Dialogue with Guru

An appeal

The Rsi says

Uttisthata jagrat prapya varan nibodhata.

(kathopanisad-3.14) ‘Stand up! Achieve your goal by inculcating the virtues of courage, valour, intellect, chivalry and perseverance. Our goal invokes us, achieve it.’ Do now, achieve now. Do yourself, achieve yourself. If not now, then never ever. Karyam va sadhayeyam deham va patayeyam, it means do or die. Paramatma (God) has advised us thus in the Vedas:

Soarista na marisyasi na marisyasi ma bibheh.

Na vai tatra mriyante no yantyadhamam tamah. Sarvo vai tatra jivati gourasvah purusah pasuh. Yatredam brahma kriyate paridhirjivanaya kam.

(Atharvaveda-8.2.24-25)

Do not fear death. They definitely die, who fear, those who do not, never die. Let the power of brahma be your protective armour. No power of this universe can defeat you.

‘Yoga’ for Divine-life

Yoga enables a person to evolve his consciousness to the fullest. It not only equips a person to live a cent percent divine life, but also leads him towards the achievement of supreme and uninterrupted joy.

Yoga is a system and the methodology to transform all short-comings, deficiencies, vices, weaknesses, and problems into power, and to ultimately lead a person towards the state of strength, awakening, purity, wisdom and divinity.

Yoga does not teach any thing new, but only trains us in doing the work we have been doing in a more systematic and efficient manner that results in enhanced ability and proficiency in an action and ensuring health on the external front and attainment of uninterrupted joy and stability in the pure nature of the self on the inner front.

We indulge in various kinds of works according to our beliefs. The problem is how do we correct these beliefs? Among the many methods of correcting one’s own belief system: the most important method is to get connected with the inner self. As we get connected to our own self, our beliefs automatically begin to get rectified. One method to getting connected to our inner self is to adopt and practice any universal, eternal or activity of Yoga: for all east an hour everyday.

To use one’s entire capabilities to the maximum to accomplish as much work as is feasible without any ego (the feelings of ego get dispelled, when one is completely absorbed in actions) in one day; to analyse all the activities performed during the daytime before going to bed, to thank God if we had successfully accomplished the work to our true abilities and to seek pardon of the Supreme Lord if were found wanting and pray for strength to achieve the same when the next opportunity presents itself and go to bed after duly making an entry in our diary. On awakening the next morning, we must offer our sincere thanks to God for providing us an opportunity, and immerse ourselves in fulfilling our duties for the day. I am absolutely confident that this routine will surely take us towards the path of unhindered happiness.

Ideal-Nation Rastra-Dharma

(The Duties towards the Nation)

There is no religion greater than the duty towards one’s nation. To discharge one’s duties and take responsibilities towards the nation is the greatest religion. Patriotism is the supreme degree of love for nation. The welfare of the nation is always the supreme; My nation is my everything. “Idam rastraya idanna mama” I

can never betray my nation to seek personal, political, financial or family welfare. My body, mind and wealth are totally dedicated to the development and prosperity of my nation. There should be gratitude, devotion and pride in every human being towards his nation. Yoga is the supreme way to serve the nation and its people.

Rastra-Deva (The Nation in the form of God)

Mata bhumih putroaham prthivyah.

(Atharvaveda-12.1.12) Meaning: The earth is my mother and I am her child. The divine nation is the greatest deity. To endure tyranny is as big a sin as doing injustice or being immoral. Every citizen must have respect, sense of gratitude and selfrespect for the nation. 0 Those who have no respect and reverence towards the soil, culture and civilization and the love for the people nor any pride for their nation, have absolutely no right to live in it anymore.

Rastra-Gaurava (National Pride)

I am not just the body, but am the universe. I am the very prototype of God Himself. I represent of truth, non-violence and righteousness. My nation dwells in my body. I am the prototype, and destiny of my nation. I, myself, am the creator of my nation's fortune.

I am neither fatalistic nor materialistic or a terrorist. I am hard-worker, nationalist, humanitarian and spiritualist. I am free from the regionalism, langualism, communalism and the disputes of different doctrines. I blow the conch of nationalism and humanism. Thoughts pack infinite capacity and energy in them. When thoughts are infused with an ascendant spirit, then the nation definitely achieves greatness and leads the world.

Poverty of thoughts is the cause of afflictions, insufficiency, pain and underdevelopment of the nation. Strong and positive thoughts is the magic for prosperity, happiness and the development of a country.

(Excerpted from the book Divine Transformation: Building Blocks for Englightened Life, Ideal Nation & Peaceful World by Acharya Balakrishna)