From a satsang with the Paramacharya of SWAHA, Pt. Hardeo Persad
Shree Krishna says, “I am Vaasudev” (Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, chapter 10, verse 37). Vaasudev is the sum total of all forms in creation, represented as the cosmic form with infinite bodies, without beginning or end. However, for the sake of His devotees, and for the benefit of humanity, He manifests Himself on earth when necessary.
Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata |
Abhyuthanam adharmasya tadat manam srijam yaham ||
Paritranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritam |
Dharmasangsthapanarthay sambhabami yuge yuge ||
Arjuna, whenever righteousness is on the decline, and unrighteousness is in the descendant, then do I body Myself forth. For the protection of the virtuous, for the extirpation of evildoers, and for re-establishing Dharma (righteousness), I manifest Myself from age to age. (Chapter 4, verse 7 and 8).
Shree Krishna states that nothing in this world can function without Him. In other words, everything exists and acts within Him. This is why we declare that God is the answer and solution to all of life’s questions. Other types of solutions do not work and could lead to depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, and so forth. Bhagavan is the ultimate solution as nothing happens without Him. This is why He says that one who understands who I am, with the right attitude of sraddha (faith) and bhakti (devotion, or the state of pure love of God that is attained upon the culmination of devotional acts), “the wise ones at all times worship me” (Chapter 10, verse 8). We must offer all our activities, religious and mundane, to Bhagavan so that He is in our minds constantly. As the saying goes, “As a man thinks, so He becomes.” The wise ones reflect upon His glories, chant them and identify with them. Bhagavan then blesses them with the right knowledge (gyaan).
In life, there are many pitfalls, but the Ramaayan teaches that by listening to and reading these scriptures, we will be saved from disaster. Such devotees attain contentment and experience extreme delight. We cannot find true joy and contentment through craving for the things of this world. Ignorance (agyaan) exists in each of us and thus we will try to find joy, success and fulfilment to no avail. Instead, we must recite the name of the Lord and keep it in our hearts. What exists within is then reflected externally.
Ramaayan also teaches that spirit and matter are bound together by an imaginary ligature or knot. If we try to untie that imaginary knot of ignorance without the aid of the inner light, the process is difficult. We must remember, as Shree Krishna says, “One should lift oneself by one’s own efforts and should not degrade oneself.” (Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, verse 5) Thus, in life, we must turn our attention to the mountain of spiritual advancement rather than the ephemeral things of the world. Then, when Bhagavan showers His Grace upon us, gyaan deepak (the lamp of wisdom) is lit within us and it shines outwardly to benefit the world.
