From a Kaartik Nahaan service with Pt. Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, Om Shakti Mandali
Bhagavan Vishnu’s shankh or the conch shell is representative of budh or the intellect. His chakra or the discus is the ego. The gadaa or mace represents the mind and the padma or lotus represents chitta or consciousness. Vishnu Bhagavan’s emblems represent the control of the mind so that we may reach higher realms of consciousness. First, we must lift our consciousness to higher divine thoughts. Remember, the lotus grows above the muddy waters. Next, we must surrender the ego. Finally, we must be guided by the intellect, which will guide us in differentiating between superstition or misinformation, the unreal, and the real or permanent.
The sages say, what is visible, is perishable. The body is both visible and perishable. It is like the clouds; for a short while, they create shade and then they move on. Similarly, the power of wealth and health is temporary. Then what is permanent in this life? The Divine Master, Vishnu Bhagavan. We must cultivate vairaagya, spiritual dispassion and mental detachment. The true reality must be based upon satya, truth, represented by 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 so that we may advance to higher levels of consciousness.
Seek Spiritual Wealth
From a Kaartik Nahaan service with Paramacharya of SWAHA, Pt. Hardeo Persad
In Hinduism, Shree Satyanarayan represents the power of spiritual perfection. Where Vishnu Bhagavan, Satyanarayan, is; Lakshmi Maataa also exists. That is, when spiritual wealth exists, there is also material wealth. Let us seek spirituality and, automatically, everything else will manifest. Lakshmi Maa represents these 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 Maa. These shat sampat are: tranquillity of mind, serenity, control of senses, endurance, faith and renunciation of selfish actions and desires. If we possess these six qualities, we are truly wealthy. Whatever incarnations we take in future lives, that spiritual wealth will go with us. The 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? Through 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 an attitude of vivek and vairaagya, while propelled by the eagle’s tail of bhakti, then Vishnu Bhagavan and Lakshmi Maa will be present. In other words, we should do our duty but leave the results in the hands of the Lord; this is the quality of dispassion. The Gita says we are entitled to action but not to the fruits thereof. We must analyse whether we act with vivek and vairaagya or raag and dvesha, attachment and aversion. Let us always 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 all 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 be successful, by tapping into who we are in reality, Aham Brahamasmi, the Divine.
