Sandeha Nivarini
Bhakta: Swami! Can we ask you freely about any topic concerning the spiritual path, which we do not know?
Swami: Certainly, what is the objection? What am I here for? Is it not for explaining to you things which you do not know? Gladly you can ask Me. I am always ready to answer; only, I want people who inquire earnestly, with a desire to know.
Bhakta: But, some elders say that it is wrong to put vexing questions to the Guru; are they right or not in saying so?
Swami: That is not correct. Whom else can the disciple rely upon? Since the Guru is his everything, it is good to consult him in all matters and then act.
Bhakta: Some say that we should reverentially carry out, whatever the elders ask us to do, and that it is wrong to raise objections. May I know Your opinion on this please?
Swami: Until you develop full faith in those elders and understand the validity of their words, carrying out their orders reverentially is a task beyond you! Under such circumstances, it won’t be wrong to ask for the validity and the significance of their order.
Bhakta: Swami! Whom are we to believe, whom are we to discard, in this world? It is so full of deceit! When those whom we believe are good, themselves turn out to be bad, how can faith get developed?
Swami: Well, my boy! Where is the need for you, in this world or any world, to believe in others? First, believe in yourself. Then, believe in the Lord, Paramatma. When you have faith in these two, neither the good nor the bad of the world will come to your cognition, and there is no need to bring them to your cognition as well.
Bhakta: Faith in the Lord itself diminishes sometimes! What is the reason?
Swami: When one is deluded by the merely external, and does not attain success in such external desires, faith in the Paramatma (Lord) diminishes. So, give up such desires and desire only for the spiritual relationship. Then, you won’t be the target for those doubts and difficulties. For this, the important thing is, firm faith in the Lord, Paramatma. Without it, you doubt everything big and small.
Bhakta: Until we understand the Nijatattvam (Real nature) of Paramatma, it is important, they say, to have the company of the great and also a Guru is needed. Are these necessary?
Swami: Of course, the company of the great is necessary. To make known that Tattvam (Reality), a Guru too is important. But, in this matter, you should be very careful. These days genuine Gurus are scarce. Cheaters have multiplied, and teachers have retreated into solitude, to strive for realising themselves. There are many genuine Gurus also, in the world. But, they are not to be secured easily. Even if you get them, it depends on one’s destiny; they may vouchsafe one short Sadvakya (aphorism) only; they won’t spend time telling all kinds of stories! So, in the search for a Guru, there should be no hurry.
Bhakta: If so, what in the world is the path?
Swami: It is only for that we have the Veda, Shastra, Purana, and Itihasa. Study them and follow the path of the experienced, understand their meaning and trend of their message from Pandits, and follow them in action and meditate on Paramatma as the Guru and as God; then, those books themselves will come to your help as Guru. For, the Guru is that through which your mind gets fixed on God. If you consider Paramatma as the Guru, and if you do Sadhana (spiritual practice) with unshakeable Prema (Love) for Paramatma, Paramatma Himself will appear before you, as your Sadguru (philosopher and guide) and give Upadesham (Spiritual instruction). Or, He will bless you that as a result of your Sadhana itself you may meet a Sadguru.
Bhakta: But, nowadays, some great big persons are granting Upadesham to all who ask for it. Are these not Sadgurus?
Swami: I won’t say just whether they are, or they are not. I will declare only this: It is not the sign of a Sadguru, to freely grant Upadesham to anyone who comes and flatters him as Guru for a short while, without discovering and considering the qualifications of the pupil properly and testing whether he is fit for the purpose, or not.
Bhakta: Then, Swami, I have committed a blunder! When some great person arrived at our village, and when all were receiving Upadesham from him, I too went and prostrated and asked him to give me Upadesham. That great person then granted me a good Upadesham. I was repeating it. After some time, I came to know that that ‘great person’ was a cheat. From that day, I lost faith in that Name. I gave up that Mantra (sacred formula). Is this wrong? Or am I right?
Swami: Are you considering what is wrong in this? It is very wrong. Just as the Guru should, as I told you before, examine the qualifications and fitness of the disciple, the disciple too should critically examine the qualifications, actions, and greatness of the Guru, before receiving Upadesham. Without thinking of this, you hastily accepted Upadesham; that was the first mistake. Well, even if the Guru gave it without being fit for it, you have given up your vow to repeat the name of Paramatma so received; the second mistake is your discarding the name of Paramatma, casting another’s fault on the sacred Name. Before receiving Upadesham, you should have taken as much time as needed to know his truth and to cultivate real faith in him. Then, if you so desire you could receive Upadesham. Once you accept, whatever the difficulty, you should repeat it, without giving it up. The evil or the sin in it won’t affect you, then. Otherwise, the wrong of accepting quickly and rejecting quickly will be on you. How can I say that you are perfect? You should not accept a Name, which you do not prefer, or when afflicted by doubts. Having accepted, you should not give up.
Bhakta: What happens when it is given up?
Swami: Well, my boy! Disloyalty to the Guru and discarding the name of God, on account of these, your one-pointed endeavour and concentration will wither away just as the saying goes, “The diseased seedling can never grow into a tree.”
Bhakta: But, if the Guru vouchsafes, though we lack the qualification?
Swami: Such a Guru is no Guru. The result of his wrong won’t fall on you. The evil of that wrong will be on him only.
Bhakta: If the disciple acts according to the promise made to the Guru, whatever the Guru’s character may be, and if without altering his attitude, the disciple honours him as usual, can he still realise the goal?
Swami: Certainly, what doubt is there? Don’t you know the story of Ekalavya? Though Dronacharya did not accept him as his disciple, the disciple installed the image and took it as the Guru with form, and achieved mastery of all arts. Finally, when the Guru, falling a victim to injustice, asked for the right thumb as his Guru-dakshina (an offering or honorarium to a Guru), he offered it, immediately. Did Ekalavya take to heart the harm done by the Guru?
Bhakta: Of what use was his offer? His education became a waste, that was all. Isn’t it? What was the net result of all that achievement?
Swami: Though he lost the chance of using his education, the good character he acquired through that education was never lost. Is not the lasting fame of possessing a noble character sufficient evidence of his achievement?
Bhakta: Well, what is past is past. Hereafter at least, I shall hold fast and endeavour. You please grant me an Upadesham.
Swami: Your attitude is exactly like asking, at dawn, after watching the Ramayana enacted during the whole night, how Sita was related to Rama! When your Prapti (Destiny) and your qualifications ripen, it will come by itself. There is no need for you to ask! Really speaking, the disciple should not, of his own accord, ask for Upadesham. For, he cannot himself be aware of his qualification and his self-control. The Guru will pay attention to that and after considering the steadiness of his disciple’s mind and his future welfare, he himself will bless him with Upadesham. You should not get Upadesham twice or thrice. It is unique, not duplicable. Instead, if you give up one Upadesham and take up another, whenever you feel like it, your condition will be like that of a married woman gone astray.
Bhakta: So, what is now my fate? Is there no way to save myself?
Swami: Repent for the mistake committed; meditate on the name received first as Upadesham with faith and devotion. For Smarana (Remembering God), however, you can use as many names as you like. But, for Dhyana (Meditation), the name received in Upadesham alone can be used. Under any circumstances, don’t change that sacred Name. In this way, transform your heart through persistent yearning and you can succeed in reaching the goal.
Bhakta: Swami! Today is indeed a good day, all the doubts in me have flown away due to the message you gave. What greater Upadesham do I need? As you said, Upadeshams create doubts; but, the message, Sandesha destroys the doubts; brings joy! If permitted, I will go to my place and come again, bringing with me some new doubts to be cast down here, in Your Presence, in exchange for Peace and Joy. If You so command, I shall come next month.
Swami: Good! What more do I want than that people like you, who should be rid of the Sandeha (doubts) from which they suffer, should grasp the real significance and, welcoming the Satya (Truth) well as the Sandesha, gladly dwell in the constant remembrance of the Lord? Whenever you come, whatever doubts may arise, learn the way of ridding yourself of trouble and go. You should never suffer within yourself. With that kind of trouble, whatever Sadhana you may do will be a waste, as rose water poured on ash. Very well! Go…and, come!
I
Bhakta: Swami! Can we ask you freely about any topic concerning the spiritual path, which we do not know?
Swami: Certainly, what is the objection? What am I here for? Is it not for explaining to you things which you do not know? Gladly you can ask Me. I am always ready to answer; only, I want people who inquire earnestly, with a desire to know.
Bhakta: But, some elders say that it is wrong to put vexing questions to the Guru; are they right or not in saying so?
Swami: That is not correct. Whom else can the disciple rely upon? Since the Guru is his everything, it is good to consult him in all matters and then act.
Bhakta: Some say that we should reverentially carry out, whatever the elders ask us to do, and that it is wrong to raise objections. May I know Your opinion on this please?
Swami: Until you develop full faith in those elders and understand the validity of their words, carrying out their orders reverentially is a task beyond you! Under such circumstances, it won’t be wrong to ask for the validity and the significance of their order.
Bhakta: Swami! Whom are we to believe, whom are we to discard, in this world? It is so full of deceit! When those whom we believe are good, themselves turn out to be bad, how can faith get developed?
Swami: Well, my boy! Where is the need for you, in this world or any world, to believe in others? First, believe in yourself. Then, believe in the Lord, Paramatma. When you have faith in these two, neither the good nor the bad of the world will come to your cognition, and there is no need to bring them to your cognition as well.
Bhakta: Faith in the Lord itself diminishes sometimes! What is the reason?
Swami: When one is deluded by the merely external, and does not attain success in such external desires, faith in the Paramatma (Lord) diminishes. So, give up such desires and desire only for the spiritual relationship. Then, you won’t be the target for those doubts and difficulties. For this, the important thing is, firm faith in the Lord, Paramatma. Without it, you doubt everything big and small.
Bhakta: Until we understand the Nijatattvam (Real nature) of Paramatma, it is important, they say, to have the company of the great and also a Guru is needed. Are these necessary?
Swami: Of course, the company of the great is necessary. To make known that Tattvam (Reality), a Guru too is important. But, in this matter, you should be very careful. These days genuine Gurus are scarce. Cheaters have multiplied, and teachers have retreated into solitude, to strive for realising themselves. There are many genuine Gurus also, in the world. But, they are not to be secured easily. Even if you get them, it depends on one’s destiny; they may vouchsafe one short Sadvakya (aphorism) only; they won’t spend time telling all kinds of stories! So, in the search for a Guru, there should be no hurry.
Bhakta: If so, what in the world is the path?
Swami: It is only for that we have the Veda, Shastra, Purana, and Itihasa. Study them and follow the path of the experienced, understand their meaning and trend of their message from Pandits, and follow them in action and meditate on Paramatma as the Guru and as God; then, those books themselves will come to your help as Guru. For, the Guru is that through which your mind gets fixed on God. If you consider Paramatma as the Guru, and if you do Sadhana (spiritual practice) with unshakeable Prema (Love) for Paramatma, Paramatma Himself will appear before you, as your Sadguru (philosopher and guide) and give Upadesham (Spiritual instruction). Or, He will bless you that as a result of your Sadhana itself you may meet a Sadguru.
Bhakta: But, nowadays, some great big persons are granting Upadesham to all who ask for it. Are these not Sadgurus?
Swami: I won’t say just whether they are, or they are not. I will declare only this: It is not the sign of a Sadguru, to freely grant Upadesham to anyone who comes and flatters him as Guru for a short while, without discovering and considering the qualifications of the pupil properly and testing whether he is fit for the purpose, or not.
Bhakta: Then, Swami, I have committed a blunder! When some great person arrived at our village, and when all were receiving Upadesham from him, I too went and prostrated and asked him to give me Upadesham. That great person then granted me a good Upadesham. I was repeating it. After some time, I came to know that that ‘great person’ was a cheat. From that day, I lost faith in that Name. I gave up that Mantra (sacred formula). Is this wrong? Or am I right?
Swami: Are you considering what is wrong in this? It is very wrong. Just as the Guru should, as I told you before, examine the qualifications and fitness of the disciple, the disciple too should critically examine the qualifications, actions, and greatness of the Guru, before receiving Upadesham. Without thinking of this, you hastily accepted Upadesham; that was the first mistake. Well, even if the Guru gave it without being fit for it, you have given up your vow to repeat the name of Paramatma so received; the second mistake is your discarding the name of Paramatma, casting another’s fault on the sacred Name. Before receiving Upadesham, you should have taken as much time as needed to know his truth and to cultivate real faith in him. Then, if you so desire you could receive Upadesham. Once you accept, whatever the difficulty, you should repeat it, without giving it up. The evil or the sin in it won’t affect you, then. Otherwise, the wrong of accepting quickly and rejecting quickly will be on you. How can I say that you are perfect? You should not accept a Name, which you do not prefer, or when afflicted by doubts. Having accepted, you should not give up.
Bhakta: What happens when it is given up?
Swami: Well, my boy! Disloyalty to the Guru and discarding the name of God, on account of these, your one-pointed endeavour and concentration will wither away just as the saying goes, “The diseased seedling can never grow into a tree.”
Bhakta: But, if the Guru vouchsafes, though we lack the qualification?
Swami: Such a Guru is no Guru. The result of his wrong won’t fall on you. The evil of that wrong will be on him only.
Bhakta: If the disciple acts according to the promise made to the Guru, whatever the Guru’s character may be, and if without altering his attitude, the disciple honours him as usual, can he still realise the goal?
Swami: Certainly, what doubt is there? Don’t you know the story of Ekalavya? Though Dronacharya did not accept him as his disciple, the disciple installed the image and took it as the Guru with form, and achieved mastery of all arts. Finally, when the Guru, falling a victim to injustice, asked for the right thumb as his Guru-dakshina (an offering or honorarium to a Guru), he offered it, immediately. Did Ekalavya take to heart the harm done by the Guru?
Bhakta: Of what use was his offer? His education became a waste, that was all. Isn’t it? What was the net result of all that achievement?
Swami: Though he lost the chance of using his education, the good character he acquired through that education was never lost. Is not the lasting fame of possessing a noble character sufficient evidence of his achievement?
Bhakta: Well, what is past is past. Hereafter at least, I shall hold fast and endeavour. You please grant me an Upadesham.
Swami: Your attitude is exactly like asking, at dawn, after watching the Ramayana enacted during the whole night, how Sita was related to Rama! When your Prapti (Destiny) and your qualifications ripen, it will come by itself. There is no need for you to ask! Really speaking, the disciple should not, of his own accord, ask for Upadesham. For, he cannot himself be aware of his qualification and his self-control. The Guru will pay attention to that and after considering the steadiness of his disciple’s mind and his future welfare, he himself will bless him with Upadesham. You should not get Upadesham twice or thrice. It is unique, not duplicable. Instead, if you give up one Upadesham and take up another, whenever you feel like it, your condition will be like that of a married woman gone astray.
Bhakta: So, what is now my fate? Is there no way to save myself?
Swami: Repent for the mistake committed; meditate on the name received first as Upadesham with faith and devotion. For Smarana (Remembering God), however, you can use as many names as you like. But, for Dhyana (Meditation), the name received in Upadesham alone can be used. Under any circumstances, don’t change that sacred Name. In this way, transform your heart through persistent yearning and you can succeed in reaching the goal.
Bhakta: Swami! Today is indeed a good day, all the doubts in me have flown away due to the message you gave. What greater Upadesham do I need? As you said, Upadeshams create doubts; but, the message, Sandesha destroys the doubts; brings joy! If permitted, I will go to my place and come again, bringing with me some new doubts to be cast down here, in Your Presence, in exchange for Peace and Joy. If You so command, I shall come next month.
Swami: Good! What more do I want than that people like you, who should be rid of the Sandeha (doubts) from which they suffer, should grasp the real significance and, welcoming the Satya (Truth) well as the Sandesha, gladly dwell in the constant remembrance of the Lord? Whenever you come, whatever doubts may arise, learn the way of ridding yourself of trouble and go. You should never suffer within yourself. With that kind of trouble, whatever Sadhana you may do will be a waste, as rose water poured on ash. Very well! Go…and, come!