The Lord Is Always Close To You

Ashoka means no shoka, no sorrow. The Shrutis declare, ‘tarati shokam aatma-vit.’ The knower of the Self transcends grief. Ma Sita had to go through shoka. What is shoka or grief? Shoka, or for that matter, even roga (disease) is tax. Someone insults you, you get a disease, a relative or loved one dies — these things are a tax. He who is established in oneself will overcome shoka. The shoka can be eliminated by repeating ‘Ram, Ram, Ram.’ Sita was in Ashoka grove. She had shoka but constant remembrance of Sri Ram gave her the strength to get over her shoka.

Gurudeva sang a song here:

Na teerath me, na murat me, na ekaant niwas me
Na mandir mein, na masjid mein, na kaabe kailaash me
Mo ko kanhaa dhoondo bande, mai to tere paas me

So, you see, all the shoka is indeed there, but Sri Ram is always close to you.

The cloud which veils the Self is paap (sin). When the burden of sin is lifted, the glorious sun of the Self shines forth. Different people seek the truth in different ways. God is very close. He resides in our heart. But there are three levels of seeking.

God is in the celestial regions, in heaven – in Vaikunth or Goloka. This is the first level in which He can be contemplated upon. He is very far in this conception. In the second, and more evolved level, He is in the temple. But still not too close. He comes closest when we seek Him within ourselves—in our own hearts. That is third and the ultimate level of seeking.

Ishvarah sarva-bhutaanaam hrid-deshe Arjuna tisthati (Bhagavad Gita 18: 61)
“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna!”

There are six Urmis or waves (of the ocean of samsara): Shoka (grief), Moha (confusion or delusion), Kshut (hunger), Pipasa (thirst), Jara (decay or old age), and Mrityu (death). The first two are in one class, the next two in another, and then the rest.

Q. We are all householders, how should we conduct ourselves in this world?

A. Well, one should live like a mud fish. Sri Ramakrishna has said, “there is no harm if the devotee lives in the world as a householder, but he must not allow worldliness to enter into his mind... Do you know how it is to live unattached to the world? One should live like the mud-fish. The mud-fish lives in the muddy water but is not soiled by it.” But you will have to live in this world with Naam chanting. Without Naam, it would be impossible for you to become mud fish. Ramakrishna has said in this context, “The mind is not independent, it is bound; it has been taken hostage by lust and lucre. That’s why it’s necessary to have the company of holy men. It’s necessary to have continual company of the Guru, offer him service, and also enjoy fellowship of saints. Keep this in mind, if the mind is left alone, it is bound to dry up.”

Q. As soon as one opens the newspaper, one confronts news about uproar, desolation, murder and crime. On the other hand, one sees that for some, there is no dearth of money, luxuries, addictions and extravagance – how can a human being under these circumstances move from dissatisfaction to true satisfaction?

A. Human beings will have to reckon with the fact:
Na-alpe sukhamasti bhumaiva sukham
True happiness does not lie in the finite (world); it exists in the Supreme Soul (God) who is Infinite. It lies in chanting of Naam, self-control and engaging in spiritual practices like japa, dhyana etc.

Q. We are all so distracted these days. Why is it so?

A. This is the handiwork of Mahadevi TV! You have a separate room for the TV, it shows how the TV reigns in the house as a deity! Then these days there is the cell phone Maharaja, who dictates and runs your life!! No wonder you are so distracted.

Q. Is it okay to create and work on business? Is it okay to have a desire to earn profit?

A. If you are a householder, there is no harm in expecting material things. That’s not a problem, as long as you don’t overindulge, and you stay within reasonable limits. There are two types of bhaktas. Sakaam bhakta, who has desires and Nishkaam bhakta, who has no desires. Both are allowed according to the scriptures. Sakaam bhakti is okay, but it must be based on religious principles and dharma. In sakaam bhakti, kama has two meanings – Lust and Desire. A good desire is approved but a bad desire and lust is not approved.

Q. We are all lying in the mire of samsara. What is the remedy for the likes of us?

A. Who is not in the mire of samsara? All of us are caught in the welter of sense objects. But we have something to look forward to:

O Lord, I’ll not rest until I make you my own
And only that much of ‘mine’ must remain alone
The mire in which I am born Do thou with thine touch Let blossom,
and a lotus be born
May only the bond of love remain!

Remember, with Sitaram’s touch, lotuses are blossoming even in mire and dirt.

Q. Should a child desire anything from God, Guru, and parents?

A. सव्व तीथ्व मयी माता, सव्व ददेव मय: वपता ।
मातरं पकतरं तस्मात्सर्व यत्नदेन पूरयदेत् ।।

Sarva tirthamayi maataa sarvadevamayah pitaa
Maataram pitaram tasmaat sarva yatnena pujayet

Mother is an embodiment of all the holy places and father that of all Gods. Revere them with all efforts. Mother and father anyway give everything to their children. Let the parents always decide what to give. You may tell God, parents, and Guru, that ‘I want this, but I leave it to you. I don’t have a choice and I leave it to the Mother.’
It will be the same for your children. You are a parent to them and the same applies to them as well. Your kids will look at you and become dharmic. Tell them to do Guru japa and write Ram Naam. They are more likely to follow the elders by emulating practice, not mere preaching.

Q. If our sole prayer is to earn devotion to Sri Guru and gain bhakti, what is the way to that?

A. To the best of your ability, keep doing the japa of the ‘Guru’ mantra, read the scriptures, perform worship and chant the Naam.

Q. What can be done to bring your loved ones on the same path?

A. Pray for their spiritual growth. Let them take their own time. Not all flowers open at the same time. It is better to do your own japa and dhyana rather than giving lectures to others. People will follow you when your example is visible. Let it take its own time. If people are curious and question, then give the answer as best as possible, in the way you understand it. Otherwise, don’t interfere. Unsolicited interference and advice may cause that person to go further away rather than come closer.