Posted on: 14 Jul 2007
A poor fellow was a disciple of Shri Akkalkot Maharaj. Shri Maharaj took that fellow to a forest and showed an abode[1] of snakes. Shri Maharaj asked him to take two snakes and put them in to his bag. The disciple took two snakes with a lot of fear, put them in his bag and took them to his house. When he opened the bag, both the snakes were found to be two rods of gold. What is the message of this story? Shri Maharaj was the human incarnation of Lord Datta and was called as Samartha Sadguru, which means that He was the capable human form of the Lord appearing as the preacher. Hence, the message must be very capable. The message of Lord Datta in this story is that an excess of money indicated by the abode of snakes is very harmful like poisonous snakes. Nobody can escape the poisonous bite of a cluster of snakes. The poison is the ego that is injected in to the human brain due to excess money, which destroys one’s life. Here life means the spiritual life. In the Sanatsujatiyam of Mahabharata, it is told that death does not mean leaving the human body but it means forgetting God. Leaving the old human body is like changing an old shirt, which should really be an occasion of happiness. But death means an occasion of a lot of unhappiness, which is only when God is forgotten. Therefore, the message of Maharaj is that the excess wealth is the real death of any soul. Only Lord Narayana lying on a big serpent and Lord Shiva wearing serpents as jewels are exceptional cases that are not affected by these poisonous serpents (excess wealth). This means that excess wealth is not poison, if it is linked to the spiritual line. The Lord advised the devotee to take only two serpents indicating limited wealth meant for materialistic life. Generally there is a possibility of escaping from the bite from just two snakes[2].
Another human incarnation of Lord Datta was Manikya Prabhu, who as a boy excreted in the Vedic fire altar and His excretion was found to be a lump of gold. The Vedic fire altar is called Yajna, which represents the path to heaven. Heaven means luxurious life, which involves excess wealth indicated by the lump of gold. But the lump of gold was treated to be the excretion, which is considered to waste material. This means that luxurious life is only a waste. Heaven, which is the fruit of doing social service, is temporary (Ksheene punye…—Gita) and is not like the permanent bliss of the Lord. The present politicians, who do social service without the name of the Lord, just to become wealthy and lead a luxurious heavenly life, should take the message from Lord Datta.
Saturn is considered to be the giver of spiritual knowledge (Jnana Karaka) and is said to be the husband of the deity of poverty (Jyestha Devi). This means that the best ground for spiritual knowledge is poverty and not wealth. Excess wealth will lead to ego and attraction to luxury. This is not congenial to spiritual knowledge. But a minimum amount of wealth is essential for the basic needs of a spiritual preacher. A spiritual preacher must have his own minimum arrangement for fulfilling the basic needs of himself and his family without depending on society. If a spiritual preacher shows that he depends on society for his basic maintenance, his preaching is misunderstood by the public. They think that the preacher is interested in the fulfillment of his basic needs through the preaching. This misunderstanding is natural for the human psychology.
Saturn[3] is also famous for creating severe problems. The problems always direct the soul to God. Saturn being the eldest son of Sun[4], received the spiritual knowledge from his father, who was taught by God in the beginning of this creation (Imam Vivasvate Yogam…—Gita). Sun is said to be the promoter of intelligence and logic, which is the essential basis for knowledge (Dhiyo yonah…—Veda). The brightness of the sun destroying the darkness, represents the removal of ignorance by knowledge. Saturn being the eldest son, got the spiritual knowledge from his father and then passed it on to his younger brother, Yama, who in turn passed on the same to Nachiketa. Nachiketa was the first human form to bring the spiritual knowledge that was transmitted by God through Sun and Saturn to Yama. God is unimaginable and Sun, Saturn and Yama are the three energetic forms. Nachiketa was the first human form, who brought the spiritual knowledge from the upper world to the earth. It is mentioned in the Veda that the fire of Nachiketa (Nachiketa agni) is very sacred and here the fire means knowledge.
Yohan says that Jesus will sprinkle fire, which means that Jesus emit the sacred spiritual knowledge. Yama is the deity of death and here death does not mean leaving the body. Death means the ignorance by which, God is forgotten and this is the definition of death given by Sage Sanatsujata to King Dhritarashtra. Therefore, Yama does not cause death; instead, he removes death. Poverty, difficulties and death indicate the necessary atmosphere for the establishment of spiritual knowledge.
Importance of Human Form – Sage Nara’s Example
Brahma Randhra is the soft spot that is felt on the head of a newborn baby and this is the hole through which the liberated soul escapes to reach God. Swami Vivekananda reached God through this path as witnessed by the disciples. In this portion there are three nerves. The left nerve is called as ‘Ida’ or ‘Chandra Nadi’ (‘nerve of the moon’). On the right side, the nerve is called as ‘Pingala’ or ‘Surya Nadi’ (‘nerve of the sun’). In the center lies ‘Brahma Nadi’, (‘nerve of God’). This is a representative model of a spiritual concept. The central nerve ends in ‘Brahma Randhra’ through which a liberated soul leaves the body. When this hole undergoes internal rupture, blood flows through the nose and this was witnessed just after the death of Swami Vivekananda. Shri Paramahamsa said that Sage Nara was born as Vivekananda and his name was also Narendra. Earlier, the same Sage Nara was born as Arjuna and Arjuna was reborn as the hunter (Kannappa). The first birth of Sage Nara represents the nerve of the moon or the plane of mind, which always doubts a concept (Sankalpa and Vikalpa). Mind is born from the moon as per the Veda. This state represents Arjuna, who doubted Krishna as God. He was oscillating between Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. His next birth represents the nerve of the sun. Sun is related to intelligence or determination. Sun is also the source of energy. Therefore, the hunter was fixed in the energetic form called as Lord Shiva. At the end, the hunter plucked out his own two eyes and entered into the third eye, which represents the knowledge of Absolute God (Nirguna Brahman), who is without any medium. The Absolute God is unimaginable even to logic and intelligence. The hunter went to the world of Lord Shiva and became a follower of Absolute God. He was born as Vivekananda in the third birth. The third eye or the central third nerve (Brahma Nadi) represents Absolute God without medium. Hence he was born as a follower of Absolute God. He was considering Paramahamsa as only his Master and not as God in human form. This treatment can be seen in the birth of Arjuna also who addressed Krishna as his Master and not as God (Sishyasteham…—Gita).
Shri Paramahamsa was a strong believer of Mother Kali, who represents creation. Without the creation, no medium is available because any medium is only a part of creation. Paramahamsa was thus giving stress on the medium through the worship of Kali. Finally Swami Vivekananda realized that Paramahamsa was God in human form and thus was liberated.
Caste, State, and Sex are Unimportant
When God comes down in human form, the caste[5] and state[6] (ashrama) of that form are not at all the indications of God because both these belong only to the medium. Shankara and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa were Brahmins. Shankara became a monk where as Ramakrishna remained as a householder. Rama was born in the caste of Kshatriyas and remained as a householder. Krishna was born in the caste of Yadavas, which is considered a backward caste. He married several girls and violated even the state of a householder. Shankara recognized God in an untouchable person (Chandala) and fell at His feet. Often, people view the spiritual preacher (Sadguru) as an untouchable person fearing His spiritual knowledge, which may weaken their materialistic life! All this shows that the caste and the state (ashrama) have no significance in the case of God. The Gopikas belonged to a backward caste and were also women. Swami Vivekananda was born as a Shudra but became a monk and reached God.
Ramanuja and Madhva were souls (Adishesha and Vaayu). They were born as Brahmins but became monks. Janaka was born as a Kshatriya and remained as a householder. All this shows that caste, sex and state have no relevance to either God in human form or to the soul in the human form trying to reach God (sadhaka). But in the case of the soul (sadhaka) the internal state (ashrama) is very important and the internal state in the human incarnation is always unimaginable God. Shankara mentioned the same point in the beginning of His commentary on the Brahma Sutras. He said that the four qualities (patience etc., detachment from desire, discriminating the truth from false and intense desire for salvation) are the only criteria in the spiritual field and not the caste, sex etc., Ramanuja said that for the spiritual field, the soul should be a Brahmana. Here the word Brahmana means the quality of interest in spiritual knowledge. Without knowledge, devotion cannot be born. Without devotion (practical service) there is no salvation. Therefore, the fundamental step to reach God is spiritual knowledge. The Gita says that the words like Brahmana etc., have to be decided only on the basis of the person’s qualities and actions (Guna Karma Vibhagashah). Brahmana stands for knowledge or the person (Sadguru or spiritual preacher), who leads us to God (Brahma Nayati iti Brahmanah). A person who is a Brahmana by birth only means that he or she is only related to the ancestral Brahmanas or sages and he or she may or may not be a Brahmana by qualities and actions (Brahma bandhuriva…—Veda). The Veda calls such a Brahmana by birth as a Brahmabandhu[7] and not a Brahmana. Swami Dayananda tried his level best to bring reformation in Hinduism through the above concept but conservative people killed him. Reformation is always opposed because the privileges and benefits for certain people in the society will be damaged. Shankara and Jesus were also killed on similar grounds.
Why Does God Limit Our Wealth and Happiness?
The treasure of God is infinite and will not exhaust by giving you some money. Similarly, if He cancels your sins, there is nobody to question Him. Then, why is He delaying in giving money to you and in removing your problems by canceling all your sins? The reason is that His single aim is to transform you into a divine soul. If He gives you money, what will be the change in your behavior? If He removes all your problems, what will be the change in the practical style of your life? If God is sure that there will be no change in your behavior, He will certainly make you wealthy and will remove all your problems. A doctor is careful in giving sweets to a diabetic patient. If the sugar-level of the patient rises, the problem of treating the patient is also the headache of the doctor alone. If you become wealthy and get rid of all problems, you may become an uncontrolled demon and disturb society. You may remain immersed in endless luxuries and fall down spiritually. In that case, to save society and to save your self, God has to act. Therefore, God is careful in granting boons. Except for this complication, God is not worried in any way because His power and wealth are infinite. If you can become a realized and liberated soul through the spiritual knowledge, then, there will be no change even if you become wealthy and happy. The spiritual knowledge is like the diabetes tablet[8] given to the patient in advance. In the absence of this medicine in advance, the doctor will not give you more sweets since he is aware of the sugar (ego) level in your blood. Hence, you should not misunderstand the silence of God to your prayers in your problems. Shri Akkalkot Maharaj asked the poor fellow to take only two serpents (gold rods), which are like the limited amount of sweets allowed by the doctor for a diabetic patient. The poison of the serpents, which will be induced into the person, is the ego and spiritual knowledge is the medicine. The poor fellow did not have spiritual knowledge and therefore the Lord gave him limited sweets.
Who is the Best Preacher?
One should be very careful in taking spiritual knowledge (Jnanam) from the preacher and should be equally careful in giving money to a poor fellow. You should analyze the preacher and also the poor fellow. If the preacher is not correct, the wrong spiritual knowledge will destroy the soul forever. If the poor fellow has bad qualities, your donation will bring you sin. Therefore, getting Jnanam (spiritual knowledge) and giving Danam (donating money) are to be done carefully; only after deep analysis. Otherwise, instead of getting good results, bad results are inevitable.
God in human form is to be recognized through the spiritual knowledge preached by Him and not through His miracles. The main project of God to come to the earth is only to guide souls to the correct spiritual path, which leads the souls to their permanent welfare. Therefore, the Veda says that the real identity mark of God is the special spiritual knowledge (Prajnanam Brahma). Who will decide that the knowledge preached by a preacher is the best? Your own inner conscience is the real judge to give the certificate for the knowledge of the preacher (Pramanam antahkarana pravruttayah).
Whatever is the best for your level, should be best for you. The ultimate or the absolute best is not relevant to you. Therefore, the certificate given by others is not relevant to you since the levels of others differ from your level. The preacher gives the spiritual knowledge to souls in different levels according to their corresponding levels. If you are in the highest level and if your conscience is satisfied, such spiritual knowledge is the ultimate and the preacher of that knowledge is the human incarnation of God. The highest preacher can give lower levels of knowledge also but the lower preacher cannot give the higher levels of knowledge. But if your level is low, the highest preacher is of no use to you and you can treat the preacher of your level as the highest. Even if you catch the highest preacher, He will anyway give you knowledge corresponding to your level. The advantage with the highest preacher is that you need not change the preacher as you rise in your level. The highest preacher is only God in human form. You must filter Him not only from ordinary human beings but also from the other false human incarnations. The most important point is that you must identify your contemporary human incarnation, who alone can clarify all your doubts. Otherwise, you can only follow the text of the past human incarnation[9] and only your other classmates will clarify your doubts. Then, you will certainly be confused further.
Aum Tat Sat
The absolute knowledge of Absolute God is impossible because Absolute God is unimaginable. Absolute God comes in human form to give you the experience of His existence, in absence of which, you may deny the very existence of Absolute God and may become an atheist (Astityeva…—Veda). The identification of the human form in which Absolute God exists is by the knowledge of God (Brahma Jnanam or Brahma Vidya). The experience of the existence of Absolute God does not reveal any trace of the nature of Absolute God and hence God is always unimaginable. The only information about Absolute God is that God exists. “Aum Tat Sat” means that God exists and no more information about God is available. The word ‘Tat’ means that God is beyond your imagination. The word ‘Aum’ denotes that God is the Creator, Ruler and Destroyer of this world. These three adjectives indicate only the works (creation, ruling and destruction) of God and not the nature of the God. This is called as the information about the existence alone (Sanmatra vada). God comes in human form, which is characterized by awareness or chit. The awareness is fully developed up to intelligence in humans and therefore the human form alone is indicated; not birds and animals. Such a human form (chit) is not the information about God but it is the information about the medium selected by God to enter the world. Thus, the medium is only awareness (Chinmatra vada) and not inert materials. The aim of Shankara is about God’s selection of the medium to enter the world. The Advaita followers, who concluded that awareness itself is Absolute God, misunderstand this. God enters the world through a human form for entertainment, since the very basic aim of this creation is only His entertainment according to the Veda. Such entertainment gives Him continuous happiness (Ananda). Thus, the word Sat-Chit-Ananda denotes Absolute God entering the world for continuous entertainment through the human form.
[1] A termite mound, in which snakes often take shelter.
[2] One is less likely to get bitten by just two snakes as opposed to a whole bunch of snakes. This is indicative of the need for moderation in the possession of wealth.
[3] Shani or the presiding deity of the planet Saturn.
[4] Sun-god or Surya Deva; presiding deity of the sun.
[5] Four castes or varnas namely, priest (Brahmana), warrior (Kshatriya), businessman (Vaishya) and laborer (Shudra).
[6] Four states in life namely celibate student (Brahmachari), householder (Grihastha), meditative recluse (Vanaprastha) and renunciant monk (sanyasi).
[7] Relative of Brahmanas
[8] Insulin
[9] Scriptures or spiritual texts which were revealed by past human incarnations