Vedantham : ( 07/11/2012. )

BEWARE:-5. NO DOUBT THE DIVINE SPEAKS TO US THROUGH OUR TEACHER. THE FLUTE IS NOT MUSIC; THE TEACHER IS NOT GOD. BUT A SINCERE SEEKER CAN EXPERIENCE THE DIVINE PEACE, THE JOYOUS ECSTASY  OF LOVE, THE MIRACULOUS SERENITY  TO THE DIVINE, AND THE WONDROUS  BEAUTY  OF GOODNESS, THROUGH TEACHER.  IF WE SEE OUR BELOVEDS BEAUTY THROUGH A WINDOW OF THE OPPOSITE FLAT, NO DOUBT, THE WINDOW IS SACRED TO US BECAUSE OF THE MEMORIES OF THE VISION, WHICH IT CONJURES UP IN OUR MIND. BUT THE WINDOW CAN NEVER BE ITSELF OUR BELOVED.  WHICHEVER BE THE WINDOW OR THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE ONCE GOT A GLIMPSE OF HER, ON REVISITING  IT WE GET THRILLED, NOT BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW, BUT BECAUSE OF THE VISION. SIMILARLY, THE TEACHER IS SACRED NOT BECAUSE HE IS GOD, BUT THROUGH HIM WE GAINED A PEEP INTO THE BEAUTY OF THE INFINITE LORD.     

BEWARE:-4. NO LIVING MASTER WHO BREATHS AND EATS, AND RECOGNIZES A WORLD TO FUNCTION IN, CAN EVER CLAIM THAT HE IS GOD. FRIENDS, DON'T BE DECEIVED. HAVING SEEN A GOD YOU WILL NOT LIVE TO DECLARE IT; A SALT DOLL WENT INTO SEA TO MEASURE ITS DEPTH AND IT COULD NOT COME BACK TO DECLARE ITS DISCOVERY! THE INDIVIDUAL HAVING HAD THE GOD-EXPERIENCE WILL NOT COME TO DECLARE THAT THE ALMIGHTY AND ALL-PERVADING TRUTH IS THE  LIMITED, MORTAL, FINITE STRUCTURE OF THE TEACHER. ONCE HAVING SEEN THE OCEAN NO ONE CAN MISUNDERSTAND A LAKE OR A TANK, HOWEVER VAST IT MAY BE, TO THE OCEAN.        

BEWARE:-3. AMONG THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS EXISTING IN BHARATHAM, IN HINDUISM  THE PRIVILEGES OF THE PRIEST CLASS HAVE SOARED TO SUCH A LEVEL OF EXAGGERATED STUPIDITY   THAT NO THINKING PERSON CAN, EVEN FOR A MOMENT, BROOK SUCH INSULTS ON HUMAN DIGNITY. THERE IS A LIMIT EVEN FOR FAITH; ESPECIALLY SO IN THESE DAYS OF SCANT BELIEFS AND ACUTE INTELLECTUAL QUESTIONING. OURS IS AN AGE OF ADVERTISEMENT, AND RELIGION HAS ITSELF BECOME A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION, WHERE EVERY CRIME HAS ITS OWN MONEY-- PRICE FOR ITS COMPLETE ATONEMENT! TICKETS FOR HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY PLACES, EVEN SOMETIMES,  AT HALF CONCESSIONAL RATES, IF BOOKED EARLY, ON READY CASH!

BEWARE:-2. -----------------------------/ WITH THE DIVINE PREROGATIVE ASSUMED BY THESE PRIESTS THEY HAD STARTED LONG AGO TO CLAIM THEIR FOLLOWERS AS THEIR OWN CATTLE WEALTH TO BE MILKED AND PROFITED BY AT THEIR OWN LEISURE. ONE BELONGING TO A CREED HAS BEEN WARNED AND FORBIDDEN TO LISTEN TO ANY SCRIPTURAL DISCOURSES ; EACH HALL OF DIVINITY EFFICIENTLY DEBARS MEMBERS BELONGING TO OTHER CREEDS FROM ENTERING IT.  THIS COLOSSAL STUPIDITY DOES NOT END EVEN HERE. EVEN WITHIN THE CREED, THE DIFFERENT SECTS AND CLANS WILL NOT MINGLE FREELY WITH EACH OTHER. THUS INTO GROUPS AND SECTIONS, INTO SECTS AND CREEDS, INTO DIABOLICALLY INIMICAL FACTIONS, HAVE SPLIT UP THE FAMILY OF MANKIND, CHILDREN OF THE LORD. IF THIS IS WHAT RELIGIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DO, THE EARLIER WE QUIT THEM, THE BETTER IT WOULD BE FOR ALL OF US. IT IS THIS LINE OF THOUGHT THAT IS SPREADING ATHEISM TODAY AMONG THE EDUCATED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. THEY ARE TIRED OF THESE SHACKLES. THEY FLY AWAY FROM RELIGION TO ...

BEWARE:-1. ----------------------------------/ No doubt in all religions the priest class has, in every community,  a special niche of reverence and respect. This attitude is, no doubt, necessary for seekers to evolve themselves. Moral perfection cannot be acquired  by a mere study. They have to be constantly assimilated into our personality, until, instinctively, we come to live them in all our contacts with the outer world. This assimilation is possible only when the followers can steadily watch the play of such perfect moral values in the living behaviour and conduct of their teachers. But this privilege has been for a long time overemphasised   and the priests in every religion have been arrogating to themselves more and more divine powers. They have been using these to curb the intellectual freedom and emotional fluidity of their respective followers. This has already done more harm to the society than pure atheism or vulgar materialism can ever hope t...

Sadhana:-7. ----------------------------/ It is possible that the mind can be easily effectively led away from entertaining  the wrong thoughts. In all religions there are both the positive and negative aspects of the thought - life prescribed for the training of the mind --in as many  do's, and don'ts. Decadence in culture and religious downfall generally visit an era wherein the negative aspects of the social thought discipline are over emphasised. The renaissance of revival is ushered in, the moment the positive side of religion  is taken up for serious study. To remember the Lord at all times and act in the world with an awareness  that he is all--seer is the most positive Sadhana for a seeker who is striving to evolve and thereby to transform his inward personality from its present conditions of wretchedness to a state of harmony and efficiency.

Sadhana:-6. ------------------------/ God is concerned of, in all  the religions,as the embodiment of all positive qualities of a human mind, and, therefore to remember him constantly is to change the quality of thought in the devotee's mental life. And, since positive thoughts bring about tranquility and peace, the quality of thoughts in the mind is also controlled and chastened. As the same given mind cannot efficiently apply itself in more than one direction, to remember the Lord is to, in fact, forget everything  other than him. If i am going to the office, it automatically means that i am moving away from my home, since no individual can be at one and the same time, both at home and at the office. To remember the Lord is to forget everything other than the Lord-that is, the direction of the the thoughts is turned God-ward, and not allowed to continue in its present impetuous sense-ward flow. Positive approach  of remembering an ideal is easy and natural fo...

Sadhana:-5. ----------------------/ Change in the existing mental make up is no easy process. Mind is constituted  of thoughts manifested within each one of us, and unless the thoughts are changed. The rehabilitation of a given personality consists in bringing about a triple change in the thoughts in us- changes in their quality, quantity, and direction of flow. The quality of thoughts entertained by us has been to a large extent completely changed by the constant remembrance of the Lord of our heart, especially when this springs from the deep and delicate depths of a devoted heart. The practice of a devotion on an ideal personality, possessing all humane qualities, is a method of directly changing the quality of thoughts entertained by us.  Positive or creative qualities are such that they, in their reaction with the world outside, do not multiply  themselves into any boisterous upsurge within, eroding and washing away one's mental vitality. For example, bring...

Sadhana:-4. --------------------------/ If this unprofitable method of instruction in religion is not totally given up, very soon, we shall have empty Houses of Gods which shall shelter only few unintelligent pandits,priests, and moulvies. It is certainly a most acceptable thing for all of us if religion claims to bringb about a revolution in the individual human personality. We all realize that unless the texture of the human heart is changed the external prosperity and comforts, which science has assured for us, cannot fulfil themselves in the world. Happiness is that state of mind inhuman when he/she comes in contact with the happy scheme of existence that science has created in our age for us. A transformation of mental quality is indeed, the most beneficial thing to be achieved by the members of the human community all and around the world. Priests in all religion unanimously indicate this acceptable goal of perfection as the very thing to strive for, if our life is ag...

Sadhana-3. -------------------------/ IN SOME RARE CASES WE FIND THAT SINCERE SEEKERS HAVE LISTENED TO THEM, HAVE STUDIED HARD, AND HAVE BEEN CONSCIOUSLY TOILED HARD TO PRACTICE WHAT WAS PREACHED TO THEM. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION ALL OF THEM HAVE, EITHER IN THE VERY BEGINNING OR A LITTLE LATER, GOT DISHEARTENED BECAUSE OF THEIR UTTER FAILURE TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY THE PATTERN OF LIFE ADVISED  TO THEM.   THE PRIEST CLASS CODEMNS THE GENERATION OF DEVOTEES FOR THEIR LACK OF PERSERVERANCE AND FAITH; AND THE DISAPPOINTED DEVOTTES COME TO SINCERELY BELIEVE AND ARDENTLY DECLARE THAT THE THEORY AND TECHNIQUE OF LIFE AS PROPOUNDED IN THE RELGIONS OF THE WORLD ARE IMPOSSIBLE SCHEMES.   TO THEM RELIGION BECOMES SOON A FUTILE TECHNOLOGY, ELABORATE AND EXHAUSTIVE IN ITS PLANS AND SCHEMES BUT USELESS TO THE AVERAGE HUMAN BECAUSE IT IS A MERE UTOPIAN DREAM OF SOME IMPRACTICAL SAINTS, EVER SOARING HIGH INTO BEAUTIFUL ALTITUDES AWAY FROM THE GROSS ...

SADHANA-2. -------------------------------- BECAUSE OF THIS VARIOUS PREOCCUPATIONS AND SELFISH INTERESTS  A CARELESS PRIEST CLASS--- GOADED BY HASTE, PERVERTED BY PREJUDICES, AND OVER ANXIOUS FOR MAXIMUM TURNOVER--HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME NOW DOLLING OUT THE SCIENCE OF LIFE, RELIGION , TO AN EQUALLY AGITATE, RESTLESS AND DEJECTED CROWD. THE RESULT IS THAT THE SERMONS AND DISCOURSES PRECEDE TO THE LAITY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS HEARD, BUT USUALLY NOT UNDERSTOOD ST ALL AND SO, WITHOUT A REGRET, THEY ARE EASILY FORGOTTEN. OCCATIONALLY SOME DID  COME TO HEAR AND EVEN HAPPENED TO UNDERSTAND THEM BUT NEVER COULD THEY ACCEPT THE CREED. [ TO BE CONTINUED---]      

SADHANA:-1. ---------------------------/ MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE MOST SINCERE OF RELIGIOUS PRIESTS HAVE BEEN GUIDING THEIR GENERATION WITH THE BEST OF THEIR ADVICES ON RIGHT LIVING---- BUT, ALAS, ALWAYS WRONGLY EXPRESSED. VERY RARELY DO THEY RECOGNISE THE NECESSITY FOR ENJOYING THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE IN GIVING OUT THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE RIGHT LIVING TO THEIR DEVOTEES. IN ALL VOCAL ARTS SUCH AS MUSIC, POETRY OR ORATORY, THE MEDIUMEMPLOYED IS AS MUCH IMPORTANT AS THE IDEAS EXPRESSED THROUGH EACH ONE OF THEM. [to be contd  ]   

Atmabodham:-[By swami adi sankaracharya] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FIRST  SLOGAM TELLS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE  AND THE NECESSITY OF VRATAM AND MIND CONTROL IS STRESSED. DO NOT  MISUNDERSTAND  THAT VRATAM AND MIND CONTROL ARE THE ONLY WAY TO PARAMAPADAM, IT IS THE JNANAM WHICH TAKES YOY TO PARAMAPADAM THEN TO MUKTI. FINALLY IT IS JNANAM  THAT TAKES YOU PARAMAPADAM.

ATMABHODAM:- SLOGAM-6. SAMSARAH SWAPNATHULYO HI RAGADWESHDISANGHALAH SWAKALE SATYAVADH BHATI PRBHODHE SATYASAD BAVATHE. IT IS NORMAL THAT WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES IN THE DREAMS. OUR SOME INCOMPLETE DESIRES AND  EMOTIONS  REAPPEAR AS  DREAMS. HENCE ANGER,JEALOUSY, EGO,LIKES AND DISLIKES -REMOVE THESE AND REGULATE MIND IN CORRECT DIRECTION ,SO THAT SUCH DREAMS NEVER APPEAR. WHEN WE SLEEP WE THINK THE DREAMS ARE TRUE, WHEREAS WHEN WE AWAKE WE THEY ARE NOT TRUE BECAUSE OF OUR JNANAM LIKE THIS  GO INNER TO MATERIALISM  AND EXPERIENCE THE LORD. THAT ONLY THE TRUTH.SO REMOVE IGNORANCE AND FIND YOUR ATMA AND EXPERIENCE IT.

ATMABHODAM [BY SWAMI ADI SANKARACHARYA] SLOGAM-5. AJNANA KALUSHAM JEEVAM JNANA ABYASAAT VI NIRMALAM KRUTHWA JNANAM SWAYAM NASYETHA JALAM KATAKARENNUVAT. HERE PURIFICATION OF MIND IS DISCUSSED. Jeevatma is not clean due to lack of knowledge[ajnanam].  With jnanam and further training in meditation the impurities are removed and minds flow is clean now, as  some use of chemicals purify water.

ATMABHODHAM:- [BY ADI SANKARACHARYA] SLOGAM-4. PARICHA CHINNA EVAJJNANATH TANNASE SATHI KEVLAHA SWAYAM PRAKASATHE HYAATMAA MEKHAAAPAAYEM CHUMAANIVA DUE TO AJNANAM ATMA SEEMED LIMITED, LIKE CLOUDS COVER THE BRIGHTNESS OF SUN. WHEN AJNANAMIS IS REMOVED [LIKE CLOUDS MOVE AWAY ] ATMA SHINES LIKE THE SUN WITHOUT CLOUDS.

ATMABHODHAM[BY SWAMI ADISANKARACHARYA] SLOKAM:-3 - JNANAM, [KNOWLEDGE] AVIRODHITAYA  KARMA NAAVIDYAAM     VINIVARTHAYETA VIDYA  VIDYAAM    NIHANDYEVA TEJASTIMIRASAMKKAVATA. FROM  AJNANAM  KARMA WILL  NOT  REMOVE  AJNANAM [JUST LIKE  COMPLETE DARKNESS] BUT JNANAM  [BRIGHT  LIGHT ] CAN  REMOVE  AJNANAM  [DARKNESS] COMPLETELY.  

ATMABHODHAM:-[BY SWAMI ADI SANKARACHARYA] SLOGAM:-2. THIS SLOGAM SAYS THE IMPORTANCE OF JNANAM[KNOWLEDGE] BHODDHONIYASAADHANEBYOHI SAAKSHAANMOKSHYIKSAADHNAM PAAKSYA VAHNIVATH JNANAM VINAA MOKSHAA SIDDHIYATHI. WITH RESPECT TO OTHER SAADHANA JNANAM IS THE ONLY AVAILABLE TRUE WAY OR METHOD TO MOKSHAM. WITHOUT AGNI [FIRE] COOKING IS NOT POSSIBLE. JUST LIKE THIS WITHOUT JNANAM MOKSHAM NOT ACHIEVABLE.

The first slogam tells about Atma niyanthranam [control of mind]. "Tapodhiha ksheenna paapaanaam Santhanam veetharaginnam Mumukshoonnamapekshyeahayaum Atmabhodho vidheeyathe". Meaning:- "With theb help of Tapas one who reduced papam, calm,away from desire, and wish moksha,-- to these people Iam writing a book called Atmabhodham". SWAMI ADI SANKARACHARYA.

Swami Adi Sankaracharya took the reconstruction of Hindu religion as his life's supreme challenge. Swami started writing explanations and comments upon the basic books of our Bharatheeya samskaram. Atmabhodham is the Swami's basic book written for youger generation , introducing them into vedantam in the world of Atmeeyam.

In the world of books  available vijnanam [higher knowledge] found in two types of records. Narration of Sidhantam [approved thathvam(essence)] and Sanketham [aggrements] is one type. Basic books of vijnanam explain sidhantam and sanketham. The second is the book which stress the meaning of the first type. They expand and explain the knowledge.

Guru [spiritual teacher] has to point out the actual aim, which is above normal experiences. Atmabhodham by Swami AdiSankaracharya narrates the secrets of vedantam in detail, to communicate younger generation.

Vedantam is the science of living. That explains the art of living.And points the supreme Aim of life. It helps the Sadhakan's  [One who practicing Upasana in Atmeeyam] journey to lakshya[target] easy and succeeful.

All that we have to do is to attend consistently to the taming of the mind. Objects [vishayas] are helpless against a mind under under control of the clear intellect. The sense--organs will not dare run out into the cess--pools of sesuous gratifications, when the mind behind them is a fully disciplinedand strictly cultivated one.  

WE ARE THE PRODUCT OF PAST EXPERIENCES.

EXPERIENCE IS THE FACT OF LIVING THROUGH A HAPPENING  OR HAPPENINGS.

LIFE IS A SERIES OF CONTINUOUS AND WIDEEXPERIENCE.

Rishi culture of Bharatham:- ABOUT 5000 TO 10000 YEARS BEFORE GREAT RISHIES OF OUR COUNTRY FOUND THE IMPORTANCE OF MIND. THEY PAID MOST ATTENTION AND RESEARCH ON MIND THAN OUR BODY. THIS IS EMPHASISED IN OUR  SCRIPTURES LIKE VEDAM,UPANISHADS,RAMAYANAM,MAHABHARATHM, BHAGAVADGITA,AND SO ON:- THESE THINGS ARE STILL VALID AND TO BE FOLLOWED SINCERELY AND HONESTLY.

vedantam:-It is the science of the life[ It is the sasthram of our jeevitham.] It is the fulness of knowledge[Arivintre Poornatha]