Nisaadhanta
Third Discourse - Page Two
The Lord Himself has stated in the Srimad Bhagvad " No yoga, no studying
the Scriptures , no penance, no pilgrimage centre, no renunciation, can achieve
Me". Then who can achieve the Lord?
Kaam aadi mad dambh na jaake
Taat nirantar bas muni taake
Which means that the Lord belongs to one who has no desire, greed nor hypocrisy.
How does one achieve the above qualities? By keeping company of those personalities who will be conducive to one becoming
detached from the world. Whatever company you keep will determine your character.
Worldly or Spiritual company will mould your disposition accordingly.
There are some people who feel so attracted and attached to the Lord, that they
claim that the Lord belongs only to them! Fine! As long as they do not envy nor
criticize any other devotee. Mira sings: "Mere to Giridhar Gopal, doosra na koi".
Which means: "For me there is only Krishna and no one else" or it could
also mean "I see no one in the world but Krishna" and she might also
be saying "Whoever I see in the world, seems Krishna to me."
The Lord belongs to everyone ,and resides in everyone. When you believe the
above tenet to be true, then it follows that God's wish should become your
wish.
In the temple of Shrinaathji ,if an ornament falls while they are wearing it for
the Lord, - it is believed that He does not want to wear it for that day. When I was doing a discourse at Shrinaathji, I expressed the desire to the
temple priest to do darshan (see) the Lord before proceeding for my lecture.
The priest said "It is not in my hands when the Lord wants to be ready.
Sometimes he takes time to eat and sometimes to dress." What I am trying to say is that the Lord is the ultimate authority in every
circumstance, so there is no need to criticize or envy another devotee.
Devotees, like children from the same parents may have different likes and
dislikes, but they are equally loved by their mother and father (God). Hanumanji tells Vibhishan that if the latter takes him to meet Mother Seeta,
he would introduce him to Father (Sri Ram).
Vibhishana was an Asura (belonging to a demon race ) and the brother of Ravana;
yet Hanumanji called him a brother, and expressed his desire to see mother Seeta.
Tab Hanumant kahau sun bhraata
dekhi chahau Janaki mata
The chief of the army of Sri Ram was Sugreeva. He complained to Sri Ram when the
latter befriended Vibhishan. However Hanumanji intervened, and Vibhishan was
accepted. In life also, one requires a mediator (a Sadguru) who will put in a good word
for us and take us to the Lord's portal.
Having accepted Vibhishan, Sri Ram continued to look around to see whether
Ravana had also come, as he was ready to accept him as well. The above proves that even a sinner (Ravana) if he befriends a saint (Vibhishana)
and takes to the Lord's path, he is accepted by the Lord.
Sri Ram then asked Hanumanji , why he had put in a good word for Vibhishan. Hanumanji answered: "There are various reasons. Firstly even though
Vibhishan lived in the city of demons, he continued to take the Lord's name.
Secondly I saw a Tulsi plant in his patio. Thirdly when he woke up the first
word that emerged from his lips was 'Ram.' Fourthly , it was with his help that
I got to see Mother Seeta. When Ravana gave the order to have me killed,
Vibhishan said: 'Niti virodh na maarei doota' ( which means that it is against
the law to have a messenger killed). Also whenever Seetaji would be depressed
while captive, it would be Vibhishan's wife and daughter who would go to
console her"
Vibhishan left his brother Ravan because the latter was on the wrong path. Leaving the company of such people is condoned by the Scriptures.
As a matter of fact:
Ravan jabahi Vibhishan tyaaga
Bhayau bibhav binu tabahi abhaaga
Which means : Ravana's destiny took a turn for the worse , since the moment
Vibhishan left him. What I am trying to say is that there is no need to judge and criticize others.
The Lord takes the form and character according to the liking of the devotees.
Krishna while doing the 'Raaslila" (The Mystic dance) was seen dancing with
each gopi at the same time, which means that every gopi had Krishna exclusively
for herself , dancing to her own rhythm.
During the Ramavtaar Sri Ram enacts the role of son, brother and king to perfection
to fulfill the desire of mother, brother and kingdom respectively.
Therefore do not criticize anyone else's mode of worship as man was not
given the right to judge.
When you commit a bad act (karma), you may deceive yourself into believing that
you have not; but if your inner conscience is awake, you will know the truth. Remember that 'sin' is the fruit, not the means; which means
e.g.: you steal, that
becomes your act (karma). the fruit of that act will be a sin. How does one unburden oneself of all the sins one has accumulated?
By chanting the name of Sri Ram or Sri Krishna! The latter has two benefits. It
saves he who chants and he who hears.
Also, continue to look yearningly at the path from which the Lord will come
and one day you are sure to achieve Him. Even if a beggar continues to knock at the same door everyday , he will
eventually get what he is asking for. Go like a beggar to the Scriptures and they will unravel their mysteries to you.
Continue reading even when you do not understand, and one day you will receive
their grace. When a car stops at a junction and beggars surround you imploring you to give
them something, they may not succeed in getting what they want, but they always
manage to receive your attention. Why then knock at anyone else's door but the Lord's, when constant imploring can
at least get you the attention of the King of Kings?
Sometimes you may think "I have committed so many misdeeds in my life"
and you may feel ashamed to go to the Lord's portal. I am going to tell you a story: A King, once saw a beggar in a feeble and
miserable condition and offered him some food. The royal cook said that the food was consumed and the kitchen was closed. Since
it was the king's desire to feed the poor man, the cook was made to prepare
something. However he did so in a careless manner . When the king expressed his displeasure, the cook
retorted, "But it is only
for a beggar! "The king said, "Since I, a king is serving it to him,
the food has to be fit for a king's guest's consumption.".
The Lord also thinks :"This man may be a sinner, but I possess the title of
being 'Merciful' so I have to forgive those who seek forgiveness at my door, and
give them liberation and joy."
Naath sakal saadhan main heena
Kinhi kripa jaani jan dina
So kachhu dev na mohi nihora
Nij pan rakheo jan man chora
Sharbhang told the Lord that if He were not to claim him as His own, He would be
criticized, as then He would not be living up to His title of being 'Merciful'
Note how Sharbhang is not afraid of talking to the Lord in this manner. The
above is the language of love. Sharbhang claims that his heart is already stolen
by the Lord. Now he belongs to Him totally, and as such the Lord is completely
responsible for him now.
Dear brothers and sisters, do all your worldly and spiritual duties, but in your
heart of hearts know, that only the grace of God will make you His (Nisaadhanta).
Stare yearningly at the path that will unite the lord to you......and
wait.....and cry.....like the Gopis of Vraj did. Chitvat panth raheo din raati.
God knows how many nights Sharbhang kept awake waiting for Sri Ram! Ab Prabhu dekhi juraani chhaati.
Which means : 'I only feel at peace when I look upon the Lord".
Devotees while waiting for the Lord sing to Him: Daras bin dookhan laage nain.
Which means "Our eyes hurt when they do not look upon You"
When Krishna left Vraj with Akroorji , the gopis looked at Krishna, then looked
at the chariot. When they could not see the chariot any longer, they were
left with no strength to hold on to the branch of the tree any longer and they
fell to the ground in grief.
Much later when Udhavji came to visit Vraj, the gopis looked at him hungrily.
They felt "Krishna's friend has come ,but why should we show
him that we care." and they said to Udhavji, "Why should we yearn
for Krishna when He does not care?!"
When Udhav asked the gopis why they were unblinkingly looking at him, the gopis
could not hide their true feelings any longer, they said, "We are not
watching you, we are gazing at your eyes which have been lucky enough to have
recently looked upon our Krishna! Udhav we see Krishna in your eyes!"
Jit dekhoon tit Sham-mayi hai. Which means: "Wherever we look we see Krishna!"
Mahaprabhuji has spoken wisely when he said that however many means you may
employ to achieve the Lord - unless you feel helpless about your efforts, the
Lord's Grace does not descend.
Say with me :
Sri Ramchandra Bhagwan ki jay
Glory be unto Sri Ram!
