Though
cake cutting on birthday is not a traditional practice in India, Swamiji
did so as per the wish of devotees. It is customary in India to express
one’s age as so many Chandra Darshana (looking at the number
of full-moons) to indicate the number of years. So much importance
is given to the vision of the moon. Just as the bright and dark fortnights
of the moon, human life also consists of ups and downs, pleasures
and pains. The moon bestows health and knowledge. It is good to look
at the moon and the stars.
Age of
sixty years of human life marks a stage. Those who are lucky to survive
must think of the further journey of life - spiritualism. One must
remember one’s birthday and must celebrate the same. It is essential
for every one to analyse on one’s birthday thus, "What have
I achieved? What else have I to do?" Birthday is God’s gift
as due to His grace, one is alive so far. Every one must be ever happy
and enthusiastic. One must never be disappointed, depressed or sad
under any circumstance. One must pray to God to be blessed with courage.
In every debate or competition, there will be one winner and some
losers. The loser must learn lessons from his failure and must feel
" one day or the other, I will win". He must never be sorrowful.
The winner must aspire to develop further and dedicate one’s
success to God. Then only one can progress in any field of beneficial
activity. Never hurt or insult any one.
Today
Swamiji inaugurated the new Toilet Complex in the Ashrama. Some people
feel "Why should Swamiji do so?" My reply is I like physical
cleanliness also very much. One must not despise anything. A person
who vomits something, himself hates the matter he vomited. He forgets
that the vomited matter had been in his stomach earlier!
The human
body is transient. "The body is not ok" Who says so? Yourself!
Hence you are your own guru. Using the physical body properly for
the beneficial physical and spiritual activities, one must try to
attain liberation. "From life to liberation" should be one’s
goal. The proper evolution is from Guna to Nirguna, that is utilising
the finite human body with attributes (Gunas) one must attain emancipation
to realize God who is Attributeless (Nirguna).
The human
corpse is either buried or burnt as per the family traditions. However,
in the ancient times, some noble persons could reach the Heaven even
with their physical body!
There
is Asuddha (dirt), Akrama (disorder) Anyaya (injustice) around the
world. One must learn good lessons even from such incidents and seek
the path to salvation. Ignorance, pain, evil effect of one’s
past deeds make one unhappy or unhealthy. Hence by your effort, by
giving positive vibrations, you rectify yourself. Thus the poison
becomes nectar. A mortal becomes immortal.
You find
that in some cities, impure water is recycled and made pure. You know
that the Sun is the cause of recycling of water in the nature. Similarly,
the Sadguru gives knowledge, removing ignorance of the disciple.
Every
day is a birthday. Hence one must thank God every morning for giving
a chance to live one more day.
Have firm belief in me. Then only I will protect you. Don’t be
mere visitors like passengers in the train. Become members of Datta
family. After prolonged wavering, some people come to Swamiji. You
may go on pilgrimages and visit several saints. But never lose your
seniority in Swamiji’s service. Maintain and develop devotion.
Don’t waste time. See Swamiji in all the Gurus and the Deities.
Swamiji
has infinite forms. Develop more intimacy and friendship with Swamiji
in the spiritual aspect. Let not your devotion waver! Offer your nectar-like
devotion as also your fickle-mindedness to Swamiji. Proceed ahead
in your spiritual practices step by step.
In Datta’s
tradition, Pada Pooja - worship of Guru’s feet, is highly prominent.
Swamiji will uplift you. Beware! If you are egoistic, you will fall.
Contact Swamiji only about your personal problems. However, for other
matters and information you must not approach me. You should contact
the concerned person in the Ashrama.
For all sweets, sugar is the basic ingredient. So also your devotion
and concentration is highly essential for all your spiritual practices.
Some people feel very much more inspired by a song of Swamiji sometimes,
though they have heard it earlier often. The reason is that on the
particular occasion, such person had high degree of concentration
and devotion. You don’t know when Swamiji blesses you. Hence
always try to be eligible to have Guru’s grace. Swamiji’s
interpretations are unique, for example narrating Ramayana or such
other epics. Make a firm resolve that "As far as possible, I
will attend Swamiji’s Programmes. The divine name has excellent
taste!
Jaya
Guru Datta