Dakshiṇāmūrti
--Kamaraju Anil
Kumar
A
song I heard many years ago in the Bhajan maṇḍali of our town,
Guntur, continues to ring in my ears even today.
manōharam
mahāvaram svāmi upanyāsam
marala rādu
marala rādu, manakī avakāśam< manōharam>
vēdikapai svāmi
upnyasincucuṇḍagā
vinina cevulu
panḍaga vinani cevulu daṇḍaga< manōharam>
“How
enchanting is Swami’s discourse! What a great boon it is! Never again, never
again will we get this chance! Swami’s discourse is a feast for the ears of
those who heard Him. As for the rest, their ears are but a dead weight. <How
enchanting>” Those ears which have not heard the divine message of the
incarnation are a dead weight, mere vestigial organs. Swami’s discourse,
interspersed with beautiful stories and apt illustrations, and delivered in
a charming language, goes straight to the heart. Unawares we shed tears of
joy and are transported to realms of pure delight.
During
Swami’s visit to Brindavan, He stays in the beautiful mansion, Trayee
Brindavan. Every evening He addresses the students, faculty, and guests. The
scene of the students dressed in white and Swami in red reminds us of a
garland of jasmine flowers with a rose in the middle. Prof. V. K. Gokak,
the first Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University, once wrote a
poem in English celebrating such a sight in Brindavan, comparing it to the
Ashram where sage Kapila instructs the pupils gathered round him. Prof.
Gokak pointed out that we would have lost the most precious thing in our
lives if the Grace of Baba’s divine conversation is lacking.
Baba’s
words are verily the pearls of spirituality which Dakshiṇāmūrti
lovingly and graciously teaches. For anything to take place, it is said,
the combination of four factors, viz., time, action, cause, duty, is
necessary. Alongside our effort, divine grace too is necessary. It is only
Swami’s compassion which enables us to have His darśan, think of Him,
converse with Him, or serve Him. Could the millions of devotees, however
deeply they had yearned, come to Prasanthinilayam? No. Are not there
devotees who, without any planning, suddenly and inexplicably, reached
Prasanthinilayam? In fact, many belong to the second category. Well, what I
wish to say is that we are deluding ourselves when we say, “We have come,
and we have had darśan.” All is as Swami wills.
kanulunḍi
gruḍḍulai kalyāṇakaramaina
ī mūrti
darśimpa nērarairi
cevulunḍi cevut*ulai
atimanōharamaina
nī vākku
lālimpa nērarairi
pāṇipankajamandu partīśuḍunnanu
pāḍu
samsāramu kōrucundru
minceḍi kāntitō
mēruparvatamunḍa
venḍi
bangārukai vetukucundru
viśva
hṛdayamandu vinpincu praṇavambu
vinuḍu
śraddhtōḍa vīnulalara
kāmyamuktulaniḍa kalpakambide summi
maruvabōku ḍit*t*i
manci māt*a
“Having eyes,
they remain blind, for they have not seen this auspicious figure; having
ears, they remain deaf, for they have not heard your enchanting speech.
They hanker after wretched worldly affairs while the Lord of Parthi is so
close by; while there is this Meru Mountain itself ever so bright, silver
and gold is all they seek. Don’t forget this piece of good news: Pay
attention and let your ears rejoice listening to the primordial sound
emanating from the heart of the universe. This really is the wish-fulfilling
tree freeing you from desires. Do not ignore this advice.”
These
words are true in every respect. They say, we enjoy in this birth only what
we have sown earlier. So, we must have performed some meritorious actions.
All that we enjoy now is through His grace, the result of some virtuous
deeds. Sai’s utterances are the very essence of the Vedas. It is only with a
steadfast mind and an unclouded intellect that we can truly receive His
nectarine teaching.
nārāyaṇuni
bōdha nammi yunḍina cālu
sāmavēdamu mīru cadivinat*l'e
nārāyaṇuni
vākku nammi yunḍina cālu
ila
yajurvēdamu telisinat*l'e
nārāyaṇuni
vākku nammi yunḍina cālu
puḍami
ṛgvēdamu nuḍivinat*l'e
nārāyaṇuni
vākku nammi yunḍina cālu
sari
atharvaṇavēdamunu cadivinat*l'e
tucchabhāvālu
madilōna tolagiyunna
niścalambuga
buddhi nilupukonna
intakannanu
sivarātri ēmi kaladu?
sādhu sadguṇa
gaṇyulau sabhyulāra!
“Wholehearted
reliance on Narayana’s teaching is enough, for it is as good as
having studied the Sama Veda; absolute obedience to Narayana’s words is
enough, for it is as good as knowing Yajur Veda; complete faith in
Narayana’s words is enough, for it is as good as reciting here the Ṛg Veda;
adhering to Narayana’s words is enough, for it is exactly equal to studying
Atharvana Veda. Once all base thoughts are removed from the mind, and the
intellect is focussed firmly on Narayana, can there be a holier ‘Sivaratri’!
O, Gentle and virtuous members of this august gathering! What more need I
add?”
Like
the mother, who, out of her love, bends down to pick up and carry the
child, the Sai incarnation too, we come to realise, comes down to our level
to uplift humanity. That is why Swami made these remarks about incarnation:
janulapai prīti
vātsalyaparatatōd#a
vāri sthāyiki
daivambu vaccu bhuviki
jīvaprajñatō bāt*uga
daivaprajña
“Out of love
and affection for mankind, the Lord descends on earth with human
consciousness conjoined with divine consciousness.”
Sai’s
message may be said to be the call of Love, the fountainhead of the Supreme
Good. This Love expresses itself chiefly as the truly spiritual discipline
of Service.
tvarapad#umā
tvarapad#umā prabhu
sāyīśuni prēma
pilupulave
vinbad#ucunnavi
rammanucū
paramārthamu
cēkonumanucū <tvara>
yōgasādhanala
paniyē lēdat*a
upadēśambulu
lēvu kadē!
prajalaki
taruṇōpāyambagu śrī
sāyīśuni nāmamat*ē<tvara>
matabhēdambula
māt*ē lēdat*a
mānavasēvaye
jēyunat*e
prēmabōdhatō
bāpi bhaktulanu
maruvaka brōcē
sāyiyat*e<tvara>
“Hurry
up! Hurry up! Listen! There, the loving call of Lord Sai welcoming us to
garner the highest Truth! < Hurry up!>Here is no need, they say, of yoga
practices, no initiations at all! The name of Lord Sai is enough to help
people cross the ocean of mundane life! < Hurry up!> He serves all, it
appears, irrespective of their religion. Awakening Love in the devotees, Sai
unfailingly protects them. < Hurry up!>”
The
entire body of Sai’s teaching is oriented towards practice, and nothing
else. His discourses offer guidance for our conduct. Therefore, the ideals
He preaches become popular through our practising them in our lives. This is
how we become closer to Him. Notice how He Himself describes this
phenomenon:
manciyandu
mānavatvamunandu
nītiyandu nind#u
nijamunandu
ācarinci ceppu ācarinci cūpu
ādarśamula nella
atad#e yuvakud#u
āme yuvati kāde
at*t*i vāre
best* frend#s mīku
at*t*i vāre
best* frend#s nāku
“One who
preaches only what he practices, and demonstrates in every day life the
lofty ideals of gentleness, humanity, righteousness, and absolute truth,
that one alone is the really young man or young woman. Such people alone are
your best friends. Such people alone are my best friends.”
What is
there for us to give to Sai who grants us every comfort? What are the kinds
of gifts we can offer Him? What can we present to the one who fulfils every
desire of ours? Bhagavan himself has provided the answer. It is not flowers
and fruits that fade and rot, and not at all worldly goods like gold,
vehicles, and so on. Observe what Swami says:
sāyi arthincu
mīnunḍi sadguṇamulanu
sarvamānavasōdarasakhyabuddhi
svārdhatyāgambu
pariśuddhasanghasēva
sāyi kicced#i
dhanamide satyamuganu
“Noble
qualities, fraternal friendship with all humanity, giving up selfishness,
dedicated service to society — these are what Sai seeks from us. This truly
is the wealth you may offer Sai.”
As Lord
Krishna taught us through the Bhagavadgita, is there anything for
which the Lord yearns? In the entire universe, is there anything which is
not His, which is not He? Therefore, we may affirm that none has wealth
comparable to Swami’s.
sāyi kunnat*ti'
aiśvaryasmpadalaku
sāt*i
aiśvaryamunna deccō t*anaina
sāyi
aiśvaryamēmanna svārdharahita
nityanirmala
prēmayē nijamu nijamu
“Is there
anywhere riches and prosperity comparable to Sai’s? Do you know what His
wealth is? It is His unselfish, everlasting, and pure Love. This is true,
this is true.”
Baba
looks into our hearts, and does not care for externals.
ahimsā prathamam
pushpam pushpa mindriyanigraham sarvabhūtadayā pushpam kshamāpushpam
śāntipushpam satyapushpam dhyānapushpam tapahpushpam.
“Non-violence
is the first flower; Restraint of the senses is the next; Compassion for all
creatures, Forbearance, Peace, Truth, Meditation and Penance are the other
flowers.” Bhagavan looks for the garland of these eight virtues, not of the
ordinary flowers. He does not accept or commend any flower other than the
lotus of the heart.
pūvu lenno tecci
pūjenta cēsinā
meccukonad#u
tānu puccukonad#u
hṛdayakamala
mivva sadayud#ai grahiyincu
satyasāyi śānti
prēmadāyi
“However long
you worship Sathya Sai with an abundance of flowers, he does not view them
with favour. Offer him the lotus of your heart, and this giver of Peace and
Love will compassionately receive it.”
Bhagavan
is Dakshiṇāmūrti, the embodiment of the divine Triad. His divine teachings
are designed to uplift humanity. Like Brahma, Sai, the Supreme Spirit,
creates good ideas, sound judgement, and noble intentions; like Vishnu, He
fosters and multiplies virtuous actions and temperaments; like Siva, He
destroys wicked ways, thoughts and practices. Lakhs of people have undergone
a miraculous transformation. Some changed the mode of their meditation.
Inspired by Sai, ever so many overcame their harmful addictions. Bhagavan
Sri Sathya Sai is indeed the embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.
brahma sṛsht*i
' cēyu brahmānḍamu
lanella vishṇu
vanni penci v ṛddhi cēyu
paramaśivuḍ'u
druncu pāpisht*i jīvula
guruvu mūḍu
kriyala salupu nokaḍe
“Brahma
creates all the worlds; Vishnu nurtures and sustains them; Paramasiva wipes
out all evil beings. The guru single-handed performs all the three actions.”
We have
not fully understood the Guru principle. All gurus are not really teachers.
In fact most gurus in our society are simply fake gurus inflicting pain.
Genuine teachers are hard to find.
ākupaccani
pakshulanni cilukala vale palukunā
pūvulapai pārād#ed#u
purugulu tummeda lagunā
pulicarmamu
gappinat*t*i gād#ida puli yagunā
ēnu ganta balasi
yunna pandi ēnugagu nat*ayyā
“Can all
birds speak like parrots just because they are green? Can all worms found in
flowers turn into bees? Can a donkey covered with tiger skin become a tiger?
Sir, can a pig fattened to the bulk of an elephant ever become an elephant?”
We
lack the maturity and wisdom to identify the true guru. There is yet another
important point. When we feel, “I have recognised the true guru,” we must
reconsider whether this is an expression of one’s egotism. Our intelligence
and our knowledge are of little use in this matter. The guru himself should
choose us. Has not Swami remarked, ā
nanda bāluḍē ānanda bāluḍai/ tana vāri
gurtimpa tarali vacce, “To recognise his
former kith and kin,/ That son of Nanda set out as this Blissful Child”?
To use the expression of the earlier avatar, Shirdi Sai, the divine teacher
draws His devotees to Himself “like sparrows tied to a string.” This is
the hallmark of the guru. Consider a more detailed description of such a
guru:
dēhabhrānti lēni
mōha mintayu lēni
tyāganiratu
laina yōgavarulu
gurulu nād#u nēd#u
guru lat*t*i vāralē
satyamaina bāt*a
sāyi māt*a
“Now, as in
the past, the best teachers are unattached to the body, devoid of any trace
of delusion, and ever engaged in Self-sacrifice. This teaching of Sai is
verily the true way.” Notice how vividly the guru is defined in these lines:
ēdi erigina
sarvambu erukapaḍuno &nb
ēdi teliyaka
sarvambu teliyabaḍado &n
at*t*i paravidya
nērpeḍu nataḍe guruḍu &n
intakannanu
vēreddi erukaparatu
“He indeed is
the guru who imparts that supreme knowledge which, once learnt, all is
comprehended, and without which all is not known. What more need I add to
this?”
Such is
the inner significance of Dakshiṇāmūrti, the Sai principle. In the world of
today we may well entertain some doubts about the role and importance of the
guru. So, Swami reassures us with these words:
satyadharmaprabōdhalu caccenanucu taluvavaddu
ātmadharmabōdhakulu mahātmu lanut*a maruvavaddu
vāru vittina
vittanāle vijñāna v ṛkshamanut*a nijamu summu
satyāniki
sthiramu kaladu dharmāniki jayamu kaladu
“Do not for a
moment think that exhortations of Truth and Righteousness are dead and gone!
Do not forget that exponents of Truth and Righteousness are indeed great,
and that the many branches of knowledge sprang from the seed these had sown.
Remember that Truth is ever immutable, and Righteousness ever victorious.”
We
should count ourselves very fortunate, for our guru is indeed the Lord
himself, and our Lord is our Guru, our path is itself our destination, and
our spiritual discipline, eminently practical. What is the reason? As Guru,
Bhagavan gives us instruction. Further, as the Lord, He grants us through
His Grace, the four kinds of salvation, viz., being in the plane of God
consciousness, being close to Divinity, having the form of Divinity, and
Union-with-God. This is but the fruit of the merit accruing from virtuous
deeds in past lives.
edut*a nunna
svāmi neruganga lēkanu
dēvu d#und#u
nanucu tirugucundru
venna vid#aci
neyyi veduka lād#inat*lu '
unna māţa
telupucunna māţa
“Not
recognising the Lord before their very eyes, people assert, ‘There is a
God,’ and go in search of him, much like looking for ghee all over the
place, forgetting the butter in hand. This is a fact, a fact I tell you.”
Failing
to recognise our dire need for the guru and his excellence would be sheer
ignorance and stubbornness.
okka poddu māţa
kukka yēmerugunu
at*ukula ruci
eddu ket*ula teliyu
kharamu kēmi
telusu gandhambu vāsana
andhu d#ēmi
yerugu candru rūpu
“What does a
dog know about religious fasting, like having only one meal a day? How can
an ox know the taste of parched rice? What does a donkey know about the
fragrance of sandalwood? Can a blind man know the beauty of the moon?”
When
Bhagavan went on a tour of northern India, many people came and had His
darśan. In Badarinath, Kedarnath, Hrishikesh, and the Himalayan region,
many hermits and sages doing penance came out of the caves to enjoy the
fortune of his darśan. They could see in Swami their Lord and their
guru. All the eminent men of that time had sought and enjoyed the divine
darśan, and led their lives on spiritual lines under Swami’s guidance.
sāyi māţa
sakalasaubhāgyamula mūţa
sāyi d ṛsht*i
pārijāta v ṛsht*i
sāyi cēyi talli
prēma lōpali hāyi
unna māţa
telupucunna māţa
“Sai’s advice
is a bundle of all manner of auspicious good fortune; Sai’s glance rains
down flowers of the sacred pārijāta, the wish-fulfilling tree; Sai’s
hand comforts you with the very joy of a mothers love. This is a fact, a
fact I tell you.”
Just
one word from Sai is enough. It is a treasure trove of pearls.. One
compassionate glance from Him removes all our troubles. His touch, His
enquiry -– these attract the whole world. Then, what is it that we can give
him? What is it He looks for from us? He himself has answered this question
in a nutshell: universal brotherhood springing from the spirit of
selflessness, sacrifice, and service. At the same time Baba also points out
that whatever may be our offering to the Lord, it is indeed the Lord’s
property. All that we do is offering Him what is His own. Is there anything
we can call our own?
ē h ṛdayamu
nosangitivō īśa nāku
magi#di dāninē
arpintu mahitamūrti
paraga vērēmi
dettu nī arcanakunu
anjali ghat*intu
andukōvayya nīvu
“O Adorable
Lord! The heart which you gave me, the selfsame one I again offer you. What
else can I bring for your worship? With folded hands I offer my salutations!
Kindly accept them.”
We
yearn for Bhagavan, and Bhagavan seeks devotees. His only vow is the
protection of devotees. That is why He observed:
cātakamu kōru
nēvē l 'a candrakānti
tummeda kōru
pūvula tanivi grōla
rōgi kānkshincu
mandulu rucikarambu
partivāsud#u
vānchincu bhaktajanula
“The
cātaka bird always yearns for moonlight; the bee longs to drink the
nectar of flowers; the patient looks for sweet medicines; the Lord of Parthi
yearns for devotees.”
Choosing
His devotees and moulding them, offering them His nectarine Love,
instructing them in Human Values, shaping them into ideal human beings and
making them experience the principle of Divinity and recognise Oneness ---
this indeed is what the ambrosia of Lord Sri Sathya Sai’s divine teaching
does.
kanula kagupad#u
d ṛ śyambu gānci mīru
satya midiyani
yencaka sambaramunaā
teranu dāgina
satyambu telisikonaga
viśramimpaka
nātōḍa veḍ ali ranḍu
“Instead of
joyously accepting as true whatever lies before your eyes, come, do not
tarry! Join Me and find out the Reality hidden behind the curtain of
Appearance.”
Many of
us view the changing and transient world around as permanent and real, and
spend our lives in the pursuit of selfish and narrow ends. Our Swami is
indeed the Compassionate Dakshiṇāmūrti, who gives us the hidden key to the
truth of life. Warning us not to “tarry,” fritter away time, and asking
us to undertake the journey with him, Baba would have us experience the
Supreme Divinity guiding the phenomenal world.
Prasanthinilayam
is the sacred abode of Viśvēśvara. It is a spiritual hub, a service
centre for universal wellbeing, and a forum of interfaith unity, the
fountainhead of Love, the image of Truth, the pathway to Righteousness, and
the haven filling the heart with Peace. All this is here in Prasanthinilayam.
In the Museum you may have seen Prasanthinilayam, shining like a star in the
photograph taken from outer space. Zooming in, the scientist-photographers
identified the Indian subcontinent, South India, and narrowed it to reveal
the neighbourhood of Bangalore.
pud#amiki
sarimadhya put*t*aparti yananagunu
ātmavidyalu nande avatarince
viśvamānavakōt*i
vijñāna mandanga
viśvavidyālayam bacata velase
śāntisaukhyamulu
sarvadēśamulandu
vedajallu niggulu velase nicat*a
niyati tappani
mahānisht*hulu bhaktulu
vēlu lakshalu kōt*'lu velasi ricat*a
satyadharamaśāntiprēmalu jagatiki
cāt*i ceppa būni
sāyi vibhuḍu
satyasāyi cū
ḍa sampūrṇaprēmayē
yagucu put*t*e
nicat*a mōda malara
“Puttaparthi
may be justly called the exact centre of the earth, for all spiritual lore
manifested itself there. To point the path of wisdom to all mankind, there
emerged a University too. Radiating peace and happiness to all nations,
there appeared many luminaries, millions of disciplined and dedicated
devotees as well. To our great good fortune, Lord Sai is born here as
Sathya Sai, the embodiment of absolute Love in order to proclaim Truth,
Righteousness, Peace, and Love to the whole world.”
Situated
on the bank of river Chitravati, Puttaparthi, well known for its abundant
trees, is also notable for reminding us of the glories of the Vijayanagara
kingdom.
pravahincu nē
puri paridhigā pāyalai
citrāvatī nadi citragatula
kāvu nī pat*t*aṇa
kalyāṇakaramugā
cut*t*unu
mēlaina cūta taruvu
kānpincu nē puri
kad#ali vamśamunandu
pārvatīśvaru ḍepḍu bāyakunḍa
koluvunḍu nē
puri vilasitambagu vandya
mahimānvituḍaina sāyi vibhuḍu
celuvu mīraga
kat*t*ina ceruvu tōd#a
bukkarāyala
cirakīrtibhuvana menca
vasudha cāt*u nē
puramu put*t*apuramu
“The place
with the Chitravati river winding curiously at its boundary, the place
auspiciously surrounded by mango groves, the place where the Pārvatīśvara
born in the lineage of the ocean, the glorious Lord Sai, ever holds
court, the place where the everlasting fame of Bukkarayalu is
proclaimed by a wondrous lake and town he had built, is indeed
Puttaparthi, spreading its majesty over the entire globe.”
Here
how very charming is the evocation of Swami’s lineage, that of ratnākara
( ‘home of gems’, the ocean, kad#ali ), the idyllic beauty of the
environs, the illustrious monument of Bukkarayalu, and the Lord Himself
holding court amidst spiritual seekers from all over the world! Visiting a
sacred place like Puttaparthi is no ordinary matter.
palu matamula
vāriccat*a
nalumūlala nunḍi vacci
nayabhayamulatō
kalimini lēmiyu
talapaka
palu bādhala
kōrci yundru bābākorakai
“Men of all
religions gather here from every corner of the earth. Putting up with all
manner of hardships and unmindful of inconvenience, they wait humbly and
deferentially for Baba’s darśan.”
What
greater wonder can there be than the arrival of hordes of people from
distant nations ready to lead simple, unostentatious lives? Prasanthinilayam
is the convergence point for people of all faiths. Expense and inconvenience
are no obstacles for the pilgrims. The balm of Swami’s divine darśan
provides relief from all troubles.. Reaching Prasanthinilayam at the end of
their round of pilgrim centres, everyone declares, “The happiness and peace
we obtain here is to be found nowhere else.” Rank and status, property and
possessions, learning and lineage do not matter. They are absolutely
irrelevant. There is no fee, no physical labour. Surrender your heart a
little and derive immense happiness in the presence of Bhagavan Baba!
dhanamu dhāraga
pōya darikāni
ānandamunu mīra landugonud#i
tīrthayātrala
nennno tiriginan kanarāni
ānandamunu mīru landugonud#i
vidya lanniyu
vallevēsinan kanarāni
ānandamunu mīru landugonud#i
prāṇamul
bigapat*t*a palumārlu kanarāni
ānandamunu mīru landugonud#i
kāsu kharcu lēdu
kāyakasht*amu lēdu
lēdu caduvu
sādhanādi bādha
manasokinta
yicci mari sāyi kaḍanunḍi
andarāni phalamu
pondarayya
“O Man! Enjoy
here the happiness no amount of money can give! Enjoy here the happiness any
number of pilgrimages cannot yield! Enjoy here the happiness all the arts
and sciences cannot bring! Enjoy here the happiness beyond the reach of
prāṇāyāma techniques! Here is no expense or trouble, no study or
instruction. Just open your heart to Sai, and in turn receive happiness
beyond your dreams.”
May we
be blessed with the divine darśan of this Srinivasa walking in our
midst! May we implement in our lives the teaching of this Dakshiṇāmūrti!