Many people are confused about Hinduism. There are too many Gods, So
many Gurus. It is natural for them to get confused. If you go deeply
and understand it brings gives much happiness and gives clear understanding.
You simply criticize looking in to the outer circumstances. Hinduism
is in existence since creation. There is no set date for the religion.
The word came out from the word "Sindu" a river in Indian
subcontinent. If you go to Maha Bharata, there are so many subjects.
On politics, economics, administration, Yoga, Sanyasa Yoga. Yoga, Bhoga,
Thyaga, Raga, Viraga, all these subjects are covered in it. This knowledge
is hidden behind the story of the cousins, Kauravas and Pandavas. Study
the Maha Bharata in Vedanta way. It is a message for the world. It applies
to all religions. You must give training to your children to study such
books. You sit on a sofa watching television and worrying that your
children are not religious or spiritual. What an irony! Hinduism means
Journey in to the self. Pure realization. Pure realization where Gods,
Goddesses and Idol worship do not exist. But we do these to purify our
mind and body. This is the first step. The second step is begging the
Guru for knowledge. Hindus have so many gods because, it shows that
the eternal power can transform in to so many forms to deal and solve
different problems.
Your body
has two legs, two ears, two nostrils, two eyes and two hands. It is
so that the feeling of this world can be more wholesome. So, Hindus
have so many Gods to cater to those many sects, and tastes. When the
single Atman is all-alone, it can still appear in myriad forms.
We get
varieties of diseases. The doctor gives different medicines to different
problems. Like that devotees also come with different Bhavas, vibrations
and likes and dislikes. So, Swamiji does so many things to cater to
the wide spectrum of devotees. Some come here to get the pure essence
of Vedanta knowledge, Some want Yoga teachings. Some want Bhajans, Some
want Pujas, Some want mantras. So, come expecting the unexpected. Then
you can be more accommodating and can get blessed.
In India
there is a saying - To know about girl or a boy for your child's marriage,
inquire about that boy/girl in the neighbor's house. They will have
all details. When the girl studied where and when. How she fared in
society etc. Many maintain dairy of others and not their own. They are
too busy watching horror movies and criticizing about Gurus. They criticize
that that Guru materializes Vibhooti. What should the Guru materialize?
Coffee powder? If you get a glimpse of some Shastras or Puranas, you
claim to know everything. Knowledge is a large ocean. It can never end.
One life is not enough. First step that is required is killing of ego
and humbling yourself. Guru takes devotees' ego and confusion. A Guru
who looks for the money of devotees is a charlatan and a fake.
Hindus
believe in five elements of earth, water, sky, ether and fire. Vishnu
is the form of earth. Gajanana or Skanda is space. Mother Goddess Vayu
and Sun power is the Agni Tattva. The greatest saints of India continue
to worship these elemental forces. But they arrive at one conclusion.
There is only one Truth. And truth is always one and not two. These
five elements became one sound. From diversity, unity was achieved.
This is how the process is for the seekers.
By whose
command is Sun giving light to plants, by whose command is Agni giving
warmth to cook food? Under whose command are they? Are they under any
Government or a committee people? Only electricity is under governments.
If Sun was to be under control, we would be paying bill for Sun shine
also. The fan next to me is turning fast to throw air on me. Who is
controlling this air? There is one unique force that controls these
forces. My prayers to that force.
Whatever
has manifested is supreme. Water, vast sky, mother earth, air, these
powers are worshipped. Hanuman is air. Shiva is Agni Tattva. Hanuman
is the manifest version of Vayu. These energies are given forms so that
our limited mind has some form to worship upon.
In the midst of forests, valleys, mountains, deserts, basins of sacred
rivers crisscrossing this earth. All for whose sake? I sustain and nourish
these things. Worship that power which makes them. I am the one single
absolute.
We call
him the creator because he caused everything all around us. One who
creates and dissolves all that creation, who is he? Or She? I worship
that force in myriad of forms called Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Muruga,
Devi, Ganesha, Datta.
Called
as Allah in one religion, as Buddha in other religion, Called as GOD
in western regions of earth. Beyond this name, amidst the names and
in the names I am very much here. From Nirguna, Saguna has come. Saguna
(Form) is needed because I have a form. I pray that one force which
is beyond all that is created. We have many Gods because of our diverse
tastes and requirements. There are many Gods to prove that the ultimate
power can have many forms and yet be formless. Dattatreya is all in
one.
I am the
final word - Says Bible. I am there in Bible. Very much alive in its
teachings. I am in Koran's teachings. I am in the knowledge of Vedas
and in the scriptures and in the 18 Puranas. To what purpose? To explain
my Glory so that you can understand why I have so many forms. I come
to feed, nourish and strengthen so that you can divinise your existence.
Different kinds of worship. So what? I give a chance to pray me. So,
I caused a church, a mosque, a Mandir. Some call this prayer, some as
service, some as Archana, Some as Namaaz. Some sing my names. All this
only shows my diversity. Yet I am only one.
With all the innumerable names and forms with innumerable varieties
according to the tastes and temperament, we still admire the creation.
We respect the creation. In all the forms that have been created, he
is alone. Omniscient, Omni potent. The most profound and powerful. So,
we called him as
Sat - The absolute Truth
Chit - Absolute existence
Ananda - Absolute Bliss
Sacchidananda is the absolute - the call of Vedas.
Guru is
the light abundant with radiance to light the intellect. It takes you
in to the womb of liberation. It is called as Divya Dhama. It is the
blissful state. The principle of Guru is full of Love. Love that is
selfless and no motive. It only loves to take you to your source, the
final source Brahma. It gives the understanding to the Vedanta proclamation
- TAT TVAM ASI. If one understands this principle, then there will be
no conflicting thoughts. Religion is only for practice of Chitta Shuddi
or self cleansing. It gives moral support. It is Puja, Church Worship,
Namaaz etc. The final goal is beyond all these practices. It is reaching
the state of Aham Brahmasmi, Tattvamasi. These religions are like schools
where you learn, learn and learn. To control your feelings, sins etc.,
and to get good knowledge. But the final goal is Brahma.
The association with a Sadguru is final truth. Sadguru is the manifest
form of the unmanifest Para Brahman. Never think that he is a human
being inspite of the fact that he acts like a normal person. Take only
knowledge from him and make a self-investigation and find out. Make
a journey in to his teachings.
Then you
come out in a great field where you fine peace and you can play as you
wish. No more torments from troubles. You find the key to face turmoil.
Follow the teachings and not the Guru. He keeps on changing his forms
and habits to teach or train some one. Sometimes it may not suit you.
It is for some one else. Don’t get attracted to the worldly things
around the Sadguru.
One devotee
prayed Brahma for many years. Suddenly Brahma appeared and asks what
he wanted. The person was so shocked by the appearance of Brahma, he
asked for a cup of tea. Don’t be like that.
Jaya Guru Datta.