Embodiments of Love,

Sankara propagated the view that the Vedas uphold dualism (Dvaita) and Vedanta teaches non-dualism (Advaita) on the basis of citations from the scriptural texts. The difference between the Vedas and Vedanta is like the differences between various organs in the same body. The eyes, the ears, the nose, the arms and the feet are different parts of the body. The individual is a limb of society. Society is a limb of humanity. Humanity is a part of Nature (or the phenomenal world). Nature is a limb of the Supreme Self (Paramaatma).

In Kaasi (Vaaraanasi), at the assembly of scholars, debates raged over many philosophical issues. Amused at this spectacle, Sankara remarked: Vaade Vaade Vardhathe Vairam (Enmity grows with controversy). Continuous disputation only results in increasing bitterness among the disputants. Argumentation is not the proper method for settling spiritual issues.

DUALISM OF THE VEDAS

Man is obliged to resolve problems in life. In daily existence man will never be free from worry From birth to death man is confronted continuously with worries. The only way out of them is for people to develop love of God [Swami recited a Telugu poem in this context]. Love is the sovereign remedy for all ills. The Vedas, however, have not given sufficient importance to this love. Their emphasis is more on aspiration (aasayam) than on experience (anubhavam). There are innumerable Vedic scholars who ceaselessly chant the Vedas. All this is verbal and not concerned with active practice. This attitude was described by Sankara as dualism (Dvaita). All the Vedic mantras were in the form of prayers for favors. (I want this, I want that). Desire is at the root of dualism. Desire arises because of the feeling that there is the other. The one who desires and the object that is desired are two things apart from each other. True non-dualism is the extinction of this separation by the unification of the subject and the object. Dualism exists when the object that is desired, for instance, a kerchief, is distinct from the person who desires it.

NON-DUALISM

Non-dualism is a state of consciousness which can only be experienced and not described in words. In this regard, the Advaitin is like a dumb man who has enjoyed a delightful dinner but cannot describe the taste of the dishes he has consumed. There are two kinds of proof for the existence of anything. Prathyaksham (direct perception) and Paroksham (indirect proof). The bliss derived from the Advaitic consciousness is beyond words. It can only be experienced, but cannot be described or explained. In this matter, if indirect proof did not exist, direct perception would be out of the question. Unfortunately, today people attach value to direct perception alone and have scant regard for indirect evidence. This is not the right attitude. For instance, one sees a block of ice. It appears solid, but it is entirely made up of water, which is a liquid. Thus water, whose presence is inferred indirectly, is the basis for the solid block of ice that is seen by direct perception. Thus it can be realized that what is indirect is the basis for what is perceived directly.

Likewise, for this visible phenomenal universe, the invisible basis is the Divine. Not recognizing this truth, men go by the Vedic conception of dualism instead of recognizing the truth of the Vedantic doctrine of non-dualism.

Man spends his life immersed in worldly affairs. To point out to mankind the more vital inward path, Sankara dedicated his life. His preceptor, Gaudapada, gave Sankara all help and encouragement. Despite being young in years, Sankara showed great determination and strength of conviction. At the age of 16 he could convince the venerable pundits of Kasi about the validity of the Advaitic doctrine. What is Advaita? The oneness of everything is Advaita. The scriptures have declared that the whole cosmos is permeated by the Divine. It is the desire of devotees to worship the Divine under different forms and names that is the reason for the various creeds and sects.

THE FORM AND THE SUBSTANCE

An affluent devotee, filled with dualistic feelings, adored the form of Krishna. He wished to offer worship regularly to an idol of Krishna. He got a gold idol of Krishna made by a goldsmith out of 20 coins. He got a golden cow made to match the idol. He got made a peacock and a golden cup to perform the abhishekam for the idol, both of the same weight as the idol. Everyday he used to perform the abhishekam and enjoy the worship of Krishna. But the tide of time brought in its wake a decline in his fortunes and he found himself nearly destitute. He collected all his golden articles of worship and took them to another rich man to sell them. Each of the four items was weighed and valued at Rs. 60,000 each. The old devotee could not bear to learn that his revered Krishna idol was valued at the same price as the cow, the peacock and the cup. He said that more should be paid for the Krishna idol. The intending purchaser said: Sir, for you the Krishna form is more precious than the other. But for me only the weight matters, not the form. What is happening in the world today is that men are attaching value to the external forms and not to the Divine substance which is common to all of them. The five elements constituting every being are Divine. Apart from the five elements there is no sixth element. People imagine that there is a sixth element and go after it. This crazy desire is the cause of much of man's misery. Desires are inescapable.

But there should be a limit for them. [In this context Bhagavan related the story of Midas who prayed and got a boon that whatever he touched should turn into gold. He soon found that he could not even eat his food as it turned into gold at his touch. He prayed again to the good fairy to take back the boon she had given to him.]

It is evident from this story what will be the grave consequences of insatiable desires. Those who act up to Divine injunctions will be happy and prosperous.

Sankara, therefore, warned mankind against the mad pursuit of wealth and exhorted everyone to reduce one's desires. [Swami sang a song. One gets wealth according to his Karma. Therefore be content with what you get].

CONTROL OF DESIRES

Control your desires. Cultivate love of God. That love will confer on you everything according to your needs. There is no need for you to ask for anything from God. Did He not give to Sabari what she needed without her asking? Did He not bless Jataayu with His grace?" [Telugu Poem)] Dasaratha had prayed for so long that his son should perform the last rites for him. But he did not get it, while the bird Jataayu had the privilege of getting his last rites done at Rama's hands. Jataayu got liberation after receiving the saving drops of water from Rama. [Swami related the story of how Sabari was eagerly waiting for the arrival of Rama and how she made all the arrangements to welcome him and offer him the sweetest fruits.] Sabari's intense devotion to Rama got its reward.

God confers His grace according to each (Anugraha) and not anger (Aagraha). But devotees tend to judge the ways of God according to their own predilections. A man standing before a mirror will see his moods reflected in the mirror.

No one can escape from the consequences of his actions whatever efforts he may make to run away from them. [Swami sang a song with the refrain, Karmadaata vasamaa, narudaa (Is it possible to escape from Karma, oh man?) As are your actions, so are the reactions].

In the cosmic context, nature is the mirror. God is the viewer. All that is reflected in nature is Divine. The One alone exists. The object and the image appear because of the presence of the mirror. When there is no mirror there is no image. This is the mystery relating to nature and the wonders of the Lord. The glories of the Lord are multifarious and marvelous beyond words.

God's arithmetic is different from man's. For instance, when a mirror is placed before you, you have three entities. Yourself, the mirror and your image. When you take away the mirror, according to ordinary arithmetic, three minus one should be two. But when the mirror is removed only you remain. Three minus one becomes one!

Many people think, many people say: Money makes many many things. But I say: Money makes many wrongs.

Only when the distinction between the worldly point of view and the Divine point of view is understood will people learn to make proper use of money.

YOU AND I ARE ONE

This is the distinctive significance of Sankara's non-dualism. Sankara related the experiences of daily life to the doctrine of spiritual oneness (Ekatvam). The Divine is one, but is adored under different names and forms: Allah, Jesus, Buddha, Zoroaster, Rama, Hari or Hara. All are the same. Sankara did not approve of God being described as mother, father, etc. The relationship between God and man is oneness. You and I are one. This is the essence of the Advaitic doctrine. This awareness of oneness can give infinite joy, according to Sankara.

This experience does not come easily. One has to undertake intensive enquiry and also practice spiritual discipline (samskaaras). When the samskaaras lead to the refinement of the spirit, the experience of oneness with the Divine comes. How fortunate is the one who gets that experience! None can be more fortunate.

The one who gets this experience is the Lord of the universe. As the Master of the Self he is the Lord of the Cosmos. This Atma is present in every cell of the human body. When this nectarine truth is realized, man will not seek the ephemeral. Everyone should therefore seek the nectar of enduring Atmic bliss.

Sankara made all endeavors to propagate the Advaitic message to the entire country and to every person whether he was a king or a commoner, scholar or ignoramus.

PLEDGE TO THE MOTHER

Sankara had given a pledge to his mother that he would reach her in her last moments and perform the last rites for her. Being a pure and high-souled being, he was determined to keep his word. For the pure-hearted the plighted word is bound to be kept. Moreover, whatever they say will happen.

[Bhagavan related an episode from the Mahabharata to indicate that the Divine chooses the time and the situation for showering His grace and conveying His message. In the case of Arjuna, the Kurukshetra war was the right moment for Krishna to test Arjuna's total faith in Krishna and his deservedness for receiving the message of the Gita].

[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the bhajan: Hey! Girijaapathi Bhavaani Sankara]