Dhyana Vahini

Man has three stages: first, the hazy uncertain stage; then, the middle stage filled with activities; and the third, the highest stage. These are the stages of Tamas (Passivity), Rajas (Activity), and Satva (Purity) respectively. When growing out of the first stage into the second, if man does not improve step by step, then it must be recognised as Asahaja (Unnatural).

The period from childhood to the beginning of adolescence need not be taken seriously into account. One need not worry much about it. With the dawn of adolescence, man enters upon the first hazy uncertain stage and engages himself in many fruitless activities. Later, he attains ripeness which is a powerful stage. This is the stage, between the uncertain (i.e., first stage) and the highest (i.e., third stage). It is when he has reached this intermediate stage that he must yearn for the highest stage.

In the rules for Tapas (Penance) also, this law is observed. At first, Puja (ritual worship) is associated with activating power and energy, i.e., Shakti; the subsequent stage of worship is connected with awareness/consciousness, i.e., Shiva. That is to say, the period when man is under the protective care of the mother is over and the time to surrender to Shiva, who is the Lokoddharaka (the Saviour of the universe), is reached. When this stage has come, one should not soil the body and mind.

In the intermediate stage (that is to say, at that particular adolescence age), man will naturally have certain Durgunas (bad qualities). These are garvam (conceit), penkitanam (mischievousness, obstinacy), sodhana (inquisitiveness), kama (lust), vancha (greed), siggu (shame), bhayam (fear), dvesham (vengefulness), asahyabhavam (disgust), and the like. So long as one has these, one cannot surrender oneself to Shiva. These bad qualities have to be uprooted completely; or, at least, there should be a systematic endeavour to get rid of them. Such aspirants are those who swim against the current. Proceeding against the current is the means to reach the Source; floating with the current means getting farther and farther from the safe place and also being subjected to constant unrest due to continuous sinking and floating, and eventually losing sight of the Goal.

Of course, swimming against the current is a bit hard, but, every stroke takes you nearer the goal, and not farther. For this reason, one must take the help of the raft called Dhyanam (Meditation). Through meditation, the weakness of the physical frame can be overcome, the wayward speed of the mind can be controlled, and the progress towards the seat of Grace is made easy; one can attain the Source of all Grace, Adi-murti, the Primordial Divine Force. Instead, if one cares more for the ease of the journey and floats along the current, he would be travelling away from Grace, turning their back on It. The Adi-murti will gradually become distant and disappearing. Such men will get lost in increasing misery. And for what profit?

The Durgunas (bad qualities) mentioned above are the causes for this tragedy. If only they had been overcome, the Source could have been certainly reached. Without overcoming the bad qualities, no matter how hard the efforts are put, all activities will end in failure. Moreover, everyone in the world loves only men endowed with good qualities; they keep those with bad qualities at a distance. Exterior charm attracts the animal; internal charm, resulting from good qualities, pleases the Lord. Do not be tempted by the lowly, worldly love or affection that people bestow. Strive for the Sacred Love of the Lord and His compassion. The affection that people shower is inconstant; for it depends on their likes and dislikes. But, the love that the Lord bears to you depends on your good qualities alone. It can also give you permanent joy. Those who are enamoured of externals will tumble into disappointment and sorrow, every now and then. Beauty of man consists in his Sad-gunam (Good character), not in anything else. There is nothing more charming than that.

The good should never even discuss about the evil that others do; for that will contaminate them and thus make them part of it. The stories of Dhruva and Prahlada will, if listened to, grant merit, and show the path; the stories of Savitri and Anasuya will destroy the roots of evil and strengthen character. How does this happen? What is the explanation? They are all holy; their careers are unblemished; therefore, to discuss them and their lives is worthwhile, and a beneficial activity. That is the explanation. Otherwise, why would they become the abode for Sad-gunas (Good qualities)? Some critics of ‘good men’ justify their own carpings by saying that they are trying to correct the good men still further and making them even better! No, by always criticizing them, they are drawing up their sins and absorbing all those sins into themselves. This is how, those who criticise good men are becoming more sinful and making good men completely free of sins.

Therefore, never think about the badness or evils of others. If you can manage it, be always trying to turn them to good ways by doing good deeds and teaching good things in their presence. Such qualities of calmness, kindness and eagerness to promote the welfare of all should be cultivated by man. To earn such wealth of Sad-gunas (Good qualities), one should practice Japam (repetition of the Divine name) and Dhyanam (Meditation). The fruit of Japam and Dhyanam is the wealth of Sad-gunas. Japam and Dhyanam purify not only the exterior, but also the inner tendencies.

Waves originate on the surface of the sea. They are caused by the wind, and so the wind can be said to have that power and not the sea. So too, the mind of a wise man is full of thoughts and opinions; but, he does not have the power to reveal them. When the proper things happen around him, these spring up and roll in from all directions.

In the same manner, the Lord is manifest in the picture or image which one worships; but, is this due to any special excellence of the picture or image? No. The picture, the photo, the image, these are and remain as picture, photo and image. The fact is, on account of the intensity of the devotion and faith of the Bhakta (devotee), the Lord cannot desist from manifesting Himself for him. For that reason, He assumes Form, the Form that Blesses, in the stone, wood, or paper that the devotee contemplates and meditates upon and worships. He rose from a pillar for the sake of Prahlada! For Vemana, He became visible in a stone! For Markandeya, He issued from a lingam! In order to fulfil the yearning of the Bhakta (Devotee), Hari, the Immanent Basic Being of the Universe, will come, in any form, in anything, at any place.

But, you have to pray to the Lord, with Chittaikagrata (One-pointed concentration of mind). This type of single-mindedness comes out of the Satva-guna (quality of Purity) only, and that, again, is the product of meditation. Therefore, man must cultivate good qualities, and in order that these may develop, he should desire Sat-sangam (company of the good). Your real friends from whose good company you derive the maximum good are those who talk and discourse about the Lord, about the Satya (Truth), about the Seva (Service) of others, and about Prema (Love), that considers all as equal. Association with such is certainly association with Sadhus (virtuous people), for these are the real Sadhus.

Those who never speak of the Lord or those who do not even think of Him, who are busy multiplying and strengthening the bonds of Samsara (Worldly existence), who preach falsehood, injustice and oppression, and who advise you to stray from the path of Dharma (Righteousness), treat those not as your friends, but, as people to be avoided at all costs. Their company is called Dussangam (company of the wicked people). Associating with such, leads to the commission of wrongs against your will, playing tricks which should not be played, utterance of words which should not be uttered, doing of deeds that should not be done, and, consequently, your treading the downward road to ruin.

Men who have neither the fear of sin nor the fear of God are capable of venturing into any wickedness; that is no cause for surprise. So, seek the company of those possessed of these two fears; this is the true Sat-sangam (good company). The company of persons who have not even an iota of these two is the Dussangam, which you should dread. The Sadhaka (Spiritual aspirant) must always yearn for Sat-sangam. With Sat-sangam (good company) and Iccha-shakti (Will-power), anything can be achieved.

So, whether easily available or not, seek and join only good company. Seek and realise permanent satisfaction and contentment. Do not distract yourself, pursuing temporary satisfaction.

It is profitless for a true aspirant to associate with men who spend their time in worldly affairs. If you do not secure friends of the type I mentioned, be solitary, without associates; you do not lose anything, thereby. Never even think of the company of the wicked. Do not get entangled in their wiles. If possible, when you get the chance, advise them about the right, but do not yield to their words. In fact, you must not entertain even the desire to be in the place where they are present. If you cultivate these characteristics, then, both Japam (repetition of the Divine name) and Dhyanam (Meditation) will be easy to accomplish.