Inspiring Talks of Gurudev Sivananda
23rd June, 1949
LANGOT BANDHA or KAUPEEN MUDRA
Perhaps you have never heard of these two—one a Bandha and the other a Mudra.
They have been evolved by sage Siva at the Ananda Kutir Yoga-Vedanta Forest Research Laboratory.
An aged gentleman came into Siva’s office this afternoon. He explained to Siva how, even though he had a desire to visit the Ashram for a number of years past, he was unable to do so because he could not get leave. We all looked up in wonder: this old man has still not retired?
Siva asked the question. And, he replied: ‘Swamiji, what to do? I have to protect fifteen children and my wife.
Eight sons and seven daughters. All my life I have spent rearing up these, one by one. Therefore, even after retirement I have had to take a job.’
‘You have never practised Langot-Bandha, I think.’
‘No, Swamiji. And I have never heard of the name so far. Please explain it to me.’
‘Nor Kaupeen Mudra?’
‘No, Swamiji.’
‘Obviously not: if you had, you would have saved this worry in old age. Langot Bandha and Kaupeen Mudra differ only in minor details. Essentially they are the same. They mean observance of physical celibacy.’
A cough-like laughter from the old man during which he exhibited the few lucky remains of what were once rows of teeth.
‘This Bandha and this Mudra have thousands of uses, and many varieties, too. Grosser the variety, grosser the use also. But, even the grossest form—a mere physical observance of Brahmacharya, has great utility. It will save many families from starvation, help to reduce the dowry-burden from the head of fathers of girls, and the school-fees budgets of many a young man.
‘The subtler forms have infinite uses. When this Langot Bandha is taken to the mental sphere also, then the practitioner’s brain-power increases, intellect is sharpened, and intuitive perception developed, too. When this Langot Bandha becomes man’s nature itself, then the Kingdom of God is opened to him and he becomes soon a great sage. Even the Upanishads and the Gita have sung the glory of this Brahma and this Mudra.
‘Therefore practise this.’
26th June, 1949
DISCOURSE ON PRANA
Dr…., M.A., Ph.D., was Siva’s guest this morning. They sat in the office discussing Yoga. Each admired the other’s conquest of old age and the youthful energy with which they worked. The doctor was astonished to find that Siva, in spite of his age, was extremely busy throughout the day, from 3 in the morning till late at night.
The discussion went on to Creation, Maya and Samadhi.
Siva said: ‘Man is maintained as an individual through the force of Vasanas which keep the Prana in motion. Vasanas agitate Prana! And Prana maintains the body with its senses. These Vasanas are stored up in the mind from time immemorial. The grossest form of Prana is the breath. Subtler is the elemental Prana. Still more subtle is the Cosmic Prana which is termed Hiranyagarbha. It is from this Cosmic Prana that everything has emanated.
‘Now you have understood the intimate connection between Prana and the mind (Vasanas). One depends for its function on the other. Therefore, if you learn to control Prana, you can control the mind through Pranayama. When you still the Prana, and when it ceases to oscillate, Samadhi supervenes. All Vasanas are fried in toto: you achieve Moksha.
‘The Upanishads speak highly about Prana whose subtlest form is Hiranyagarbha. By worshipping Prana as Brahman, they say, you can live a full life of a hundred years. You can do a lot of selfless service and practise much Sadhana if you have thus a long life. The Isavasya Upanishad also exhorts us to live the full span of a hundred years, doing the enjoyed works. OM.’
‘Swamiji Maharaj, during all my life I have never spent such a fruitful hour as I have in your holiness’s presence. I have learnt during these few minutes more than I have in all the rest of my life. By your Ashirvad I do hope to be a useful citizen and a good Sadhaka. Namaskar.’
AN ETERNAL STUDENT: NO DISGUST!
Swami Keshavananda, disciple of the late Swami Pranavanandaji, has been here for some time. And tonight, the entire evening Satsang programme was his item-exhibition of lantern slides depicting some important topics in the Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. Siva had already witnessed the slides. Yet, he was the one member in the audience tonight who was most interested in the item. After the Satsang had come to an end the gathering had dispersed, leaving on the verandah of Siva’s Kutir only Sastriji and another inmate of the Ashram, besides K. and Siva himself. There was a discussion on the slides.
‘Swamiji, it has a mass appeal. Woman and children would like it very much. This has a greater attraction for the layman than mere intellectual discourses. Children would witness it any number of times without getting bored.’
‘I, too,’ said Siva. ‘I have already seen this. But, I can see it daily and listen to Swamiji’s explanations daily.
Not only the slides, even ordinary discourses, talks, lectures and Kathas I can go on listening to any number of times. I never feel disgust. Every time I will try to find out new points and learn new lessons.’
In this is wisdom: in this is Brahma Jnana.
NEVER LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY
Over a cup of milk and fruits, K. was talking to Siva. Siva after admiring the marvellous idea of the magic lantern show, said: ‘It is a brilliant idea you have evolved: that of tapping the ground with the walking stick for the purpose of asking the assistant to change the slide. Why not say ‘OM’ instead? As soon as you have done with a slide, say ‘OM’ and he will change.’
‘I am grateful to your Holiness, Swamiji, for this suggestion. I shall certainly put it into practice. It is wonderful. Every change of slide would provide me with a repetition of the Pranava.’
TREAT EVERYONE AS YOUR SELF!
‘You should have two disciples who should travel with you. Then you can do this work more efficiently. You will not have to bother about arranging them, and to instruct novices each time.’
‘Swamiji, I have tried that also. But these youngsters nowadays are more intent on exploiting and cheating than on genuinely serving and evolving. I have been cheated several times by people who wanted to become my disciples.’
‘You should conquer them by love. You should treat them as your own Self. You should give them greater comforts than you enjoy yourself. Mahants nowadays quietly enjoy all sorts of comforts, eat all sorts of delicacies, and deny them to their disciples. The latter soon get disgusted and they leave the Master.’
This is precisely how Siva has conquered the hearts of his disciples. Sri Swami Swarupanandaji once told me that when Siva was on his lecture tours, he would go on lecturing and singing Kirtans for hours together, and when the organisers of the function provided him with a cup of milk, a little curd or ghee or some fruits, he would quietly pass on most of it to his associates then (Swami Swarupanandaji and Swami Atmanandaji). Even today it is the common experience of all those who bring ‘offerings’ to Siva: they are often bewildered, for the very things that they consider extraordinary and meant only for Siva himself, he would immediately pass on with a smile to the ‘children’ at the Ashram, and later explain to the offering devotee that it is all the same.
In this connection, what K. himself, when he had received from Siva a Prasad of Rs. 20 offered with great devotion, love and recitation of Santi Mantras by Siva himself, said is significant:
‘Why does he give me this money? I never expected it; nor could I ever think of asking him….He has set an example to me. We should all be like him and develop our heart to such an extent.
Swamiji has no need to do all this. He has achieved whatever there is for a man to achieve. But, even as Lord Krishna has said in the Gita, he does things only with a view to setting an example for others to follow.’
27th June, 1949
SAMSKARAS: ASSOCIATION OF THOUGHTS: DISCIPLINE
Morning University class again provided Siva with an opportunity for Upadesh. The Panchadasi study was over. One or two people in the group quietly left the class. They were not obviously interested in the next item—Hindi. Thanks to this unwise act, they benefited themselves, benefited all of us, too. For….
Siva called them and said: ‘Understand the law of Samskaras well. You may not now be interested in Hindi. You may think: ‘What is the use, I do not understand anything.’ But, even a mere hearing of the words repeatedly will provide indelible impressions in the mind. Listen to this story:
‘There was a maid-servant in the house of a Hebrew priest. As she went on doing the household work, she would listen to the priest’s scriptural recitations. She understood nothing, not even the words. Years later, she developed a double personality. When she lost her senses due to illness, she began unconsciously to recite the Hebrew prayers. The doctors were astonished.
But, when she regained consciousness, she said she understood nothing of those same verses. These were recorded in her subconscious mind. They will manifest themselves in due course of time. Nothing is really lost.
‘Some others, I have noticed, do not like Panchadasi and so do not attend that period. It is a sad mistake. Even if they do not grasp the meaning now, the hearing has its own effect: in due course the meaning will flash itself upon their conscious mind.
‘Further, even if I do not quite follow the Hindi passages, to me the period has its own uses. I learn some words.
Besides, whenever I come across some passages like ‘The fool prattles’, etc., at once all thoughts associated with ‘fool’ and ‘prattling’ will arise in the mind. Even the case of certain fools who imagine themselves very wise but would declare, ‘This world is very real. I can prove it through scientific explanations’ comes to the mind. The mind is properly exercised. A new spiritual groove is formed. The intellect sharpened and made very subtle. It always tries to spiritualise all topics. It associates all things and thoughts with spiritual matters.
‘Another equally important consideration is discipline. Coming and going whenever you like disturbs the class. You set a bad example. If all people begin to do like this, then the class cannot go on. You must observe discipline in all such gatherings. Form the habit from now.
‘Sri Krishna Prem (Mr. Nixon) would sometimes not attend Nagar Kirtans which were usually long and tedious and involved much physical strain. When I would ask him ‘Why did not you come’ he would reply, ‘Swamiji, I was not feeling well. And if I came I should stay till the end and go round the entire city—that would not be possible, so, I preferred to stay away. Look at his sense of discipline. Discipline is very important in spiritual life. Even the gods observe discipline. Ishwara also binds Himself by his own discipline. He could give Mukti to all in a minute.
He could change the course of the world in the twinkling of an eye. All Eternal Laws are based on Him only. Yet, He subjects Himself to the Laws.’
JULY, 1949
8th July, 1949
BETWEEN FASTING AND FEASTING
The sumptuous Birthdate Feast was over. This time the glory of celebrating the Day goes to Sri S.R. Padayachie of South Africa, a very devoted Bhakta of Siva to whom it is attainment of Mukti to be of any service to Siva or to do anything that would conduce to the furtherance of the Mission.
The few visitors who were nowadays accustomed to the sight of the Ashram workers taking their roti and dhal in improvised ‘towel bags’ and vessel at noon, quietly walking in and out of the dining hall generally silent and solemn, were inwardly happy to find that today the hall had put on a festive appearance and was filled to overflowing with pious devotees and serene Sadhus taking a hearty meal of delicious preparations.
Master Satchidanandaji relieved the visitors’ ‘tension’ and for a few blissful moments there was a very pleasant exchange of views on this glorious being who presided over the destinies of Ananda Kutir.
‘Maharaj-ji’, began Satchidanandaji, ‘What is this feast compared to what it was on the Diamond Jubilee Day or the recent Sadhana Week days? I remember now. Just before the Diamond Jubilee, when we were busy making preparations for the day, I was bringing from Rishikesh huge vessels for preparing food for the numberless devotees and Sadhus who were expected to take part in the function. The old Tehri Maharajah’s car had got stuck on the way from Rishikesh. We all helped to restart it. When the Maharajah noticed the cartload of big vessels being moved into his territory, he was astonished and asked me: ‘Where are you taking these?’ ‘To Sri Swami Sivanandaji’s Ashram,’ I replied. The Maharajah remarked: ‘Only Swamiji is able to conduct poor feeding and Sadhu Bhojan on such a large scale nowadays when there is food scarcity everywhere. Really Tapas has great Shakti.’ All this is done by Swamiji by his mere Satsankalpa. It is all his play. In all these seven years I have lived here I have silently watched with amazement the rapid growth of the institution. I have seen with my own eyes the desolate place, full of bushes and thick jungle get transformed into the beautiful Sivanandanagar. I have seen the postal bags to and fro Ananda Kutir grow in bulk. I have seen also the impoverished Ashram kitchen where one or two Sadhaks would in silent joy, the joy of Seva, take their daily bread rapidly grow into an Annakshetra where hundreds have taken food to their heart’s content every day.
‘Between these great festive days, the days of ease and comfort, and the other days of calm endurance of the taking of a few pieces of bread and a cup of dhal—there does not seem to be much of a great gulf of difference for them! We feel it sharply. But Siva and his young men take it so easily as though it was all a continuous feast.’ The pious old devotee could not restrain his tears.
‘That is because,’ came the reply from a youthful Sadhaka, ‘Swamiji does not provide food only for their body. This is only a side-issue. You can’t help it. The vehicle has got to be preserved, cleaned and ‘oiled’. Swamiji’s main aim is to provide a sumptuous feast for their soul. No finances can obstruct this. So, the feast is continuous.
And, Swamiji’s message reaches the farthest corners of the world. I heard it said by one of the senior officials of the Tehri State that once, when the late Maharajah had been to London, he paid a visit to the British Museum and asked for a good book on Yoga. The Librarian at once produced a volume of ‘Practice of ‘Practice of Yoga’, by Swami Sivananda.’ ‘By whom?’ ‘By Swami Sivananda,’ replied the Librarian.
‘I see he lives in the Himalayas, perhaps within the boundaries of your Highness’s state.’ The Maharajah blushed with the proud realisation that his State’s renown had spread to the Capital of the Empire (through the writings of a saint) long before his august personage could carry it there.’
‘Oh yes, yes. That is the secret. You are right. When you shift the centre of your love from body to soul, you are continuously happy and contented. That is Swamiji’s secret of achievement, too. Dry bread and Ganges water was nectar to him when people used to scramble into the Kshetra during Bhandara (feast) days for he was intent on feeding his soul. Once a devotee gave him Rs. 5 for his milk: and he at once printed a pamphlet out of the amount….himself carrying on with his dry bread and water. That was real Tapasya. No wonder today the entire world is aware of his message.’
IN UNITY LIES STRENGTH
‘Call such meetings of all the workers frequently. Make everyone feel that he is very essential for the running of the institution. Encourage everyone to think of the work. No one should feel that he is merely the fifth wheel to the coach. Everyone should be the head of his department. At the same time everyone should be induced to take a living interest in the entire work.
Appoint Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries to each department. And, this should never be allowed to become a mockery: that is the mistake often committed by organisers who tend to make those whom they appoint to responsible positions nothing more than their puppets. Each office-bearer in the Society should have real power to control his department and to take a hand in the general affairs of the Society. Everyone should respect everyone else and so joyously contribute to the service of humanity,’ concluded Siva when he was informed of the decisions of a meeting in the evening in pursuance of Siva’s instructions, to discuss certain problems.
Succinctly, Siva, the master psychologist, has brought out a Sanyasin’s approach to the problem of organisation. Trust everyone. Repose entire confidence in all. Suspect none. Suspicion kills enterprise and dullens enthusiasm. Faith and trust promote their growth. Again, a domineering attitude towards juniors makes them nervous and cripples their faculties. A spiritual camaraderie, a brotherhood of Sadhaks, without the obnoxious distinctions of function-born superiority and inferiority—that is the aim of Siva. He has all along preached (and emphasised it by his own example) that no one should regard anyone else as his or her inferior in any sense. A scavenger who removes the refuse on the road; a doctor who removes the refuse in the human system; a servant-boy who cleans the vessels in the kitchen and a philosopher who cleans the vessel of a Sadhak’s mind—all, to him, perform the Lord’s work in their various capacities. All are equal. No work is superior; none inferior. The Jiva in everyone yearns to relieve itself of its vestments and feel its own Selfhood of All. This should be the attitude of all: Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents, Monarchs, Directors and all officers all over the world. Then only will there be real contentment everywhere…. contentment is very essential to progress.’
9th July, 1949
SIKH AMONG SIKHS
Sri Mam Raj of the Tehri State brought in the Government of India’s Food Commissioner, a middle aged Sikh gentleman. As they were discussing the purpose of the Food Commissioner’s visit, etc. and his visit to Srinagar that day, Siva quietly thrust into each one’s hands a few of his books. It is common knowledge that he does not wait to listen through even the visitor’s talk but simultaneously goes on autographing several books and passes them on. Siva never allows himself to procrastinate. And, he is an Ashtavadhani: so that he could do all things at the same time. He would be conversing with the visitor, giving directions to the Ashramites and signing books—all at the same time and with equal attention and zeal.
Mam Raj described their adventures up and down Srinagar (a place about sixty miles towards Badrinath in the Himalayas, from Rishikesh.)
‘Swamiji, it was raining. And, the roads were impassable. Mountains had started breaking down. We had a very risky ride. Once we almost tumbled into Ganges. It was only your grace and blessings that brought us here.’
The Sikh accompanying the Food Commissioner was happy to see that in Siva’s ‘Lives of Saints’ Guru Nanak’s life had been included: and that in Siva’s book, ‘World’s Religions’, Sikhism had found a succinct exposition. ‘Maharaj, you have done for your religion what the leaders among Sikhs themselves ought to have done. You are the foremost among Sikhs.’
‘It is all one! All religions speak of the One God. There is no difference on fundamentals. Only superficialities differ. We ought to ignore them and cease to quarrel with one another. The details and the ceremonies and the rituals are only for our own good. We should practise them and adhere to them. But, we should not make that the bone of contention and cause riots. Each man should follow his own religion, realising and appreciating the unity of the fundamental tenets of his religion with those of all others in the world.’
The Food Commissioner, a devout Sikh, fell into a tranquil exposition of the tenets of his religion. As soon as he mentioned Kirtan as one of the fundamentals of Sikhism, Siva began….
Sat Nam Sat Nam Sat Nam Ji
Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Ji
….and the entire hall was resounding with the Kirtan Dhwani immersing all in the Calm of the One God—Truth.
When he found that Kirtan had already found its master in Siva, the F.C. turned to Japji Saheb and found that there, too….
‘Japji is the best pocket book of spiritual essence I have seen,’ exclaimed Siva. ‘It is full of divine wisdom. In fact, it is out and out Upanishadic.’
Naturally, the F.C. fell to admiring Siva for his vast knowledge of Sikhism and then turned to quoting Guru Granth Saheb. At the very mention of the name Siva began to recite the Mula Mantra which thrilled the Sikhs.
As soon as the recitation was over, Siva explained: ‘You see this Mula Mantra of the Sikhs contains the very essence of Hindu Upanishads and the core of the teachings of Lord Jesus or Lord Muhammad. All these great prophets of the world have had the same realisation of the Infinite God.’
When the F.C. came into Siva’s presence and was entertained to tea, he had hardly expected that he, in whose presence he has had the privilege of sitting, was the He in whom all religions had their culmination. Siva’s Kirtan, however, enraptured him. Siva’s discourse on the unity of religions and the oneness of God appealed to him.
But what followed perhaps had the effect of….let’s see.
It was raining outside. An old man (a Sindhi) tottered in soaked to the bones and his coat almost turned into a cotton-pulp. I was standing at the intervening door. I intended to make him wait in the D.J. Hall Annexe, to let him undress himself, etc. Hardly had he reached the door….his shoes, wet and heavy, dropped off, and the man was in a semi-conscious state.
‘Where is my Gurudev? Where is my Lord? Please show him to me. Please….please….my dear. Where is he?’ In silence I bowed to his feet….what a flower of devotion to the Guru….and led him in. In his hurry, he did not even choose to take off his cap. Perhaps nothing but Gurudev was in his mind. He fell on his knees. He hugged Siva’s feet, embraced them, kissed them, took their dust and sprinkled them on his forehead and body. Folded palms, eyes half-closed shedding tears of an inexpressible joy, he sat down in the attitude of devout prayer looking up to the face of Siva as one would look up to Him.
‘Hey Bhagavan, you are my only Saviour. Please bless me. Turn your eye of grace towards me. I am a lowly wretched creature. Through your grace alone can I tread this path of righteousness. Show me the way.’
Siva turned to him. What passed then is neither for mortal eyes, nor for finite words….something that surpasseth understanding. After a few minutes like this, the old man bowed again and departed. Only then did he remember that he had not brought any offerings with him for Siva, the Sanyasin. As I was leading him to the door, he thrust a couple of rupees into my hand and said: ‘Please get some fruits for this and place it at my Gurudev’s feet.’ I could understand the devotee’s heart well enough: he had offered to Gurudev what best he could—his own heart full of faith and devotion—himself. What need hath his Lord for fruits and coins?
When he turned to the world, he thought of its customs. It is just as well that he followed them, too.
The Sikh brethren were watching this with wonderment, bewilderment, perhaps with advantage. They were wise men. For a wise man every incident, every situation abounds in lessons of the greatest moment. They could have compared notes: weighed in their own heart-balance the comparative gains of this old man full of humility and devotion and their own.
The F.C.’s words reflected the effect that this incident had on him. ‘Swamiji, there is a saying in Granth Saheb: ‘He who turns your mind towards God either by his preaching, his conduct or by his mere presence—he is your real friend. He who turns your mind away from him is your real enemy. During the hour I have spent in your august presence I have felt greatly elevated, inspired and exalted. I have found inner peace and an inexpressible joy in your company. You are my true friend, and guide. Bless me that I may be true to my religion.’
The other Sikh brother felt that this great opportunity of meeting perhaps the foremost saint in India today should be well utilised: and he asked: ‘Swamiji, how did this Maya arise in Brahman?’
‘Ask Brahman Himself!’ was the crisp reply which went all around into side-splitting laughter. Siva continued:
‘This is Ati-Prasna or a transcendental question. You will find this question coming up to your mind in various forms: ‘When did Karma begin? When and why was the world created? Why is there evil in the world? Why did the Unmanifest manifest itself? etc. etc.’ The same question is asked by Rama in the Yoga Vasishta and Vasishta says:
‘You are putting cart before the horse. You will not be benefited by an enquiry into this question at all. Meditate and realise Brahman. You will then know the answer to this question. The problem itself will have dissolved by then.’ No one can answer this question. When Knowledge dawns the question itself vanishes. Therefore, there is no answer to the question at all. Brahma Sutra says:
Lokavat tu lee’a kaivalyam
It is only to pacify your doubt. It is really not an answer, for there can be no answer. Yet, the question will arise in the case of every seeker after Truth. You cannot help it. You will have to use your discrimination, pacify the doubt, and then through intense Sadhana and meditation realise God. Then the doubt will vanish. A great Yogi and Jnani was worried with this doubt for twelve years. Then he told me: ‘The worry is over now. It troubled me for twelve years. I could not find an answer. So, I have given up that pursuit and have taken to meditation, Japa and Kirtan. Now I find peace and progress.’ Faith in Guru, Granth Saheb, Kirtan, Japa, meditation and practise of righteousness—these will enable you to progress in the spiritual path and will take you to That where there is no questioning possible.’
With bowed head and folded palms the officers took leave of Siva, profusely thanking him ‘for the precious gifts of these books which shall be my greatest treasure hereafter,’ and for his inspiring Upadesh.
23rd June, 1949
LANGOT BANDHA or KAUPEEN MUDRA
Perhaps you have never heard of these two—one a Bandha and the other a Mudra.
They have been evolved by sage Siva at the Ananda Kutir Yoga-Vedanta Forest Research Laboratory.
An aged gentleman came into Siva’s office this afternoon. He explained to Siva how, even though he had a desire to visit the Ashram for a number of years past, he was unable to do so because he could not get leave. We all looked up in wonder: this old man has still not retired?
Siva asked the question. And, he replied: ‘Swamiji, what to do? I have to protect fifteen children and my wife.
Eight sons and seven daughters. All my life I have spent rearing up these, one by one. Therefore, even after retirement I have had to take a job.’
‘You have never practised Langot-Bandha, I think.’
‘No, Swamiji. And I have never heard of the name so far. Please explain it to me.’
‘Nor Kaupeen Mudra?’
‘No, Swamiji.’
‘Obviously not: if you had, you would have saved this worry in old age. Langot Bandha and Kaupeen Mudra differ only in minor details. Essentially they are the same. They mean observance of physical celibacy.’
A cough-like laughter from the old man during which he exhibited the few lucky remains of what were once rows of teeth.
‘This Bandha and this Mudra have thousands of uses, and many varieties, too. Grosser the variety, grosser the use also. But, even the grossest form—a mere physical observance of Brahmacharya, has great utility. It will save many families from starvation, help to reduce the dowry-burden from the head of fathers of girls, and the school-fees budgets of many a young man.
‘The subtler forms have infinite uses. When this Langot Bandha is taken to the mental sphere also, then the practitioner’s brain-power increases, intellect is sharpened, and intuitive perception developed, too. When this Langot Bandha becomes man’s nature itself, then the Kingdom of God is opened to him and he becomes soon a great sage. Even the Upanishads and the Gita have sung the glory of this Brahma and this Mudra.
‘Therefore practise this.’
26th June, 1949
DISCOURSE ON PRANA
Dr…., M.A., Ph.D., was Siva’s guest this morning. They sat in the office discussing Yoga. Each admired the other’s conquest of old age and the youthful energy with which they worked. The doctor was astonished to find that Siva, in spite of his age, was extremely busy throughout the day, from 3 in the morning till late at night.
The discussion went on to Creation, Maya and Samadhi.
Siva said: ‘Man is maintained as an individual through the force of Vasanas which keep the Prana in motion. Vasanas agitate Prana! And Prana maintains the body with its senses. These Vasanas are stored up in the mind from time immemorial. The grossest form of Prana is the breath. Subtler is the elemental Prana. Still more subtle is the Cosmic Prana which is termed Hiranyagarbha. It is from this Cosmic Prana that everything has emanated.
‘Now you have understood the intimate connection between Prana and the mind (Vasanas). One depends for its function on the other. Therefore, if you learn to control Prana, you can control the mind through Pranayama. When you still the Prana, and when it ceases to oscillate, Samadhi supervenes. All Vasanas are fried in toto: you achieve Moksha.
‘The Upanishads speak highly about Prana whose subtlest form is Hiranyagarbha. By worshipping Prana as Brahman, they say, you can live a full life of a hundred years. You can do a lot of selfless service and practise much Sadhana if you have thus a long life. The Isavasya Upanishad also exhorts us to live the full span of a hundred years, doing the enjoyed works. OM.’
‘Swamiji Maharaj, during all my life I have never spent such a fruitful hour as I have in your holiness’s presence. I have learnt during these few minutes more than I have in all the rest of my life. By your Ashirvad I do hope to be a useful citizen and a good Sadhaka. Namaskar.’
AN ETERNAL STUDENT: NO DISGUST!
Swami Keshavananda, disciple of the late Swami Pranavanandaji, has been here for some time. And tonight, the entire evening Satsang programme was his item-exhibition of lantern slides depicting some important topics in the Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. Siva had already witnessed the slides. Yet, he was the one member in the audience tonight who was most interested in the item. After the Satsang had come to an end the gathering had dispersed, leaving on the verandah of Siva’s Kutir only Sastriji and another inmate of the Ashram, besides K. and Siva himself. There was a discussion on the slides.
‘Swamiji, it has a mass appeal. Woman and children would like it very much. This has a greater attraction for the layman than mere intellectual discourses. Children would witness it any number of times without getting bored.’
‘I, too,’ said Siva. ‘I have already seen this. But, I can see it daily and listen to Swamiji’s explanations daily.
Not only the slides, even ordinary discourses, talks, lectures and Kathas I can go on listening to any number of times. I never feel disgust. Every time I will try to find out new points and learn new lessons.’
In this is wisdom: in this is Brahma Jnana.
NEVER LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY
Over a cup of milk and fruits, K. was talking to Siva. Siva after admiring the marvellous idea of the magic lantern show, said: ‘It is a brilliant idea you have evolved: that of tapping the ground with the walking stick for the purpose of asking the assistant to change the slide. Why not say ‘OM’ instead? As soon as you have done with a slide, say ‘OM’ and he will change.’
‘I am grateful to your Holiness, Swamiji, for this suggestion. I shall certainly put it into practice. It is wonderful. Every change of slide would provide me with a repetition of the Pranava.’
TREAT EVERYONE AS YOUR SELF!
‘You should have two disciples who should travel with you. Then you can do this work more efficiently. You will not have to bother about arranging them, and to instruct novices each time.’
‘Swamiji, I have tried that also. But these youngsters nowadays are more intent on exploiting and cheating than on genuinely serving and evolving. I have been cheated several times by people who wanted to become my disciples.’
‘You should conquer them by love. You should treat them as your own Self. You should give them greater comforts than you enjoy yourself. Mahants nowadays quietly enjoy all sorts of comforts, eat all sorts of delicacies, and deny them to their disciples. The latter soon get disgusted and they leave the Master.’
This is precisely how Siva has conquered the hearts of his disciples. Sri Swami Swarupanandaji once told me that when Siva was on his lecture tours, he would go on lecturing and singing Kirtans for hours together, and when the organisers of the function provided him with a cup of milk, a little curd or ghee or some fruits, he would quietly pass on most of it to his associates then (Swami Swarupanandaji and Swami Atmanandaji). Even today it is the common experience of all those who bring ‘offerings’ to Siva: they are often bewildered, for the very things that they consider extraordinary and meant only for Siva himself, he would immediately pass on with a smile to the ‘children’ at the Ashram, and later explain to the offering devotee that it is all the same.
In this connection, what K. himself, when he had received from Siva a Prasad of Rs. 20 offered with great devotion, love and recitation of Santi Mantras by Siva himself, said is significant:
‘Why does he give me this money? I never expected it; nor could I ever think of asking him….He has set an example to me. We should all be like him and develop our heart to such an extent.
Swamiji has no need to do all this. He has achieved whatever there is for a man to achieve. But, even as Lord Krishna has said in the Gita, he does things only with a view to setting an example for others to follow.’
27th June, 1949
SAMSKARAS: ASSOCIATION OF THOUGHTS: DISCIPLINE
Morning University class again provided Siva with an opportunity for Upadesh. The Panchadasi study was over. One or two people in the group quietly left the class. They were not obviously interested in the next item—Hindi. Thanks to this unwise act, they benefited themselves, benefited all of us, too. For….
Siva called them and said: ‘Understand the law of Samskaras well. You may not now be interested in Hindi. You may think: ‘What is the use, I do not understand anything.’ But, even a mere hearing of the words repeatedly will provide indelible impressions in the mind. Listen to this story:
‘There was a maid-servant in the house of a Hebrew priest. As she went on doing the household work, she would listen to the priest’s scriptural recitations. She understood nothing, not even the words. Years later, she developed a double personality. When she lost her senses due to illness, she began unconsciously to recite the Hebrew prayers. The doctors were astonished.
But, when she regained consciousness, she said she understood nothing of those same verses. These were recorded in her subconscious mind. They will manifest themselves in due course of time. Nothing is really lost.
‘Some others, I have noticed, do not like Panchadasi and so do not attend that period. It is a sad mistake. Even if they do not grasp the meaning now, the hearing has its own effect: in due course the meaning will flash itself upon their conscious mind.
‘Further, even if I do not quite follow the Hindi passages, to me the period has its own uses. I learn some words.
Besides, whenever I come across some passages like ‘The fool prattles’, etc., at once all thoughts associated with ‘fool’ and ‘prattling’ will arise in the mind. Even the case of certain fools who imagine themselves very wise but would declare, ‘This world is very real. I can prove it through scientific explanations’ comes to the mind. The mind is properly exercised. A new spiritual groove is formed. The intellect sharpened and made very subtle. It always tries to spiritualise all topics. It associates all things and thoughts with spiritual matters.
‘Another equally important consideration is discipline. Coming and going whenever you like disturbs the class. You set a bad example. If all people begin to do like this, then the class cannot go on. You must observe discipline in all such gatherings. Form the habit from now.
‘Sri Krishna Prem (Mr. Nixon) would sometimes not attend Nagar Kirtans which were usually long and tedious and involved much physical strain. When I would ask him ‘Why did not you come’ he would reply, ‘Swamiji, I was not feeling well. And if I came I should stay till the end and go round the entire city—that would not be possible, so, I preferred to stay away. Look at his sense of discipline. Discipline is very important in spiritual life. Even the gods observe discipline. Ishwara also binds Himself by his own discipline. He could give Mukti to all in a minute.
He could change the course of the world in the twinkling of an eye. All Eternal Laws are based on Him only. Yet, He subjects Himself to the Laws.’
JULY, 1949
8th July, 1949
BETWEEN FASTING AND FEASTING
The sumptuous Birthdate Feast was over. This time the glory of celebrating the Day goes to Sri S.R. Padayachie of South Africa, a very devoted Bhakta of Siva to whom it is attainment of Mukti to be of any service to Siva or to do anything that would conduce to the furtherance of the Mission.
The few visitors who were nowadays accustomed to the sight of the Ashram workers taking their roti and dhal in improvised ‘towel bags’ and vessel at noon, quietly walking in and out of the dining hall generally silent and solemn, were inwardly happy to find that today the hall had put on a festive appearance and was filled to overflowing with pious devotees and serene Sadhus taking a hearty meal of delicious preparations.
Master Satchidanandaji relieved the visitors’ ‘tension’ and for a few blissful moments there was a very pleasant exchange of views on this glorious being who presided over the destinies of Ananda Kutir.
‘Maharaj-ji’, began Satchidanandaji, ‘What is this feast compared to what it was on the Diamond Jubilee Day or the recent Sadhana Week days? I remember now. Just before the Diamond Jubilee, when we were busy making preparations for the day, I was bringing from Rishikesh huge vessels for preparing food for the numberless devotees and Sadhus who were expected to take part in the function. The old Tehri Maharajah’s car had got stuck on the way from Rishikesh. We all helped to restart it. When the Maharajah noticed the cartload of big vessels being moved into his territory, he was astonished and asked me: ‘Where are you taking these?’ ‘To Sri Swami Sivanandaji’s Ashram,’ I replied. The Maharajah remarked: ‘Only Swamiji is able to conduct poor feeding and Sadhu Bhojan on such a large scale nowadays when there is food scarcity everywhere. Really Tapas has great Shakti.’ All this is done by Swamiji by his mere Satsankalpa. It is all his play. In all these seven years I have lived here I have silently watched with amazement the rapid growth of the institution. I have seen with my own eyes the desolate place, full of bushes and thick jungle get transformed into the beautiful Sivanandanagar. I have seen the postal bags to and fro Ananda Kutir grow in bulk. I have seen also the impoverished Ashram kitchen where one or two Sadhaks would in silent joy, the joy of Seva, take their daily bread rapidly grow into an Annakshetra where hundreds have taken food to their heart’s content every day.
‘Between these great festive days, the days of ease and comfort, and the other days of calm endurance of the taking of a few pieces of bread and a cup of dhal—there does not seem to be much of a great gulf of difference for them! We feel it sharply. But Siva and his young men take it so easily as though it was all a continuous feast.’ The pious old devotee could not restrain his tears.
‘That is because,’ came the reply from a youthful Sadhaka, ‘Swamiji does not provide food only for their body. This is only a side-issue. You can’t help it. The vehicle has got to be preserved, cleaned and ‘oiled’. Swamiji’s main aim is to provide a sumptuous feast for their soul. No finances can obstruct this. So, the feast is continuous.
And, Swamiji’s message reaches the farthest corners of the world. I heard it said by one of the senior officials of the Tehri State that once, when the late Maharajah had been to London, he paid a visit to the British Museum and asked for a good book on Yoga. The Librarian at once produced a volume of ‘Practice of ‘Practice of Yoga’, by Swami Sivananda.’ ‘By whom?’ ‘By Swami Sivananda,’ replied the Librarian.
‘I see he lives in the Himalayas, perhaps within the boundaries of your Highness’s state.’ The Maharajah blushed with the proud realisation that his State’s renown had spread to the Capital of the Empire (through the writings of a saint) long before his august personage could carry it there.’
‘Oh yes, yes. That is the secret. You are right. When you shift the centre of your love from body to soul, you are continuously happy and contented. That is Swamiji’s secret of achievement, too. Dry bread and Ganges water was nectar to him when people used to scramble into the Kshetra during Bhandara (feast) days for he was intent on feeding his soul. Once a devotee gave him Rs. 5 for his milk: and he at once printed a pamphlet out of the amount….himself carrying on with his dry bread and water. That was real Tapasya. No wonder today the entire world is aware of his message.’
IN UNITY LIES STRENGTH
‘Call such meetings of all the workers frequently. Make everyone feel that he is very essential for the running of the institution. Encourage everyone to think of the work. No one should feel that he is merely the fifth wheel to the coach. Everyone should be the head of his department. At the same time everyone should be induced to take a living interest in the entire work.
Appoint Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries to each department. And, this should never be allowed to become a mockery: that is the mistake often committed by organisers who tend to make those whom they appoint to responsible positions nothing more than their puppets. Each office-bearer in the Society should have real power to control his department and to take a hand in the general affairs of the Society. Everyone should respect everyone else and so joyously contribute to the service of humanity,’ concluded Siva when he was informed of the decisions of a meeting in the evening in pursuance of Siva’s instructions, to discuss certain problems.
Succinctly, Siva, the master psychologist, has brought out a Sanyasin’s approach to the problem of organisation. Trust everyone. Repose entire confidence in all. Suspect none. Suspicion kills enterprise and dullens enthusiasm. Faith and trust promote their growth. Again, a domineering attitude towards juniors makes them nervous and cripples their faculties. A spiritual camaraderie, a brotherhood of Sadhaks, without the obnoxious distinctions of function-born superiority and inferiority—that is the aim of Siva. He has all along preached (and emphasised it by his own example) that no one should regard anyone else as his or her inferior in any sense. A scavenger who removes the refuse on the road; a doctor who removes the refuse in the human system; a servant-boy who cleans the vessels in the kitchen and a philosopher who cleans the vessel of a Sadhak’s mind—all, to him, perform the Lord’s work in their various capacities. All are equal. No work is superior; none inferior. The Jiva in everyone yearns to relieve itself of its vestments and feel its own Selfhood of All. This should be the attitude of all: Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents, Monarchs, Directors and all officers all over the world. Then only will there be real contentment everywhere…. contentment is very essential to progress.’
9th July, 1949
SIKH AMONG SIKHS
Sri Mam Raj of the Tehri State brought in the Government of India’s Food Commissioner, a middle aged Sikh gentleman. As they were discussing the purpose of the Food Commissioner’s visit, etc. and his visit to Srinagar that day, Siva quietly thrust into each one’s hands a few of his books. It is common knowledge that he does not wait to listen through even the visitor’s talk but simultaneously goes on autographing several books and passes them on. Siva never allows himself to procrastinate. And, he is an Ashtavadhani: so that he could do all things at the same time. He would be conversing with the visitor, giving directions to the Ashramites and signing books—all at the same time and with equal attention and zeal.
Mam Raj described their adventures up and down Srinagar (a place about sixty miles towards Badrinath in the Himalayas, from Rishikesh.)
‘Swamiji, it was raining. And, the roads were impassable. Mountains had started breaking down. We had a very risky ride. Once we almost tumbled into Ganges. It was only your grace and blessings that brought us here.’
The Sikh accompanying the Food Commissioner was happy to see that in Siva’s ‘Lives of Saints’ Guru Nanak’s life had been included: and that in Siva’s book, ‘World’s Religions’, Sikhism had found a succinct exposition. ‘Maharaj, you have done for your religion what the leaders among Sikhs themselves ought to have done. You are the foremost among Sikhs.’
‘It is all one! All religions speak of the One God. There is no difference on fundamentals. Only superficialities differ. We ought to ignore them and cease to quarrel with one another. The details and the ceremonies and the rituals are only for our own good. We should practise them and adhere to them. But, we should not make that the bone of contention and cause riots. Each man should follow his own religion, realising and appreciating the unity of the fundamental tenets of his religion with those of all others in the world.’
The Food Commissioner, a devout Sikh, fell into a tranquil exposition of the tenets of his religion. As soon as he mentioned Kirtan as one of the fundamentals of Sikhism, Siva began….
Sat Nam Sat Nam Sat Nam Ji
Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Ji
….and the entire hall was resounding with the Kirtan Dhwani immersing all in the Calm of the One God—Truth.
When he found that Kirtan had already found its master in Siva, the F.C. turned to Japji Saheb and found that there, too….
‘Japji is the best pocket book of spiritual essence I have seen,’ exclaimed Siva. ‘It is full of divine wisdom. In fact, it is out and out Upanishadic.’
Naturally, the F.C. fell to admiring Siva for his vast knowledge of Sikhism and then turned to quoting Guru Granth Saheb. At the very mention of the name Siva began to recite the Mula Mantra which thrilled the Sikhs.
As soon as the recitation was over, Siva explained: ‘You see this Mula Mantra of the Sikhs contains the very essence of Hindu Upanishads and the core of the teachings of Lord Jesus or Lord Muhammad. All these great prophets of the world have had the same realisation of the Infinite God.’
When the F.C. came into Siva’s presence and was entertained to tea, he had hardly expected that he, in whose presence he has had the privilege of sitting, was the He in whom all religions had their culmination. Siva’s Kirtan, however, enraptured him. Siva’s discourse on the unity of religions and the oneness of God appealed to him.
But what followed perhaps had the effect of….let’s see.
It was raining outside. An old man (a Sindhi) tottered in soaked to the bones and his coat almost turned into a cotton-pulp. I was standing at the intervening door. I intended to make him wait in the D.J. Hall Annexe, to let him undress himself, etc. Hardly had he reached the door….his shoes, wet and heavy, dropped off, and the man was in a semi-conscious state.
‘Where is my Gurudev? Where is my Lord? Please show him to me. Please….please….my dear. Where is he?’ In silence I bowed to his feet….what a flower of devotion to the Guru….and led him in. In his hurry, he did not even choose to take off his cap. Perhaps nothing but Gurudev was in his mind. He fell on his knees. He hugged Siva’s feet, embraced them, kissed them, took their dust and sprinkled them on his forehead and body. Folded palms, eyes half-closed shedding tears of an inexpressible joy, he sat down in the attitude of devout prayer looking up to the face of Siva as one would look up to Him.
‘Hey Bhagavan, you are my only Saviour. Please bless me. Turn your eye of grace towards me. I am a lowly wretched creature. Through your grace alone can I tread this path of righteousness. Show me the way.’
Siva turned to him. What passed then is neither for mortal eyes, nor for finite words….something that surpasseth understanding. After a few minutes like this, the old man bowed again and departed. Only then did he remember that he had not brought any offerings with him for Siva, the Sanyasin. As I was leading him to the door, he thrust a couple of rupees into my hand and said: ‘Please get some fruits for this and place it at my Gurudev’s feet.’ I could understand the devotee’s heart well enough: he had offered to Gurudev what best he could—his own heart full of faith and devotion—himself. What need hath his Lord for fruits and coins?
When he turned to the world, he thought of its customs. It is just as well that he followed them, too.
The Sikh brethren were watching this with wonderment, bewilderment, perhaps with advantage. They were wise men. For a wise man every incident, every situation abounds in lessons of the greatest moment. They could have compared notes: weighed in their own heart-balance the comparative gains of this old man full of humility and devotion and their own.
The F.C.’s words reflected the effect that this incident had on him. ‘Swamiji, there is a saying in Granth Saheb: ‘He who turns your mind towards God either by his preaching, his conduct or by his mere presence—he is your real friend. He who turns your mind away from him is your real enemy. During the hour I have spent in your august presence I have felt greatly elevated, inspired and exalted. I have found inner peace and an inexpressible joy in your company. You are my true friend, and guide. Bless me that I may be true to my religion.’
The other Sikh brother felt that this great opportunity of meeting perhaps the foremost saint in India today should be well utilised: and he asked: ‘Swamiji, how did this Maya arise in Brahman?’
‘Ask Brahman Himself!’ was the crisp reply which went all around into side-splitting laughter. Siva continued:
‘This is Ati-Prasna or a transcendental question. You will find this question coming up to your mind in various forms: ‘When did Karma begin? When and why was the world created? Why is there evil in the world? Why did the Unmanifest manifest itself? etc. etc.’ The same question is asked by Rama in the Yoga Vasishta and Vasishta says:
‘You are putting cart before the horse. You will not be benefited by an enquiry into this question at all. Meditate and realise Brahman. You will then know the answer to this question. The problem itself will have dissolved by then.’ No one can answer this question. When Knowledge dawns the question itself vanishes. Therefore, there is no answer to the question at all. Brahma Sutra says:
Lokavat tu lee’a kaivalyam
It is only to pacify your doubt. It is really not an answer, for there can be no answer. Yet, the question will arise in the case of every seeker after Truth. You cannot help it. You will have to use your discrimination, pacify the doubt, and then through intense Sadhana and meditation realise God. Then the doubt will vanish. A great Yogi and Jnani was worried with this doubt for twelve years. Then he told me: ‘The worry is over now. It troubled me for twelve years. I could not find an answer. So, I have given up that pursuit and have taken to meditation, Japa and Kirtan. Now I find peace and progress.’ Faith in Guru, Granth Saheb, Kirtan, Japa, meditation and practise of righteousness—these will enable you to progress in the spiritual path and will take you to That where there is no questioning possible.’
With bowed head and folded palms the officers took leave of Siva, profusely thanking him ‘for the precious gifts of these books which shall be my greatest treasure hereafter,’ and for his inspiring Upadesh.
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