Sri Guru Vaani: Why can't you achieve God Realization?

In a recent satsang with P.P. Sri Gurudev, myself and Sri Ravi K got an opportunity to listen to Sri Gurudev's words on Meditation and what it takes to achieve God Realization. I will attempt to recollect to the best of my abilities. HE spoke in Kannada (My proficiency in Kannada is not so great):

"Dhyanada technique inda Devuru Siggatta? AAga aaagidhre evvagalo Devurune maarbhidthayuduru. Devuru siggadhu ellara birth right.

Nimge yaake Sigalla (HE was referring to GOD). Pakshigarige, Praanigalige siggathe. Nimge yaake sigalla? Erudu Uuvva kodu Mara, Hatthu Uuvva Kodthadhe. Shudhdha manasadhindha dina praarthana maadu beku Devuruge. Kanditha sigtare."

English translation is as follows:

"Can you get God Realization with a Meditation technique? If that is the case, people would have sold God long back. Achieving God Realization is every body's birth right.

Why can't you achieve God Realization? Birds and animals get HIM (God), why can't you? A plant that usually gives two flowers starts giving 10 flowers.One can only pray to GOD with deep devotion and pure mind. GOD will surely bless us with HIS GRACE."

HE went on to say that people ask HIM for meditation techniques. Once river water merges with the ocean, it loses its identity of river water. It is now the ocean. It has forgotten the path it took through the mountains and plains to merge with the ocean. Whatever is the path, river ultimately has to merge in the ocean. The path is not important but the merging with the ocean is. Be pure and natural and let the grace carry you to the destination.

There is so much meaning in the above sentences. Sri Guru Gita says "Mantra moolam Guru Vaakyam". That is, root of MANTRA is Sri Guru's words.

May my mind always dwell on Sri Gurudev's lotus feet.

Sri Guru Vaani: What is the right understanding of the world?

Sri Guru Vaani: What is the right understanding of the world?

The first view (that is, world is mithya) helps when one is in the initial stages of exploration of Self. Once when one has got a glimpse of the omnipotent and omnipresent nature of Self, one experiences that the world is a play of Consciousness. It is filled and pervaded with Chiti (Universal Consciousness). Chiti pervades everything, everyone and every place. Upon Self Realization, one is permanently established in equality-consciousness, that is: Everything is inside Brahman and Brahman is inside every thing and every one.

Even when one experiences that Brahman is inside every one, one needs to use common sense and buddhi (intellect) while living in this phenomenal world. Here HE mentioned about a story about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's devotee:

Devotee heard the saint telling him that Brahman is in every thing and every one. While the devotee was walking outside, he saw a wild tusker approaching him and the mahout who is sitting on top of the tusker was requesting everyone to move out of the tusker's way. But the devotee thought that the Brahman is inside elephant as well and hence it won't harm another Brahman (who is inside himself). With this understanding, he stays put on the way of the tusker, which lifts the devotee and throws him at a distance. The devotee suffers severe injuries to his body. Later when the devotee revealed his story to the saint, the saint asked him why he didn't listen to a TOP BRAHMAN (referring to the Mahout sitting on top of the elephant) who is sitting on top of DOWN Brahman (referring to the elephant). The moral of the story is that even after the realization of Unity Consciousness, one needs to employ common sense in life.

I hope I was able to convey Sri Gurudev's Vaani exactly. If there are many mistakes, they are mine.

My Notes:

Following are some Slokas that deal with understanding of the World:

• Sarvam Brahma Niraabhaasam (Sri Guru Gita): Everything is pervaded by BRAHMAN
• Mamaatam Sarva Bhutaatma (Sri Guru Gita): My Self is the Self of all beings
• NaaShivam vidyate kvachit (Svacchanda Tantra): Nothing exists that is not Shiva
• Svecchayaa svabhittau vishvam unmeelayati (Pratyabhijanahridayam): By the power of HER own free will, Chiti (universal consciousness) unfolds the universe on HER own screen
• Chaitanyam Aatma (Siva Sutras): Self is Consciousness. I remember referring to this sloka many times