navagraha- Nine Celestial Bodies.

Graha is a planet, a star or a celestial body. Since the sun is one of the navagrahas, and sun is not a planet , we assign the 'celestial body' meaning to graha in the translation.

And even the use of the word body in translating graha is very meaningful. The sun, the moon and other seven bodies in the navagraha include the bodies of seven eponymous Gods. Indeed we have seven Rushis (saptarshis) seen as stars. Child-rushi Dhruva is a star. The Arunachala Hill at Tiruvannamalai is Lord Shiva Himself , in lacklustre form, to bless devotees. Kailaas is His abode. Annamalai is He Himself.

The Sun and 6 planets (Moon, Mangal, Budha, Bruhaspati and Shukra) known to us today), lend their names to the seven weekdays. And two shadow planets, Rahu and Ketu, are all together called navagrahas. These seven influence our lives intimately. This is operative part of karma in action.

Sun is manifestion of the sacred Om and is visible to us. Savitaa is his other name. Gaayatree or Saavitree mantra is His mantra form.

Moon (Chandra) is son of Sage Atri and his sagacious wife Anusooyaa.

Mangal is son of Vishnu and Mother Godess Earth.

Budha is son of Chandra and His consort Tara.

Bruhaspati is son of Maharshi Angeerasa. Priest of gods.

Shukra is the Priest of the Demons.

Shani is son of Sun and Samvarnaa, known as Chaayaa, Shadow.

Rahu is son of Simhikaa (daughter of Hiranyakashipu) and Viprachitthi. He sided with the demons during distribution of Amrut and was beheaded. He survives as a head only. Black, shadow-like, he is always hidden in the shadow of Chandra.

Ketu is beheaded Rahu.

Astrolgy is based on navaghrahas. Since more planets are known today, astrology is invalid, some say. Since ghraha is not a planet, this objection is null and void.

How can distant bodies affect us?, ask many. Now, we know gravitaional forces of heavenly bodies. Only quantitatively. We know moon's force is one-sixth of earth's. But qualitatively we know nothing. Earth attracts moon but moon attracts water . There is a qualitative difference. Sun attacts earth but not able to snatch moon away even when the moon is on the same line i.e. in between it and earth on newmoon days! And the moon is nearest toun. Qualitative difference explains.

Distances are so large no force can penentrate, some say. In homeopathy, higher the potency less is the medicine. Scientists are baffled. But it works. Don't deny unless. The court does not accuse as guilty unless proved.

Western countries talk of zodaic signs. The stars are farther away than the solar system. Then why think of distances of our astrology?

We had advanced mathematical and astronomical which are still valid. Predictions are more correct than wrong. Astrologers may go wrong but not astrology. Do not some doctors go wrong? Why blame medical science? Practise may falter. Theory is proven.

srUshTi-- Creation.

UNMANIFEST BRAHMAN WAS ALONE. HE CREATED THE UNIVERSE BUT REMAINS ALONE STILL.



OM WAS THE FIRST MANIFESTATION- SOUND AND LIGHT , sookshma, subtle, transcendental. Called WORD also.



TANMAATRAAS: Five elements- subtle and gross. Aakaasha( ether), vaayu (air), tejas(light ),jala (water ) and pruthvee (earth ). Both Subtle and Gross we can not sense. Something we are not in the know of.

Each gross is split into two, one half of each further split into four each. Each half mixes with the four one-eighth of other four and real gross FIVE elements emerge. Ether is remains unknown entity. Other four also are not what we call as such. Vaaayu is not composed of oxygen, hydrogen etc. Light is not sunlight and any other man-made light.



The subtles after Pancheekarana, give rise to Antahkarana ( inner-organ -mind) . Influenced by Satva, ether gives knowledge( jnaana) whose seat is brain. Air gives manas(mind), light gives buddhi( intellect) , water gives chitta (memory) and pruthvee(earth) gives ahankara (ego ).

These five , called Samashti ( collective ) can opertateb collectively or individually with any five senses or five organs. With Rajoguna, they change to Vyashti( individual ) as Jnaanendriyas. ( Senses like eye, ear etc )With Tamoguna, as Karmendriyas.( hand, leg etc.)

Intution of our ascestors is yet beyond labs of modern science.

NOTE.
23rd .June: Brsahman is ALONE before and after creation. But He is not aloof. He pervades and permeates his creation -like water outside an iceberg and inside the iceberg too.

upanishadukti- An Upanishadic Truth.

BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD. AnUpanishadic statement, found in the BIBLE.
Be still. Jesus says. No movements- physical or mental. No thought should cross your mind. And KNOW-not THINK, is the key word.

Kill the mind. It covers up your understanding and confuses you in knowing things wrongly.
During saadhanaa stage, restrictions on physical movements are there. Once the mind is annihilated, no movements will disturb YOU, GOD in person !

How to lead life without a mind ? It is like a pilot putting controls under AUTO-PILOT. He rests and plane lands under difficult sitiuation with ease.

Man is provided with auto-pilot instrument and it does all the functions which he thinks his mind does. Science says main life-sustaining functions are involuntry .( breathing to begin with.) Man does not breathe as such . He cannot help breathing is the real fact. All his action likewise FORCED on him. First a feeling comes over him and he acts. EVEN A THOUGHT IS FORCED ON HIM.
NOTE: (20th june)
1. Senses are just windows collecting data from outside world on behalf of the mind. Eyes are mere cameras. Just like a spoon not aware b of the taste of the food , eyes know nothing of the sights seen. The mind decides on the quality and usefullness of theb sights and decides to delete it, store it or react. It directs KARMENDRIYAS to act.
Mind can concentrate on oneb sense and shut off all other senses. When you read a newspaper, you do not hear your wife calling you to breakfast table.When you see your sweetheart , nothing else is seen. Mother waiting for a cry from her child listens to no other sounds around.
If the mind shuts off all senses and concentratesv on itself, CALLED A SILENT MIND, hears OM.

manovijnaana- Physcology

Sigmund Frued is considered father of physcology. Two centuries ago. But the science was well known in India much before Christ, why, much before Adam even.



Mind is a powerful tool given to man by God. Scientists feel God is a product of weak-minded men. Partly correct. Man creates God to the extent he moulds the unseen , unmanifest GOD into a shape and gives a Name to his creation. Man makes ornaments of gold; but he is not able to create gold !



Mind is just a bundle of thoughts which it collects from the store-house of brain. Brain is the seat of mind during waking and dreamimg states. Always agitated . During deep dreamless , mind rests in the HEART and is in Bliss.



Mind is not an organ of the body like the kidney or brain. Similarly , the HEART is not an organ. No, it is not the musdcular ,blood-propelling heart on the right side of the chest. It is the SPIRITUAL HEART on the right side. 72,000 nerves from the brain spread out to the various parts of the body.( science is yet to start counting nerves ! ) Equal number of spiritual nerves connect HEART to the brain. Mind moves between the two i.e. brain and HEART;

Now physcology has touched only one side of the mind. The objective side. dealing with God and world. i.e.second person and third person. It has not looked into the subjective side which deals with the first person i.e. "I". Our upanishads are all about this "I". I is the essence and "you "and "he" are chaff. If "I" is known all is known, nothing remains to be known.

ybernetics is another modern scientific tool . But God has put cybernetics into us during creation itself. IT RUNS OUR LIFE, so to say. MIND can give up all objective thoughts and be at peace subjectively. The involuntary functions are cybertnetically governed . SO ALSO all our activities. You act when goaded by a feeling to act so. You feel thirsty, you drink. You feel sleepy, you sleep. WHO MAKES YOU FEEl , who goads you. Kenopanishad discusses this . Age old science.

( Awake, arise, countrymen ! You are riding high on the shoulders of spiritual giants. Be proud of your ancestors. Proudly announce you are a BHAARATEEYA ! )

yoga-viyoga-- Union - Seperation.

Four paths are prescribed for Union with God. I can adopt anyone of them . I is the base in following any path. I have to do bhakti. I have to perform Karma. I have to undergo yoga. I have to meditate.
Who is this I ? Is this I seperated from God to begin with, Ramana asks.
I is one and identical with God. You shed off you clothes, the external (dress ) and internal ( body with five koshas.) Go naked. It is actually Viyoga of what is not one and integral with YOU !

Of course for immature souls like us, the four paths help in shedding off the coverings. Ramana's PATH is direct. Question the very existence of coverings. You are GOD yourself when you start, on the path, whichever you have chosen and when you reach the destination. Incidentally , destination was the starting point itself. This comes as a revelation.
It is like dreaming you are going to Ramanashrama while sleeping in Ramashrama itself and waking up to see you areTHERE itself !

Anugraha - Grace

Grace is generally taken as God's gifts for us. It is not so.

We face miseries in life. On the face of it, we suffer. But in reality it is as good as suffering in a dream. Under the snare of Maayaa we suffer. God's Grace turns off Maayaa and you realise it is all a dream. No substance there.

Jesus suffered on the cross. Cancer, more painful than crucifixion, troubled RaamakruShNa and RamaNa. We will suffer for our sins, our karma. God's Grace only keeps you happy despite the pain and worries.

Maayaa - Illusion

MaYa is yaa+maa - what is seen is not what it is.

Illusion is taking an appearance to be real and a shady appearance as real. Water in a mirage is not real. All that glitters is not gold.

Maayaa has two aspects - aavaraNa and prakShepa - Covering up and projecting a false picture. AavaraNa acts in all our three states - awake, dream and deep sleep. Aavarana puts up a smoke screen to confuse you.
prakShepa projects false pictures in awake and dream states. It is inoperative in sleep. That is how you feel bliss in dreamless sleep. But aavaraNa prevents you from knowing why you are in bliss. In sleep you are in company of God. So to get out of maayaa, you must learn to be awake to God when you are awake. You feel that Bliss you unconsciously enjoyed in sleep.

Prema-Aananda - Love and Bliss

Love makes you happy. Happines makes you love. They are one and same.
Love is an expression of our natural state of bliss.
Love for God is devotion. You enjoy pure bliss in His company.
Love for all is a blessing.
Physical love is rerstrictive and transient. Pass over. Don't linger long there.

Dwandwa - Pairs of opposites

Good and bad is present in all, almost in all.

Yudhisthira said all are good people. Duryodhana saw all bad. This means former was a rare soul who was good himself and saw only the good in all others. Not that all were all good only.
The latter , bad by himself , saw only bad in all others. Not that there was no good in any one.
To clean anything youy require a clean cloth. How to clean yourself ? By looking at only good of others, talk only good of others and doing only good to others. As you sow so you reap. If you look for bad in others you will become worse yourself.

A resident of Ramanashram was bad in all respects and none had any respect from him. When he died , all were relieved he is gone.
When they reported to Ramana expecting him to heave a sigh of relief, he remarked - But his clothes were always washed cleanest of all.

When you go to a temple , dont look at the dirt around or waste time talking of money-minded priests. Concentrate of God, the main purpose of your visit.

NOTE:
2nd June ,2008.
Sukha-Dukha is another common dwanda. Actually , dukha is as non-entity. It is just absence or negation of sukha. Negation is negative approach to sukha which is our natural state. Sukha i.e. happiness is absolute whereas dukha i.e. unhappiness is tyransient and relative, never absolute. In our ignorance we seek sukha in wrong things or by wrong methods and away from sukha get into dreamland of dukha .For example, drinking alcohol.

Sex

GOD created the world. Out of HIS mind He created Manus and asked them to fill the world with progeny. WE ,humans i.e.maanavas came from the manus.
God in His Wisdom, put maximum pleasure in sex so that world will ever be full humans , animals and all others living beings, including plant kingdom. He knew man cannot be trusted. If there was no pleasure in sex, we would have gone extinct long back.
Our Seers knew this. But lest we think that sex is the goal, the best in life and purpose of life, they said pleasure of sex is same as between a dog and a bitch and Indra and his consort Sachi. There is BLISS beyond pleasures.

Ramakrushna had said- Bliss of meeting God is as if enjoying pleasure of sex in every pore in the skin of your body. Max Muller called him vulgar for this statement but it is the Naked truth.

Sex has a place in life - TO keep world going. It is the secret and personal bond between husband and wife. A way of mutual expression of love and understanding.No sin in it. Why give it a bad name and blame it ?

Seetaapati - Sita's husband

Dasharatha called Him as Rama. All others generally called Him as Ramachandra. Queen mothers called Him Ramabhadra. The Sages called Him Vedas in person. The subjects called Him Raghunaatha. For the people of Mithilaa, Sita's home, He remains as Sita's husband. He had no other identity. Just husband of Our Sita.

Brahman is the only Reality. The world is unreal, an illusion. Thus says Shankaracharya.

We have elements made of atoms and protons. These are indestructible. So are the elements. This is beyond man's capacity to splilt them. But to the One Who created the elements out of Himself and formed them into elements, they all remain only Himself i.e. Brahman.

Gold is gold in all ornaments, by whatever form you see them, by whatever name you call them.

KastvaM KohaM? Who are You, Who am I?

Who are you ? Who am I ? Who is my father ? Indeed who is my mother ? From where have we come ? Think over, my friend. -says Shankara in Bhaja Govindam.

Masquerade Party is on. You do not know who the other person is but know yourself. In life, the great party, rarely one or two know who they are. Ramana in last century was one such great man.

Note:
3rd, June, 2008 :1. This questioning process by Shankaracharya is like taking the bull by the horn and make the mind submit. Ramana has a easier method by coaxing the bull with luscious green grass. Deham Naaham Koham Soham.(see a later blog) When thought arises, turn back the mind to its source by the questioning.

2. When a person dies we cry. He will be born again. So why cry ? If he does not come again why cry again? You have to rejoice! Happy is the man who knows Who He is behind the body (mask). He is neither born nor does he die.

Geetaa Gangaa Cha Gaayatree Govindeti - (Geetaa, Gangaa, Gaayatree and Govinda)

गीता, गङ्गा, च गायत्री गोविन्देति
(Geetaa, Gangaa, Gaayatree and Govinda)

These four in the G-group pave the way to salvation, singly or collectively.

Geetaa came from the mouth of the Lord. She purifies the hearts of the readers and listeners. Essence pure of the Vedas.

Gangaa flowed out of Vishnu's feet (Another version: When Vaamana raised his foot to cover the heavens, Brahma worshipped the feet with water from his kamaNDala. the sanctified water became Gangaa) and descended to earth after being sanctified further by touch of the matted hair of Shiva. She cleanses your body and mind both.

Gaayatree is Mother of Mantras. gaayantam traayayateeti gaayatree - She protects when you recite the mantra so She is Gaayatree.
Govinda is all embracing.

Na Bhooto Na BhaviShyati - (Is Not Born Nor Will Be Born)

न भूतो न भविष्यति
(Is Not Born Nor Will Be Born)

A shloka says - a miser is the greatest donor, because he gives without touching the gift by his hands. Such donors were not born before, nor will they be born in the future.

This has reference to the rule that your one hand should not know what the other hand gives. A miser dies even without writing a will. He cannot think of parting with his wealth. On his death, his wealth is taken by persons without his knowing who they are!

A sage was asked to ask for a boon. He declined. On persuasion, he said - Let me not know what good I do to others. So, God said - OK. Whoever walks in your shadow behind you will be cured of disease.

Write a will, but remember you were holding something in trust while you are disposing so you walk away with clean hands and a clean mind.

Never believe your gift of money will ensure happiness to your child. Put him wise to the fact that God is the only source of happiness irrespective of materials gains.

MounaM PaNDitalakShaNaM - (Silence is the Hallmark of Wisdom)

मौनं पण्डितलक्षणं
(Silence is the Hallmark of Wisdom)

PaNDaa is the fund of knowledge. PaNDit is one who has acquired knowledge. PaaNDitya is erudition.

Silence is the golden womb of knowledge. All great ideas, inventions, inspirations are born out of silence. All knowledge is with God, God is knowledge, to take a cue from the Bible.
Of course, we have the Mahaavaakya - PrajnaanaM Brahma - Knowlege is Brahman.

There is nothing new. All are discoveries, revelations, unfoldments.

A full pot does not make noise.

On the railways, we know this principle well that an oil-laden train is easier to haul when the anks are full than when half-full.

Guruh - (Guru)

गुरु
(Guru)

There is no equivalent English word for Guru. Guru is not just a Teacher for which the word Aaachaarya would apply.

A Guru is a teacher for one, but He is much more. He is a friend, philosopher and guide. He is mother, father, God and your very Self. Guru is one who teaches and guides. The concept of Guru, I think, came later than the UpaniShads. Even in the Geetaa, no mention is made of Gurugiri. An odd reference to Guru is made in Shloka 43 of Chapter 11 - greatest of Gurus, but no elaboration of what a Guru stands for.

We have Gurukulas, Kulaguru, Shikshaaguru, Deekshaaguru and so on, but Guru is not defined in any scripture to my knowledge.

In Saivism, the Guru is given prominence.

In the Shivageetaa, the Lord Says -

na guroradhikam , na guroradhikam, na guroradhikam , na guroradhikam
Shivashaashanatah, Shivashaashanatah, Shivashaashanatah, Shivashaashanatah

There is nobody greater than a Guru. This is ordained by Shiva. Repeated four times.

Shiva appearing as Dakshinaamoorthy is the first Guru.

Gurugeetha says - Shive rushte Gurustraataa (traataa = protector), Gurau rushte na kashchana.
If Shiva is angry at you, Guru can protect you. If Guru is angry, not even Shiva can help you.

A Jnaanee only qualifies as a Guru. Guru is not a body. Once, I wrote that a Jnaanee is not a body you see. A Guru who is a Jnaanee can, in addition, give a push to the disciple's mind to concentrate and go faster in his saadhanaa. Once, a devotee was singing RamaNa-Sadguru and Ramana joined the singing while keeping time with his hands. The devotee felt amused the Ramana should sing his own praise. RamaNa explained -Why do you see me as a body six feet tall? A Sadguru is beyond your imagination. Hence RamaNa could sing RamaNaguru song. Once, a newcomer to the aashram met him in the aashram and asked where RamaNa is . RamaNa pointed to a big vessel and passed on. Later, when questioned, RamaNa said - No name is inscribed on me. The vessel has the name RamaNa etched on it.

Vikreeyante Na GhaNTaabhiH - (Can't Be Sold with False Pretences)

विक्रीयन्ते न घण्टाभिः
(Can't be Sold with False Pretences)

When cows are to be sold after they cease yielding milk, you cannot claim high price by tying a big bell round its neck. People want milk, not the sound of a bell. They are not impressed.

People believe in show and get duped. All that glitters is not gold is an English equivalent.

Tennaali Raama sold a monkey for a fabulous price by putting it on an elephant and telling the price of monkey is Rs. 10,000 and elephant Rs one only!

This is similar to American grants that come with strings attached. For over 50 years, Pakistan's dignity has suffered by yielding to USA grants.

TasmaadetattrayaM Tyajet - (Therefore Get Rid of These Three)

तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत्
(Therefore Get Rid of These Three)

Desire, Anger and Attachment (Delusion) - these three should be avoided - Geetaa.

Desire is at the root. Buddha stressed on this fact repeatedly. Of course, attachment precedes and anger is the result of unfulfilled desire.

Detachment*, not giving in to temptation, is the main weapon to fight these.

Detachment is like a child's make-believe game. Children enjoy their games with all excitement, but never forget to return to their Mother for rest. God is our Mother.

Yield like rubber and return to normal when left to yourself. Know your limits and never let games extend you beyond your elastic limit. Ego makes you feel strong and strains you. It pushes you down before you realize that you have lost control over yourself.

NOTE:

* Detachment is possible only when you develop control over and do not yield to likes and dislikes. EATING IS TO SATISFY HUNGER BUT NOT PLEASING YOUR TONGUE.

Tasya Saprasavaa Iva - (Born With)

तस्य सप्रसवा इव
(Born With)

Silence over wisdom accrued. Accommodating the vanquished enemies. No pride over sacrifices. These and other laudable characteristics were as if inborn in members of the Raghu dynasty(Kaalidaasa in RaghuvaMsha).

As we mature in life, we acquire many qualities after much effort. Those born with such qualities would have put in efforts for many previous births. Your birth in good families is itself a result of good work in earlier lives( Geetaa). Such blessed people turn out Gurus. They begin their mission early in life - Shankaraachaarya, RamaNa, RaamakruShNa, Jesus.

When you toil and mature, in the end there is a tendency to feel proud of the achievements and this acts as a setback. This applies both to acquiring jnaana and wealth, says the Lord in the Geetaa.

All your work and the results, you should dedicate to God at every stage. This is essential to keep pride at bay.

Vikaarahetau Sati - (In Disturbing Conditions)

विकारहेतौ सति
(In Disturbing Conditions)

The capacity of a person is to be judged not by how good his performance is but by how fast he can rebound when things go wrong. Do not yield to dejection when in trouble. Use it as a springboard to bounce higher.

You see little ones of animals fight real fights but not using nails and teeth with full strength. It is practising for real fights in adult years. Bittoo plays "attacking" me but never hurts me with his "bites" and "scratching."

Kaalidaasa defines a brave person -Dh;s hearteera - as one who does not panic in dire conditions even. *
When you skid, applying full brakes suddenly can be harmful. Giving a long rope is also advisable to control a person or situation.

NOTE: * Vajraadapi khathoraani mrudooni kusumaadapi-harder than diamond and softer than a flower petal. can withstand any great shock . but very sensitive to pain of others. That is sage's heart . more motherly than a mother's heart.