The Temple Dome

My first trip to Sri Jagannath Puri was in November 2018. It was an unforgettable experience and inspired a couple of poems. This is one of them. 

The  Temple Dome

As I walked out of the narrow lane, there I saw:

Rising into the bright sky,

Majestic presence, stunning sight,

I gasped, and let out a loud cry,

Attained I had the success of life.

A storm of thoughts raged within,

Down I went, I gave my heart,

No end I found to my good fortune, 

I was in front of Lord Jagannath.

As if a burden of countless lives,

Had been lifted from my heavy heart,

I felt light, I roared and roared,

Jai Jagannath Jai Jai Jagannath!

For there it rose, the Temple dome,

It's intricate beauty captured my heart,

The Wheel atop of infinite fame,

The dancing flag doing its part.

Let them be my constant meditation,

The Chakra, the flag, the Temple dome, 

O Lord give me this benediction,

And Your Holy Names to take me Home.

Knowledge is to know Jagannath!

My first trip to Sri Jagannath Puri was in November 2018. It was an unforgettable experience and inspired a couple of poems. This is one of them. 

Knowledge is to know Jagannath!

-- Nov 6 2018. Late night at Sri Jagannath Puri Dham

Knowledge means the knowledge of Bhakti,

Because the highest knowledge is to know Bhakti,

Knowing Bhakti means knowing the Lord,

Knowing the Bhakta, and the process of Bhakti. 

Knowing means to know the complete Truth,

Not just what is not, but also what is so,

The Supreme Person is the Absolute Truth,

Knowing anything else is to not quite know.

To dismiss Bhakti in the name of knowledge,

Is the mere arrogance of the pseudo-knower,

His childish grudge against the loving Lord,

Keeps him bereft of knowledge forever. 

Knowledge is to know Jagannath,

The highest knowledge is Lord Jagannath,

The process is to serve Jagannath,

By chanting His name Jai Jagannath!

O Resplendent Lord (Janmashtami Prayer - 2020)

O Resplendent Lord!

-- A Janmashtami prayer, 2020.

O Resplendent Lord,
To relieve us of our plight,
You appeared that frightening night,
At the stroke of midnight.

O Mysterious Lord,
For missions big and small,
You appeared that momentous night,
Bewildering one and all.

O Tender Lord,
To soothe our aching heart
You appeared that auspicious night,
Enrapturing pastimes to start.

O Affectionate Lord,
For your love for everyone,
You appeared that thunderous night,
To soon lift dear Gowardhan.

O My Dear Dear Lord,
Will You ever appear in my heart?
I sincere pray that you might,
To never ever depart?

Rappelling – Faith over Fear

Rappelling – Faith over Fear

Rappelling is a mountaineering technique used for a controlled descent off a vertical drop, such as a rock face, using a rope. To descend safely, rappelled use a variety of techniques to increase the friction on the rope to the point where it can be controlled comfortably. I recently got an opportunity to rappel down a 40 feet wall when I had gone for a team outing with colleagues. Those fifteen minutes gave me emotional experiences and philosophical insights enough to pen down this poem.

As I climbed up the stairs,

No one but my mind with me,

My throbbing heart fluttered wild,

A raging storm no-one could see.

 

Heavy legs, a step at a time,

Felt like ages, but it came to soon,

Moment of dread, you have come?

Will you shove me to my doom?

 

A chill ran down my spine,

My heart stopped, I gasped for life,

Paralyzed I was by the stroke of fear,

Only a moment, but horrifying strife.

 

Don't look down, the captain said,

Trust me, you are fastened safe,

Calm the mind, a task at hand,

Look up, and keep the faith. 

 

I turned around, and stepped back,

Onto the edge of the precipice wall,

I leaned back and took position,

Only the ropes now would stall my fall.

 

A step at a time, a simple technique,

Calmed the nerves and lifted the heart,

Thrill at first, then peace and joy,

Even a jump or two quite smart.

 

As I touched down, there was relief,

But this taught me something deep,

Fear of the unknown is overcome,

Faith in the knower if we keep.

 

Faith opens the doors of our mind,

Rich experiences it does bring,

Remember this next time you face,

Fearful situations or just rappelling!

This poem is a short story about faith over fear. It's short, but it says a lot. Just like going down rappelling is a choice, going down the spiritual path is a choice. The initial steps could be full of turmoil due to fear. What will my life look like if I go down this path? What about my worldly life and attachments? Family? Job? But there is also the longing for experiencing something sublime, something that the heart longs for and that is promised by the spiritual path - peace, purpose, love. At some point in the journey, one comes at a juncture where we need to make the decision. And that's when the fear completely captures the heart. At these times, faith comes to the rescue.

Not blind faith, but reasonable faith. Before asking us to rappel down, the instructors had given us a lesson in rappelling - it's purpose, philosophy behind the technique, the strength of the ropes and the anchors, and so on. Then one of the instructors rappelled down himself demonstrating to us the technique and the safety mechanisms that will keep us very safe under all circumstances. Of course, accidents happen, but they can happen at home too. There was no rational reason for fear; but fear is often irrational, arising from forgotten experiences from the past. Faith in in the words and example of the instructors was our only gateway to the rappelling experience.

For some faith comes easily, for some not so. Different people are in different stages of their spiritual evolution - one of our colleagues just couldn’t garner enough faith to overcome his particular level of fear. But to understand spiritual life, one needs to start following it. There is no other way. Spirituality is an experience - it can be truly understood only by having it. The Bhagavad Gita provides a sound philosophical foundation for practicing spiritual life. And the sincere followers of the Bhagavad Gita provide the live examples. The culture of the Bhagavad Gita is of encouragement, not judgement. This provides the conducive environment in which to follow spirituality. This is the safety mechanism. Unless you do something as drastic as cut off the rope, you are safe.

Rich spiritual experiences are waiting for you if only you can tap into the power of faith, based on sound philosophical convictions, to overcome your hesitations regarding spiritual life. Keep the faith, you'll be safe.

Life Before Death

Life Before Death

Life After Death is a popular topic with varying opinions about its possibility. But what about life before death? What characterizes life? The answer to this question heavily influences our opinion about the possibility of life after death. And in fact, it decisively influences our definition of death too.

If life is just about pumping of the heart and activity of the brain, then absence of these two can be called death. But life is more than the functioning of an electro-chemical mechanical system; life is about consciousness – about thinking, feeling, desiring. Life is about the ability to perceive. Consciousness is what differentiates a man from a machine, a live human from a dead one.

No characteristic of matter (atoms, molecules, electrons, etc.) suggests that it can be the source of consciousness or the seat of perception. What, or who is it, that perceives or is conscious? For example, a periscope helps me see beyond a high wall, but I can see not because of the periscope, but because I have eyes that can see. The periscope is merely the medium through which the light rays are reaching my eyes. Similarly, the eyes of my body are merely the arrangements of atoms that allow light to pass through. I see what I see, not because of the atomic arrangement of my eyes, but because I have the ability to perceive and make sense of the incoming light.

That I is the soul. I can see, hear, feel, think, will, etc. only because I (the soul) have these abilities. These perceptive abilities that characterize consciousness are the inherent qualities of the soul. Since matter does not have these abilities, we understand that the soul is unlike matter. The soul is non-material, it is spiritual.

The soul does not depend on matter for its fundamental abilities of perception. In fact, its fundamental abilities to perceive are conditioned by the nature and state of the body that it occupies. For example, going back to the periscope example, how well I can see beyond the high wall depends on how clean the lens of the periscope is. Even if my eyesight is perfect, a dirty lens will hamper my perception. Thus, to define life in terms of a pumping heart and an active brain is like defining eyesight in terms of the condition of the periscope. Just like my fundamental ability to see is not dependent on the periscope, the soul does not depend on the body for any of its fundamental abilities.

Since the soul, characterized by consciousness, does not depend on anything that makes up the body while it’s in the body, we understand that the soul does not need the body for its existence. The body is merely a lump of matter; it is always dead. Life is when a soul occupies a body and animates it; death is when the soul moves on to leave behind a dead lump of matter – the body.

Life exists not because of a functioning body, but despite being in an inherently dead body. If life exists even before death, it definitely can exist after death.

The Joy of Sublime

There's hardly anything remarkably noble in the lives of most of the famous fiction authors whose work we tend to admire. This discovery has been a source of great disappointment for me. But it now gives be double the joy when I discover sublime writing in the works of great souls.

Plug in to the Tree of Universal Principles

The unwise mind thinks in terms of this or that, but the wiser mind thinks in terms of this and that. Wisdom makes us see the interrelationships between all things. Wisdom reveals some principles as higher than others and some principles as adjacent to each other but connected to some higher common principle. Enlightened action requires us to understand our current conditioning and these interrelationships of principles, and then act in our respective capacities fuelled by the highest principles.

The key is to not judge others whose hierarchy of principles is different from ours. It requires deep study and genuine humility and intense desire to find out the truth to arrive at the highest principles. Very few are fortunate enough to encounter, and to actually appreciate, the Absolute Truth.

The Absolute Truth is way beyond the sensory perception and wildest speculations of the typical human being. And his sense of self importance and his illusion about his own intelligence blinds him to any instructions about transcendence. Thus they keep busy with inherently meaningless matters of this world because they are infatuated with the sense gratification and ego satisfaction that they provide.

The transcendalist has answers for all problems of this world in a practical way based on the sound hierarchy of universal principles. It's not about solving all problems in this world, which is utopian, but about how to lead ones life to navigate the practical and philosophical complexities of life in this world. Its about starting from your current set of principles and following a practical process to gradually align yourself to the highest set of principles. It's not about excluding principles, but of harmonizing them with the highest principles.

Just plug in.

Happiness of needing less

No matter what the contemporary world view is or which era it is, happiness comes only to the one who is satisfied with less.

Aversion to the Truth

One is averse to the truth not because we think that it may not be the truth but because it stands against our own physical, mental, intellectual, social, and egoistic convenience. And so we espouse the logically absurd ideology that truth is a matter of belief. One who cares for truth more than anything else, who wants to know it at any cost, is ready to accept that truth, although unlimitedly multifaceted, is still an objective reality; either something is true or it is not. Those who say that truth is a matter of belief don't have the courage and humility to search after the truth; they are too engrossed in their insignificant affairs considering them to be very important - more than finding out the truth. They believe that they are very significant; a logical absurdity indeed.

What's best for you?

Most people will agree that everyone does not know what's best for them. That's why there are consultancy services. But almost everyone seems to think that a materialistic godless outlook to life is the best option available. Do they really know what's best for them?

Everyone's opinion is not equally important

Everyone's opinion is not equally important.

Ask to understand, not to challenge

It's good to ask questions about spiritual matters, but one should also strive to raise the level of our questions by gaining knowledge from authentic sources. Just keeping asking questions based on ones own opinions without the intention of accepting the answers given is not commendable. Questions should be asked in a spirit of humility in order to understand, not in a spirit of showing off ones own opinions about everything.

Learn from those who are better

We understand what really intelligent people are like when we are fortunate enough to get an opportunity to spend time with them and are humble.

If we do not get that experience, we will never know what high intelligence means. And we would be proud of doing things that intelligent people think are childish. We would make a fool of oneself in the eyes of intelligent people.

If we are surrounded by ordinary people, we will continue to think that we are more intelligent than others. This is a poor situation to be in. We should long for the association of those who are better than us and learn from them with respect and humility.

The Sword of Spiritual Knowledge Kills the Demon of Envy

Typically everyone in this world wants to feel that they are better in some way or the other than others. Comparing and competing with others is a result of this mentality. This also causes envy for others. It can cause inferiority complex, or superiority complex. It causes one to find faults with others; in fact a major part of people's time goes in finding faults with others. It causes the pathetic behaviour of showing others how they themselves are so good (most of social media is about showing off).

This need to feel better than others is the result of a dissatisfied heart. The heart can only be fully satisfied when it is dedicated to loving and serving God. Serving God includes serving all living beings because all living beings are part of God. Without explicitly serving God, with selfless love, complete satisfaction cannot come.

But the egoistic mentality prevents us from accepting that there is God who is infinitely great and that we are completely insignificant in every way. And so the disease of wanting to feel oneself better than others continues and so continue all the problems of the world.

If we accept that we are all insignificantly tiny, then we see that no matter how materially successful one is or not, it's all the same from the spiritual point of view. This is spiriutal knowledge. So where is the place for comparison and envy?

Moreover, this freedom from envy opens the heart up for giving and receiving love in the service of God. This freedom from the artificial (because it's based on ignorance) egoistic mentality allows the heart to function in its natural way of loving God.

Let us be kind upon ourselves first by using the sword of spiritual knowledge to kill this mentality of trying to feel that one is better than others.

Human Potential

The whole world is swiftly moving farther and farther away from genuine spiritual life and a life in search of the Absolute Truth. Today many people can't even appreciate spirituality, what to speak of enquiring about it. What a waste of human potential?

The Perils of De-addicting

In a community addicted to tobacco or liquor , tobacco or liquor is an integral part of their lives. So much so that they despise anyone who is trying to become de-addicted. I have seen this with my eyes.

To educate people forcefully, because it will require forceful propaganda, about the harmful effects of these substances takes a lot of courage because you can get killed. What to speak of staying in that society and de-addictig it's members under the nose of all the opposers? You will become a highly controversial figure.

But if you survive long enough, gradually you will get some followers. And the opposition will increase and your followers will be harassed and so on. Gradually you will have a small community that will become known for being different.

Many people will still despise you, talk bad about you, envy you for your success. Many people will want nothing to do with you because they will feel that you will take away the addiction from their lives. Whatever you do, they will try to spread negativity about you.

But some people will genuinely be grateful to you for what you have done for them. Some people will appreciate. The struggles will not go away, but you will have a community that helps each other in the mission. The mission of compassion.

And all this is many times more true about the mission of de-addicting the people of this world from materialism and making them dedicated believers in God.

Reading used to be a Boon

The hobby of reading was a boon when only the truly wise and compassionate used to write. Now a days the hobby of reading seduces us to waste time in reading completely useless stuff. Yes, we can use our discrimination, but do we really?

Time is Money?

We spend time in earning money and then we want to spend time in spending the money. In all this, where is the time for reflection on the goal of life?

Immunity and Hygiene - common sense?

One develops immunity by regular exercise and regular proper diet. Despite having good immunity we avoid disease causing agents like unclean places and food from unreliable sources. This avoidance is not out of cowardice, but out of caution. It is just to save time and energy on fighting diseases caused due to carelessness. We have better options for our time and energy. Just common sense.

Similarly regular spiritual practices, regular active devotional service, regular chanting of the Holy Names, regularly associating with devotees of the Lord, regularly trying to understand and imbibe the teachings of the scriptures, all help develop spiritual strength and revive our deep natural faith. This strength and faith protects one from lower tendencies characterised by attachment and interest in the non-permanent, bloated self importance, and disregard for the teachings of the sacred scriptures.

Despite this strength, it's just common sense to avoid faith disturbing agents like atheists, those too attached to money and the opposite sex, and discourses from sources not rooted in the authorized scriptures.

Caution is not cowardice, just like recklessness is not courage. Just common sense.

Whats good for you?

Most people don't know what's good for them. Otherwise the whole world would have been a peaceful and beautiful place. Only those who completely control the urges of their mind and senses, and engage them precisely as they wish, are fit to instruct others about what's good for them. Fortunate are those who humbly recognize this truth, come across such a teacher, and sincerely follow his or her instructions.

Will you come for the Class?

Everyone wants to show us how to enjoy life and be independent. But what about sacrifice and being a subordinate?

The former is very easy to comprehend, and so is easy to promote; every tom-dick-and-harry talks about it and they think it is the cool thing to do - oh, there is just one life, live it large. The latter is almost impossible to comprehend at first sight, and so is easy to deride; every tom-dick-and-harry derides it in a self-righteous way - why take so much trouble, do whatever pleases you and let others do whatever pleases them.

If one can't even appreciate acts of sacrifice and subordination to a superior, where is the question of understanding God and our relationship with Him? It's like trying to understand calculus without have any appreciation for addition. And yet, every tom-dick-and-harry has his own opinion about God.

Only one who has a decent training in Maths can understand the stupidity of those who try to speak about calculus without being able to clear their elementary exam. If everyone is a mathematical illiterate, then everyone can share their opinion about calculus fearlessly, no matter how stupid it is.

The society needs systematic training in understanding the fundamental principles of God and His relationship with the world and with each one of us. But will you come for the Class?