Immortality

ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।

तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।

मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Lead me from the untruth to the Truth.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality
Om Peace Peace Peace.

That which I truly am is Truth, but what I take myself to be is an illusion.

Unlimited Being and Awareness alone is real. What I think about myself, what I see, and what I feel belong to the realm of maya — not because they do not appear, but because they do not exist independently.

Realization arises through discrimination between the real and the unreal. The unreal does not vanish, just as a mirage does not disappear, but the error is resolved. The mind clearly recognizes its own illusory projections, and the locus of “I” shifts—from the world of duality to the witnessing awareness.

That which is Immortal. Paradise Sighted. Mission Complete. Jai Sri Krishna

At the Universe’s End

 

Finally, all that remains is Silence. Not an emptiness, but a fullness so complete it needs no sound.

A Silence that could have screamed, laughed, whispered—  yet chooses none of these.

What remains is Silence.  The remnant of the Universe that was there once. A Universe that thrived.  A Universe that passed away. 

Oh! For Sure, there is the unbounded joy that it happened.  That without any rhyme or reason that it sprang into existence. A big bang that no one expected. And it thrived, and how.  No one noticed, but slowly the ever-expanding universe, stopped. Sighed. And began to contract.  The big crunch that inevitably follows the big bang.

This impermanence is not a flaw; it is the law of appearance.

The crunch evoked resistance. Tears. But who or what is to deny Duality the promised pound.

Universe after all is the just the snake that appeared momentarily.  Looked glorious in the twilight of ignorance. But at the end it had to disappear, for it was never really there.

So all that remains is silence.  Complete in itself.   Another Universe will arise again. Inevitably.

Within the One that only watches.

Bg. 2.27

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च ।

तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २७ ॥

One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

Jai Sri Krishna

Sri Krishna Saranam Mamah

The Three Steps of Lord Vamana: The Experience of Enlightenment

 Jnanis, the Knowledgeable Ones, would immediately assume a look of indulgence if they were to read the title of this post.  Patiently they would tell me, Enlightenment is not an experience. On the contrary, to the Enlightened, all experience is appearance in Self.   

But the story that I tell today is not the wisdom of someone who is already enlightened. Instead, I tell story of an Individual, a Jiva and his valiant journey to enlightenment.  Of lived experience. Of the amazing layers the story hides.

The Story of Vamana Mahabali is well known in India and essentially goes thus:

Bali was a virtuous and generous asura King, grandson of Prahlada Maharaj, famed for his righteousness, devotion, and unmatched charity.  Valiant, Dharmic and disciplined, he had conquered the three worlds, including Lord Indra’s Swarga Lok. He ruled his domain with generosity and fairness. 

In keeping with His Kingly Duties, Bali decided to perform an Aswamedha Yagna, in order to establish his sovereignty and authority as an Emperor. A formalization of his Chakravartin status.  Indra, understandably, grew apprehensive and frightened of Bali’s glory. He prayed for Lord Vishnu’s help in this matter.

Opportunity presented itself during the Yagna process, in the course of which it is a normal practice for the King to grant alms to visiting wise men.  Vishnu, who is Lord Almighty Himself, assumed the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmachari.  Approaching King Bali, Vamana asked for three steps of land.  Śukrācārya, Bali’s guru, warned him that the dwarf was none other than Vishnu in disguise and would test him. Yet Bali, the great devotee and righteous King that he was, kept his word and granted the boon. On receiving it, Vamana grew into Trivikrama, covering earth and heavens in two strides. With nowhere left, Bali offered his head, upon which Vamana placed the third step.  

The third step transports Bali into a different dimension, the Patala, where he is crowned the ruler.  Touched by Bali’s righteousness, Lord Almighty promises to be ever present with him.

Additionally, Bali is granted immortality, eternal fame, and the boon to return once a year to visit his people (celebrated as Onam in Kerala).  And as an honour to his greatness, we know him today as Mahabai or the Bali the Great.

This is the basic outline of the legend, described in much more detail is Bhagavad Purana and other Vaishnava scriptures.   Amazing though the story is, growing up, I always used to have the feeling that there was more to the story than what is immediately understood on the first reading. 

So, what do the three steps really signify? Let’s unpack the story together.

Saranagati and the Experience of Bliss

The legend of Mahabali is first and foremost an account of intense devotion and surrender. A recognition that to the true devotee, everything, including one’s possessions, achievements and station in life, entirely and wholly belong to the Lord Himself.  Offering all that back to Lord is akin to standing on the waters of the holy river Ganga and offering the water in prayer to Ma Ganga.  What is offered already belonged to the Lord.  The only reason to have scoped up a little in the palm of the hand is to offer it back.  Thus, in the Vamana Mahabali legend, first two steps represent the surrender of the external trappings of Samsara to the Lord.  Bali literally is surrendering Earth and Heavens to the Lord. 

The third step however is the critical one because it deals with the most subtle of our possessions, which is the ego.  One of the main functions of ego is appropriation and attributing it to oneself -- I did this, that is mine, I caused this to happen.  Ego is tied to our sense of person.   When Bali offered his head to Vamana, what that actually indicates is that he surrendered his ego to the Lord.  The ultimate surrender or Saranagati.  That’s what the third step represents.

It is this surrender, this Saranagati, that grants Bali the eternal companionship of the Lord.  Transcendence and Bliss.   

However, Saranagati of this level is impossible for most of us to even imagine, controlled by ego that we are.  Of course, many of us take shelter under Lord’s protection, but in most cases the protection we seek is for our tiny selves and all the chains that bind us.  What Bali Maharaj did was to sacrifice that ego itself. 

But if not Bali, who else could do something this great?  Was he not brave -- the conqueror of the three worlds?  Was his not from the Lineage of the great Prahlad Maharaj, the foremost among devotee himself?  Was his not a devotee of the first order himself?

It is his valour, devotion and control of emotions that made him worthy of this sacrifice.  As the legend shows, even for him the final offering was not easy.  Śukrācārya’s warning is indicative of an ego that wants to hang on to the illusory world. Bali is Great because he had the determination to resist ego and go beyond it.  

As Swami Vivekananda had remarked – The Love of God can’t be reached by the weak.  King Mahabali is a great example of that truth.

Srila Prabhupada held this sacrifice of ego Bali in high esteem.  According to Srila Prabhupada, the Vamana Avatar story teaches us that true spiritual wealth is gained through surrender and devotion to the Lord, and that even powerful kings can achieve eternal glory by sacrificing their material possessions and ego. 

What we see in the Mahabali legend, is essentially the highest achievement of a devotee, of a Bhakta – the surrender of the ego to gain the eternal companionship of almighty.  

The scriptures say he went to Patala. But if the Lord Himself promised to be with him always, is that not the same as residing in Goloka, the eternal abode, the highest destination of the devotee?  In that sense, Mahabali did not lose anything at all — he attained the highest victory. And what Lord Vishnu offered him was not a punishment, but that most precious prize.

Can there be a deeper understanding of the story?  Perhaps we can indeed go deeper, but let’s leave that for Part-2 of this exploration.

For now, let’s pray to Lord Almighty that he blesses us with devotion and Saranagati as well.  There’s no better guide in our spiritual progress than the Bhagavad Gita.

Jai Sri Krishna

Happy Onam.

Saranagati - The Journey of the Sadhaka

 The Journey

Our story starts with a wave in the ocean.   He is the hero of our story. Let’s name him Greg.     

Greg was born in the mid-ocean as a small ripple.  Imperceptible initially but holding immense potential.  As a small wave, Greg has other wave friends and spends time frolicking around the vast ocean. Greg loves his friends.  As time goes on, our little Greg gathers more water and grows.  And in the process of noticing his own growth, Greg also discovers conceit and envy.  There are some waves that are bigger than him, he is envious of them.  There are some which are smaller, he feels superior to them and treats them a little condescendingly.

In general, our Greg is a nice, good-natured wave.  Happy go lucky sort of chap who means well, has faith and devotion to Ocean - the Lord of All waves and is generally liked by fellow waves.

There are pleasant days and there are stormy days, through all this Greg grows and travels in and through the ocean, joyful, intoxicated, unconcerned. 

One day he gets up and at a far distance on the horizon notices something new and different. A long unmoving black ribbon with a thin white patch towards the bottom that stretched as far as eyes could see.  Coming toward him.

***

He called out to his buddy -- “Hey, Warren”

“Yo, Greg”, Warren replied cheerily.

“I spy that big black ribbon, yonder.  What be that?”, Greg asked.

“That be the shores of the Holy Puri Dham, Greg ol’ buddy.  We all be headed there.”

“Why be that?”, Greg was confused.

“That’d be the end our journey old fella. We shall fall at the feet of Lord Jagannath on the holy shores.  I will cease to be Warren, and you will cease to be Greg.   Our beautiful journey would thus come to an end.   We are lucky that it concludes in such as amazing place.”

Greg looked with horror at the ribbon inching towards him.  It was already a bit closer than a few minutes earlier. And even though the shore was still quite some distance away, Greg could see wave after wave, in front of him hit the sandy shores and disappeared into nothingness.

 "Help, Ocean Lord! I’m going to die!" Greg screamed, froth bubbling from his crest in sheer panic.

He trashed around a bit and tried to change his direction to go back to the ocean, but much as he tried the shore kept getting closer.

Seeing his turmoil, Warren spoke to him calmly.

“Greg, ol’ buddy, Relax.”

“What do you mean Relax.  We are all going to die.  Asking me to Relax is such a heartless thing to say.   If you know how I can escape this impending death on the shores of Puri, tell me Warren. Greg whispered, defeated. “Is there no escape?”

“Maybe I should gather some more size, then when I hit the shore, I will not die.  Yes, that’s what I will do.”  He suddenly said in a resolute manner, more to himself than Warren.

But even as he made the comment, Greg noticed that waves that were way greater than he could ever be, were crashing and disappearing.  

It was hopeless.

Greg started to cry.  Would Lord Ocean not help him in this time of his need?

***

“You won’t die. Relax”, Warren repeated.

Greg was startled to hear Warren’s voice behind him.

“What do you mean?”, Greg asked.

“There’s a secret. If you know that, it will remove the sorrow that you feel right now and turn your life into a never-ending bliss.  What’s more, it gives you instant immortality.”

“Quickly, tell me what it is.”  Greg asked with sudden hope and interest.

“Hmmm, tell me who are you”, Warren asked.

“What sort of question is that?  You know I am your friend Greg.”

“No, who are you really”

Greg thought a bit and said, “I know what you mean.  Ok, I am a wave”

“Ok.  Go deeper”

“I am a wave in Indian Ocean.  My height is 1.5 meters, and Ocean Lord has given a crazy friend called Warren who asks me silly questions”, Grey managed a short laugh even in his state of fear.

“Interesting. Who is this your Ocean Lord of yours?”

“Ocean Lord is our Lord God.  The creator of all waves, including you, Dear Warren. Everything belongs to Him. He is the ultimate owner of all.  He is infinite and we are infinitesimal.  It is by His grace that we exist and by His laws that we live. Hail Ocean Lord! Please save me.”

“Good.  But go on please. How is Ocean Lord connected to you”, Warren prodded further.

Greg Paused an instant and continued, “I have always looked at Ocean as something different, but in my last minutes, I am starting to see I was never apart from Ocean. Ocean was never far from me.  Ocean is the whole and I am the part.  Even as I say this, a strange peace envelops me.  Though I know my end is near, it doesn’t feel like that much like an end. I am part of the Ocean and the Ocean never ends.  Hail Ocean Lord!”

“But you can go deeper still Greg, ol’ fellow.  You are still looking at the surface level, at appearances.  Close your eyes and look inside, look deeper”, Warren’s voice was calm, peaceful.

“Inside?!  Wait a minute …” Greg closed his eyes.

“You and the Ocean. Both are appearances in water. The Water in the only reality, Greg, That water Thou Art. Tat Tvam Asi.”  Warren continued calmly.

On hearing that Greg fell into a deep meditation.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was just a few moments, Greg opened his eyes, calm and contained.  Warren happily noticed that his friend had achieved enlightenment.

Greg spoke again, but this time quietly, with the wisdom of the Ocean manifesting through him.  “I see now Warren; I see it all.   The water was always the only reality, Greg, Warren, and all the other waves are just appearances that come and go.  The water remains water.  Why the Ocean Lord itself is an appearance in this water, a special appearance of course, but the underlying reality of the ocean and the waves is just the same water,”

Point to himself, Greg continued, “This small wave Greg, is just a name and form that appeared transiently. Its only role is to play the part that Ocean has given it.  But in reality, the wave is just a localized expression of me, the water.  I, the water, have no shape, no form, I am without beginning, without end.  Waves can come and go, it doesn’t matter. But I the water am eternal, I am forever”.

As Greg finished speaking, he and Warren realized that they had reached the shores of Puri Dham. 

With the calmness and surrender to divine will, that can only come to the enlightened, both the friends prostrated themselves to the Lord.

 “Jai Baba Jagannath”, they shouted in unison with happiness and bliss. 

And with that they stopped being the physical waves named Greg and Warren.

***

The Philosophy

This is my expansion of an example Swami Sarvapriyananda often cites in his lectures.  As examples go, it explains the underlying concept of Vedanta nicely.  

The Wave Greg is the Jiva.  The Ocean is Ishwara.  The Water is Brahman.  The journey of Greg is the journey of Sadhana. Warren is the enlightened teacher, who can come in any form, here he came as Greg’s friend. 

Greg’s journey, if you discern carefully, has four distinct phases.

• At the beginning he is agnostic.  He knows Ishwara is there, but he is more concerned with the world and his role here.
• The second stage, he becomes aware of his utter dependence on Ishwara, he realizes the ocean is his Lord.  This is philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta.
• The third stage is where he realizes that he is part of the Ishwara. Ishwara is the whole of which he is an infinitesimal part.  This is the Philosophy of Visista-advaita Vedanta
• The final stage is when he realizes that in reality, he is Brahman, the One witness consciousness that is the only reality and in which the entire cosmos appears due to the magic of Maya.  Greg realizes --  "There was never a separate I.  Only Brahman Is".  

This realization bestows unto Greg, the best fruit of Sadhana – Saranagati – Surrender.   The common destination of both the Bhakta and Jnani. 

And Finally, there's the word of God...  

Sri Krishna speaks these Glorious words in Bhagavad Gita

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja

ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ

BG 18.66: Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.

Jai Sri Krishna

-----

The image that I have used here belongs to the owner.  It showed up in my facebook feed and triggered this thought process that started first as a Whatsapp discussion and finally ended up as a blogpost.

Meditations on Mahashivaratri

 

Why is our benevolent Shiva is called the Destroyer?   -  This is a question that always vexed me.

My analysis is the following.  

The path of Lord Shiva, the Meditation, is one of Self Enquiry. The culmination of that is the point where the illusion of Duality is removed. One realizes that the empirical cosmos that enamor us so, it is just an appearance, its reality is therefore destroyed.    Along with that is destroyed the illusion of reality of the one that started on this journey. 

All that remains is Brahman, who is Shiva. 

Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam.

What do you think? Please do share your thoughts in comments below.

Om Namah Shivaya.

And the Truth will set You Free

Jiva is who you are. Right at this moment.  Yes, You! The one who is reading this.  But, guess what? This is just the apparent reality.  

You are way more amazing !!!  

The Truth, Vedanta, tells us is that this very Jiva is the One Reality, the all-pervading Brahman.

The mind immediately rebels.  How sacrilegious!! 

How can this little me, the one beset with problems and doubts, the one held captive by small desires and fears, be Brahman?    What monster sized sin am I incurring by equating myself with Lord God, the Alpha and the Omega? 

Along comes Vedanta, calms us down, and says – Know Thyself.  Know the Truth.  The Truth will set You free.

So what is Vedanta really trying to tell us?  Let us unpack this.

Rupert Spira, in his meditations, often calls the Individual (the Jiva) a wilful localization of the Infinite (the Brahman) to a Finite existence, an apparent act of self-limitation.  

The Infinite One appears as Many through infinite number of such localizations.  And as these Many, experiences Itself in the infinite variety of appearances.  

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam
Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate 

The inherent ability which allows the Brahman to appear as Many is call Maya. 

Maya enables Brahman to project itself as an infinite number of what I would call “conceptual entities”.  These “conceptual entities” in conjunction with Brahman becomes something which appears or manifests.   These manifestations can be Jiva or Jada, depending on the characteristics of the “conceptual entity”.   In Vedantic Terms these conceptual entities are called "Nama-Rupa" which literally translates Name and Form and is the mechanism for the One to appear as Many.  

Closely tied with the concept of Nama-Rupa is the process of “Upadhi” that governs how the conjunction/association of the “conceptual entity” with Brahman actually occurs and results in the appearance of a manifested entity.   Upadhi is the processes through which an item appears to transfer its own characteristics to another.  

Recently, Swami Sarvapriyananda ji demonstrated this process by placing objects of different colours behind a clear glass of water and showing how the water appears to have taken on the colour of the object placed behind without actually changing.  When a orange flower is placed behind that glass of water, from the perspective of someone seeing the glass from the other side, the water will appear orange.

Similarly, the association of the "conceptual-entity", the Nama-Rupa, with the Brahman, results in an entity appearing in the Cosmos.   It is important to understand that both the Cosmos and the manifested entities are Mithya, dependent realities that appear on the substratum of the One Reality Brahaman,   

Some of the "conceptual entities" in conjunction with Brahman, manifest as inert material, such as a stone or AI, called Jada, they manifest the Existence aspect of the Infinite.  Some manifest both Existence and Consciousness, and those are us, the Jivas. 

So, as Jiva we are essentially Brahman with the Upadhi of the individual “Conceptual Entity” that we think we are. 

Each of us. 

The same.

Brahman has been described as Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam.   Existence, Consciousness, Infiniteness.     

As Jiva we are Really non different from Brahman.  Jivo brahmaiva naparah.

That is the Truth.

But how will this set us free?

 The moment we realize that we not the “conceptual entity”, but we in truth are that One Brahman, we are instantly freed of the “conceptual entity” that we thought we were and all associated problem.   What’s more, we realize that this Cosmos is but a Cosmic Play, our Real role is that of a detached observer.  Just like the screen, upon which a movie is appearing. 

Of course in this empirical reality that we call our Cosmos or Jagat, the Jiva that we manifest still has a role to play. 

As Sri Krishna, instructs us in Bhagavad Gita, the knowledge of Truth allows us to play this role to the best of our ability but with detachment. 

We work for the outcome as required by the Dharma of the situation we find ourselves in, but not for the result that accrues to the “conceptual entity”.    It’s all funny money anyway. 

This concept is not unique to Vedantic thought process alone and finds echo in other cultures as well. Lord Jesus knew the Truth and I think this is what he tried explaining to his audience: 

"I and the Father are one."   - John 10.30

"You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” - John 8.20

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  - John 8.31-32.  

These statements about knowing the Truth and the Truth setting one free resonate deeply with Vedanta’s core message of liberation through self-knowledge.

In India, of course, this Truth has always been known and understood.  My brother and I have grown up hearing our mother repeat the following saying quite often 

Dharma pothe Mati rekhe Karma Kore Jao.

Keeping Mind Focused on the tenets of Dharma, perform your duties as a Karma Yogi.   

In this endeavour there is no greater friend that our own Sri Krishna and no bigger support than our devotion to Him.

That’s the secret of eternal happiness and cessation of all sorrow.

So How do you get there? 

By Sadhana.

The process of Sadhana involves prising apart the limiting Nama-Rupa from Brahman. Not physically, but spiritually.  Until Brahman alone shines forth in all its glory.

This, essentially, is the Subject Matter of Bhagavad Gita where Sri Krishna, explains masterfully, the mechanics to knowing your identity.  Do it through Devotion, through Mediation, through Service or through the path of Contemplation and Knowledge. Or through a combination of those.  

Let Sri Krishna, Lord God Himself, be your guide.  It is His Grace, His Grace alone, that allows us to reach the Truth. 

Sri Krishna Saraman Mamah.

NOW

Focus on NOW.   Whatever you understand by the term is fine.  Just focus on what the term refers to. Cut out the distractions.  And slowly … 

Dive in.

As you immerse yourself into the Now, you start to realize Now encompasses everything you know.  Every experience, every activity, every memory, every anticipation, every thought appears in NOW alone.  

Not just these. All that is known, all that is knowable, the One that knows, are all present in the present moment only.  Whatever you are experiencing right now, be it a acute physical pain, a heartache or the feeling of calm, experience of warmth, or a beautiful sight, are appearances that are presented to the One that knows - You.  

Go a little deeper.

Try to step out of Now.  Can you move, ever so slightly, to a point out of now?  

No.

You can perhaps think of something that happened in the past?  But look closely. The only current reality in that activity is not the event that you are remembering but the thought of remembrance that happens now.   Same goes for any anticipation of future.  Or an imaginary situation.  All these are just thoughts which appear in mind, NOW.   

Mind you, these Appearances can entrap and hide the underlying reality of NOW where all this things are playing out.  That is what Maya does.   

The trick is to keep the focus on NOW and let the appearance appear and disappear in and out.  Now thus becomes the screen on which the flashing movie of reality unfolds.

Meditating thus, you realize that Now is beyond time.  In fact, NOW encompasses all eternity.  It is timeless.

Everything appears in NOW.  

Go Deeper Still.

See if for a moment you can imagine a YOU that is not NOW.   This is a delicate step. Takes time. But soon you realize that that YOU and NOW are actually inseparable.   This NOW you realize is not a slice of time, it is not an instant in the temporal stream.  Rather what this NOW is the substratum of all appearances, it is the timeless awareness, that we call Brahman. The timeless presence in which moments (time) appear is the ultimate reality. The self-luminous, self-aware Is-ness in which all "reality" appears.  It is YOU.

As you focus on NOW, you find Yourself.

Stay there.

Hari Om Tat Sat.

*********

Note:  This passage was written to induce an experiential understanding of  The One Truth  (Brahman).

Update:  13-Sep-2025

I saw this picture containing a saying by Spira that I think adds more context to this reflection.  So I am including this here.

Update:  19/2/2026

Just wanted to clarify  --- 

The passage doesn't propose to defend -- presentism (“only the present exists”).

Instead what it try to posit is that 
Sat-Chid (Brahman) is the ultimate reality.  Also Ananda, but that's a discussion for another day.

Nididhyasana: The Practice of Deep Contemplation (AI-Generated)

A Path to Self-Realization

Nididhyasana, derived from the ancient Sanskrit language, is a significant practice in the realm of Advaita Vedanta, an Indian philosophical tradition that emphasizes non-dualism. The term "Nididhyasana" can be loosely translated as "deep contemplation" or "profound meditation." It represents the third and final stage of the tripartite process of attaining self-realization, following Sravana (listening to the teachings) and Manana (reflective contemplation).

The Essence of Nididhyasana

Nididhyasana is not merely a form of meditation but a dedicated process of internalizing spiritual truths until they become an integral part of one's consciousness. While Sravana involves listening to the teachings of the Upanishads and other scriptural texts, and Manana requires reasoning and reflecting upon these teachings, Nididhyasana is about transforming this intellectual understanding into a living experience.

The Practice

The practice of Nididhyasana entails intense and sustained contemplation on the truths revealed during Sravana and Manana. It involves:

• Focused Meditation: Unlike general meditation practices that may focus on breath or an object, Nididhyasana involves meditating on specific spiritual truths, such as the nature of the self (Atman) and its unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

• Visualization: Practitioners often visualize themselves as the infinite, non-dual consciousness, transcending the limitations of the physical body and mind.

• Affirmations: Repeatedly affirming the core teachings of Advaita Vedanta, such as "I am Brahman" (Aham Brahmasmi) to reinforce these truths in the subconscious mind.

• Integration in Daily Life: Nididhyasana is not confined to formal meditation sessions but is integrated into daily activities, constantly reminding oneself of the non-dual nature of reality.

The Goal of Nididhyasana

The ultimate goal of Nididhyasana is to transcend the illusion of duality and realize the oneness of the individual self (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman). This realization leads to the dissolution of ego and the experience of true freedom and bliss (Ananda). It is a state where one perceives the world as a manifestation of the divine and lives in harmony with all beings.

Benefits of Nididhyasana

The practice of Nididhyasana offers numerous benefits, both spiritual and psychological:

• Self-Realization: The primary benefit is the attainment of self-realization, where one experiences the true nature of the self beyond the physical and mental limitations.

• Inner Peace: By constantly contemplating on the non-dual nature of reality, one develops a profound sense of inner peace and equanimity.

• Reduction of Suffering: Understanding the illusory nature of the ego and the material world helps in reducing attachment and aversion, leading to a significant reduction in suffering.

• Enhanced Awareness: Nididhyasana sharpens the mind and enhances awareness, allowing one to perceive the deeper truths of existence.

• Compassion and Love: Realizing the unity of all beings fosters a sense of compassion and unconditional love towards others.

Challenges in Nididhyasana

• While Nididhyasana is a powerful practice, it is not without challenges. Some of the common obstacles include:

• Restless Mind: Keeping the mind focused on abstract spiritual truths can be difficult due to its natural tendency to wander.

• Deep-Seated Conditioning: Overcoming deep-seated beliefs and conditioning that reinforce the sense of duality requires persistent effort and dedication.

• Lack of Immediate Results: Unlike some meditation practices that offer immediate calming effects, the results of Nididhyasana may take time to manifest, requiring patience and perseverance.

• Intellectual Understanding vs. Experience: Transforming intellectual understanding into experiential knowledge is a subtle and challenging process.

Overcoming the Challenges

To overcome these challenges, practitioners can employ several strategies:

• Regular Practice: Consistency is key. Regular practice helps in gradually deepening the meditative state and reinforcing the non-dual truths.

• Guidance from a Teacher: Seeking guidance from an experienced teacher can provide valuable insights and techniques to overcome obstacles.

• Supportive Environment: Creating a conducive environment for practice, free from distractions, can enhance concentration and focus.

• Supplementary Practices: Combining Nididhyasana with other supportive practices like mindfulness, pranayama (breath control), and physical exercises can help in managing restlessness and maintaining overall well-being.

The Role of Faith and Devotion

In Advaita Vedanta, faith (Shraddha) and devotion (Bhakti) play crucial roles in supporting the practice of Nididhyasana. Faith in the teachings and the guidance of the teacher helps in sustaining the practice, especially during challenging times. Devotion to the divine, in any form, fosters a sense of surrender and humility, which are essential for dissolving the ego and experiencing the non-dual reality.

Common Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about Nididhyasana that need to be addressed:

• It is Only for Monks: While traditionally associated with monastic life, Nididhyasana can be practiced by anyone committed to spiritual growth, regardless of their lifestyle.

• It Requires Renunciation: Nididhyasana does not necessarily require renunciation of worldly duties. It is about changing one's perception of reality, not abandoning responsibilities.

• It is a Passive Practice: Nididhyasana is an active and dynamic process of internal transformation, not a passive or escapist practice.

Conclusion

Nididhyasana is a profound and transformative practice that leads to the ultimate realization of non-dual reality. It requires dedication, perseverance, and the right guidance. By integrating this practice into daily life, one can experience the true essence of existence and live in harmony with the universe. As the ancient sages of India have proclaimed, "Tat Tvam Asi" – "Thou Art That" – the realization that the individual self is none other than the universal consciousness is the pinnacle of spiritual evolution.

In the journey of Nididhyasana, every step taken with sincerity brings one closer to the divine truth, unfolding the infinite potential within and paving the way for a life of wisdom, peace, and boundless joy.

Harmonizing between Devotion and Non-Dualism

If you are stuck in a situation where you are trying to follow both the path of Devotion and Non-Duality, you are putting yourself into a world of confusion and bewilderment.

• If you are Brahman, the One Reality, who are you being devoted to in prayers?
• If you are a Devotee of Lord Krishna (Or Shiva, Or Kali), how can you turn around and see yourself in the same pedestal where you place your Ista? 

This can and will drive you nuts.  

Swami Sarvapriyananda ji was once told by a senior monk --  

Je tomar Ista, Shei Tomar Atma.   

Meaning: 

The One who is your Ista, that very same One is also your Atman.

OK ...  But how does that help you?

The Only way to cut through this confusion is to be super honest with yourself and ask this:

Have I realized undeniably that I am the One Witness Consciousness, within what the entire Cosmos appears?   

This realization shouldn't be a intellectual understanding.  It has to be a lived experience. 

If yes:  (Master, I touch your feet and am honored beyond words that you are here)

Then you know what you know.  As Lord Krishna said Himself, the enlightened ones are His greatest devotees.  Please help us on our journey. 

If no:  (Which is the case for most of us.  Welcome to the Club) 

Grab hold the feet of your Ista, without His grace no non-dual self realization shall you ever come across.  There is nothing more important than Devotion when you are on the path to Self Realization.

If Errr:  (This is the dangerous in-between state. During mediation or self enquiry you get to the state of Oneness but you snap out of it when the phone rings or the world gives you a prod)

Keep things separate, like Quantum Physics and Relativity. There's no need for a unified field theory and absolutely avoid the desire to find one. 

During Meditation - Abide in Self.  Go deeper.  If a stray thought of Iswara comes, know that you have reached here with His blessings but bring the focus back into forming your Brahmakar Vritti.  Focus.

During Prayers or Interacting with the World: Focus on Bhakti, Focus on the words you are chanting. Spiritualize your life and work. Live Karma Yoga.  Your intellect Knows Brahman is the foundation upon which all appears and while you mayn't always perceive the Cosmos that way all the time, you can and should see Cosmos as a manifestation of your Ista Devata Grace. Keep focus on Bhakti during your Prayers and Work done in the Spirit of Karma Yoga.    

Well, that is the simple not-so-simple path to retaining sanity that sometime works. 

Now you know why they say:  Don't follow multiple paths simultaneously.

But if you are like me....

Hari bol! 

A Recollection of a Sacred Sojourn to Dakshineswar

Disclaimer:  This blogpost has been written in collaboration with Gen AI

Namaskar dear devotees. Allow me to share the tale of a journey to the sacred precincts of Dakshineswar, a place sanctified by the divine presence of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Ma Sarada, and the spiritual legacy carried forward by Swami Vivekananda.

A pilgrimage to Dakshineswar, for me is always the highlight of a visit to Kolkata/Dankuni.  This time was no different.

Ma and I set out early from our home in Dankuni, determined to beat the inevitable influx of devotees drawn to the spiritual magnetism of Dakshineswar. As we traversed the familiar streets of Kolkata Dankuni leading up to Dakshineshwar, anticipation danced in the air, and the city seemed to resonate with a sense of divine grace. 

Returning after five years, we noticed the winds of change had swept through the surroundings. The quaint hut-style eateries that once adorned the path to Dakshineswar had given way to well-constructed restaurants, a testament to the evolving landscape of this sacred pilgrimage site. 

The atmosphere was different, cleaner, and not yet bustling with the mid-morning crowd. The transformation was undeniable, yet beneath the external changes, the essence of Dakshineswar remained timeless, beckoning devotees to its spiritual embrace. 

We purchased fragrant floral offerings for Ma Bhavatarini, eager to present our love and devotion at her lotus feet. The flowers, vibrant and filled with symbolism, seemed to carry the prayers whispered in our hearts.  

As we stepped into the temple premises, an inexplicable feeling of bliss enveloped us. It was as if the Avataar Sri Ramakrishna had left an indelible mark on every inch of the sacred land. The very ground we tread upon seemed to echo with the divine footsteps of those who had walked this path before us.

The Pranam mantra to Thakur, that Swamiji had composed resonated in our mind:

“Sthapakaya Cha Dharmasya Sarva Dharma-Svarupne;

Avatara-Varsthaya Ramakrishnaya Te Namah.”

To The One Who Came To Establish Spirituality, One Who Is The Personification Of All Faiths And Religions, One Who Is The Greatest Embodiment Of The Divine, To That Ramakrishna I Offer My Salutations.

There was a queue for Darshan, a testament to the enduring allure of Ma Bhavatarini. However, the line was not overly long, and the early hour granted us a sense of tranquility. The journey to the sanctum sanctorum unfolded with each step, building a crescendo of spiritual anticipation.

Before long, we found ourselves in the hallowed presence of Ma Bhavatarini. The divine energy in the sanctum was palpable, and our hearts resonated with a deep sense of connection. We offered prayers, surrendering our hopes, fears, and gratitude at the feet of the Divine Mother.

As part of the Puja offerings, we received back from the Temple Pujari, Flowers, Prasad and pieces of clothing as tangible symbols of Ma’s blessings. Slowly we made our way out of the sanctum to the sitting area that faces the sanctum. 

As we sat in the sitting area, gazing from afar at the divine countenance of Ma Bhavatarini, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that Sri Ramakrishna had achieved enlightenment at this very place by Mother's grace.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev was truly a spiritual genius. The essence of his teachings lies in the universality of spiritual paths and the realization of the divine through direct personal experience. He emphasized the idea that all religions are valid paths to God and advocated for the harmony of different religious traditions, encouraging individuals to cultivate a deep, personal connection with the divine through sincere spiritual practice. My own humble journey in Spiritual life has been entirely guided by this approach and has enabled me to see the same Truth, my Lord Sri Krishna, in both the Advaita and Dvaiata paths. Joto Math, Toto Path. 

After leaving the temple, we made our way to the Ghats of the Ganga to collect holy water. The Ghat area, now made divine by the newly installed statues of the original devotees of Sri Ramakrishna, both monks and householders, exuded a serene energy. The river Ganga flowed calmly, mirroring the spiritual serenity of the surroundings.

But the journey did not end there. We proceeded to the nearby Aadya Ma Temple. It happened to be a special day at the temple, and an elaborate prayer ceremony was underway. Being early allowed us to take our place in front of the sitting area for devotees, providing a clear view of the entire proceeding. The ceremony unfolded with grace and devotion, immersing us in the spiritual ambiance. 

Following the ceremony, we made our way to the Prasad hall and enjoyed an amazing Prasad lunch, a humble feast that filled not just our stomachs but our souls with gratitude and contentment.

With vessels filled with sacred Ganga water and hearts brimming with the blessings of Ma Bhavatarini and the luminaries who found enlightenment in Dakshineswar, we concluded our visit—a journey that lingered in our memories as a tapestry woven with threads of devotion, spirituality, and divine grace.

Jai Maa!

-----------------

This blogpost was generated in collaboration with AI.  The parts which are in Courier font are generated by ChatGPT with my minor edits in Calibri.  Notice how it has mimicked my writing style.

The rudimentary techniques applied to make the ChatGPT sound like me can be found in the following link

https://chat.openai.com/share/248a47ee-3867-458f-b659-b6659d6bdecd  

You will notice that sometimes it still makes errors but these are easily recoverable.  The trick is not to use ChatGPT as a know-all Oracle but more like a brainstorming partner.

Happy Exploring.

Jai Ma.   The True Intelligence behind All.  

The One

The One:  Brahman

Outside the prison of Space, Time, Objects; beyond the confines of Names, Forms and Functions; and alien to any semblance of duality, there is just One.

One - that is Existence. Consciousness. One that is Infinite. Satyam. Gyanam. Anantam.

Without attribute. Immutable. Eternal. The One Reality is known by the name Brahman.  Brahma Satya. Brahman is the ultimate reality.

Maya

A power that Brahman possesses causes modulations to appear when there are actually none. Like Mirages. This power is referred to as Maya. Maya is not a different entity with an independent existence. Maya is itself an appearance in One Consciousness or Brahman and can be likened to a mirror in which Brahman regards itself within itself.

When Brahman regards itself in the mirror of Maya an infinite number of such modulations (or mirages) appear. Each modulation can be thought of as a localized appearance of the Infinite One as a Finite Temporary phenomenon. This is the process through which the Infinite Eternal All Encompassing One appears as infinite number of temporary appearances. One appears as Many.

This Infinite (Many) appeared in and from That Infinite (One).  

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam

Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate 

The Jagat

The sum-total of the entirety of these Many modulations (appearances, mirages) is known as Jagat. From Universes to Kirtans. From imaginations to Time or Numbers. From Amoeba to GPT. From Humans to the high Devatas, everything are instances of such modulations that form part of Jagat.  All essentially appearances in Brahman activated by Maya.  Jagat is therefore called an empirical reality but not the ultimate one.  Jagat Mithiya.

Jiva

Two known categories of these modulations are Insentient objects like AI that can’t reflect consciousness and sentient objects like kittens that can. Jada and Chetan.  For Chetan, the word that is used often is Jiva.

"Jiva" refers to the individual self or the individual soul. It is the limited and conditioned aspect of consciousness that identifies with the body, mind, and ego. The Jiva is seen as the individualized expression of Brahman. The Jiva is associated with a sense of individuality, personal desires, and the egoic identity.  Jiva is You and I.   What we identify with is are the trappings of Maya - Body, Mind, Relationships, Possessions, all of which are just mirages, appearance.  

The fundamental reality of Jiva, the core, when all trappings are shed, is consciousness alone.  What we fundamentally are, is nothing but Brahman.   

Jivo Brahmaiva Naparah   

The soul, Swami Vivekananda has once said, is a circle whose circumference is nowhere, but whose centre is in some body. The so-called death is only a shift in this centre to another body. God, similarly, is a circle whose circumference is nowhere, but whose centre is in every body.

The reason for Jiva’s existence is know the answer to the question - Who Am I?

The Answer:  That Thou Art.  Tat Tvam Asi.

The path to realize the answer is called Sadhana.  For Sadhana to reach its outcome, there are many requirements and condiitons but nothing is more important than Grace.

Lord Sri Krishna

Grace can only be given by a special appearance of Brahman called Ishwara.  Ishwara can be thought of as the reflection of Brahman in the entirety of Maya. This reflection is all-powerful, all knowing, benevolent. Ishwara is also known as Lord Sri Krishna and many other names. He/She/They are beyond Maya and are self-same as Brahman. Ishwara is Saguna Brahman.  Brahman appearing with all auspicious attributes. 

It is His grace, His mercy alone that allows a Jiva to Transend the shackles of Maya and know the reality. Bhakti makes a Jiva ready to receive that Grace, which Ishwara is always transmitting.  It makes one worthy of reaching enlightenment. 

So, finally, the main thing to strive for is Bhakti.  Achieve that and all else will follow.    

Sri Krishna Saranam Mamah.

“हरेर्नाम हरेर्नाम हरेर्नामैव केवलम् । कलौ नास्त्येव नास्त्येव नास्त्येव गतिरन्यथा॥”

Further Study:

Dear reader, it is natural for many questions to come when we contemplate of this subject matter - such as why does Maya appear? What impels the One to appear as many?  Why should we care even if it does?

Swami Sarvapriyananda ji masterfully addresses these questions in the clip below.  Please do watch.

Finally, I had to add these few line from Srimad Bhagavad Purana that demonstrates one practical implications of this knowledge of Brahman. 

There are other deeper implications, we will cover them together very soon.