Due to attachment to useless tasks and for feigning excuses towards completion of good deeds, we are called pāmara (rustics). It also refers to those who are filled with spiritual ignorance. The truth is that hardly anyone seeks Spiritual Knowledge. No one wants to know the Real Absolute Truth. Attaining liberation remains only a coffee table discussion. No serious attempts are put towards it. Most learned scholars have knowledge about God but lack devotion towards Him.

Shankara bhagavadpāda explained Absolute Truth in easy words through short hymns. He was an incarnation of Shiva. He taught about this illusion, of how have we fallen into it and of how can we rise from it.

We should strive to exit from this illusion (māya). Māya takes us to that low level wherein we believe this false world, which is unreal, as real. We like impurity and take shelter in it. In that illusion, we are shown a small pebble and made to believe it is a diamond. We remain trapped in such beliefs. The human, who due to spiritual ignorance, mistakenly believes this world is true, adamantly argues that this world is real and that this itself is God.

Purely in order to pull us out of this illusion and take us towards light, God incarnates and travels through the entire universe preaching to people this Knowledge. Lord Datta took 16 incarnations. Only those devotees who have attained eligibility were fortunate to see these incarnations. Through these 16 incarnations He strived to awaken us, drive away our illusion and show us the truth. In these incarnations, which were complete in all aspects (paripoorna avatar), He taught the non-dual truth to deserving disciples. Undergoing tremendous difficulties, He incarnated 16 times for the benefit of mankind.

In Kaliyuga everybody cannot merge into the Divine, for, we do not have the capacity and eligibility like those in the past. So we should begin by reading the story of pious devotees. As we read, we begin to understand a little of their nature and behavior although we cannot grasp it completely. We should also try to read Guru charitra. As we read Guru Charitra, slowly our heart transforms and we too begin to walk on the path of liberation. Just like the insect converts into bumble bee (brahmara), we will convert into Guru’s disciples.

The more we read Guru charitra, the more we listen, the more we become like those pious souls. Even in deep sleep we will get only thoughts about them. Only then we get the eligibility to be initiated into Supreme Knowledge.

The mind, that is filled with the pious stories and which is focused on the Guru principle, becomes joyful. At that point, we are oblivious to pain and to difficulties. The understanding that this world is unreal dawns in us. You need to experientially realize the Truth. To understand my words, you will have to dip into the pond called Knowledge.

When I was a small boy, my father threw me into the well so that I learn to swim. A few minutes of struggle and I got it. Had I given in to feelings of helplessness I would have drowned. Just as your parents understand whether you have the capacity to learn swimming or not, merely by seeing his devotee a Spiritual Master understands whether the student is truly desirous of obtaining Jnana or not.

A capable Spiritual Master simply keeps the devotee near him so that someday such inclination will arise in him. He waits in hope. He will not let go off you. Such faith you should have in your Guru. Until last breath you should have the faith.

If, even by death time you have not obtained the knowledge don’t lose hope, for, we are destined to be reborn. The lessons will continue. The karma that we have brought with us from our past lives will not let us escape re-birth. Innumerable times we have to fall into a mother’s womb. By striving for Spiritual growth we are trying to reduce our journey.

One day, a person approached Swamiji seeking relief from sickness. Swamiji asked him to read Guru charitra daily with faith. But he did not do so. He died. Now I have also removed his name from the list. This is the impact of illusion (māya). It takes us closer to Guru and then throws us far away from him.

In olden days people were content. Now, desires torment us night and day. In the past, people did not aspire to extend life. Only when we are using our lifetime wisely, we should seek longevity. We should not waste the life given to us for only for eating, sleeping, talking, fighting. There should be an ideal mix of spirituality and enjoyment in life.

Only when you gain Spiritual Knowledge I benefit. To make you get knowledge is my job. When you become good persons you turn into assets. Datta will be happy that so many souls are coming with me.

Remember that this world is transitory. It will not remain with you forever. Do not get overly attached when completing your work. Do not moan. Why are you overly attached to life? Serve the person who is in need. Complete your debts towards your children and parents. You have to complete them. There is no escape. If your son does not study properly and goes astray then you are getting a new debt. Therefore complete your duties.

Never demand from Guru. Do not fall from your existing level. Be alert. The baby who is born in your house is born only to exhaust some unnecessary karma that it had accumulated earlier. You help the child and aid it. That’s all. Do not get overly attached. Else you will have to be reborn just like that child. Help your family members, but without getting attached. Do your duties without attachment.

Datta Jayanti 13 Dec 2016