter Brahma satyam jagan mithya (2012-07-22 14:52)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah May-21-2012  
"Brahma satyam Jagath mithya, Jivo brahmaiva na aparaha". Meaning : Brahman alone is truth, world is transient appearance in brahman. Ultimately individual self is brahman only. Earlier I used to think that brahman is someone else other than me, and world being great, brahman greater, equating oneself (limited individual self) with Brahman is sacrilege.  
If I see the three states of consciousness that I undergo, namely waking, dream, and deep sleep,  
1) Waking : When I am in waking state, I see world apart from me, and it is greater than me.hence the feeling that the creator of world should be greater than me. I cannot equate myself with Brahman in this waking state. Dvaita bhava dominates. Bhakti to such brahman is the solution.  
2) Dream : I am the creator, sustainer and destroyer of my dream world. But I am not aware of that fact and I am not consciously doing it.  
3) Deep sleep : complete destruction of world (my world including myself).  
Now on closer look, when I wake up from sleep, the world is appearing to me. that means, it is possible that it springs forth from me as I become aware of it. First awareness projects world and individual self and the 'i' becomes aware of itself as separate from world. So, Brahman (I) is the unchanging satyam, this world is an appearance as at night in sleep it is going to dissolve and spring forth in morning. What I consider myself as 'i' (individual consciousness) in waking state is the same Brahman from which the waking state itself springs forth. Everything comes from me in morning and dissolves at night.

****

## Chapter Karmanyeva adhikaraste (2012-07-22 14:54)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah Apr-30-2012  
Dear Prabhuji,  
I understood your explanation of this Gita verse 'Karmanyeva adhikaraste...' to a question from a student yesterday about doing karma. Results come according to universal law. Result is not in our control, only our action is in our control. So, I can stop thinking about results. only act. Whatever comes as a result is coming from God , hence it is prasada. What is in my hands to control (action), I can do. What is not in my hands (results), I should not worry. If the above is understood by anybody, then half the worry is gone. The other half of the worry will be gone when one understands that oneself is not the doer.

****

## Chapter Ahimsa Non violence (2012-07-22 14:56)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah Apr-16-2012  
Dear Prabhu,  
I was reading about Mahavira and his 5 vows. First being 'Ahimsa - not harming any living being'. Before today Ahimsa was an empty words/slogan for me. Today I understood. It is because , all living beings have self/atman/experiencer. Body is a covering. If we hurt any living being, the self/experiencer feels it. I cannot hurt a stone, but I can hurt a living thing. Pain is same everywhere. Whether bodily or mental pain. earlier I used to see bodies only. Now I can understand by inference that all living beings have atman, and it is better not to disturb/hurt them  
Prabhuji : Dear Prasad, yes. If anybody kills animal, he is killing part of himself. Peace and love, Prabhu

****

## Chapter Worries and fears (2012-07-22 14:58)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah Apr-6-2012  
Dear Prabhu,  
All worries and fears are related to self-preservation of body, mind and intellect. Job security, food security, self-defence is what matters when an identification takes place with body and subsequently one tries to preserve body. The feeling that I am not body, mind and intellect is elusive. There is no proof evident to the ego in waking state that awareness also will last forever. The waking ego wants ever lasting happiness.This waking ego gets dissolved in dream state and deep sleep state. The self-preservation is not so prominent in dream and deep sleep. we dont hoard money/food in these two states. It is only the waking state that we hoard money/food for tomorrow. No ordinary person likes bodily discomfort / mental agony, and a stithaprajna can bear bodily discomfort and mental agony. I hold on to the body-consciousness due to lack of alternative. Awareness practice, meditation etc can give a glimpse of dis-association with body to some extent. But body consciousness will be there , but lessened. This retention of body consciousness again leads to worry about future security. I may practice awareness for few moments, then I forget and fall back into body-consciousness (This is not bothering me much, but key to all-awareness is missing). How to come out of this cycle ? I have to make a choice of being in awareness. Once and for all I have to make a firm resolve that 'I will practice awareness all moments'. A careful , wakeful, awareness has to be practiced with a firm resolve.

****

## Chapter Understanding a zen story (2012-07-22 15:00)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah Mar-22-2012  
Dear Prabhu,  
You told a zen story as below,  
Story : Once a zen master and his disciple were walking on a beach in late evening. Disciple looked at the full moon and exclaimed "what a beautiful moon", then zen master hit him with stick and said "you are spoiling my enjoyment of the moon". I understood this today. When we see a beautiful scenary , we feel an elated feeling at the heart center. When we say "moon is beautiful", this feeling is lost/not there when we speak the words. Even a mental appreciation by thinking 'moon is beautful' will get rid of the feeling. Either we can feel or talk. Cant do both.

****

## Chapter Dream world (2012-07-25 21:35)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Everything is a modification of mind. My body, world, people around me, all is mind, observed by me who is vaccuum. Guru is a special being in this dream to show exit door.

****

## Chapter Random thoughts (2013-03-02 07:42)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Self-realization happens by grace. Not by the individual effort/sadhana. It can happen to anybody, anytime, chosen by divine grace. Sadhana can help in purifying the mind (chitta shuddhi).I will continue to do my sadhana , but leave it to the divine and wait for self-realization.  
I am not talking about self-realized. I am talking about sadhakas.Jnana marga and bhakti marga are same. In jnana marga, understanding self, and continuous abiding by the self has to be there. In bhakti marga, continuous rememberence of grace/god/guru and taking refuge is there. both give the same peace. In both, a continuous practice is required. If there is disturbance in jnana marga, one has to just be,use intellect more and reduce noise. In bhakti marga, if there is disturbance, transfer the burden of reducing the noise onto the Guru feet / deity, surrender to guru. One can practice both interchangeably.  
Spirituality is not a matter of convenience. It doesnt work if you practice it for sometime when it suits you, and leave it when it doesnt suit you. There will be trials and tribulations, and all the time, 24 hrs one has to practice it in case of ups and downs. when there is a happy time,you forget the guru and god and start enjoying,get involved, then a kick will happen. when there is a trouble, remember guru, do not grieve. everything will pass. Guru is ever watching from inside. it is a relentless monitoring and rectification process. When there is a sakshi bhava, then there is no suffering. when you think,yes, I am peaceful now, and forget yourself, relax, then there is a fall in consciousness, and you start suffering. this is the work of guru. this is a kick. It is a reminder to go back to source. This is the meaning of story of kanakadasa, where he couldnt find a place where there is nobody watching to eat a banana.  
Energy is consciousness, and consciousness is energy. Shiva is shakti, and shakti is shiva. When in yogic practices, energy moves, it takes consciousness along with it. this is kriya yoga. If you use consciousness and use intellect and discriminate between self and non-self, your consciousness becomes sakshi and it takes energy up with it. individual energy has individual consciousness. universal energy has universal consciousness. if mind drags consciousness to material things, then energy also moves outward and downward. if you use mind to think of nobler things, then energy moves upwards and inwards, and then consciousness also moves towards divinity.

****

## Chapter Rajo Guna (2013-03-07 22:38)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
The thought 'By doing something, I will be happy' , comes out of rajo guna.  
Mind says " in future I will be happy by doing this action, so get up do this action immediately". This wont allow to meditate. We need to getup and do that action or get disturbed in meditation.

****

## Chapter Guru the destroyer (2013-03-07 22:42)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
Guru destroys everything.  
You have taken away all support systems for my ego like (dependence on god, guru) to fall back upon, to be shielded when the going gets tough. The concept of god that I had was destroyed. So, I couldnt invoke god when I was in trouble. And you show no miracles, and mysticism, so there too I cannot rely on invoking your grace to support me. All I had was my stupid ego , that took everything too seriously and suffered.I had a good laugh today morning, from my house to office.  
I met Geetamma, and was touched by her faith in her Guru, and her bhakti. She has shown me the path of bhakti. I understood the missing piece in my heart. Earlier, I was thinking person, then I understood the power of bhakti/devotion. It is a soothing effect on a person, and all the diffculties in life can be put on God/Guru to bear. This doesnt mean that I will be like a parasite on god. God is the doer, enjoyer, and thinker. I can take it easy. I need not think complex vedantic truths. Bhakti that I understood is that of having compassion. I learnt how to feed a hungry person. Not because of I will get punya, but just because that person is hungry. I also learnt,to treat people equally. earlier I had a feeling that I know something. Now , I know that I know nothing.I got the samadhana that Guru will take care of me. Earlier, I have caught hold of your feet intellectually,clarifying my doubts. But now, I know that Guru works unseen. and Guru is protecting me. Guru showers grace on me. I need not think or fear of anything.  
In earlier days, Guru used to send his students to other Gurus also to clarify somethings in students minds.That is exactly what you have done. That is the feeling I got. I got the lesson in bhakti from her. I will try to do Annadana to the hungry, whenever I can. I will do Nama sankirtana of God/Guru.

****

## Chapter Deha abhimana (2013-03-07 22:45)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
1) Yesterday for the first time I got the understanding/feeling that body is a vehicle and I am different from body. My abhimana for my body weakened. Body is temporary. I know the importance of body also.So no question of neglecting the body.  
2) When I concentrate on a work at hand, only work is there, and there is a disappearance of ego. for ex: "a surgeon does a surgery with full concentration. He forgets himself". But here there is no awareness.There is a momentary cessation of ego, thereby giving a bliss in 100 % concentrated work. But awareness/consciousness also is not there. In awareness, when there is no ego, then it is a point of liberation.  
It is enlightened living, when a person is aware , silent, and disassociate with part of ego that wants everything.Sattwic Ego is necessary for awareness to know itself. use ego only for that purpose, and then discard the action of ego for other purposes like (I want this, that, etc).

****

## Chapter Salt doll in sea (2013-03-08 21:51)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
Regarding the story of 'salt doll in sea'. A salt doll went to find sea. When it found sea, it got dissolved in the sea. There is no one to see the sea.  
Following is what I understood from the above story.  
If the ego/mind wants to find out God/Truth, It does lot of sadhana / spiritual practices. Ego does Tapas,contemplation, meditation, pranayama, daana, yama, niyama and attains chittashuddi / purity of mind. The part of mind that is tamo guna is observed and dropped as non-self. The part of mind that is rajo guna is observed and dropped as non-self. The part of mind that is sattwa becomes balanced and peaceful. till this point the 'i' remains. After mind becomes purer and purer, the 'i' becomes subtler and subtler. The tendency to produce 'I, me , mine' thoughts becomes less and less, and finally the sattwic 'i' is also seen as non-self and the original enquirer is observed and dropped as non-self, and becomes non-existent, it does not raise its head. The association is broken.  
What I mean to say is , ego wants to find God/Truth, but it becomes non-discernable and is discarded after it becomes pure. Self alone is

****

## Chapter Needs (2013-03-12 16:11)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
The needs of a body are few. Food, Water, Sleep, Exercise, Sunshine, no-pain,no-injury. Body doesnt demand much.  
Every other need/want is coming from mind. All the demands are from mind only.Ignore mind.

****

## Chapter Sushupti (2013-03-12 16:15)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namaha  
I am there even if 'i' is not there. Existence is there even if 'I am' is not there.I am not the body : Got a feeling that I am not the body. body is a vehicle. I am separate from body.I am not the mind : Able to observe the mind/thoughts/feelings in a detached way. Earlier when there was peace, and tranquility of mind, I used to enjoy. When there is an external disturbance, mind is disturbed and I used to feel disturbed. Now, I offer my mind to god, and whatever emotions he puts there belongs to him. I started accepting with open heart whatever divine is giving me. Everything is prasada. Good feeling, bad feeling, depression, fear, anxiety everything is a prasada from God/Guru. This attitude of acceptance is a panacea for all anxious thoughts.  
I am not intellect : This is the toughest part. The sakshi bhava is also a thought in mind. Hence, separateness is still there. There seemed to be no escape from intellect. Complete surrender to the universal intelligence is the only way to escape this intellect trap. Let go of everything. I let go of the thought of attaining liberation/mukti. First observe the ego, become sakshi. Then observe the observer. There is a soothing silence. Intellect is also pain. The intellect part of 'i' also comes and goes. When it goes, what remains is something like a sushupti. deep relaxation. Who is there ? From a blank, again the intellect raises. but how ?

****

## Chapter Conquering death (2013-05-04 19:12)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
I am chetana, Atma, spirit and different from body. This wisdom is called conquering death. Death is only for the body. Associating with the body due to ignorance, jiva thinks that he is dying, when prana leaves the body and suffers death. On the physical death of the body, why should anybody worry ? There can be different possibilities regarding life and death,  
1) jiva takes another body (including yatana deha for hell, or another human or animal forms) and suffers another life  
2) jiva goes into higher lokas and lives with deities happily till pralaya and attains krama mukti with Brahma  
3) If jivanmukti happens, where is the question of taking another body ? even, if there is residual karma and a body is taken,the wisdom will be there that body is different to Atma. Physical death does not affect the jivanmukta. This is called 'conquering the death', as mentioned in mrityunjaya story and mantra. Death (Yama) has control over me, only if I am afraid that I am dying. As it is not 'I' who is dying , but the body, Yama has no control over me.

****

## Chapter Sanatana Dharma (2013-06-04 18:13)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
My Question : Guruji, What is sanatana dharma ?  
Guruji : Universal principles applicable and used in all religions.  
This changed my perspective on the Hindu identity that I have. I am not a Hindu, I do not belong to any religion. I follow principles which are universal in nature. I am born in a family which belongs to Hindu religion, so my culture and traditions are according to Hinduism. I am what I am. All religions and people of all religions are equal to me now. All of them are following the one and only true path in different names, forms, garbs, philosophies. Anything that happens in life and society, is because of the universal consciousness will power. No one religion is greater or lesser than other. Individuals are in different levels and stages of evolution. The culture might be different.

****

## Chapter No Rajo guna (2013-06-04 18:15)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
I am happy, peaceful and contented as I am. No urge for doing anything to achieve anything. I may do actions for the day. No planning for future grand plans. There is nothing to do to accomplish. I am grateful to Guru, God, Everyone, everything for taking care of me. Whatever thoughts that come to me are because of my vasanas and samskaras. I need not bother about them. Whoever comes in contact with me is because of karmic connection. I am almost retired. I will follow your way of life. take every moment as it is.

****

## Chapter Forgiving oneself (2013-06-04 18:16)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
I used to get disturbed when somebody criticize me. I have transcended that to some extent. I carry an umbrella now for rainy days. But today I realised that , I am my biggest critic. There is an internal voice that keeps on criticising me and my failures. When somebody say something to me, this internal voice uses that to pull me down further. This can be transcended when I start forgiving myself. I am also a human being, who can and will make mistakes. I learnt to ignore this internal critic. just as I see others as third person, I see this internal critic also as a third person, some nuisense that need not be paid attention to. I experience some peace at heart.

****

## Chapter What is Karma that binds (2013-06-04 18:18)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
What constitute as karma that binds ? Are all actions termed as karma ? including daily chores like walking,eating, sleeping, talking , taking care of body, office going ? most of these are automatic. How to stop accumulating karma ?  
Prabhuji's reply : Actions with awareness do not bind

****

## Chapter Upaya to cross ocean of samsara (2013-06-04 18:19)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
I was going on my bike from one place to a distant place. I was repeating a bhajan , just one or two lines and kept on singing the bhajan. I was blissful and dont know how and when destination is reached. And when I reached the destination, I realised that this is the way to cross the ocean of samsara. Have the name of Lord on your mind, and no matter how many Janmas are crossed, how many diffculties one faces in life, it doesnt touch. Mind is blissful and peaceful, and one transcends time.

****

## Chapter Dependent rising (2013-06-04 18:20)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Dhammapada : One who sees dependent rising sees the Dhamma, and one who sees Dhamma sees dependent rising. I understood it like this,  
Dependent rising is the root cause of suffering. Everything is caused by desire.The ability to see the rising of desire in oneself, whenever a thought rises, one should not be trapped into that,and see the chain of thoughts leading to bondage is 'seeing the dependent rising' and seeing the Dhamma.Pls validate my understanding. Prabhuji's reply : Ignorance-desire-karma- samskara-birth-samskara-karma

****

## Chapter Many lives (2013-06-05 08:02)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Gita : At the time of death, the predominant thought determines the next life. This is true even while alive and in daily life.. Mind keeps on generating many thoughts. Following a thought , takes one to live and experience that thought, for that period of time, as we hold on to that thought, and come back to follow another thought. The practice that one should do lifelong is to observe all thoughts and not to follow any of them. So, at the time of death also, many thoughts bombard the consciousness, but due to the lifelong practice of vairagya (dispassion), none of the thoughts are followed and one avoids the samsara. Pls validate this understanding.  
Prabhuji's reply : Yes

****

## Chapter Freedom (2013-06-10 06:43)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Everything that I have (family, house, job, money, security, education, center of locus, definition of myself, my efforts towards retaining these and developing further property for future security) , all these are transitory and they wont provide what I want (liberation). Infact it is for the lacunae (kuntha) in me , to fulfill which I have gained all these. Whereas I will be alone with these and without these. I can include teaching yoga also in this list, but it is for others benefit, so I am leaving it out of the list. I am blissful by nature. I can still maintain all these, but they should not form the definition of what I am and what my life is. Without confining to the definition of a regular householder (while still maintaining these, as a prarabdha), I can be free.

****

## Chapter Adopting the world (2013-06-10 07:26)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
The boundary of what constitutes mine (my limited world) and what is not mine (external outside huge world), is created by my mind. Mind restricts to the number of people in my family. Mind feels happy for these people if they are well, and unhappy when they are unwell. I can condition my mind to adopt the world, and feel the same towards all. One step is to condition the mind , and train the mind to have the same feeling of family-ness with all in the world, including animate and inanimate objects. The boundary is drawn for a limited number of people now. I can expand the boundary and encompass all in the world in that family. As all in the world is having same source from which they come. I can tell my mind that all are in one family. I have understood how to make mind accept all as one family. It is a slight change in the perception, removing boundaries. Pls rectify if there is any erroneous understanding.

****

## Chapter Beliefs (2013-06-29 16:03)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
I am peaceful at last. Thinking is the cause of stress. There are so many beliefs, ideas, concepts that generate thoughts. I am able to identify any thought and its root cause as a belief and able to drop the belief. Earlier (I am not the body + I am not the mind) was clear and I was able to identify emotions, hence a certain mastery over mind was attained, but was stuck in intellect. Yesterday's class showed me the way to steer clear of intellect. All thoughts have a certain belief as a root. Seeing clearly the root cause of any major thought process will end that particular thought process. Understanding this fact, and apply it to any major thought pattern and see it vanish, will give a mastery over Intellect.

****

## Chapter Contentment (2013-06-29 16:06)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Gurudeva,  
I am very contented now. I used to make various visualizations (about how I will spend my time peacefully after I discharge my family duties), always living in some distant future. There was a thorn in my mind that used to disturb the peace in current moment. Now the thorn is removed. I have put in a belief that 'I have discharged all my duties', 'I dont have any more duties to perform' etc. That removed the rajoguna.Whatever is left is the present moment, and what I do with that moment is what is possible for that moment will get done.

****

## Chapter Brahma satyam jagan mithya (2013-07-10 07:11)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
In my meditation, initially there is awareness of world, then awareness of self. Sometimes, mind goes into its own world like dream. At that time, the gross body + world / jagat is absent for me. When I become aware of myself in this dream like state, I come back to waking awareness. But I still remember what I saw in that dream state. What is common is my experiencing that the gross body+ gross world is present in waking state, and my experiencing that the dream body + dream world is present in dream like state. This understanding is what I am applying to the statement 'Brahma satyam jagan mithya'. What is there at one place, and one time, and absent in another place, time is called Mithya (transient). The gross world (jagat) is present in only waking state. Dream jagat is present only in dream state. The gross world is absent to the individual in deep sleep state. Hence Jagat is transient and Mithya and like a dream. What is present at all times and places is called Satyam (Truth). The 'I' is present in all the three states, places, and at all times witnessing all three states. So, the 'I' or Self which is the witness of the three states, and witness at all times and all places is the True thing, and is Brahman. Jivo brahmaiva , na aparaha : The individual Jiva experiences the 'I-ness' at all times and places and states. This 'I-ness' in Jiva is the Brahman. Pls rectify my understanding if there is any misunderstanding on my part.  
Prabhuji : Correct

****

## Chapter Triputi (2013-07-10 12:18)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Seer and Seen along with the process of seeing is known as 'Triputi'. For an enlightened being, these three are not there.I understood the above sentence like the following,  
'seer' in the above sentence refers to ego. The feeling of I am separate from Universe.  
'seen' are the objects in the world.  
'process of seeing' referred above is from the perspective of ego.  
The individual (body consciousness) sees the world as separate from himself. For an enlightened being, ego is not there. So, there is no 'seer'. the earlier seer (body+mind+intellect) joins the set of objects (world) as seen. The earlier process of seeing (through eyes + mind, with feeling of separeteness) is not there. Pls validate my understanding.  
Prabhuji : True

****

## Chapter Gurupoornima 2013 (2013-07-28 15:15)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
I got some clarity on my seva (service) activities,  
1) Seva is not a means, but an end in itself. Just keep on doing small things consistently.  
2) No need to set some goals in life/seva. We never know how it turns out. Its a journey from known to unknown. (This is an important meditation. once we remove the goals from mind,it becomes free). we can define the activity that we want to do, but need to remove the destination/goal from mind. 'known to unknown' is a mindset that liberates mind. On gurupoornima day, I am taking the following resolutions,  
I will practice and teach yoga, meditation  
I will study and teach scriptures and spirituality to make myself and people peaceful, happy and wise.

****

## Chapter Mukti (2013-07-28 15:27)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Sarvam khalvidam brahma : Every level of consciousness is Brahman only, whether it is stone, animal, jiva or Iswara consciousness. Everything and every one is a part of the same awareness. Aham brahmasmi : There is only God everywhere and everything is God. I am Brahman. The idea that 'I am not liberated' is a belief that makes one a bound soul. The bound soul is also Brahman only.

****

## Chapter Astrology (2013-08-04 20:50)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
"We are the creators of our future and destiny. What we think and act in the present moment, the 'now', will shape our future. Thinking that everything happens because of karma is foolish understanding of karma theory. Karma theory presupposes free will. " Astrology is supposed to elevate a person out of his current problematic environment, by supporting the above theory, and inject some confidence in people to act and come out of crisis. Instead of that the current day astrologers make money out of the worry of their clients by injecting fear psychosis in the client. Believe that you can change future and destiny by your action in the present moment. This belief will propel a person to act.

****

## Chapter Atma deepo bhava (2013-08-12 06:43)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Budha's disciples asked him in his last days, who will guide them after his death. Buddha said 'Atma deepo bhava'. Which means 'Be a light unto yourself'. If a person doesnt have inner strength, he needs support system like scriptures, Guru etc. For a person who has inner strength, he is his own guide/guru, he is his own scripture, he is a light unto himself. One should be their own strength, their own guide, their own motivator, their own rectifier. I understood this today, what it means when we say Atmajyoti (light of the self).

****

## Chapter Difference in perceptions in theories of creation (2013-08-15 22:19)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Srishti drishti vada : Individual consciousness = combination of suffering + joy + sorrow  
Drishti srishti vada : Seer consciousness, aloneness = creativity , ability to create new reality  
Ajata vada : complete detachedness, bordering on being non-functional in material world The above 3 appear as 3 different perceptions of one reality only. The perciever still exists as individual ego /seer / shunya in three perceptions. I can shift my consciousness between these three perceptions. Since I can take any of these three perceptions, none of these are absolute truth according to me. The only non-changing entity is I which sees all these three perceptions. Pls comment.  
Prabhuji's comment : True

****

## Chapter Tandava and Lasya (2013-08-26 09:52)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
The following is what I understood today,  
The Shiva tandava and Shakti lasya goes on continuously. Shiva and Shakti are one. Shiva is shaktimaan.  
When shiva becomes jiva and says I am limited, shakti becomes universe and gods  
When shiva meditates and becomes silent, shakti becomes shanta  
When shiva says 'I dont know', shakti becomes his ignorance  
When shiva says 'I want to know', shakti becomes knowledge  
When shiva is knowing, shakti becomes jnana shakti,the power of knowledge,  
When shiva wants to change something, shakti becomes ichcha shakti (power of will)  
When shiva wants to act, shakti becomes kriya shakti (power of action)  
When shiva says 'I know', shakti becomes his knowledge and wisdom  
When shiva is jiva and says 'There is energy and I want to know energy', shakti becomes kundalini  
When shiva says 'What I know is sufficient', shakti becomes contentment  
When shiva says 'I am brahman', shakti becomes brahman  
When shiva says 'I am blissful', shakti becomes ananda  
When shiva is ignorant of his self, shakti becomes mother  
When shiva is shiva, shakti becomes omniscience  
When shiva says 'I am unhappy', shakti becomes depression  
When shiva says 'I am afraid', shakti becomes fear.  
As Shiva , so is shakti. There is no end to this dance. They are inseparable. they are one and same.  
Shiva wants to know shakti, there is no end to it.  
Prabhuji : True

****

## Chapter Me and not-me (2013-08-29 08:31)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
There are various things we classify as 'me, mine' and others as 'not-me, not-mine'. This classification in the mind is the cause of the feeling of separation and subsequent suffering. Today, I understood one of the classifications.  
All of us know three states of consciousness. Jagrat (waking), Svapna(dreaming), and Sushupti(deep sleep).We think that waking state is the only reality, waking is only me. Other states of consciousness are something to be shrugged off as 'not-me, or not-mine or not to be taken seriously, or they are just there'.Considering that there are 24 hours in a day and probably we divide equally for three states, we may get 8 hours for waking state. This classification of only one state of mind as 'me', we are only living one-third of our life. How much of this 8 hours we are really 'me' and aware is debatable again.There is a fourth state called Turiya which is experienced in meditation. There is a consciousness that is witness to these states. That witness is called Sakshi or Turiyaatita. From the point of view of Sakshi, all these states come and go.The problem of bondage is for the person in waking state. So, the solution should be found for this waking 'me' in waking state only. The 'me' of dream and deep sleep state will take care of himself/herself. One way to deal with this waking state is to feel that 'I am not this waking state either, whatever I am percieving here is temporary reality, I am witnessing this phenomenon'. This witness-consciousness takes care of the difficulty in waking state. Dont bother about dreaming and deep sleep, while you are in waking state, because it is not you , the 'me' in waking state. the practice of witness-consciousness in waking state will affect the dream and deep sleep state as well and alter the awareness there.  
Prabhuji's comment : Very good

****

## Chapter Whatever is, is spiritual and divine (2013-08-29 08:58)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
The attachment to spiritual topics and spirituality has to go, for the matured mind to come completely into present moment. In the initial stages of practice, vairagya (detachment,dispassion) towards worldly activities is adviced. Initially for a mind in bondage and suffering, spirituality brings lot of solace and mind gets attracted to anything related to spirituality and gets attached to that topic in exclusion of all topics. Once peace is established in mind, and spirituality becomes the nature of mind,there is no need to get attached to this topic also. What was external, has to become internal. Once mind is mature enough in spirituality, mind has to adopt spirituality in each and every task at hand. Whatever one does, whichever action one does, the mind has to be in communion with Self. Then every action, moment becomes spiritual and divine.

****

## Superconscious thoughts (2013-08-31 05:38)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Following is my understanding today, Pls validate,  
All kinds of thoughts come from mind. There is only one mind, which we call conscious, sub-conscious and super-conscious based on the kind of thoughts that are generated.Thoughts related to individual's benefit come from conscious and sub-conscious minds. Thoughts related to universal benefit come from super-conscious mind. A bound soul, who thinks that he is the body, will pick those thoughts which are related to individual benefit and execute them. An evolved soul, has become unselfish to some extent, and as a result, the thoughts related to individual benefit are less, so he can pick the thoughts related to universal benefit and execute them.There are some people whose actions are related to universal benefit, but intention is to get name, fame etc. Those thoughts are not from super-conscious mind. A self-less action propelled by unselfish thought is what determines that particular thought pattern, either it is from superconscious mind or not. These thoughts from superconscious mind are always there in mind. It is just that a bound soul doesnt listen to them or doesnt pay attention and doesnt execute them. These superconscious thought pattern also is not 'I'. The observer is different to all these thought patterns and is a sakshi to individual-selfish, individual-unselfish, universal-self;ess thoughts. All kinds of thoughts carry certain energy with them. Depending on the identification of Self with body, or mind or universal values, the actions and force of action will be.

****

## Chapter Ritambara prajna (2013-09-02 08:43)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
This is what I think that the terms 'Prajna' and 'Ritambara prajna' mean, Pls validate,  
1) Prajna : Consciousness itself is 'prajna'  
2) Ritambara prajna : When sub-conscious is purified (chitta shuddi) and conscious mind is in alignment with super conscious then it is Ritambara prajna.  
Prabhuji : yes

****

## Chapter Mantra of anahata (2013-09-02 08:47)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
In one of the sutras in Vijnana bhairava tantra, it is said to meditate on the 'repetetion/mantra of heart'. I have explained it as follows, 'In heart chakra, the constant repetetion of I-am ness, the 'aham' mantra goes on continuously. meditate on that'. This is the mantra I could feel at anahata. Pls validate that my understanding is correct.  
Prabhuji : Correct

****

## Chapter Block of Energy (2013-09-04 18:36)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
Following is what I understood by the term 'Individual mind is the block for the flow of energy', Pls validate, Ichcha shakti (energy of desire), Jnana shakti (energy of knowledge), and Kriya shakti (energy to act) has to flow together to accomplish a task. An individual ichcha shakti is pulled on many sides with different desires about same task. (eg: If we want to buy a car, then desire comes like 'I should buy red car', and 'I should buy blue car' etc). An individual Jnana shakti is riddled with doubts, and lack of clarity in intellect. Because of these the individual kriya shakti is ineffective.The flow of energy will be smooth to complete a task, if intellect doesnt have doubts, and a clarity of mind is there about what we want to accomplish. The thoughts in mind are the blocks. I had a thinking that, energy flows from cosmos into a person, and this gets blocked by mind. While this may be true in gross terms, it is also true that energy ows from oneself and in oneself, in three forms (Ichcha, Jnana, Kriya). Individual mind contains and limits it.

****

## Chapter Enlightenment, Savikalpa, Nirvikalpa (2013-09-04 18:39)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
The following is what I am thinking today, pls rectify,  
Liberation: For a bound soul, Guru shows a way to take a detached view of the world. This relieves him of the suffering.This is liberation.  
Enlightened living : A liberated soul does not identify with body and mind, and not in illusion of world that it is permanent, and acts in the world without attachment, but as a lila, out of pure joy.Enlightenment is a beginning, not an end goal. This is sahaja samadhi. An enlightened soul is a free bird.  
Savikalpa : pinnacle of yogic practices, but is a state of mind. illusion is not gone totally.  
Nirvikalpa : No disturbance of mind. mind has become no-mind. Its a samadhi where engagement with world is not there.

****

## Chapter Attachment to Seva (2013-09-18 14:18)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Guruji,  
This is what I think today, pls validate,  
Seva (service) is adviced for a sadhaka to purify the heart (chittashuddhi). Initially, seva is started as a means for purification and as a means for enlightenment. There is a goal in that. This brings an attachment to seva activities, by being attached to the fruits of that activity.One should not get attached to Seva activities and get enmeshed in that. Otherwise it becomes another samsara. Seva should also be done with same detachment as adviced for any other selfish activity.  
Prabhuji : Correct

****

## Chapter Contentment (2013-09-20 04:49)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
Dear Prabhuji,  
Today's thought, pls validate,  
Contentment : Is not something to be achieved. It is the nature of Self. 'Just be' , and it is contentment. And, it is same as ananda, and compassion. The words bliss, compassion, contentment, peace are different words given for the same feeling. Some people say 'be contended', so it gives an impression, that it is a doing, but it is actually being.  
Prabhuji's reply : Contentment is a state of mind to be happy with what you have but not being lazy. Ever working for service.

****

## Chapter Maa (2013-09-23 03:28)

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah  
As Grandfather, Father, Brother, Husband, Son, Grandson, a man takes, and as grandmother, mother, sister, wife, daughter, grand-daughter a woman gives. Ironically man is unaware of this fact. The principle of 'mother' which knows how to give is so evident in a woman that, the obvious escapes the eye. The same principle operates in the universe. I see mother in all women.

****

## Chapter About Author

Srinivasa Prasad Pillutla, born in 1971, is a disciple of Sadguru M.Narasimha Prabhu. He is a software engineer by profession. He has been teaching yoga asana,dhyana to few people for the last couple of years in Bangalore, India.  
He conducts dhyana classes online. Interested people can contact  mailto:sppillutla@gmail.com?subject=Interested about dyana classes  
Recorded videos are at <http://www.youtube.com/user/Yogajyothi/videos>  
Youtube channel <http://www.youtube.com/channel/Yogajyothi>  
His other e-books are at <https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AtmajyothiPrasad>  
website : <http://sppillutla.wix.com/lamp>  
blogs :  
http://dhyanajyothi.blogspot.in  
http://atmajyoti-jayakavya.blogspot.in

####
