Visits Jagan Nath
The blue sea, like the blue sky stretched up, is spread below and with its small waves is looking graceful. The same stars that are shining in the sky are sparkling in the sea. The army of stars that is moving in the sky is also moving in the sea.
Now, you see, hardly any star is left. The pitch darkness is also getting dim. At this time, on the beach, at a little distance, one Brahmin is sitting in a squatting position. He has turned his face up in a manner that his eyes are gazing at the sky, his head is touching his back, his breath is moving so slow, as if, he is not breathing at all. He is gazing intently at the sky.
One person came from the town, put some money in the pot that was lying in front of the Brahmin and sat down at a little distance. In this way, as the morning progressed more and more men and women kept coming, so much so, that by sunrise a congregation of about three hundred to four hundred persons assembled.
The Brahmin used to open his eyes at sunrise and at that time, relate something of the heavens. So, everybody was waiting that he opens his eyes and were curious to listen what 'marvels of the heavens', he will relate.
Meanwhile, two travelers arrived. Both looked like saints. On the face of one, the dazzle and aura was so much that it spelled magic and the other seemed sweet, loving and humble. Both of them came and stood there.
The congregation looked towards them and spontaneously bowed to them.
For sometime, they looked around. Then, one of them picked up the pot
of money that was lying in front of the Brahmin and put it at his back and then, sat in the assembly.
The sun had come up. The glare of the sun made it difficult to see towards the sky. Now, it was time for the Brahmin to open his eyes. So, the Brahmin started moving his neck down slowly. Then, he closed his eyes slowly. Then, he straightened his neck slowly. A voice came, O! Great. Then, he opened his eyes and said: God bless you. Vishnu Bhagwan was happy. He was having a loving conversation with Narad. It was a wonderful discourse. In Brahmpuri, there was a rejoicing. In Shivpuri today, hymns were being sung. The gods were dancing. Remain in happiness. You are fortunate. Remain in delight. God may fill your coffers with money.
Traveler: O Brahmin, what did you say?
Listening to the question, the Brahmin looked this side. He felt a throb in his heart. His body trembled. His eyes felt a sensation of uneasiness. His tongue did not move to reply.
The godly traveler again asked the same question.
Now, the Brahmin picked up some courage, being afraid of his prestige, gathered some strength in his mind and in a dim voice said: These are things of the unseen heavens. What do you know, O child?
Traveler: Are you intuitive?
Brahmin (with closed eyes): Yes, with the strength of yoga. Traveler: Do you see the unseen as you see the seen world? Brahmin: Yes, with the strength of yoga. Traveler: Where is your money pot? Brahmin (looked around): Oh, where has it gone? Traveler: O intuitive Brahmin, you can see the unseen heavens and you do not know where your pot is? You tell, where has it gone? Brahmin: I will curse you. Otherwise, tell where has it gone? Traveler: You concentrate and meditate and find out where it is? Brahmin: Where is it? You tell. Everybody laughed.
Brahmin: The town, where you make fun of a Brahmin, will be ruined.
On listening to these words, one of the travelers opened his bag that was hanging on his shoulders. A beautiful musical instrument, the rebeck, came out and he played that. It was so sweet and enthralling that everybody was charmed by the music and they forgot everything else. This went on for a few minutes. The melody was so sweet that everybody was attracted to it.
Now, the second traveler opened his throat and sang a divine song, accompanied by the music. The effect of this song was enchanting. The meanings of the song gave the description of the hypocrisy of the Brahmin. It described the mistaken beliefs of the people. It dented everybody's mind deep.
Traveler: O Brahmin, you have not been able to see your pot up till now and you see the heavens and give news everyday. The pot is lying at your back and you cannot see that. Is this religiousness or hypocrisy?
Everybody lost faith in the Brahmin. Some people who were fascinated by his talk still had some sympathy with him. But by and large, some were laughing, some were making gestures and some were in wonder to see the godly travelers.
Meanwhile, the godly travelers sang another divine song. Everybody got attracted and got absorbed in the divine music.
The Brahmin yogi just slipped away and nobody bothered about him.
When the song finished, then, some people requested the godly soul to come to the city but he stayed there only. People bowed and went away.
Then, in the afternoon, some people brought food and then, there was some talk.
When the people reached their homes. Then, everybody talked about the happening of the morning and this news spread in the entire city. People listened, laughed and then, desired to meet the godly travelers.
Who were these godly travelers?
The savior Guru Nanak from the Lord and his companion Mardana traveled Assam, East Bengal and then reached Jagan Nath Puri via the sea route. This is a sacred place and a big pilgrim center for the Hindus. It is said that this temple was under the control of Buddhists and later Vaishnavs. Now, it is a Vaishnav temple since the twelfth century. In the month of July, every year, they take out a procession. The gods are seated in a palanquin and taken out in a procession. They serve free food on that day. Many more rituals are performed. At that time, Idol worship was at its peak. Hypocrisy was supreme. People thought it a sacred thing to die here or to commit suicide by lying in front of the palanquin.
In all this artificiality, the true guru came here to guide the people to the true path of 'Recitation of the Lord's name with love'.
The day he reached, he exposed the hypocrisy of a Brahmin and the news spread in the entire city. Many people went in the day to have his glimpse.
Night came and passed. Next day again, people went to see the meditation of the Brahmin, some for fun, some thought: Let us see what happens today. But he was nowhere to be seen.
There, the divine music was being sung. Bhai Mardana was singing the hymns of the Lord and 'His Holiness' was sitting in meditation. The divine songs were so enchanting that all who had come sat like statues and listened.
When it was sunrise, then, Mardana stopped singing. The true guru gave a discourse in praise of Name and many people got into the recitation of the Lord's name with love. So, a small holy congregation was formed.
As the day passed, the Brahmin was harboring vindictiveness while sitting at his home. Sometimes, he thought that he should go and take some of his disciples and have discussions with the Guru and make him lose in the discussions. He had the support of his knowledge. But when he remembered the sensation of uneasiness and fear, then, his mind lost hopes, and he thought he would not be able to win him in discussions and bring back his lost prestige. Then, he said to his mind: It is destiny. It is destiny. He got some solace. But the prestige that he had lost was not letting him sit in peace. He was spending his time in this anxiousness, but no solution was coming to his mind.
Here, in Puri, Sanskrit was very popular and many intellectual pandits lived here. At Hindu shrines, there are Pandas who act as pandits for the travelers and also provide accommodation to stay. Amongst the Pandas was, one Panda named Dhatri. People called him Un-enlightened (Kalyug) because he was a rough and a rowdy person. Everybody was afraid of him. His rowdiness was the cause of fear for all gentle people. People from Lahore and Peshawar were his clients. People from Punjab used to stay at his inn.
So, he had lot of earning and had lot of guts in him. He had lot of properties like temples, gardens and other things of comfort. He was authoritative.
The Brahmin went and opened his heart to him. Un-enlightened (Kalyug) had already heard the story, but then, the Brahmin related his agony and said: This is not for me only. It is for all of us. Wherever he goes, he takes away the earning of the established preachers. At Dhaka he has broken the temple of deceit of the lady hypnotist Noorshah. You are no comparison to her. It will be better if he is thrown out from here before the roots grow. Later, it may become difficult. It is only three or four days and you see, so many people go to listen to him and bow to him. You don't know, he has a companion of a lower caste, a
singer. He considers Hindus and Muslims as one. He is against the caste system. You tell if he spreads his wings, then, what will you do?
On listening to such malicious stories, the Panda became furious and in anger, starting thinking of ways to drive away the Guru. But he felt a sinking in his heart, he did not know why? In anger and heart sinking, it occurred to him that he should first send a message.
So, he sent a messenger, who went and said to the Guru: The chief Panda has said that you please go away from here and stay at some other place. This sacred temple is ours. You do not stay here.
Guru: Listen, go and tell the chief Panda, 'I have not come on my own. Someone has sent me. When I am called back, I shall go'.
Messenger: Sir, our Panda is a strong man. Even the king accepts his authority. It is in your interest to obey him.
Guru: It is in my interest to obey the orders but if the orders are from the Lord. The rest of orders are from ego. They are not orders.
Messenger: Then, you will have to bear the consequences.
Guru: Consequences are in the hand of the Lord. Whatever He does I am happy in it.
Messenger: Then, will you not go?
Guru: Everything is moving. I am not going to stay. The rivers don't stay. The breeze doesn't stay. All nature is moving. But the movement of the natural phenomenon is per the command of the Lord. Whatever He prompts, I do. Wherever he says, I move.
When the messenger failed to persuade the Guru to go away, then, he went back to the Panda and said: He is such a hard nut that doesn't break even with a hammer. He doesn't say any foul words, he doesn't fight, he doesn't coerce, he tolerates, he endures, but in his toleration and endurance, there is some immense strength that the other person loses. He cannot obey your orders to go away from here.
On whose authority everybody bent down, somebody not obeying his orders was a cause of extreme anger. So, the Panda thought of exerting his authority by other means. He collected one hundred ruffians, with knobbed sticks and ordered them to go in the afternoon and push the guru and his companion out of the town up to Chilka Lake and if he doesn't agree, beat them with sticks.
This news spread in the city. A few people who had become devoted to the Guru tried to make the Panda understand, but to no avail. Disappointed,
they went to the Guru and told him that this is going to happen today. So, you come with us. We will hide you somewhere. Then, slowly we shall talk to the king and make the Panda relent.
The true guru said: It is the Un-enlightened era (Kalyug). Those who recite the Lord's name are considered as aliens. Where is the need to go and hide? Born in this Un-enlightened era (Kalyug), we have to live in this Unenlightened era (Kalyug).
In this Un-enlightened era (Kalyug), salvation is in the Lord's name. The Name is much more powerful than Un-enlightened (Kalyug). Who is this Panda? He is nobody. We are sitting here on the support of the Lord whom we belong to. Whatever the Lord wishes, will happen.
In this way, many people begged of him, but he did not agree. So, some persons who were afraid of Panda went away, but some persons who had become devoted to the Guru quite much, sat there. They thought: Even if, we have to give our life, we must save the godly figure.
It became afternoon. Mardana was baffled since morning. His heart being in love of music was very soft and he used to get nervous very quickly. He had the Name in his mind. But he was not yet immersed in the Lord's love.
At this time, a strong dust storm came, dark black clouds thundered, there was lightning in the clouds. It appeared so frightful that Mardana's heart throbbed. From one side, there was shouting and threatening from a hundred ruffians. Mardana was more baffled.
Guru: O Mardana, remember the Lord, recite the Lord's name. Recite the Lord's name in your mind. Remember the hymns and praises. The Lord is there. He is everywhere. He loves us. Be brave. By going into fear, one goes into forgetfulness of the Lord. Remember the Lord. Remember the Lord in your heart and be alert. Also keep reciting the Name. You may recite loudly.
O friend, this is the support. Do and see. Whatever is happening is God's will. Why do you bother? What is the fear, when we are joined with the fearless Lord?
Now, the rain stopped. There was a breeze but the dust settled. Panda's army of ruffians arrived. About fifty of them made a circle around the Guru and stood with clubs in hand. The rest fifty started prancing and fencing in the open space in front of the Guru. Some would come and make awe-inspiring faces in front of the Guru. Some would come brandishing sticks and then, run away.
Mardana was terrified. He would close his eyes in fright but the Guru was unmoved and unfazed. He remained un-daunted. His eyes were looking heavenwards and there was splendor on his forehead.
The persons who were fencing would come, as if to beat, but would go away as in sport, but in their heart, they would get a trembling sensation on seeing the godly Guru. Now the fencing started with burning sticks but as before, the person would get a throbbing in his heart and go back. Then, they started playing with swords. They would come brandishing a sword.
At this time, Mardana wrapped his face and lay down. The Guru said: Mardana, get up and play the rebeck. Mardana got up. He got a loving sensation in his body. He became alert and started playing the music. Then, the Guru like a thunder of clouds sang one divine song. The effect of these words was, that all the persons who were prancing, like being intoxicated by the music, stood still wherever they were. When all this prancing was going on, then, the Brahmin was all the time, standing on the backside of the Guru. Whatever concentration he used to do in the morning, today, he was concentrating his mind with an evil desire on the back of the Guru.
When all the Panda's men became statue-like, then, Panda himself came forward and made an awesome-inspiring face but the nearer he came his steps slowed down. He stood at a distance of about five steps and made a fiery face but in his mind he felt hollowness as if all his strength is vanishing.
The next moment, he saw that the eyes of Brahmin yogi, who was standing in concentration at the back of the Guru, have closed and in giddiness, he sat down and lay flat on the floor. He became unconscious. Seeing this, Panda was overawed but still he said: O saint, are you not afraid?
At this time, Mardana was out of fear. He played the rebeck and the Guru sang a divine song. The music had a startling effect on everybody. The stick-holding men all sat down. Panda also sat down and said: O saint, I had sent you a message in goodwill. Why did you not go?
Guru: When He wishes, I will go.
Panda: Who wishes?
Guru: He who has sent me here.
Panda: Who is he?
Guru: The creator, the miraculous.
Panda: Where is he?
Guru: Here.
Panda: Why can't we see?
Guru: He is awe-inspiring to the evil-minded.
Panda: Who are the evil-minded?
Guru: Who are in fear are evil-minded.
Panda: Who are in fear?
Guru: Who are evil-minded are in fear.
Panda (Changing the topic): Are you a Tantric that you have not moved? You are not afraid of awe-inspiring persons and now you are awe-inspiring.
Guru: I don't get afraid and I don't threaten anyone. I am in the fear of the Lord and I wish that everybody should be in His fear. His fear makes you pious. To be pious is to be fearless. So, fearing Him is to be fearless.
Panda: Only the weak are in fear.
Guru: Weak is he, who is away from the Lord. He is the person who sins. Sin produces weakness. Weakness breeds fear.
Panda: Are you without sin? Are you strong? If I use my sword on you, then, are you a sinner?
Guru: To die, to lose, to be ill famed is not sin, nor signs of fear. To remain fearless, from ill fame, from bodily sufferings, from death, is, when you love the Lord. Ill fame, sufferings and death are not sins, nor they are a proof of fear. The body will die. It has to die. The body will suffer, that it often does. HI fame is of the name. The name that was not in fame but it became famous and then, the people discarded. The people who gave fame took it back. What does the person who is fearless lose? The person immersed in the Lord's love, his soul will not die, nor will it suffer or feel sorry for ill fame.
Panda (in uneasiness): I have got authority and wealth but I want that we should be friends. You take whatever you want, you enjoy and flourish but my authority and honor should remain. You keep my honor and keep your honor. All wealth is yours. I am also a practitioner of Tantric.
On listening to this, the guru sang a divine song. This had a salutary effect on Panda and he said: You appear to be a saint having all knowledge of the Lord.
Guru: The Lord's knowledge is only with the Lord. Nobody else can have knowledge of the Lord.
Panda: If nobody else can have knowledge of he Lord, then you are the Lord. Nobody can be like you, without the knowledge of the Lord.
Guru: The Lord is infinite with no ends. The Lord is indescribable in words. The Lord was, the Lord is, and the Lord will always be. The Lord is ever existent.
Panda (in dejection): You are immersed in the love of the Lord as iron becomes red hot when put in fire. Yes, I have seen your godliness. On your back, one Brahmin is dying. Who is to be blamed for his death?
Guru: Who has sent him to kill me the blame goes to him. I am not in death or killing. I am not in sentiment or enmity. I am walking, sitting, lying down, laughing, eating and sleeping in the love of my Lord.
Panda (closed his eyes, then opened): Be gracious.
Guru: Yes, Lord is gracious. His men are gracious. Whoever is present can be blessed.
Panda got up, lifted the Brahmin who was unconscious and put him at the Guru's feet. Brahmin yogi's eyes were open, he was breathing with difficulty and his hands and feet were loosely spread.
The true Guru saw, smiled and said: If you strike your head to a rock, your own head breaks. When you dig a well, you get hollowness. If you wish to kill with black magic, the black magic will kill you. The rock is without enmity. If you strike it with enmity, you will break your own head. 'Without enmity' is a diamond rock. If you strike it with mental waves, they get reflected back, strike you and make you mad. The strength of the mind strikes the strength of 'Without enmity' and kills itself. Who is killing whom? Self is killing self. Self is forgetting the Truth and taking the support of un truth and striking at the Truth and then, heaves long sighs. O Mardana, touch this Brahmin with your low caste feet, that this upper caste Brahmin regains consciousness and gets a life.
Mardana got up, shook him, touched his head with his rebeck with love. Then, the eyes of the Brahmin yogi closed, his breath became normal and in a few minutes he sat down.
On seeing this miracle, the Panda's mind changed altogether. The effect was that he realized that the godly soul is definitely a prophet who has unlimited power in him, that the Brahmin yogi's tantric power that should have made the guru unconscious, got reflected back and he himself became unconscious and was going to die. Then, how much strength he has that he has made him all right in no time. Then, he is an ocean of mercy, a treasure house of peace, then, he is fearless. When he talks, then, his knowledge and intellect has no limit. He is surely a prophet. These qualities cannot be in anyone less than a prophet. Now, it is best to fall at his feet.
Panda: O godly soul. How do I get salvation?
Guru: Discard the vices.
Panda: What are the vices? Guru: Deceit, lies. Panda: Anything else?
Guru: Where there is recitation of the name of the Lord, singing of divine hymns, remembrance of the Lord, i.e. where, there is Name, you give respect. Don't frighten the men of Lord.
Panda: My salvation?
Guru: Recite the Name, remember the Name. Recite the Name silently in your mind. Remain in Name while sitting, standing, walking and playing. Discard your vices.
Panda: O.K. But living in this world one requires telling lies, be authoritative and use force.
Guru: The weak minded require these things. Those with ego have no strength in them. Strength is in the mind, when you are true and steadfast on truth and your mind is tranquil. To be afraid, is also weakness but to frighten, is also a sign of weakness. The big kings, who are brutal, do it in the fear that somebody may not kill them. To be fearless, to be steadfast in fearlessness, neither be afraid nor frighten, this is a strength that is a sign of a strong body, mind and soul. My disciple will not be afraid, nor frighten. My disciple will always tread on the road of truth, with magnetic needle always pointing towards the North. My disciple will always be inwardly joined with the Lord, always living with the live sensation of the Lord, always conscious of the sensation, always fresh, always in awaken-ness, sparkling with the life spark. He will always live in high spirits.
The godly Guru's words had a magical effect. Panda became his disciple. He got into the recitation of Name.
Those ruffians with sticks, they were all listening to the Guru's discourse. Now, they all had faith in the Guru. They bowed down and went away.
The Guru kept on staying at the same place, near the sea. Up till now, there is a well of Guru Nanak. The water of this well is sweet although it is near the sea and the other wells have salty water in them.
Panda and the congregation requested the Guru to come to the city but the Guru said: For the present, we shall stay here only. Mardana was tired of the solitude and was impatient to go to the city but was happy in his master's wish. He was absorbed in his music and remained in high spirits.
III
The night has passed. It is early morning. Mardana has started the singing of divine hymns. The true Guru is sitting immersed in the love of the Lord. People have started coming. Till sunrise, people thronged. When the singing finished, then sacred sweet was served to the congregation. Then, the people left.
Today, the people again requested the Guru to come to the city.
The true Guru said: At least today, we shall stay here, tomorrow we may think again. Whatever the Lord wishes, it will happen.
In the afternoon, the Brahmin yogi came and fell at the Guru's feet and sat down. The true Guru gave him respect and asked about his welfare.
Then, he said: O true guru, I have realized your greatness. I have seen your enlightened mind but still I have some doubts.
Guru: You may clear your doubts. Unless one becomes sure, one is not satisfied. If one is not sure, then, one doesn't endeavor to rise. Unless the mind rises, it cannot attune itself to the Lord. Unless the mind is attuned to the Lord, one cannot get awaken-ness. Unless one gets an awaken-ness, one cannot meet the Lord. So, O Brahmin yogi, you ask and clear your doubts.
Brahmin: You have said, 'Remembering the Name'. We were already remembering the Name. Even the Panda was remembering the Name. Then, we were guilty, but again, you have asked us to remember the Name.
Guru: You were not remembering the Name. You were in a misgiving. Reciting the name for fifteen minutes or half an hour, how is it remembrance?
Brahmin: Is reciting the Lord's name not Name?
Guru: You recite the Lord's name. But you should have love for the Lord, whose name you recite.
Brahmin: How?
Guru: Before Name, first you have faith that 'He is there'. You think that 'He is there'. In this seen and unseen world, He lives, but cannot be seen. He is formless but He is 'all pervading'. He is the almighty Lord. He is the Supreme soul. We are also a soul. The Lord is not like earth. He is a living strength, a living Supreme soul. His actions, His thoughts, His ways, only He knows, because they are not like us. The waves of light cannot be like earth.
He is the Supreme soul. We have a small soul in our body. If our small soul meets the Supreme soul, then, our small soul will become enlightened and we will remain in blossom. Otherwise, like an extinguished lamp, we will be in low spirits and the seen worldly desires will keep us in suffering.
So, we should not remain in the forgetfulness of the Supreme soul. That is our prime religion. You understand the Supreme soul as the Lord and His name as Name. So, you should have love of the Lord while reciting His name. You aim that the Name we are reciting is of the omnipresent Lord.
Now you think, when you name anyone, then, is your attention not drawn to the person?
So, attention is the essence in the world. Wherever, you give attention, the work is done. Where the attention is gone, that work does not get through. The ploughman gives attention to plough and ox. He ploughs. A student gives attention to his education, then, he gets educated. But our attention does not rise above the seen world. We have to recite the Lord's name with love, so that our attention goes towards Him.
So, the entire endeavor in drawing the attention of the mind from the seen world to the Lord is Name. When the attention is drawn towards the Lord's recitation, then, the incessant attention is called Name.
This incessai t attention gives a sensation of the Lord's name in the mind and gives ecstasy. The Lord's grace gives rapture. This is Name.
In this way, dyed in the love of the Lord, one sees the Lord everywhere, in nature, in flowers and plants, all over. This is Name.
Turning the attention from the seen world up to reaching the Lord and getting dyed in His love, we call it Name. Name is not repetition only.
Name is repetition, recitation, remembrance, and sensation. Name is life. Name is grace.
Name is body soul meeting the Supreme soul.
Name is love, devotion, sensation, ecstasy and rapture.
When we say Name, we see a heavenly light in recitation of 'O Lord' by the tongue. We feel the sensation of the Lord in the mind, heart and body cells and get immersed in the love of the Lord in exuberance.
Name is our attention towards the Lord and grace from the Lord. His showering of love, sensation, ecstasy and exuberance, this is Name.
So now, you can judge the difference between what Name you were saying and this Name.
Brahmin: You are great. You have awakened my sleep. I thought, saying the Name with the tongue is like chatting, so that people listen and say, he is a saint. Then, I thought, the mouth should be shouting, the tongue should be moving, the teeth should be moving and the beads should be moving in the hands for a few minutes, is Name.
Now, I understand that it is no use reciting by the tongue.
Guru: Again, you are mistaken. Recitation by the tongue is fruitful. Recitation is the function of the tongue. The tongue recites the words. The Name is also words.
O dear, you understand everything again. Name is awaken-ness of the soul. The mind is enticed by the worldly desires and is in lifelessness. Awakening the mind and then remaining in that awaken-ness is Name.
The body whether it is sleeping or awake has no meaning.
The mind rises from the lifeless intoxication of worldly desires to soul awaken-ness and lives in the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his body. But the beginning is from 4 the recitation of Name by the tongue'.
Brahmin: Then, you tell my mistake, so that I understand properly.
Guru: Your mistakes are two, one before this and one after. Before Name, you have to imbibe faith in the Lord.
First, the Lord, then, Name and then, Lord.
In the beginning is the Lord. In the end is the Lord. In between is Name.
First, you have to listen to the praises of the Lord that He is the creator. He gives nourishment. He loves everybody. He loves that you live with him. He is always living. By meeting Him, we will get eternal happiness. To reach Him is our life's aim. To live with Him in this life is, our treading on the religious path.
But we are in suffering. The cause of this suffering is, that we are living in the forgetfulness of the Lord. Everybody wishes to be happy and for that he tries to find happiness in the worldly desires and therefore, remains in suffering. The worldly desires are opposite of 'Remembrance of the Lord'. They are 'forgetfulness of the Lord'. The worldly desires are creating a distance between our inner self and the Lord.
The true happiness is in 'Remembrance of the Lord9. When one wishes for true happiness, then, one turns his mind from worldly desires and tries to reach the Lord. When, one wishes to meet the Lord, then, one tries to understand the goodness and the praises of the Lord. One tries to understand
the goodness of the Lord, because one cannot see the Lord, He, being formless. So, he thinks of the goodness of the Lord and forms an image of the gracious Lord in his mind and makes an aim to turn his attention to His name.
So, your first mistake is, that you start saying His name without first understanding the goodness and graciousness of the Lord and without making an aim to turn your attention from the seen worldly desires towards the Lord. You have not imbibed the love of the Lord in your mind. With what devotion, you say the Name?
First, you have faith and love of the Lord in your mind. Then, 'Recite the Name'. Think that He is the creator and He gives the nourishment. While reciting, make an endeavor that you are living in His presence and you have full faith in Him.
Brahmin yogi: O.K. It is fine (swaying his head). Then, once we have turned our mind and thoughts towards the Lord, then, what is the need for recitation by the tongue?
Guru: This is a point to note. If the remembrance of the Lord, i.e. 'He is present' remains in the mind always or the attention towards Him, remains always, and you are in 'praise and love of the Lord' always, and you are getting a sensation of the Lord in your mind and body incessantly, then, it is fine, the Name will settle in the breath.
But, O saint, this does not happen unless there is immense blessing.
We do understand that 'He is present' and 'He is the creator and savior' and it is our aim to meet him, but we forget. Our mind does not get turned from worldly desires to the Lord at once. We may understand well but the mind does not deviate from worldly entanglements towards the Lord all the time.
That is why we have to make an endeavor that the mind should not remain in forgetfulness. That endeavor, because we are a body, has to be a bodily effort. Now you understand that we have made one effort, that we understand well that 'He is there' and our aim is to turn our mind from the 'worldly desires' to 'remembrance of the Lord'. But the mind does not listen to us. So, we have to make an endeavor to turn this mind.
Then we realize that the mind and body are influenced by each other. The mind gets the influence of the body, like, if you pluck potatoes with your hands the whole day, then, at night you will dream of potatoes. If the mind is sad and dejected then the body becomes lazy and weak. When we understand this, then we try to find out a name of the formless God in words and put it on
our tongue and we recite by the tongue: O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord.
When the tongue recites the Name, then it turns from the worldly things and its attention is drawn to the words O Lord, O Lord.
Now, already we are in the understanding that 'He is there', He is present. He is 'all goodness'. He is the savior. He gives the nourishment. Already, we have made an aim to get engrossed in His remembrance. So, with this recitation, our mind immediately rises from the worldly desires and feels a sensation of the presence of the Lord in itself, i.e. sublime consciousness.
Recitation by the tongue is for this purpose only, that the bodily endeavor will make the mind rise and become sublime.
Then, the mind rises further, immerses itself in the Lord's love and meets the Lord.
Brahmin: O, it's wonderful.
Guru: Our entire attention is towards the bodily attractions. You see, almost eight hours, we sleep. This is for the body comfort. Another eight hours is gone, in job or work for earning. This keeps the attention in bodily occupation. Rest of the eight hours is spent in laughing, playing, entertainment, meeting friends. That also, keeps the attention in bodily occupation. So, all twenty-four hours are gone, in attention towards bodily occupations.
You tell now, how and when should the mind turn its attention towards the Lord? Whether somebody is educated or not but his attention is all the time in bodily chores.
So, the gist is, that the attention has to be turned from the bodily attractions by some bodily occupation, and that is 'recitation of Name' by the tongue.
In this way, slowly, the mind is turned towards the 'all goodness' Lord and after sometime, automatically, the Name makes the mind sublime and the Name settles in the mind.
Brahmin: Is yoga better than Name?
Guru: There are many practices that take you towards the Lord. But for all of them, the requirement is to renounce the world. Everybody requires salvation. If everybody renounces the world, then, after some time, the world will finish.
The world may finish is one thing. But the experiences that one gets from each other, they help a man in rising. By renouncing one becomes devoid of these experiences. Then, one becomes alone. If everybody goes to the forests, then, from where will anybody get food?
So, it is not possible that everybody may go to the forest and do penances. In this way, everybody will die of hunger.
So, the path should be such that one remains in the world, does the necessary worldly chores, and then turns the mind towards the Lord. Then, slowly, one gets more and more attracted to the Lord and finally gets immersed in His love.
Then, he can do his work with his hands and the mind will be in the love of the Lord.
This is the path of 'recitation of the Lord's name with love'.
We have called it Name.
To be immersed in the Lord's love is not a meeting of two in-animate objects. It is life. It is awaken-ness of the soul.
It is a meeting of the body soul with the Supreme soul. This is real life.
The person who has perceived the Lord living in him is really living.
Those who have not perceived the Lord in them are in lifelessness.
Name is an incessant remembrance of the Lord in our mind and an incessant love of the Lord towards us.
That is a living sensation and exuberance.
Brahmin: You please tell, the second fault also.
Guru: Second mistake is, that when you recite the Name and you do not see whether your attention is going from the worldly desires towards the Lord, then your attachment to worldly desires remains the same. You do not feel any love sensation from the Lord, you do not go in praise of the Lord, your mind does not get elevation, you don't go into exuberance, you don't go into a sweet fear of the Lord, you do not have a feeling of love, you do not feel a longing for the Lord, you do not get a sensation of the presence of the Lord in your mind and body, you do not feel a thanksgiving for the Lord. Then, you do not recite in earnestness. You just say, 'we are reciting'.
O Brahmin yogi, it is also essential that a seeker of Lord should keep holy company. He should keep company of a saint who is in the love of the Lord.
You have to see the Lord as creator, savior, gracious and generous. Then, your mind will be awakened. Yes, the recitation will bring awaken-ness of mind. You don't make an aim to reach the Lord, neither you bother whether recitation is taking you anywhere.
When you recite the name with love, then, definitely you will get a sensation of the Lord in your mind and body and the mind will be elevated.
Brahmin: O guru, I am totally satisfied.
Guru: Now, you build a gurdwara and make arrangements for singing of divine music and a proper place for the congregation to sit.
Brahmin: Your words are welcome. Any other service, please tell.
Guru: Else, the scripture that is from the heavens, you write down, you sing the divine songs with music. The singing of the Lord's praises elevates the mind. The mind that has no sensation of the Lord is lifeless.
The earth, sky, stars, moon, sun, water, air take you in wondrousness, in praise of the Lord. If they don't take you in wondrousness, then you consider your mind as lifeless. If you want an awaken-ness, then, you sing the divine hymns, so that the lifeless mind awakens by listening to the praises of the Lord. The scripture makes the mind steadfast in Name. Scripture is the lap of Name. From scripture to Name and from Name to scripture, the awakened mind plays and enjoys the ecstasy.
See, Brahmin yogi, you are well educated. An educated person is more in arguments. Be sure you cannot go on the Lord's path in arguments.
The mind is a lamp, a light, if you use it properly. One should serve the Lord with a full mind.
Going to the Lord's palace is, with earnest endeavor of recitation of Name.
Education gives knowledge but the mind does not rise above worldly entanglements. One can rise from worldly entanglements with Name only. It is only the Name that can give you the sensation of the Lord in your mind and body. All good deeds and endeavors are for sensation of Name.
Go. You are blessed with the Lord's name. Recite and live. Let your mind be elevated. Then, you will see, what is love of the Lord.
Saying this, the guru touched the Brahmin's head. Brahmin yogi felt a cracking sound as if a splinter has flown away. He got an awaken-ness. His body became light, as if there is no weight in the body. He got exhilaration in his eyes. He got a sensation 'O Lord', 'O Lord' in his body cells. His mind got elevation. It got dyed in the Lord's love. The Tantric practices had made his mind full of dirt. All that dirt was washed away.
Today, he saw that when Guru Nanak says, Name, one does not really understand what he means. But in this way, you feel a sensation and it settles in your mind.
O Brahmin yogi, you are fortunate. Ah Ha!
The Brahmin yogi sat in meditation for some time, then, he fell at the Guru's feet and went to his home.
He got the 'Name spark' and the 'Life spark' from the Guru in lieu of the evil he did to the Guru. He got eternal happiness.
The Guru the bestowal of ecstasy, stayed at the sea beach.
The Brahmin yogi, who had now got awaken-ness of soul, went to Panda and narrated everything to him. They liked the suggestion of building a gurdwara and having divine music there. The same day a house was bought and it was made a gurdwara. Till today, it is named Mangoo Math.
It occurred in the mind of the Panda and Brahmin yogi that we should bring the Guru to the city with great pomp and show. The congregation also wanted like that. The city people, after hearing the praise of the Guru, were also feeling devoted to the Guru.
People from far and near had reverence for the Guru.
Everybody wanted pomp and show. The program was to bring the Guru on an elephant or a horse carriage with band, trumpets and sword brandishing men, from the sea beach to the gurdwara.
The entire preparation was made within a day and the procession left the city to bring the Guru.
The Guru was sitting at the beach. He laughed and said: O Mardana, see the Lord's miracles. Earlier, the Panda had come in the garb of Un-enlightened (Kalyug) and now the Un-enlightened (Kalyug) is truly coming. You tell will you be afraid today or not?
Mardana laughed and said: Wondrous are your ways. I am weak minded but at your feet, why should I be afraid?
Guru: Then, pick up the rebeck and let us go.
On listening to the Guru's orders, Mardana got up and they went towards the city. They took a side road and went and sat in the gurdwara.
At the beach, when the procession arrived and everybody reached, then, they did not find the Guru and Mardana.
Both were not there and the word 'O Lord' was written in capital letters.
People were too much disappointed: It had a sobering effect on everybody. They thought that the Guru has departed. He came like a thunder, burnt our mounds of sins and has hidden himself in the clouds. The congregation sat down there and sang divine songs for over one hour.
After the divine songs, everybody felt a solace, their mind blossomed and they returned towards their homes. When they reached the market a sweet tune went into their ears.
When they entered the gurdwara, then, they found the Guru, who comes by the Lord's will and goes by the Lord's will, sitting there. The divine songs were being sung and the gurdwara was shining with lights.
When Mardana finished singing, then, Panda said: Your Holiness, you are great. We did a big mistake. We took torches to bring the sun. We took pans of water to bring the ocean. You are great. Every miracle of yours is an arrow to kill our mistaken beliefs. In every miracle of yours is our salvation.
O godly soul, be gracious.
At this time, the guru sang a divine song.
Now, the divine songs were sung in the gurdwara regularly and the congregation was coming regularly to listen.
Now, there was a talk amongst the people and the Pandas that the Guru has never visited the Jagan Nath temple at the time of the ritual worship of 'moving the tray with lighted lamps in circular motion' in front of the idols.
The king had also heard the Guru's praise and had become devoted.
One day, everybody made a prayer to the king to invite the Guru to the temple for the ritual worship of 'moving the tray with lighted lamps in circular motion' in front of the idols.
When the king's men came to invite the Guru, then the Guru said: Is it the ritual worship of Jagan Nath? Every day, there is worship of the Lord and we are absent. Yes, we will come. Surely, we will come. You tell the king, we will come today.
The Panda thought that most people are now followers of the Guru and we are unable to stop it. This one trick will serve our purpose. If the Guru comes to the ritual worship everyday, then his followers will also come with him. In this way, the Guru's followers won't be separated, they will come to the temple also and our earning will increase.
But the miraculous Guru went with some other idea and reached the temple at the time of the ritual worship. Everybody made him sit with great respect.
Preparations for the ritual worship were going on. There was a golden round tray in which diamonds were embedded. In it, was kept a four-mouthed earthen lamp that had buttermilk and wicks in it. On one side of the tray, incense was burning. On another side in the silver tray, was kept sandalwood powder. On another side, was kept a piece of camphor and it was burning. Whisk was being waved at the idol. The beating of drums started. Then, the playing of cymbals started. Then, the playing of violin started. Everybody
stood up in respect and worship of the idols of Jagan Nath started.
The Guru got up softly, moved back a little and went and sat at a little distance, where there was no roof. One could see the open sky. He looked towards the sky, heaved a long sigh and got immersed in the love of the Lord. The idol worship went on but he remained absorbed in the Lord's love. His eyes spelled a magical charm. Sometimes, a tear of love came out from his eyes and spread like dew on his radiant cheeks. His forehead blossomed and there was a heavenly luster on his forehead. His face showered a heavenly grace.
When, the idol worship finished, the Guru was not seen inside.
Then, the king asked: Where is the respected Guru?
Then, somebody said: Probably, he has slipped out. He did not participate in the worship. Now, they tried to find out and saw that he was sitting outside under the open sky.
The king somewhat in astonishment, somewhat in anger, got up. Some other people also got up, the Panda and Brahmin yogi also got up. When they came near, then, on seeing the Guru in such splendor that they had never seen before, they hesitated. The king was dazed.
After a little while, the Guru uttered, 'O Lord, you are great', 'O Lord, you are great' and looked towards the king.
Now the king went forward and said: O benevolent Guru, you had said that you will participate in the worship of the idol of Jagan Nath but you slipped out. How is that?
Guru: Come, O dear king, I have been worshipping the Lord, the creator. You yourself have not participated in that.
King (in astonishment): We have been worshipping the idol (looking on one side). Tell, yes or no.
People: Yes, Your majesty, all of us have worshipped.
King: You promised and you did not participate.
Guru: O king, I worshipped the Lord, the creator. You did not see me. You were worshipping some stone idol. That is why you did not see me. King (bewildered): I do not understand.
Guru: One who is the creator of the world, the world is under Him. We are his creation. The creation has to worship the Lord, who is living. But the idol that is not living, is a sculpture made by artisans. It is a lifeless statue.
Worship is, to pray with humility to the living Lord, who is the creator. Worshipping the idol made by an artisan is no worship.
On listening to this, the king went into a thought but also got enraged.
For a long time, he discussed with the Panda and Brahmin and then, said: What worship you did, let us also listen?
Then, the Guru made a gesture and Mardana played the rebeck. The Guru's face dazzled and he sang a divine song.
When the song finished, then, the Guru said: O king, the Lord is omnipresent. He is not hiding in a corner. His worship cannot be done with a tray and a small lamp. This sky is a tray, the sun, the moon, the stars are diamonds embedded in it. The sandalwood trees are giving fragrance. The wind is waving the whisk. The flowers in the gardens are the decorations for Him. The divine music is being sung. When we do this natural worship, we go into ecstasy. Now you tell how else one should worship the Lord?
King: Has the creator eyes that He sees the worship? Does He have a nose that He smells the fragrance? Does He have feet that He comes?
Guru: He has no eyes because He is not in bodily form. But He has thousands of eyes because He is intuitive. He has no senses because He is not in bodily form but He is omniscient. He knows everything. He has more knowledge than anybody else with senses. He has no feet like a body, but His speed is more than any other moving object. He is radiance. His life spark is in everybody. He gives life to everything. Nobody understands Him, but all knowledge, He has given to everyone.
King: When He is inaccessible, then, how can one understand Him?
Guru: He is the Supreme soul. His soul is giving a life spark to everybody. One cannot see the life spark, but it can be felt, if we fall at His feet, through the Guru.
King: Who is the Guru?
Guru: He is in the Lord and the world.
King: Where is he?
Guru: Where, there is longing and love.
The king listened to the worship of the almighty Lord. He understood the meanings of the words. He got a realization. His mind pondered: The whole life, we worshipped the stone idol. We did not worship the Lord who created us. All worship was meant for the Lord but in mistaken belief, we worshipped the stone idols. What the Guru has said is true.
The truth was shining, but what the people will say, was an impediment.
But when the sun rises, even if there are clouds in the east, it still comes out of the clouds.
The king realized the truth, his heart melted and in eagerness he said: O beloved of the Lord, you show me the Lord.
Guru: The Lord is inside you. O king, the Supreme soul is within you. You keep Him in remembrance that 'He is there'. Then, feel the ecstasy that 'My Lord is with me'. Love Him. Praise Him with humility. Remain in His remembrance always. Your mind will be elevated. You will get a sensation of the presence of the Lord in your mind and body. Your mind will become exuberant. You will get an awaken-ness in your mind. Live in that awakenness.
O King, there are pious people in this world. Kindness, charity, generosity is good but unless you have an awaken-ness in your mind, you cannot feel the real life. Without the awaken-ness one is lifeless.
A flower is beautiful, the color is charming but the flower is real only when it is full of fragrance.
One who has awaken-ness, his heart is in exuberance. He has sensation of the Lord in his mind and body. He has a touch of the Lord in his body. He is living a real life.
Like, we are higher than animals. Similarly, one who has the sensation of the Lord in his mind and body is higher than us.
Then, our prayer touches the Lords feet and the Lords love and grace comes to us. One lives in ecstasy and rapture.
Otherwise, O King, all worship is lifeless.
King: My entire life has gone like that. You give some life spark that my mind is awakened. The Guru looked at the king with graciousness and in extreme love said: Say
'O Lord'. Perceive 'O Lord'.
Feel the sensation of 'O Lord', 'O Lord', 'O Lord'.
The Guru said this, in such sensation giving words, that the king saying, 'O Lord', 'O Lord' got absorbed in his mind. When he came out of the absorption, then, he felt coolness. He felt an awaken-ness. His mind was elevated. His body became light, as if there was no weight. He was in ecstasy and was feeling the sensation of the presence of the Lord in his mind and body. The entire body was echoing the sweet tune of 'O Lord', 'O Lord'. He was in rapture. In this ecstasy, he fell at the Guru's feet.
The savior Guru touched his head with love and said: You are blessed.
The king was blessed. The congregation was blessed.
The Guru who was without enmity awakened the sleeping souls.
He gave life to the lifelessly living people.
He made the dead as living. He joined the separated with the Lord.
He showed the way to see the unseen. He gave Name to everyone.
The sun of holy congregation rose in Puri. The gurdwara, the holy congregation and the divine singing started.
The Guru is happy to provide fountains in deserts and date trees.
But the people who have got life from him do not want to leave him. The Guru has to go to serve the Lord and move.
At that time, it is a scene to see the beloved and the loved ones. But then, the will of the Lord comes, and the Guru has to depart. The holy congregation lives back with the divine singing wherein they get inspiration from the Guru. For the love of the people, the guru stayed here for two or three months and then, departed.
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