Pt. Prof. Prakash Persad
Kartik Snaan or Kaartik Nahaan means a bath. We start with the external bath. We clean the body then we go inwardly to the mental body and remove the negative qualities of hate, anger, jealousy, envy, greed, etc. that will lead us to spiritual development.
There is a powerful bhajan by Pankaj Mullik that tells us that our body is from God: Tere mandir kaahuun deepak jal rahaa, Aag jeevan mein main bhar kar jal rahaa. Our body is a mandir given to us and He resides within us. We must keep the atma (soul) alight, which is that light or fire of divinity within us. At Kaartik we take a cleansing bath. If we bathe everyday then we should also engage in devotion to improve ourselves mentally and spiritually.
The song continues: God, what is there in my heart that you do not know? The difficulties and pains I have in my heart, O Lord, you know. You are fully aware. There is nothing more to recognise, O Divine Father. I am You; You are me. You know me; I am part of You. You gave me life, O Divine Father.
The bhajans says that bataasa (a sweet used in prasad) is very hard, but if you leave it out in the air or place it in water, it melts. Similarly, we melt and we go back to our original state. He says we go back to God. In fact we are spiritual by nature. Let us understand that divinity within us every day. Let us cultivate those mental qualities, so that we will reach that deepak or light within us. We must ask ourselves what does it involve to acquire this goal of spirituality? Should we sit in a corner? Should we close our eyes and go in the forest? What is the purpose of developing spirituality? It is to be like God. When we develop spiritually, our mental qualities must change; we must have goodness, love and caring for others. When we are spiritual, we can stand up for justice, fair play, equity, equality and transparency…that is the purpose of developing spirituality. It is a selfish goal if I am developing spirituality for myself only. I must develop spirituality for the community, for other human beings, because Bhagavan sets that example. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest exponents of the Bhagavad Gita in the last century, stood up to bring about justice in the world. Devotees, have this cleansing bath today and when we return to ordinary life, stand up for what is correct. Don’t be afraid.
Seek Spiritual Wealth
Paramacharya of Swaha, Pt. Hardeo Persad
In Hinduism, Shree Satyanarayan represents the power of spiritual perfection. Where Vishnu Bhagavan Satyanarayan is, Lakshmi Maataa is also there. That is, where spiritual wealth exists, there is material wealth. Rather than searching for material wealth, let us seek spirituality and, automatically, everything else will follow. Lakshmi Maa represents two types of wealth, the material and spiritual. Material wealth leaves at death; we cannot carry it with us. The six coins placed around the deeya during puja represent the six forms of spiritual wealth of Lakshmi. These six forms of spiritual wealth or shat sampat are tranquillity of mind, serenity, control of senses, endurance, faith and renunciation of selfish actions and desires. If you possess these six qualities, you are truly wealthy. Whatever incarnation you take, that spiritual wealth will go with you. This spiritual wealth of Lakshmi can be attained through the worship of Bhagavan Vishnu, Satyanarayan.
How do I obtain Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi Maa in my life? Karma. Symbolically, Lord Vishnu sits on the eagle, which symbolises karma. The eagle has two wings, which represent vivek and vairaagya, that is, vivek is the discriminative power, the power of discernment and wisdom while vairaagya is dispassion or tyaaga. If I can perform my karmas with this attitude of vivek and vairaagya, and propelled by the eagle’s tail of bhakti, then Vishnu Bhagavan and Lakshmi Maa will be present. In other words, I should do my duty but I leave the results in the hands of the Lord; this is dispassion. The Gita says we are entitled to action but not to the fruits thereof. We have to analyse whether we act with vivek and vairaagya or with a different type of karma: raag and dvesha. Simply put, I like something; I do it. I don’t like something; I am averse to it; I don’t do it. Let us analyse ourselves, our intent and our objectives. We should do our duty with the right attitude and everything will come to us. Spirituality is the solution to life’s problems.
On the auspicious occasion of Kaartik Nahaan, let us reflect on the inner meaning of these religious actions. This is the only way we can have success, by tapping into who we are in reality, Aham Brahamasmi, the Divine.
Be Guided by the Intellect
UpaParamacharya of Swaha, Pt. Balram Persad
Bhagavan Vishnu’s shankh or the conch shell is representative of budh or the intellect. The chakra or the discus is one’s ego. The gadaa or mace is one’s mind and padma or the lotus represents chitta or consciousness. Vishnu Bhagavan is saying that we should control the mind. First, we must lift our consciousness to higher divine thoughts. Remember, the lotus is in mud but is not of the mud. Then, surrender the ego. Remove that sense of egoism and self importance and finally, be guided by the intellect. Vishnu Bhagavan is saying that the intellect should guide us instead of superstition, misinformation or fake news. For example, palmistry, astronomy and astrology are integral parts of Sanaatan Dharma but a word of caution – if you have been reading the newspapers’ classified section, there are many who promise to solve various problems including black magic, voodoo, obeah, enemies, etc. for a large fee.
The sages say, what is visible, is perishable. The body is visible and perishable. It is like the clouds; for a short while, they create shade. It is like the power of wealth and health; it is temporary. What is permanent? That is the Divine Master, Vishnu Bhagavan. Hold on to the Lord. Have vairaagya, spiritual dispassion and mental detachment. The permanent must be based upon satya, truth, and Vishnu Bhagavan. I pray that Vishnu Bhagavan will give us the courage, the patience, the strength, the understanding, the tolerance and the willpower to do what is right for ourselves to become his devotees, or as Lord Krishna says in the Gita: my devotees may stumble, they may fall, but they will not fail. As Shankaracharya said, when God protects you, who could hurt or harm you? They will try but they will fail and fail miserably, so continue to worship Vishnu Bhagavan.
