Study Circle 10/28/18:
Sathya Sai Speaks Vol 7 Chapter 2
Maintain inner equanimity with all your strength
It is Maayaa (illusion) that makes man take the Naama and Ruupa (the name and the form) as real. Attachment is born out of this Maayaa only. It acts like a veil to hide the reality behind all this multiplicity. Maayaa is the vesture of Maadhava (God); he who believes it to be true is Maanava (Man). By saadhana, a man can escape from the enticement of Maaya and realise that it is all false, for it does not subsist for all time. Potharaaju knew that all is God: he writes that the Bhaagavatha was composed by the God in him. He is the One in all; Maam ekam—Me, the only One—as the Geetha says; he surrendered fully to God. Shrinaatha his brother-m-law, himself a great poet, pleaded with Potharaaju to dedicate his Bhaagavatha to the King, who was certain to reward him with heaps of precious gems. But Potharaaju brushed him aside; how can anyone have a ride in two boats at the same time, he asked Shrinaatha. His mind refused to wander away from the feet of Raama, where it had tasted nectar. Gopanna too had no other thought than the beautification of the residence of Raama, and the service of Raama, at Bhadhraachalam. Thyaaga (renunciation) alone can grant the immortality of merging in God. You must be unaffected, ever in calm joy, in the inner depths; it does not matter if the waves play on the top, heaving and falling, for that is but the action of wind upon water! Do not lose the inner equanimity; maintain it with all your strength.
Questions:
1. Swami says that we should not lose our inner equanimity (not being affected ever in calm or joy), but that we should maintain it with all our strength. Reflect a little.
What do you think are some reasons that contribute to us being always affected by calm or joy?
What are some best practices that can help us with this?
Feel the Presence of God, revel in His Glory
When Krishna leapt down from his chariot with Chakraayudha (the wheel-weapon) in His hand to slay Bheeshma, Arjuna jumped down with Him and holding both His Feet, he prayed, “Oh Lord, you have given word that you will not wield any weapon. Let it not be said that you broke your word to save me from Bheeshma; I am prepared to die.” That was the measure of his bhakthi. Bheeshma too had equal bhakthi. He did not step forward to fight the new challenge, nor did he question the Lord. He stood silent, drinking in the charm of the Lord and filling himself with the vision of the magnificence of God. That was the measure of his dedication to His Will. Become attached to God. Feel His Presence, revel in His Glory. Do not cause Him ‘disappointment’ or ‘distress’ by any act or word which He does not approve. Do not give Him the slightest ‘bother’ or ‘worry.’ He has none, but if you love Him deeply, you will be concerned about Him, just as if He is your Lord and Love. Jataayu had an unremitting stream of Raamathoughts and he was rewarded by Raama; He came to him in his last moments and Himself performed his last rites, a duty He did not carry out directly even for His father! When Krishna returned from the court of Duryodhana, after His Mission for Peace on behalf of the Paandava brothers, Sahadeva told Him: “Pardon us, Oh Lord. I knew the rogues would not pay heed; I would fain have stopped you from proceeding to their den, but you were so kind.” God will serve you; He will save you and be by your side ever—only you have to cultivate your character and polish your interior so that He might be reflected therein.
Questions:
2. Swami says that we should not cause God ‘disappointment’ or ‘distress’ by any act or word which He does not approve. Do not give Him the slightest ‘bother’ or ‘worry.’
Reflect a little. What does this statement mean to you and how do we bother and worry Swami? Examples are welcome.
Sweetness alone is the offering that God likes
Let His Will be done—this should be your guide-line. The Emperor of the Cholas sought to visit the Shrirangam Gopuram Temple, of which he had heard much. He got his chariot ready and moved forward many times in six months; but every time a recluse in ochre robes with a rosary round his neck and a halo around his head intercepted the vehicle. When the emperor alighted to honour him, he kept him engaged in conversation which was so enchanting that he forgot his journey and its goal. One day, when he lamented over his failure to fill his eyes with the glory of Shrirangam, the Lord appeared before him and said. “Why do you lament? I am the Master who came to you so often as soon as you set out for Shrirangam; recognise Me in all, that is the genuine pilgrimage to Shrirangam.” Consider all whom you meet as the Lord of Shrirangam, your Master. Show untarnished Prema towards all who come to you.
Questions:
3. What are some challenges that affect our doing seva in our neighborhoods? What are some best practices that can help with these challenges?
Affirmation:
I am no worry to Swami
Life Application Skill:
Please come up with one based on today’s reading.