Q & A with Bhagavan

Bhakta: Namaskaram [greeting], Swami.

Swami: Happy to see you. You seem very tired, and in this summer travel is even more exhausting. Take rest for a little while, we can converse thereafter.

Bhakta: When there is no peace of mind where can rest be got?

Swami: Well, my boy, rest is for the sake of peace of mind. Once you have that peace, where is the need for rest? There is need for a bandage until the wound heals; after that what is its use?

Bhakta: Swami, just now my mind is restless. I cannot decide upon anything. I do not know what the reason is. What shall I do?

Swami: Well, no effect can take place without a cause. You do certainly know the cause of your present condition…. Well, nothing else need be done. At such times of mental pain, do namasmarana [chanting the name] for a while sitting in a lonely place; or sing bhajan songs loudly in a raised voice; or if that is not possible, spread the bed and sleep for some time. Thereafter you can think about all this.

vYou have told us that in this world, each one has some dearly loved thing or other, and that if any harm comes upon that thing, peace of mind cannot be had…. How then can I have peace of mind, when some­thing happens like this…another person either disrespecting my dearly loved thing, or finding fault with it? What am I to do then?

Swami: Well. A good person who has understood what is atmavichara [Self-inquiry] will not blame like this the things that others love. Nor will he even associate with such men. For he would argue within himself, that when he blames another’s Ishtam [God], he would feel as much pain as he himself feels when his own Ishtamis blamed. Therefore, be at peace with yourself, realizing that those who abuse like this are people ignorant of atmavichara. Engaged as you are in atmavichara, you have nothing to do with ignorant persons who do not know atmavichara… Well. Let it go. What has really happened to cause all this? The whole trouble will end, if what is inside comes out.

Bhakta: The world knows well how You are vouch­safing courage and daring and guiding men to do good spiritually, physically, and mentally; how You have rendered educational and medical help. You have never done any harm; nor caused harm to anyone in any form…How to suppress the persons who invent and spread all kinds of silly stories about such as You? Do they gain any thing by this?

Swami: Oh. So, this is the story! Well don’t you know that good and bad are of the very nature of the world? If all are engaged in selling, who will be the buyers? With regard to God, faultfinding has come down from the beginning of time, it is not new; only, present-day persons might manufacture some new tales. Well, why should you take to heart such abuse? Take it that they are only remembering Swami by this means. Premasmarana [remembering with love] and dwe­shasmarana [remembering with hate] are two types. Of these, dweshasmaranais avidyamaya [ignorance-illusion]; it is related to rajoguna. Premasmarana is vidyamaya [right awareness]; it is related to satwaguna. Avidyamaya results in dukha [sorrow]; Vidyamaya results in ananda [joy]. Their results are indicated there itself. Now, why should you suppress? You asked about the gain, isn’t it? They don’t need any gain; finding fault with others has become their habit; they do it as their duty. As the saying goes, ‘what does the moth care or gain whether the sari costs a hund­red takkas [money] or is cheap? To gnaw and tear is its nature.’ The moth tears equally a costly sari or a rag. Does it know the value of things? Its work is such. So be at peace, realizing that the work of these faultfinders is the same as the work of these moths.

Bhakta: Swami! What You said is the truth. We can take it that ignorant persons, when they behave like this, are of the brood of moths. But when people who are well educated, who are great, who know, when these are devoting themselves to spreading such stories, how can it be endured?

Swami: Learning means atmajnana [Self knowledge]; it is not the knowledge of things related to the world, which trains for a living and is useful as basis for a living. To compare atmajnana with such vidyas is a great mistake. Great men are those who do not abuse others, who search for the reality with good intentions. Spiritual matters cannot be understood by those without the power of discrimina­tion, who are puffed up with the authority they have, or by those who are unaware of any atmajnana. So, consider those whom you described as educated and great as be­longing to the brood mentioned above, and without yield­ing place to such ideas and worries engage yourself in strengthening your belief.

Bhakta: Many astikas [believers] in this world are changing into nastikas [non-believers] on account of such people, isn’t it, Swami? Is there no weapon to put down these persons who with­out any regard for their own learning and without any effort to know the reality abuse the mahapurushas [great beings]?

Swami: Why? There is. “A load of rags is placed on a ragged saddle,” is the saying. Only such persons will listen to the words of such persons; no real astika will associate with them. Even if they do, they will move far away as soon as they understand that those stories are fictitious. So, the weapon to put down these potions is in their own hands. Haven’t you heard the story of Bhasmasura? Placing his hand on everyone’s head, he reduced them to ashes. Finally, placing it on his own head, he himself was reduced to ashes! Similarly, accusing others, they themselves will be finally accused by their own words.

Those who find fault with the Lord are of four types:

1. Persons who have no interest at all in matters related to God.
2. Persons who on account of individual spite cannot endure another’s greatness.
3. Those who have neither personal experience nor contact nor knowledge of anything and so merely manufacture stories based on hearsay to which they have be­come enslaved.
4. Persons who come with some worldly desire, and who accuse the Lord as an excuse for the failure caused by their own destiny.

Only these four types of people clamor as you say; the others will not shout or jump about like puppets. Even if they do not have personal experience, when they hear such stories, they will just analyze them within themselves and arrive at conclusions for their own satisfaction. They won’t abuse others.

It is not the correct path—to disbelieve one’s own mind and give room therein to another’s words. Besides, there is no profit in discussing with those who do not know the reality. As a matter of fact, reality does not admit of any discussion at all. To argue with those who do not know either but who are in the intermediate stage is like seeing the trunk and believing it to be the entire body, as in the story of the Blind Men and the Elephant.

Well, note this: It is not good to spend time in this type of conversation. Abuse and faultfinding are natural and common. Knowing this, those who aspire to become true bhaktas should search only for bases on which to build their ananda. All the available time should be used for holy purposes, it should not be wasted. You have nothing to do with the good and the bad in others. Instead of wasting the time, it should be utilized to discard the bad and develop the good in you.

Ask me about some sadhana or sandesha [message] which you need and seek something that is worthwhile. Hereafter do not bring near me such stories of faultfinding indulged in by others. You, too, should not take in such things.

Bhakta: All this happened because we, too, have the same human nature. But now that I understand the sub­ject from your answers, courage and joy have entered into me, driving away the doubt and sorrow I had. Through the talk of such men, even the little faith, devotion, and earnestness that men have are being reduced. That was the reason for my asking You these questions. Otherwise, I have also nothing to do with such topics. Pardon me, hereafter I won’t talk on these lines to You.

Swami: Very good! During the little time available, if you don’t think of some good subject, but merely re­collect the ignorant prattle of others, it is as if you, too, joined in blaming those persons. That is harmful to bhaktas. Whatever others may say, you should not give up your faith. Once you are firmly established in that, you will not be in want any day. One word following another produces anger and pain. Bhaktimarga [path of devotion] is designed for suppressing, not developing these qualities.

You tell me that devotion and faith disappear because people listen to such accusers…but for how long? As soon as the truth is discovered, will they be trust­ed again? Will their words be valued again?

The talk of those faultfinders is as the sound of bronze. Cheap metals make more sound; gold, which does not make sound, is very valuable. True bhaktas will be mute. They will follow the path of silence. Their tongues will be fully engaged in the repetition of the essential greatness of the Lord. It is best they have no respite for any other word. So, do not permit the words of the bronze-voiced persons to enter your ears, but fill them with the name of the Lord, which is the Pranavanada [cosmic sound that gives joy] itself.\

Next month, if you get any problems regarding such useful topics as sadhana or anushthana [performing], come here and have them solved. But do not bring with you bundles of such doubts!

Bhakta: I am, indeed, blessed this day. On account of them, You have vouchsafed to me the light of wisdom. Seeing all this, I feel that the saying, ‘All is for our good’ is true. Hence forward, whatever anyone may say, I will be patient and won’t take it in because ‘All is for our good’. Namaskaram. Allow me to take leave.

Source: Sandeha Nivarini

Q & A with Bhagavan

Q & A with Bhagavan offers seekers a gentle path toward wisdom, inner peace, and spiritual understanding. Through simple conversations and profound answers, Q & A with Bhagavan helps devotees understand the meaning of life, devotion, truth, and self-realization. Many followers turn to Q & A with Bhagavan to find clarity during difficult moments and to strengthen their faith in divine guidance. The teachings shared in Q & A with Bhagavan inspire people to lead lives filled with compassion, humility, and service.

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The timeless message of Q & A with Bhagavan reminds humanity that true happiness comes from selfless love, patience, and devotion. Through the spiritual heritage preserved by Devotional India, these divine teachings continue to illuminate the hearts of seekers around the world.

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