Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Where There is Dharma, There is Prosperity

Sant Kabirji has said: Better an illiterate, free from
the worldly delusion.
If someone is striving to be more learned or erudite only to fulfil his
desires, it would be better for him to remain ignorant and illiterate. Irrespective
of how many educational certificates one obtains, or however great a post one
reaches, if that person isnt interested in upholding dharma, even at the cost of
pains which may come on the way, then they havent attained true elevation or
arent yet fully evolved. Things like securing a big job, or constructing a number
of houses are not indicators of true elevation. Regardless of whether these
things are there or not, the ambrosial stream of spiritual consciousness must
continue to flow in your heart, and your intrinsic nature of Truth-Consciousness
and Bliss should keep radiating through every pore of your being this is the
mark of true elevation. Then it hardly matters whether you have got food or
clothing for yourself or not, or whether you are being showered with praises or
insults from all corners. Mansoor remained steadfast in his dharma by declaring,
I am God., even though it meant his sure execution. Socrates and Janaka had
practised their dharma as well. Lord Rama and Mother Sita were incarnations of
dharma itself.
True elevation eludes us only because we are careless about maintaining
our dharma. You must observe dharma for quick elevation. Install the Lord of
the Universe in your heart and carry out your duties even if you have to face a
lot of troubles this constitutes real dharma. If selfish goals or worldly
allurements lead you to obey your parents, this is not true observance of
dharma.
Generally, after reading about dharma, people prefer to put the books
aside; but a personality whose life itself reflects a good exposition of dharma, is
that of Lord Rama Lord Rama is the very personification of dharma. Kaikeyi
used the boons she had attained earlier in her life to get Lord Rama sent into
exile to the forests barefooted. Then Ramaji declared, It is my resolve to carry
out the resolves of my parents. Ramaji then engaged Himself in His duty
without paying even a passing thought to the difficulties ahead.
Indeed, how supremely great is the dharma of Lord Rama, Who didnt
ever look at a thing that should not be seen; nor did he ever give a word which
He couldnt fulfil, or for which He would be branded as a liar. He never spoke
deceitfully, keeping a difference in his thoughts and what he actually said. Sri
Ramachandraji did not eat food that would make His intellect dull, depraved, or
give rise to attachment and hatred. So ardent was His love for Lakshmana, His
younger brother, that He wouldnt eat a delicious food given to Him until and
unless He had shared it with His beloved brother. Nor did He ever go to bed
before Lakshmanas arrival. While playing in Gurukul, when He saw that His
victory was but sure, which would leave His dear brothers Lakshmana, Bharata,

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Shatrughna and other co-disciples disheartened; Lord Ramachandraji would let
them win and accept defeat Himself as would behove Him, a lover of the
Transcendental Existence, established in His Real Self, Who considered victory
and defeat to be mere dreams and as events in the behavioural existence, while
knowing the Witness Consciousness to be actually His own. It was such actions
of His meant to foster enthusiasm, sensibility, bliss and Knowledge among
others as led the supremely righteous Rama to the high pedestal of being the
very personification of dharma. (Read the complete article in Feburary 2008
Rishi Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

Mahashivaratri: The Night for Worshipping Lord Shiva

(Mahashivaratri 6th March)
-Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji
The fourteenth lunar day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna or
Mahashivaratri is the day of the manifestation of the Shiva-linga on earth and
according to the law of nature it is the day of the conjuncture of favourable
planets and stars which are conducive to the union of the individual soul and the
Supreme Soul. People keep vigil at night and worship God on this day.
Shiva stands for Auspiciousness, that is, this night is a very auspicious
one. While observing night vigil on this day chant Om Namah Shivaya with long
incantation. Do not do japa or pooja mechanically. Do not do japa hastily. Get
spiritual peace at intervals. This has a very positive effect and provides amazing
benefits. Also see that you neither desire for favourable circumstances nor fear
nor flee from the adverse ones. This is an efficient and effective means to get
established in the Supreme State. One should observe night vigil with devotional
love on Mahashivaratri. Vigil is symbolic of awakening which in turn implies that
one should not be influenced by favourable and adverse circumstances and
awaken into the immutable Self the Shiva Consciousness while living in the
physical body and world which are subject to change. See that the human-life is
not wasted in enjoying sense pleasures and is rather utilized in attaining its
goal, the Supreme Truth. If you keep vigil with such a discriminative thought,
you have observed Shivaratri Jagarana in the real sense. Such vigil will
gradually destroy your sins, afflictions and desires accumulated in many lives.
The intellect gets purified and the jiva starts marching ahead on the path
towards awakening into the Shiva Consciousness.
The festival of Mahashivaratri is meant to erase ones ego and merge
oneself in the Lord of the universe. The pandavas too had arranged a celebration
of Shivaratri festival for their spiritual welfare. Lord Krishna had come from
Dwarika to Hastinapur to attend it. Lord Shiva is worshipped not only by those
who desire worldly riches and pleasures but also by those who want to attain
blessedness in their after life or are interested in their spiritual well being

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Lord Shiva is worshipped with offerings of water, panchmrita, fruits,

flowers and wood-apple leaves. The three leaves of the tri-foliate wood apple
tree signify the three qualities of Nature sattva, rajas and tamas. We transcend
the gunas of Nature by offering them to Lord Shiva. This exactly is the purpose
behind it. What is the purport of worshiping the Lord with the panchmrita? The
whole creation is nothing but the play of the five great elements of Nature
earth, water, fire, air and ether. To surrender ones ego to the Consciousness
personified Shiva, the ground reality behind the play of the five great elements
is what is really meant by worshiping with the panchmrita. What is the import
of worshipping with dhoopa (incense) and deepa (lamp)? To get absorbed in the
meditation on ,I am Shiva personified, I am the Absolute Bliss and spread
the fragrance of ones Shiva-Consciousness and Bliss-personified nature in the
atmosphere is just what is meant by worshipping the Lord with incense; and to
resolve to live in the Light of Self-knowledge is the import of lighting a lamp.
Even if you are in a jungle or a desert, just make an idol of Shiva using
sand or clay, sprinkle some water over it, offer some wild flowers to it and
mimic a musical instrument vocally. This much will propitiate Lord Shiva and
purify your emotions. After all He is Ashutosha (the Lord who is easily pleased)!
If you offer even wild flowers to the Shivalinga with a sincere heart, Lord Shiva
becomes pleased, but when the Cupid god shot the same flower at Him, He was
displeased. Why? Because his intention behind shooting the flower was not pure,
and hence Shiva opened His third eye and reduced the Cupid god to ashes. It is
the spirit and not the things offered that is important in the worship of Shiva
God verily abides in the emotions of the devotee. (Read the complete article in
Feburary 2008 Rishi Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

Freedom from the Bondage of Worldly Life

The divine sage Naradaji said, O great sage Sanakaji! O omniscient one!
Kindly let me know as to how Lord Janardana (Lord Vishnu), the Lord of all, can
be pleased.
Sanakaji said, Naradaji! If you desire to attain liberation from the samsara,
worship with all your heart and soul the Truth-Consciousness and Bliss Absolute
One, the Supreme Lord Narayana.
With upraised arms it is emphatically proclaimed that it is the truth, (and
nothing but) the truth again, that there is no entity equal to the Guru and there
is no other God who is greater than Keshava.
(The Narada Purana, Purvardha: 34.9)
I am speaking the truth. I am telling you the most wholesome thing. Again and
again I am repeating the essence of all the scriptures: In this world, which is

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

otherwise vain and worthless, the only true thing is Lord Haris worship. Cut off
with the axe of devotion to Lord Hari, the tight noose of worldly existence which
causes great delusion and become supremely happy.
The mind which is engaged in contemplating the Lord, and those ears which are
ever filled with the ambrosial stream of His stories, are alone worthy of being
revered by the whole world. O Narada! Worship continuously the imperishable
Bliss-personified Lord, Who abides in the heart and is devoid of the three states
of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. O excellent sage, for them, whose minds
are impure, it is not at all possible to describe or behold His divine abode or
form. O excellent Brahmin, this universe in the form of mobile and immobile
objects, is merely the product of imagination. It is as unsteady as the lightning.
Hence being detached from it, worship the Lord.
Sri Hari, the Lord of the universe, is pleased only with those who practise
non-violence, truthfulness, celibacy and aparigraha (to accept only that which is
absolutely necessary in thought, word and deed). The Lord is pleased with the
one who is endowed with mercy towards all living beings; who takes delight in
the stories of God and His devotees and narrates the tales of the Lord; who
associates himself with saintly persons and is devoid of egotism. One who
continues to repeat the Lords name incessantly even on the occasions of
hunger, thirst, and loss of physical balance, the Lord becomes pleased with him.
The Lord is satisfied and delighted with those who are devoid of jealousy,
fault finding and egotism, and are ever engaged in worshipping the Lord. Hence,
O celestial sage! Listen, always worship God. The body is destined to feed the
flames of cremation; life is very fickle; wealth is always liable to be affected
(confiscated) by kings or others, while riches too are never lasting. O celestial
sage, Dont you see that half of the life is wasted in sleep? And how much of life
is lost in routine activities such as taking food, etc.! How much life is wasted in
vain during infancy and old age! How much time is spent in enjoying the objects
of sensual pleasure! When will you find time to practise dharma? The worship of
Lord Achyuta is not possible in old age. Hence, one should perform the holy rites
while one is still young by giving up all egotistic feelings.
O sage! The body is the abode of death and the greatest receptacle of
adversities. It begets only diseases, and remains ever defiled by faeces and
other impurities. Why then should men commit sins in vain by mistaking it to be
permanent? This world is totally devoid of any real essence and is replete with
various sorts of miseries. Undoubtedly, it is completely under the influence of
death; hence one should never trust it. Therefore, listen O leading Brahmin!
What I am telling you is the truth. In order to prevent a rebirth, worship the
Lord. By eschewing false prestige and covetousness and removing all lust and
anger, continuously worship the Lord, for the birth in the human race is
extremely hard to attain. (Read the complete article in Feburary 2008 Rishi
Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

One who constantly contemplates, "I am liberated' is indeed liberated,
while one who thinks "I am bound' remains in bondage. - from "Elixir of
Life", a booklet published by the Ashram.

Vasanta Panchami: The Day for Propitiating Goddess

Saraswati
The fifth day in the bright fortnight of the month of
Magha (11th February, this year) is celebrated as
Vasanta Panchami. This signifies the onset of spring, the
king of seasons. On this day, early in the morning, one
applies oil and unguent to the body before taking a bath and then worships the
Lord. Special significance is attached to propitiating the goddess of speech
Mother Sarasvati on this day. Install an earthen pot (Kalasha) and invoke and
worship goddess Sarasvati therein(Read the complete article in Feburary 2008
Rishi Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)
Wealth is abandoned at home, kith and kin are left behind in the cremation
ground, the body is consigned to the funeral pyre; merits and vices are the only
things which accompany the jiva. (The Garuda Purana: 9.36,37)

Duty is Worship

-Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji

Lord Sri Krishna has said,

Keenly devoted to their respective natural duties, men attain the highest
perfection in the shape of God-realization. Hear the mode of performance
whereby the man, engaged in his inborn duty, reaches that highest
consummation. Man attains the highest perfection by worshipping, through his
own natural duties, Him from whom the tide of creation has streamed forth, and
by whom all this universe is pervaded.
(The Gita: 18.45-46)
Sant Kabir weaved clothes so lovingly, it was as if he were worshipping God. He
bought cotton for the sake of Rama, spun it into threads for the sake of Rama,
and weaved the cloth for the sake of Rama alone. When he took his wares to the
market, people were astonished by the excellent quality of his cloth. Kabirji
would fix the price of his cloth taking a very small margin of profit, and would

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

behold Rama even in his customers. The weaver of the cloth and the one for
whom the cloth is woven are but one and the same. Kabirji experienced
liberation even while engaged in action.
Such great personages not only experience blessedness themselves, but
also open the doors for others to attain blessedness.
Many sadhus and saints visited Sant Namadeva. Rajai prepared food for such
guests and would remain busy until 3 to 4 P.M. feeding them. She experienced
the joy of samadhi in the act of feeding the guests while remaining hungry
herself.
Gora Kumhar, the potter, did not make easily breakable pots with the
commercial interest of selling more pots. Instead, he would make such strong
and durable pots that would last for generations. While kneading the clay he
contemplated, The ones for whom I am making these pots are none other than
Lord Rama Himself. He even heated the pots carefully so that they were strong
enough.
There is a joy in doing work. Work, done with a selfish motive, for the
satisfaction of ego, or with a sense of boredom, becomes burdensome. When
the same work is done with a sense of duty, it becomes a vehicle to perfection.
Ones own duty discharged properly and diligently to its completion pleases the
Supreme Lord, by Whose grace the concerned person attains perfection.
An action carried out earnestly, honestly, devoutly, faithfully, without
egotism, not for accumulating objects of sensual pleasure, and with Godrealization as the goal; does in effect become the worship of the Lord. All the
creatures have come forth from Lord Narayana alone. All are personifications of
the Lord Himself.
The indwelling Self of all is surely He of whom the heaven is the head, the moon
and sun the two eyes, the directions are the two ears, the revealed Vedas are
the speech, air is the vital force, the whole universe is the heart, and (it is He)
from Whose two feet emerged the earth. And from Him emerged the gods in
various groups, the Sdhyas, human beings, beasts, birds, vital winds, rice and
barley, as well as austerity, faith, truth, continence and dutifulness.
(The Mundaka Upanishad: 2.1.4,7)
In this life, everyone has got the powers to do, to believe and to know. If one is
engaged in a righteous work, it is the worship of the Supreme Lord and he can
attain liberation through it. If the power to believe is used in the right manner,
one will find repose in the Supreme Lord from whom the mind derives all its
powers of belief. If the power to know is used righteously, one would come to
know That, after knowing Whom nothing else remains to be known.
No doubt there is tremendous potentiality for action in man; but not
knowing the proper method of action, whatever he does it creates only
bondage for him.

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Electricity, when used properly, has the potential to make our everyday
life easy, with the light, fan, fridge, lift etc. at our disposal as and when. needed.
However, if by mistake one puts his fingers into the plug socket, it can kill him.
So also, if one understands the proper way of action, he can surely attain
salvation through karma itself.
One should do his work with enthusiasm and zeal, and have love for
whom the action is being performed. Work, in the absence of love, becomes a
burden, whereas the element of love converts it into an act of worship. Do your
work with such enthusiasm and such adroitness that you become self-forgetful
while doing the work. Dont work half-heartedly, but with total dedication. One
who doesnt dedicate himself to his work wholeheartedly, cant meditate
wholeheartedly either. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly. Even while
meditating on God or loving Him, do it with full devotion, and not by sparing
your distinctive identity. One who involves himself completely in his work attains
Self-development, and his capabilities are developed as well. One doing his work
half-heartedly cant enjoy it, and remains deprived of its consequent bliss as
well. His work is not transformed into worship, and hence it becomes
burdensome and creates bondage for him.
The key to excellent work is you must be interested in the work, and
have love for the one you are working for. Do not waste the fruits of your karma
in petty sense enjoyments, but do your work with the aim of elevating your life
and attaining realization of the imperishable Self. Be cautious lest the
covetousness of enjoying the fruits of your action make you self-centered. Then
only your action will bring you Self-realization. If one makes Self-realization his
goal, and works for That, his actions will be translated into Karma-yoga. An
action motivated by the desire to accumulate objects of sense-pleasure, demean
others, or nurture ones ego, creates bondage for the doer.
This alone plays the decisive role in defining a society as being radiant or
lackluster. The dull people in society do not take due interest in their work, nor
do they have love in their heart for the one they work for. Their life is devoid of
joy, the music of life is alien to them. Their life becomes dry and insipid.
When even a dog diligently accomplishes a task assigned to it, it becomes
an asset; otherwise, dull street dogs just get stoned everywhere. Similarly,
fussy and careless people are rejected everywhere; while those, who work
earnestly towards the goal of God-realization, like Dhanna Jaat, Sant Ravidas,
Shabari Bhilan, Namdev, King Janaka, etc., do attain the divine Bliss.
Carelessness is currently at its peak in India. Here people are adept
neither in their work nor in sdhan. People in other countries are efficient in
their work at least, but unfortunately, they are simply ignorant about sdhan.
Here in India, the path of sdhan is so readily available and easily treadable;
but the people in this part of the world have become so careless, so lazy and

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

indolent that only God knows what is in store for this country. While the
condition of the nation is of course serious, that of the individuals is even worse.
When you engage your mind, body and life for the good of others, people will
offer all they have for your well-being. And if you serve the Lord of the universe,
He will keep you in His heart. (Read the complete article in Feburary2008 Rishi
Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

Lets Unmask Maya

(Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji)
Once some gentlemen invited me to deliver spiritual discourses at a small village
called Mawsari (dist. Banaskantha, Guj.). It was about half past two or three in
the afternoon. I took my towel and dhoti, and prepared to leave telling them,
Here I am going to take a bath, whereupon I shall meditate for a while and
then come back.
They said, Bapuji! The water is ready for your bath. Here we store it in
buckets.
I said, No! I am going to the river to take my bath. This response of mine
brought a huge laughter.
I enquired, Why are you laughing? They said, Bapuji, there is no water over
there.
I said, But the water is so clearly visible from here, I can even see it sparkling
and surging.
Bapuji! This is a desert region, and what you see is nothing but a mirage.
I was convinced by them and so agreed. When I was about to go for a bath, I
saw water and even after being convinced of its non-existence, I could see it
there; but the difference was that its reality had been negated. Likewise, upon
attaining Self-realization, when the Truth is revealed, the reality of the world
gets negated. Just as in the above case there was the desert, the sun rays, the
hot sand and winds, which together projected a water-like appearance before us
when actually there was no water; so also in samsara, there is my (the
cosmic delusion), your consciousness, and the sensual attractions which
together project the appearance of a veritable world when in fact there is
nothing permanent. Everything is in a state of flux. The appearance of the everchanging world owes its existence to the Seer, the Supreme Lord, or Sat-ChitAnanda (existence, consciousness, bliss Absolute), Which is right now shining
within you as your Self.
If the horns of human beings be real, this world is real. If an elephant can
be fastened with the rope made from the hair of the tortoise, this world is a
reality. This world, which appears to be a tangible reality, is in fact non-existent;
and yet, just see how real it looks! When you have a dream at night, there is
neither an aeroplane nor its passengers, neither the Ganges nor the ritualistic
Brahmin; it is only you lying all alone in your bed. But you perceive things like

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

the Ganges flowing in her natural course, the Pandit waiting for the dakshin,
the tongaman counting rupees and even yourself shivering from a biting cold
having just taken your bath in the Ganges. Had the Ganges practically come to
your house, your bed would have been drenched in water. On the cinema screen
you can see a tornado and a devastating fire, but the screen is neither burnt nor
blown about. Next comes a scene from the rainy season. The river Kaveri is in
high flood and sweeping even people away in its violent current. The floodwater
is causing havoc in the cinema, but the screen is completely untouched by the
water. It is only an appearance, not a reality. Similarly birth and death, sin and
merit and heaven and hell are all perceived subjectively only in your mind
affecting your body; but they are absent in your absolute Being, the Supreme
Consciousness, to which they owe their existence. Just as the scene of fire
breaking out in the cinema, or that of the devastating flood doesnt burn or wet
the screen; so all changing appearances, sins and merits, birth and death, old
age and disease that appear to come into your life dont actually affect You in
any way That is Your Real Being. The moment you realize THAT, you are
blessed, unburdened and freed from sorrow. Then there will remain no god or
goddess for you to worship. All your actions will become worship. People will
find you doing great works, but all those works will be done spontaneously by
you; just as the presence of the rising sun makes all things happen that should
happen, and also stops those things from happening that should not happen.
(Read the complete article in Feburary 2008 Rishi Prasad. Subscribe at
www.ashram.org)

There is No Time to Sleep Now!

- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
The primary duty of a student is character building. We can judge somebodys
character through their deeds. Actions reflect a persons character. I have a
strong aversion to those with book knowledge. I want character, discrimination
and action. Character includes everything devotion to God, patriotism and a
strong desire to realize God.
I have realized that studies are not the final goal for a student. Students
generally seem to think that once the stamp of a university education is affixed
upon them, they have achieved the ultimate objective of life. But what if one
doesnt get the real Knowledge even after receiving university certificates? Let
me say, I despise such education. Wouldnt it be much better that we
remain uneducated?
The twin objectives of education are making the intellect sharp and
developing reason. If both these objectives are achieved, we can take it that the
purpose of education is fulfilled. But then, if an educated man lacks in character,
shall I call him learned? Never! However, if an uneducated one does his

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

work honestly, believes in God and loves Him, I am prepared to treat
him as highly learned. Nobody becomes a scholar simply by learning a few
subjects by heart. I want only faith faith beyond logic; faith in the existence of
God. I want nothing more than that. Great rishis have said that faith opens the
doors to the attainment of Knowledge. Faith will awaken devotion to God in the
heart, and devotion will automatically lead to enlightenment.
India is Gods beloved land. In every Yuga, the Lord has incarnated
Himself as a saviour on this great land, so that all can become enlightened; to
relieve the earth from the burden of sin; and so that truth and righteousness is
established in the heart of every Indian. God has incarnated Himself in many
other countries, but not so many times as he has in India. That is why I say that
India, our motherland, is Gods beloved land.
I am not one of those who forget the glory of their ancient past in the
excitement of current modernism. We should base our life on our glorious past.
India has its own culture, which she has to go on developing systematically. We
have a lot of new insight to give to the world in philosophy, literature, art and
science; and the whole world is looking towards us in anticipation.
There is no time to sleep now. We must wake up from our slumber, shun sloth,
and engage ourselves in action.
(Compiled)

A Wonder Treatment for Renal Disorders

Boil 50 grams of hair found on the top of the corncob in 2 litres of water on
a low flame. Strain it when the water is reduced to 1 litre. Drinking of this water
purifies the nephrons (functional units of the kidney) and thus is a miraculous
remedy for nephritis, renal failure, renal stones, etc.
Dietary precautions: Tomatoes, curd and other sour foods, brinjal, salty, fried
and spicy foods are forbidden.

Give up Both Attachment & Hatred to Attain the Absolute

Brahman
-Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji
If you have wished ill of someone, have picked a quarrel with someone, or
have had an altercation with someone, meet that person before sunset and iron
out your differences let not a single night intervene to ask for forgiveness. Do
not harbour any sort of hatred or grudge against anyone in your heart.

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Suppose I assaulted someone, and he went to the court and sued me. The
judge who has issued the summons happens to be my acquaintance, but if I ask
him to vacate the case against me, he cannot. He would say, Try and come to a
compromise with the man you have beaten; whereupon I will file an application
for an out-of-court settlement. In no case can I release you just like that, for I
am duty bound.
If only I compromise with that man, I will be saved from making rounds
of the court and relieved of my karmic bondage this is simple logic. Likewise,
until and unless we make amends for the omissions and commissions we have
made against one another in the simplest transactions of our day to day life,
Yama the God of Death can not relieve us. The clashes we have had, the filth
of attachment and aversion we have harboured in our minds thus generating a
mutual case-file will have to be cleared, even after death. We will be liberated
from the bondage of actions only when we have been forgiven by the ones who
have been oppressed by us and who are displeased with us. If we continue to
have some sort of attachment or aversion towards someone, the law of karma
will surely drag us to the court; and we will have to visit the court repeatedly
until we settle for a compromise.
Keep the mind free from attachment and aversion, for both attachment and
aversion make the mind impure. So do not harbour a grudge. Do not cling to
passions of love and hatred. This will purify your heart quickly and you will
clearly see the path towards Self-realization.

Means to Keep the Mental and Vital Sheaths Healthy

-Pujya Bapuji
In order to lead a completely healthy life, one has to keep both the mental and
vital sheaths healthy. To keep these two sheaths healthy, stand navel-deep in
the water while bathing in a holy river. Take water in the cup of your palms and
do japa of the OM mantra 100 times while gazing at the water; then drink it. If
you are not in a place of pilgrimage, practise this technique at your home right
after taking your bath. Take water in a silver or gold bowl, which are considered
the best for this purpose, otherwise you can make do with a bowl made of
copper, etc. Then do japa of the OM mantra while gazing one pointedly at the
water. The power of the mantra will be transmitted into the water through the
eyes, and thus the japa of OM mantra will develop the power of the mind and
the prana.

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The Best Way to Pray

-Pujya Bapuji
When one sincerely accepts his inability to achieve some goal and prays with the
knowledge of the Givers true glory, his prayer emanates with the spontaneity of
truthfulness. Then, of course, it is quite immaterial whether this prayer is made
to Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Gurudeva or just any revered form of
the omniscient Lord.
While saying your prayer, gradually become calm and quiet. Then pray
again with a crying and sincere heart without having any doubt about its
success. Pray as follows: When I am Thine, and have taken refuge in thee, my
problems are no more mine, nor are my worries. The worries about my daughter
are no longer mine, for she is Your daughter as well. Now, I will not worry at all;
rather, I will practise contemplation and make positive efforts.
O Lord! Thou art mine, and howsoever I may be, I am still Thine.
O Thou Lord, compassionate and kind
to the poor! Please listen to my prayer.
If I be an unworthy son, Thou art the father.
O Supreme Lord! Please protect my honour.
When I was suffering from a dangerous disease, I developed a squint;
while the functions of the liver, the kidneys and the digestive system were all
impaired. So serious and grave was my condition that even an enemy would be
moved to tears out of pity. I confined myself inside a room and asked the allpervading One,
Why do You keep me in this condition if You want me to live? Now it is entirely
in Your hands to cure me.
Lord Narayana is the (Supreme) Physician, and the river Ganges is the
(Supreme) medicine.Say, now what is Thy Will? Let Thy Will be done.
The Lord replied, Okay, done! I shall manage it now. And believe me, my eyes
had turned oblique; and according to the modern medical science, it is incurable
at this stage of my life. But still, my eyes have been cured. Moreover, my
physical fitness has redoubled compared to what it was like before the attack of
the disease. Now the radiance of youth is glaring in my persona far more than
before. How supremely generous is the Almighty Lord! How wonderful is the
fruit of prayer! It doesnt only cure your body, but even your mind and intellect
will attain improvement. Then the sick whom you come across will become
healthy as well. How miraculous indeed is the prayer to the Supreme Soul!

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Never ever think yourself to be a parentless child. The universal Parent is always
with you. And you mothers, the goddesses on earth, do not ever consider
yourselves to be widows, for the Husband of the world, i.e. the Universal Master,
is ever with you.
Some people say, I am left with nothing there is a big burden of debt
on my head If you have become indebted, try to relieve yourself of it, but
dont curse your fortune. If you say that you are left with nothing, then sell your
eyes for 5 lakh rupees. Would you sell them? No then sell your ears and eyes
for ten lakh rupees. But you wont, because God has endowed you with such a
precious body. But even more precious gifts of His are the mind and the
intellect; and then the Lord of the universe Himself is your very own. Why do
you forget that? (Read the complete article in Feburary 2008 Rishi Prasad.
Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

Hence, the Enquiry into Brahman

-Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji
Lord Vedavyasaji has written in the first ever scripture of the world authored by
a rishi the Brahmasutra:
Hence (is to be undertaken) thereafter a deliberation on Brahman.
O human beings! If you seek to know something, know That Which makes
everything known. Strive for the attainment of That Which leaves nothing
attainable any more. If you wish to meet someone, meet That One Being, after
meeting Whom you meet with all at the same time. Note down in the diary of
your life Brahmajijns, i.e. the enquiry into Brahman.
Inquisitiveness for Brahman arises only with the development of
discrimination. Discrimination as such is to be so exercised that faith is not
replaced by faithlessness, endeavour is not replaced by negligence, dynamism is
not replaced by lethargy, action by inaction and dutifulness by dereliction of
duty. If such discrimination is maintained, there will be no delay in Godrealization.
The actual duty is to realize ones Real Self, the Brahman, to realize
immortality in this mortal body and to know ones own immortal Self in this
otherwise mortal body. Delay, if any, in meeting the Beloved is caused only
when faithlessness, negligence, lethargy, inaction, and dereliction of duty
replace faith, self-effort, promptness, action and dutifulness respectively. Lack
of discrimination is the cause of entanglement in transient things. On account of
having abandoned the Eternal, people are troubled by passing circumstances.
Ignorance about Its importance, lack of intense aspiration and inquisitiveness,

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as well as fascination for the impermanent objects of the world are the causes of
delay in meeting God.
Each and every man wants to get freedom. Freedom from poverty,
diseases, misery, insult, and dependence on others. Freedom is your birthright
and verily the goal behind all your actions. Even an insect does not want
bondage, then how can a human being like it? The only mistake we commit is
that we do not take recourse to discrimination. The delay in meeting God is only
because we disregard discrimination.
The three qualities (gunas) belong to the Nature, but we consider them
our own this is indiscrimination. We tend to notice virtues in ourselves and
vices in others. This is a mistake and shows our lack of discrimination. These
two big blunders are at the root of all our miseries.
May we cultivate the virtue of not finding faults with others, but rather
think what we can do to reform and elevate them. With due concern to this, let
us be sincere in discharging our duty. This will awaken our discrimination and
safeguard our purity.
One endowed with discrimination in his life doesnt sacrifice it for small
things or even for big things for that matter. Then that person is blessed with
an aspiration and inquisitiveness for the Highest State of Supreme
Consciousness, and eventually attains it too, sooner or later. Therefore, one
ought to respect ones discrimination.
One cannot get discrimination without satsanga discrimination about
what is Permanent and impermanent, what is eternal and transient, what is the
real I and what is the believed I. The Self is indestructible and the world is
subject to change and destruction; but people erroneously identify themselves
with the mortal body. They are ignorant of the immortal Self. Satsanga helps
one get rid of this indiscrimination gradually.
Those whose discrimination is not awakened by satsanga live a
degenerate life. They get some enjoyment in the beginning; they enjoy disco,
rock n roll, music, adultery, etc; but in the end they are doomed to suffer
misery by being born into abominable life forms such as those of demons and
ghosts, and lower species like trees, buffaloes etc. In this admittedly short
human life, if one takes support of discrimination, one can meet God, the Lord of
innumerable universes; and in case he opts for indiscrimination instead, he has
to suffer pains in the wombs of mothers for innumerable lives. Thus bearing the
untold pains he gradually becomes a veritable curse for himself, for his country
and the whole world. On the other hand, one taking recourse to discrimination,
to Brahmajijns, becomes so very useful to himself, his family, his nation and
the whole world; and in fact, he becomes useful to even the Lord of the world.
Now, do yourself this favour be just to yourself and generous to others. Until
and unless you are truly interested in eradicating your own vices, you cant
attain any real elevation. Do not think that some religion, god, goddess or saint

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

will elevate you. No! They can elevate you only if you respect discrimination and
translate their precepts into your life. Discrimination, if you have, will make you
accept their advice in principle. Saints, mahatmas, and religions can only advise
you, and not give you liberation. They can of course lead you to liberation, but
your discrimination is an essential pre-requisite for that. To lead life following
the dictates of your discrimination is your own responsibility. If you practically
accept this as your own responsibility, your Real Self the Bestower of life will
become revealed to you.
Therefore, O Sdhaka! You must nurture this Brahmajijns and evolve
your Self. So long as your I (individual consciousness) does not transcend the
limits of your body, family, village, state, nation and even the universe, to
merge with the Supreme Consciousness the Lord of the universe continue
your spiritual journey along with Self enquiry. You are sure to be successful, and
succeed you will

Which is the First?

-Pujya Bapuji
On waking up in the morning, the first thing you may see might be your son or
daughter, some tree or plant, or some other scene. At that time, do reflect as to
what it is that usually precedes all (perceptions). Is it some photo of your son or
daughter? No! First comes the eyesight. Prior to the eyesight is the mental
mode, which gives power to the eyes to see. Prior even to this is the intellect,
and finally the root of it all is the I. We fail to know this I as it really is, and
happen to confine it to the body. If That I gets enamoured with actionborn
pleasure; the Real I remains ever unrevealed.
Those who have become separated
from the Supreme Beloved,
Continue to wander in search of Him from pillar to post.
In my heart lives my beloved Lord,
Why should I be restless at all?

Beware O Youth!
(Parents Worship Day: 14th February)
India is the sacred land of holy rishis, munis and divine incarnations. In ancient
times, people would greet each other by saying, Rama-Rama! Why did they
utter the name of Lord Rama twice? Why not utter the pious name once, threAe
times, four times or many times? Yet, how great the idea hidden behind this
custom is! They uttered the Lords name twice to signify that the same
consciousness of the Supreme Lord abides equally in both people greeting each
other, and that they offer their salutations to That. Such divine spirit alone
represents pure love. A pure, guileless and selfless sense of affection, free from

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

desire, is called love. This custom helped people to remember the Lord even
while meeting each other.
Today, such pious feelings of pure and selfless love have given way to the
degenerative passion and lust, which has now come to be accepted as love. The
14th February is celebrated as Valentines Day. Young boys and girls in the
west exchange greeting cards, chocolates and roses with each other on this day.
And now this debased form of love prevalent in western countries has infiltrated
into our country as well. On this day, in colleges especially, you can see quite a
number of students with roses in their hands. For this day, a wide variety of
Valentines Day cards are available in the shops, with their price ranging from
Rs.20/- to 200/-; and special types of costly chocolates are available to go with
them.
What a sharp contrast is there between this western celebration of
Valentines day, which promotes nothing but passion, lust and promiscuity and
our own glorious culture wherein there are holy festivals like Raksha Bandhana
and Bhai Dooj spreading such pious feelings as May there be mutual goodwill
among us. let us work for the all round prosperity of one another and May my
mind be always blessed with auspicious thoughts.
Today, even science proves that those who nurture lust driven love, suffer
from intellectual dullness. Andreas Bourtels, a scientist from the University
College, London, conducted experiments on people of various races from 11
different countries and came to the conclusion that sex has a substantial impact
on the neurons responsible for the functions of memory and concentration of
mind. The cerebral activity of the individuals was measured through magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). After showing them the photographs of their
respective lovers, an increase in blood flow was detected in four small sections
of their brain, which causes a loss of memory and lack of concentration of mind.
This in turn increases fear and depression.
Young boys and girls may think that they are having a happy time
celebrating Valentines Day, but they are in total ignorance about how they are
actually harming themselves. What a great loss of sexual energy and vital fluid
they suffer! By naming this day as the Ruin of Youth Day, His Divine Holiness
Pujya Bapuji has this to say: King Claudius of Rome must have been very well
aware of the power of celibacy; that is why he had forbidden his military forces
from getting married, so that they remained physically and mentally fit enough
to win wars. Prohibition of marriage was forcibly imposed on the armed forces,
and hence St. Valentine, who himself being a Christian priest could not have
been an opposer of celibacy, had got them married secretly. Subsequently he
was found guilty and the king had him hanged to death. Then in the year 496
AD, Pope Galessius began to celebrate Valentines Day in the memory of that
saint.
Those who celebrate Valentines Day in the present manner, do in fact
insult the saint himself; for they try to start a love-affair before their actual
marriage by sending Valentines Cards to one another. Had St. Valentine

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

supported this system, he would not have solemnized the marriages in the first
place.
Do celebrate the day of love (Valentines Day), but with self-restraint and
for true development. If young boys and girls meet, it will only lead them to
ruin. This day should be celebrated as the Parents Worship Day, wherein the
children should adore and worship their parents by placing flowers on their head
and paying obeisance to them. The parents on their part should shower affection
and blessings on the children, who in turn should embrace their parents with all
affection. This will foster true love. May children see Divinity in their parents,
and the parents awaken divinity in their children. Just as Lord Ganapati
worshipped Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati who in turn blessed him saying "
May you attain spiritual accomplishment and fame. May you be a remover of all
obstacles.
Those men alone, who have not propitiated Lord Vishnu through vratas and
fasts in their previous lives, do suffer from baneful planetary influences,
diseases, physical afflictions, etc. in this life.
(The Vishnudharmottara
Purana)

Essential Facts

Absolute happiness, Absolute Freedom and Absolute Bliss can only be

attained by one who completely gives up the old habits and tendencies of
jivabhva, and frees himself of all resolves and counter resolves.
The subtler the intelligence gets through the practice of Self-enquiry, the
more one gains in wisdom and intimacy with the Lord.
It is simply due to lack of discrimination that man gets himself entangled
in transient worldly relations, and consequently has to grieve in the end.
On the other hand, even if he is blessed with just a single experience of
the divine bliss, then he simply will no more be able to live without the
Supreme Lord and His Bliss. Lord Shiva has said:
He, Uma, who understands
the true nature of Rama
Has no relish for anything
other than His worship.

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The more wants one has, the more one suffers from troubles within. The
less the wants, the greater the peace of mind and purity of heart.
Relinquishment of wants makes life beautiful, the intelligence keen, and
brings out the inner beauty.

Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

We cannot overcome fear in the mind by keeping external security

personnel and body guards. If, on the other hand, we are fearless within,
no external circumstances can frighten us.
Keep the body neat, clean and pure. Avoid physical contact with
strangers. Then you will develop a sense of aversion towards others
bodies, and thereby towards carnal pleasures. This will help you conquer
lust.

He Alone is Wise
-Excerpts from the satsanga of Pujya Bapuji
Lord Sri Ramachandra asked His Gurudeva Maharishi Vasishtha, O
master! Who is considered to be wise in all the three worlds the nether
world, the terrestrial world and the heavenly world?
Sri Vasishthaji said, O Rama! The whole world is burning in the fire
of passion for carnal pleasures. It is elated in favourable
circumstances and grieves in unfavourable circumstances. Extremely rare
is the one who is radiant like the sun; but those obsessed with the sensepleasures are simply directionless like a dry blade of grass in a gale.
Just as a leaf of the holy fig tree flutters around in the wind, so also
are the minds of all people roaming in the sense-pleasures of the world.
Rare are those Self-realized Souls, the knowers of the primordial and
eternal Existence (Brahman which existed before creation, and will
continue to exist even after its dissolution), who are established in their
effulgent Real Self and are shining brilliantly like the Sun. There is a
subtle difference between their light and the light of the sun. While the
brilliance of the sun dispels darkness, it produces a scorching heat as
well. However, the brilliance of an enlightened soul removes the darkness
of ignorance and imparts the coolness of the Self, besides destroying
many sins and bringing great merits.
So who is the wisest in all the three worlds? The question concerns
itself with all the three worlds and not just the physical world of mortals.
A great sage was on a journey to the Himalayas accompanied by a group
of sadhus. They chanced upon some hill people celebrating a festival of
theirs singing a folk song in their local dialect. One of the sadhus
remarked, They are singing a hymn to Mother Goddess. Another sadhu
said something different about the song. Soon, they were all very eager
to know the subject of the song, so for the answer they approached the
chief sage amongst them who had attained to buddhiyoga (Selfrealization):

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Oh Babaji, what are these people singing about?
The saint replied, Whatever they are singing, it is by the power of
the One; verily the One Himself is the song they are singing as also
Whom they are singing it for. Dont delude yourself by enquiring into the
(superficial) subject of the song. Just (seek out and) realize That Which is
the very source of the song, and That for Whom they are singing it thats
all.
So he alone, who realizes That Which is the source of all, is truly
wise. Others have only exhausted themselves in worthless hair-splitting
arguments. People end up empty handed despite their high positions of
power and pelf.
Just as the pigs feel themselves happy and fortunate living in
gutters and other such filthy places; similarly, those who indulge
themselves in degenerate pleasures of this world, or the heavens, and
consider themselves to be lucky and happy are not wise. But he, who
revels in Self-bliss, and through meticulous exercise of Self-enquiry has
elevated himself above the boggy filth of samsara, passions and other
trifling things of this world, is alone wise in all the three worlds.

Siddha-Ushnodaka Therapy at Night

The water boiled for a long time and reduced in quantity through
evaporation is called Siddha-Ushnodaka. This water, when consumed at night,
cures mavta (gout) and obesity. It also provides relief in troubles like cough,
asthma and fever. Consumption of Siddha-Ushnodaka purifies the urinary
bladder and also stimulates the digestive fire. It has been said.
Boiled water reduced to capacity is useful in pacifying vta. The boiled
water reduced to half capacity destroys pitta; and when it is reduced to one
quarter, the water becomes a destroyer of kapha.
(The Sharngadhar Samhita,
Madhyam Khanda: 2.181)
Drinks Regimen for the Day:
At the end of the night, i.e. in the morning, one should drink water. Early
morning consumption of water (stored in a copper bowl overnight), helps in the
internal purification of the body.
At the end of the day, i.e. after sunset, milk should be consumed. This
increases the production of sexual fluid in the body, and is soothing to the
eyes. It also works as an antacid to cure hyperacidity caused by the
consumption of sour and pungent food during the day.

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Butter-milk should be consumed right after the midday meal.
Consumption of buttermilk (which is prepared by churning the mixture of
water and fresh curds) helps in the perfect digestion of food and keeps the
mind satiated as well.
If the above food and drinks regimen is followed meticulously, why should
one ever need a vaidya or doctor?( Read the complete article in Feburary 2008
Rishi Prasad. Subscribe at www.ashram.org)

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

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Excerpts from Rishi Prasad Issue 182 Feb, 2008

Glossary
OM - the pranava-pronounced as Aum, it is the
monosyllabic personification of the Supreme
Being.
this is pronounced as aa like in archan,
which is pronounced as archanaa.
chamana rinsing or sipping water before
religious ceremonies.
rati reverential waving of a lamp before a
deity or man of honour.
sana a mat of wool, or the skin of a deer or
tiger to sit for spiritual practices.
Bhngr trailine eclipta.
Chndla a low-caste.
Dakshin an offering in cash or kind.
Darshana the pious act of meeting some
revered one or deity face to face.
Diksh initiation into the spiritual life, effected
through the grace of the Guru.
Guna any of the three qualities of Matter or
Nature.
Gurukul an ancient system of education
wherein the students used to live and learn at
the Gurus place.
Jiva Bhva Jiva consciousness / false
identification with the body.
Japa repetition of a mantra.
Jiva the individual soul.
Jivtman the individual soul.
Kapha biological water humour; phlegm.
Kirtana rhythmic chanting of the Lords name.
Manvantara

30,84,48,000
years,
the
fourteenth part of a day of Lord Brahma.
Nakshatra one of the 27 divisions of zodiac.
Ojas inner radiance or lustre of the body.
Panchmrita a mixture of cows milk, curd,
ghee, honey and sugar.
Panchagavya a preparation of the five
produces of the cow milk, curd, ghee, urine and
dung.
Pandl a large canopy.
Ml a rosary.
Pitta biological bile humour.
Prasda grace of the Lord, a deity or a
personage; consecrated food.
Prrabdha that part of the accumulated effect

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of past deeds which has begun to take effect with the creation of the present
physical body and which is responsible for the continuance of the body even
after salvation.
Pandit a priest.
Rajas characterized by anger, action, passion, envy, etc.
Satsanga pious discourse and company of a saint.
Sthi a short stemmed, red or dark-coloured rice which ripens in some sixty
days from sowing.
Sttvic characterized by purity and luminosity.
Satsanga pious discourse and company of a saint.
Sdhaka an aspirant on the spiritual path.
Sdhika a woman aspirant on the spiritual path.
Sdhan spiritual endeavour.
Siddha a semi divine being of great perfection, possessing eight supernatural
faculties or siddhis.
Sttvika characterized by purity and luminosity.
Tamas characterized by darkness, lassitude, idleness and ignorance.
Vaidya an ayurvedic physician.
Vta biological wind humour.
Vrata an austerity, a religious vow or a fast.
Vaidya an yurvedic physician.
Yajna a fire-sacrifice

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