When the branch of a tree rubs against another branch incessantly, fire emerges from the branches. When you repeatedly churn buttermilk you get butter from which ghee is got. By engaging one's self in a continuous process of enquiry one realizes the Divinity within. [Telugu Poem]

By perseverance anything can be accomplished (says a Telugu proverb). The Gita declares that by repeated practice one acquires the wisdom that ultimately leads to renunciation (Thyaaga). Every activity in life is based on practice. Likewise, to realize the Divine constant practice is necessary. Mere repetition of the Lord's name is not enough. Devotion should express itself in social service. Any service done with social well-being in mind will become service to God. The one Self dwells in a myriad bodies like butter in milk, oil in til (sesame) seeds, fragrance in a flower, sweet juice in a fruit and fire in wood (Sanskrit sloka). This is the truth proclaimed by Vedanta. Today, modern youth, not realizing this truth, are wasting their lives in every way.

Adi Sankara demonstrated that underlying all forms, names and qualities, there is one basic reality which alone is real and changeless. This is the doctrine of Advaita or Nondualism. Out of a mango seed comes a tree with branches, leaves, flowers and fruit each with distinct forms and uses. But all the myriad things that have come from the seed owe their existence to the seed from which the tree arose. This truth was declared by Krishna in the Gita when He said: Beejam Maam Sarvabhoothaanaam (I am the seed that is the origin of all beings.) All things in the universe are manifestations of the One Divine.

Yesterday I related the story of how Adi Sankara took to sanyasa at an early age and came to his guru, Govinda. The preceptor for Govinda was Gaudapaada. Gaudapaada distinguished the Riks in Rig Veda which proclaimed the oneness of the Divine. Sankara received this teaching from Govinda and mastered all the Vedas and Sastras by his fourteenth year. Earnest pursuit of knowledge leads to total understanding (Jnaana).

DEBATE WITH PRECEPTOR

One day, to test Sankara's mastery of the scriptures Govinda engaged Sankara in a philosophical debate. It was a debate between the preceptor and the disciple. Sankara was full of humility and reverence for the guru. Hence, before entering on the debate he prostrated before the preceptor and prayed to him for permission to argue with him. With the guru's sanction he began his argument with amazing skill and demolished, with due scriptural authority, the propositions of the preceptor and presented his views in accordance with Vedic authorities with due regard to worldly understanding and showed how the inward (Nivrithi) path could be harmonized with the external (Pravrithi) path.

A LESSON FOR PANDITS

Sankara was deeply perturbed over the conduct of great Vedic scholars of those times who were more concerned about making a money out of their scriptural scholarship than to gain spiritual wisdom from it. They forgot that knowledge should not he used for commercial purposes. Even today many students consider education as a means for earning a living. This is utterly wrong. One should work for a living. But knowledge should be sought for acquiring wisdom. Sankara sought to bring about a change in the use of scriptural knowledge.

Of what use is the acquisition of all kinds of knowledge if one does not think of God and use his hands for the adoration of the Divine. All such knowledge is a sheer waste. (Telugu Poem)

Sankara was deeply distressed over the conduct of the scholars. His preceptor Govinda observed Sankara's sadness. Govinda's guru, Gaudapaada, also felt unhappy over this state of things. Both of them were elated at the sublime feelings of the young Sankara. They both realized that Sankara was best qualified to use the sacred teachings of the Vedas to combat the prevailing unrighteous and immoral tendencies in the society. They summoned Sankara and told him: Child! There is no need for you to stay here any longer. Leave for Kaasi (Varanasi) tomorrow. You must meet the great pundits in Kaasi and propagate the doctrine to the whole world. Nobody else can carry out this mission.

Students today should realize that they are the most powerful instruments for rectifying all the evils rampant in our society today.

THE JOURNEY TO KAASI

With the permission of the two preceptors, Sankara set out for Kaasi. No modern means of transport were available in those days. Sankara had to walk all the way to Benares. The sixteen- year old lad gathered his disciples and left for Kaasi. On the way he saw a pundit sitting under a tree and cramming the rules of grammar. At that moment, he began composing the famous hymn Bhaja Govindam. (Swami recited the opening stanza from Bhaja Govindam). You dull-witted fellow! Why do you immerse yourself in the rules of grammar? They will not save you when death knocks at the door. Instead, worship Govinda! At the time of death nothing and nobody will follow the departing soul when it leaves the body. Only the remembrance of the name of the Lord will keep you company at all times. Sankara advised the pundit to chant the name of the Lord instead of conning (committing to memory) the rules of grammar.

After teaching him this lesson, Sankara proceeded to Kaasi with his disciples. Sankara's teachings were spreading far and wide. The pundits of Benares arranged for a grand assembly of scholars in the holy city. Many scholars had gathered there in all their regalia. Nothing was lacking in terms of ostentation at that assembly. Sankara entered in a simple way, wearing a dhoti covering up to his knees and a towel over his shoulder. On seeing him, the pundits seemed to feel that it was all a joke. Some pundits remarked: He does not even wear a rudraakshamaala (a garland of prayer beads). A pundit should have an imposing figure. What is it that this stripling can tell us?. They addressed him thus: We have come to know that you are proficient in all the Vedas and Sastras, an authority on grammar and logic and a great exponent of the Advaita doctrine.

SANKARA AND THE SCHOLARS

Sankara then sang the Bhaja Govindam songs, pointing out the transitory nature of material wealth and exhorting all to give up worldly desires. He declared that pundits should be equal-minded and should give up the desire for wealth, which is the result of one's actions. Give up this thirst for money Develop the thirst for God, declared Sankara in strident terms. Then he gave a superb exposition of the metaphysics of Advaita.

All the pundits and their disciples were astonished at the performance of the young Sankara. They realized that here was one who was not only a great teacher but one who practiced what he taught. This unity in thought, word and deed is the mark of greatness. Sankara was the very embodiment of unity and purity in thought, speech and action.

Many pundits got up and plied Sankara with questions. He answered them all with perfect ease. He declared that Advaita means oneness of the spirit and awareness of this oneness is true wisdom (Jnaana). Spiritual wisdom alone is true wisdom. pundits today, he declared, are not having this realization.

EXPOSITION OF ADVAITA

Sankara pointed out that though names and forms may be many, the Self is one only. That Self resides in everyone's heart. He exhorted the pundits to purify their hearts and follow the dictates of the conscience. Sankara made it clear that creeds may vary but God is one.

Sankara called upon the pundits to be content with moderate incomes and not hanker after riches. Vast knowledge and petty desires go ill together.

STUDENTS' DUTY

Students should realize how a young lad born in Kaladi brought greatness to Kerala and Bharat.

Students should cultivate human values like love, compassion, righteousness and truth and become truly human. Every student should strive to lead an ideal life like Sankara.

In this context, I should like to mention that in Bhaja Govindam Sankara commends renunciation of all worldly attachments. People may feel that Swami is telling the students these unworldly teachings. This does not worry me, because what I am saying is the Truth. Is renunciation acquired so easily? No. People who have been listening for years have not changed to the slightest extent. To imagine that a single discourse is going to make a big change is fanciful. Only a fortunate few experience such transformation. If real renunciation is promoted in anyone, there can be no greater blessing than that.

Nearness to God will inspire the spirit of renunciation even without one being conscious of it. In that renunciation lies fulfillment. And one's life is redeemed.

[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the bhajan: Siva, Siva, Siva, Siva Anaraadaa".]