Shree Nilanjan’s Speech
Today is Sunday, the auspicious tithi of Ramnavami, 7th Baisakh, 1409 Bangabda, 81 Madhabda, 21st April, 2002.
We have gathered here in the Assembly Hall of ‘Madhab Niloy’, which is under construction. The objective – to celebrate the birth tithi of Nilanjan. Some members of our Sangha have taken special initiative to organise this function. They said that this is your “Abirvab”(appearance). They have put up posters, newspaper announcements accordingly. My role here is symbolic. I have told them that at first you should know what is “Abirvab” and also know how you can judge the genuineness in your desire.
The universe has infinite state (Ananta Bhab). Divinity (Ishwar Bhab) is a combination of all such states. Most of us human beings are in a materialistic state. We are used to satisfying mind’s desire with the help of our senses.
The primordial quality (guna) under whose influence we exist, initiate a particular subject of interest – this is our nature. But this materialistic state also contains divinity. This state of divinity has been made known to us through the messengers of god like the saints, the holy men and Holy Scriptures. Those amongst us, who even after carrying out all their duties feel the attraction of knowing the self, the creation and the divine, get an inspiration to reach the divine state.
And following the path of honesty and truth they can attain a particular state, which relieve them from the eternal cycle of happiness and sorrow and enable them to lead a life of peace and joy. There is yet another state of the divine; which may be called “Bivab”. Generally it is known that the saints and the holy men can only reach up to the state of the divine explained earlier. But “Bivab” belongs to the “Avatar”( the incarnation of God Himself). “Bivab” means a very special state. The person who reaches the divine state is released from the shackles of worldly sufferings but is not capable of taking others to that state and release them from suffering. He can only show them the way to reach it, by telling them that, “ By doing sadhana in this manner, by leading my life in this way, practicing japa (reciting diksha mantra) and meditation in this manner, I have reached the divine state. I can show you that path. If you obey me and follow my instructions with dedication, you can also reach the divine state, as I have done.”
The other is Bivab, meaning Avatariya Shakti. Special state. . When on rare occasions He makes this special appearance on this earth, He draws people by His magnetic power of attraction and transforms them by the mere touch of divinity (Ishwar Bhab) and puts them on the road to truth and joy. This state is “Gurushakti” or the power of the Guru. “Abirvab” is only possible for “Gurushakti”. So I have told my friends, members of this Sangha and all those who have taken up the initiative to organize this function that if this body is unable to act as a source of inspiration to the humanity, if it cannot relieve them of their suffering and make them attain the state of the divine, if it cannot instill inspiration into humanity to dedicate themselves for the divine work, then you will have to face criticism, not me.
But if these things happen then everyone will ask you how could you realize this truth so much in advance. However, this “Bivab”, which we have talked about, is known as the “Pancham purushartha prem”(the divine love). Whenever the incarnations of the Supreme or the “Avatar” had appeared on this earth, they have enacted their earthly role with an aura of this divine love. From “Mahaprabhu” to “Sri Ramkrishna” all have attracted the chosen ones by the power of this divine love and made them void of their materialistic desires leading to an unconditional surrender to the divine. They had no other option. They found themselves somewhat under a hypnotic spell. This is “Gurukripa”(the kindness of Guru). “Thakur” (Sri Ramkrishna) had said that the state of the Guru is beyond the state of “Samadhi”. The “Samadhi” he spoke about cannot be attained by “Sadhaks”(ascetics). There are many categories of “Samadhi”. The person who can attain “Samadhi” becomes one with the divine and lead his life interacting with people irrespective of their mental state or inclination. For such a person “Abirvab” is applicable.
If that power awakens in a person and takes him into the state of ‘Samadhi’, then he no longer has need for any special attire or modesty. He becomes impartial. He no longer has any material requirement, not even ambition, power or respect. “Abirvab” is only possible for such a power.
Anyway, this “Pancham purushartha prem” or divine love is the main weapon of “Gurushakti”, the weapon through which “guru” instills the concept of his greatness in the disciple and thus attracts him and makes him submit by overwhelming his mind. Who else is the “guru” but who can make one surrender and evoke dedication? Others are nothing but teachers. Well, they have indeed their roles to play. In this context Sri Madhab had once mentioned, “there is no need for ‘diksha’ in our Sangha because I have appeared on this earth as the swayam-sampanna ‘guru’. If I myself appear as the ‘guru’, what is the need of any other?” He is ‘swayam’, Universal. Basudev spoke similarly in Gita, “I am Basudeva. It is possible for me to elevate the mental level of the entire human race, universally. This is not possible by anyone possessing any partial power or by my messengers.” Sri Madhab has said, “I have arrived as swayam-sampanna guru. There is no need of any other guru” He also said that, “In our Sangha, there will be no further ‘diksha’,. What he did not say but expressed to some is not known to many. He said, “ There will be no diskha in my Sangha but through the power I have released not millions of people but the entire humanity will receive diksha and will be re-instated to their true nature.” To give ‘diksha’ and to make one truly initiated are two different things. It is like to get education and to become educated. We may get education but to become educated through those lessons and follow them with dedication is something that is rarely accomplished. Who does not know that telling a lie is a crime? We have been taught this. But have we obtained the strength to dissociate ourselves from all falsehood and lead a life of truth? If not, we have not really been educated in this aspect.”
Likewise it is not sufficient to obtain ‘diksha’. Initiation (dikshit), means taking birth for the second time or being transformed from external attachments to an introspective state of the mind. Introspection is the path of the divine. Our physical body is the kingdom of ‘maya’. The desires of this physical entity are the attraction of ‘maya’. Man can never attain satisfaction by catering to the demands of the material. After spending the whole life in futile pursuit of desire, man despairs at the end and finds that something has been missed from the invaluable gift of life. Our life ends dissatisfied and incomplete. So, introspection or inwardness is the path of the divine where there is no fulfillment of desires but satisfaction and completeness. Since there is no material gain there is also nothing to renounce.
It is told that renunciation is a must for realizing the divine. But what do I have to renounce? Whatever I have, all has been given to me. My physical self, my physical strength, vitality, intellect and all those powers obtained through them like the power of knowledge, financial strength, my manpower – everything. The source of all my powers is the power of the Supreme. That is why it is told that god’s debt can never be repaid, as the debt to our parents can never be repaid. Why can’t it be repaid? There is no substitute to this physical body, which you have been gifted. Things, which do not have a substitute, can never be repaid. So whatever God has endowed you with is not for renunciation. He has given everything that is required by you. Your hunger has a need. So, satisfying hunger is not a crime or sinful act. God says that you have become too materialistic and a slave to your sensual desires. You have become undisciplined by allowing yourself to fall under the influence of the three primordial qualities of the mind – ‘sattwa’, ‘raja’ and ‘tama’.
You misuse all your powers. You have no control over your speech, so you misuse your power of speech. You misuse your power of taste; you misuse your hearing power. You are keen to listen to all those things, which are unnecessary and harmful. Stop this wastage of the powers given to you, which you are spending wantonly in satisfying your undisciplined desires. This is renunciation. That is why I am telling you that you can never step onto the path of the truth though the traditional religious practices that are born out of prejudices. One may call it a good deed (sukarma). Both good and evil deeds are being directed by natural desires. You are doing ‘puja’, going to holy places, doing charitable deeds – all are very good. You are doing a good deed and you will be suitably rewarded. But this is not the work for the divine. Now why is it not working for the divine? Divine work is that which cleanses you .If you sincerely follow the divine instruction of guru (guru-bani) and the inner messages of the scriptures (shastra-bani) then that is divine work or sat-karma. It is difficult to follow the sermons. If you have money, doing good deed (sukarma) is not a difficult task. You may donate a lot of money and feed the destitute and the hungry. You may carry out a fabulous puja or yagna by spending a lot. But all these will not transform you. Rather these deeds will add fuel to your ego. So it is said that the tradition (pratha) does not hold the key to the path of truth. If you want to follow this path you must be in the company of the holy (satsanga). Dedicating yourself in the practice of the massages of the truth (sat-bani), renouncing all those which are unnecessary in your life, thus you cleanse yourself. This means that clean all that within you whichever is a deviation from truth (byatikram). Sang + Sodhan = Sangsodhan ‘Sang’ means falsehood and ‘Sodhan’ means cleaning. Hence, clean the falsehood (sang) in you. Hence understand this that the path to divinity does not require renouncing your wife, your children or your family life.
Sri Madhab has given us that message of assurance and inspiration – ‘Carry out your family life. You shall get rid of ‘sang’ (falsehood) and also attain ‘saar’ (the truth). You will get to realise Madhab or the truth within the worldly life. Whoever is your deity – Krishna, Kali or Durga, you will get to know them without having to renounce your family life. But then what do you have to do? You have to reform yourself and be disciplined. You have to attain the understanding of your needs. Your movement, speech, eating habits all must follow a discipline. As long as you are unable to come under this discipline, you will never come out of the shackles of ‘maya’ even if you pray a thousand times. God is not moved by praises. He has not said that you call me. Then why is it necessary to pray? It is to make your mind inward looking. Your mind has become a slave to material desires. It cannot come out of material thoughts. From sunrise to sunset, the mind is engrossed in the thoughts of fulfilling its desires. That is why the little while that you pray takes your mind out of these thoughts. This is also the reason that no scripture or holy men have ever mentioned that you recite my ‘nama’. What does God say? He says that, “You simply follow my rules. I am beyond the realm of perception. Your speech, intellect or mind cannot reach me. What can you perceive? My principles, my rules.” Look at nature. The moon, sun, planets, stars. The sky, wind, ocean. Birds, animals, insects, reptiles, trees everything follow the wonderful law of nature. They eat only when they are hungry and sing when they are happy. We human beings have no hunger. If the desire to eat is kindled, we eat. We do not care whether we are hungry or not.
So God says, “Man is the best product of creation. The conglomeration of nature of entire creation is hidden within man. These different natures are incessantly making you deviate from your true nature. You try to return to your nature by giving regards to me, which means follow my rules. Initially, following my rules means you are giving me regards. The person who follows my rules is faithful to me (Aastik). But the person who worships me a thousand times but does not follow my rules, is an atheist (nastik) in spiritual science.” Sri Madhab has given us a wonderful explanation of nastik and aastik, which is logical and acceptable.
All what I have said till now is to arrive at a topic. Sri Madhab has said, “I am different and my process is also different. I want you to remain within the precincts of your body. If you practice religion, your body is the best temple in this world. There is no other greater temple than your body. Mandir (temple) means where your ‘man’ (mind) becomes ‘sthira’ (calm) or focussed.” Whenever you visit a temple, mosque, church etc you are trying to make your mind calm and focussed. So Madhab had said, that your body is the best temple and till such time you can make your mind the priest in this temple, you can never begin to step on to the path of truth.
Swami Vivekananda had said, that unless you can worship from the mind’s inward state (manas-puja) you can never dip into the ‘manas sarobar’ (supramental joy as compared to a lake). Thakur Ramkrishna has said that you should practise religion in the quietness of your mind, in reclusion (‘monay’, ‘bonay’,’ konay’) meaning not by beating drums about it and not by taking dips in the Ganges or offering variety of sweets to the deity.
A question may be asked whether it is possible to achieve this in a day. Sri Madhab has assured, “Why in a day, if I wish I can do it in a moment.” We, the hundreds of Sri Madhab’s followers, have realised this through our life’s experience. He could make people introspective within a twinkle of an eye.
Not only this, although Sri Madhab is not physically present, his messages live, the energy contained in his words live, and his power that he emanated exists. Whoever comes under the influence of that vibrating energy is becoming introspective. They are analyzing their actions and a divine state is being evoked within them. It is that state of being which lifts them out of the kingdom of ‘maya’ (Maya rajya) and takes them to the kingdom of the divine state (Bhava rajya). The most difficult task in this world is to make the mind introspective. God has said, “ You have power of science by which you can accomplish many things. You may go to the moon or Mars. You achieve impossible feats. But you will not be able to make your mind introspective.”Guru Kripahi Kebalam. This means that without that kind of touch of ‘gurushakti’, without the support of his shakti, you cannot detach yourself from your external materialistic nature and enter the inner true nature. So it is told that ‘Guru Kripahi Kebalam’.
In this context what Sri Madhab had said? He said, “There will be no other guru than me in this Sangha, that is, he will not pose as guru.” He also said , “The whole world will regard my followers (Madhabjan) as guru but they will not assume to be a guru. Why not? He knows that his role is only symbolic.” For example, many have written beautiful stories about the moon but the moon never feels any pride. It realises that the light that is distributed belongs to the sun. So if somebody achieves ‘Bivab’, there cannot be any ego in him. He knows that like the moon it reflects the light of the sun. This ‘Bivab shakti’ is known as the ‘pancham purushartha prem’ or divine love.
Under its influence jealousy, hatred, greed, infatuation, fancy, cruelty, ferocity everything bows in submission. Many might have seen that wild animals like tiger are sitting quietly beside great monks and ascetics. Snakes pass by. Reason: There is no viciousness (Himsa) in them. Ferocity attacks the ferocious, egoists attack ego. If someone becomes devoid of ego, nobody can attack him. Even if any one tries to assault, he will stop in his tracks. The rod will not come down.
Then how is the ‘Bivab’ of this pancham purushath prem? If you look at nature you will find that there are five elements which are stable in this ‘Bivab’. They are ocean, sky, air, moon and sun. No one can claim his right over the ocean. Everyone has equal rights over it, with graceful ease it is presenting its immense expanse of water to the land wave after wave. If you fill your container with that water none will stop you. The water of the ocean will never dry, irrespective of the number of containers filled with its water. Divinity or God’s ‘Bivab’ is like a lover whose joy is in giving. He does not belong to any one. He is for all. No one belongs to Him. He has special relation with whole of creation but has no individual relationship with any one – whether big or small. Whether he is a thief, a robber, a genius, an educated person, a scientist all are equal to Him. He is perfectly impartial. He has no infatuation. He is the power of the Supreme Consciousness. He has no demands; he finds joy in giving. The sky is encompassing all – from the lowest form of life to human beings. He is not thrifty neither is he partial. Innumerable arms, missiles and bullets have been shot at the sky, but it remains indifferent and without the slightest effect.
The sun distributes its light to one and all. It does not distinguish between great or small, rich or poor. It does not demand anything in return.
The wind blows within every physical being as the life – power. It flows within us unruffled in the form of life breath whether we are sad or happy; greedy or angry. Who else, can be such a constant companion?
Look also at the moon – it shines relentlessly on the earth. It removes the darkness of the night and its soothing beam cools the earth scorched by sun’s rays. It has nothing to desire. Then what is the power of ‘Bivab’? It is like the ocean, the sky, the air, the moon and the sun. So, the power of ‘Bivab’ is rare on the earth. If anybody wants to realize this power he has to come under the influence of this ‘Bivab’. Otherwise, it is not possible. Let me expose another truth. Many persons, even I, had a wrong conception. I feel that the misconception, which I once had, could also be in other persons because we have been born on the same earth and made out of same elements.
As without the help of a human body, a new human being cannot be created, without the living power of the consciousness within a human form, the dormant power in another cannot be awakened. You may worship gods, goddesses, avatar and chant their names but this cannot put you on the road to truth. What would be the effect of all these? With their kindness you may be able to find the person within whom the power of Supreme Consciousness is awakened. This contact may turn out to be the greatest coincidence of your life. Therefore, ‘gurushakti’ awakens in various human bodies according to need. Without this living power of the guru, it is not possible to awaken the humanity from its eternal slumber. For example, it is only the person who is awake himself can awaken the sleeping man next to him. Similarly, this applies to the spiritual science. Until you are in communion with the person in whom the living power of consciousness is awakened, you cannot tread the path of truth.
Here I once again want to rectify a misconception that exists in most persons. We, human beings, look at guru as a physical entity. Guru is not only the body but the power embodied within it. There can be only one guru in the whole creation. He awakens in different bodies as ‘gurushakti’ in various ‘swarup’. ‘Gurushakti’ can appear in three ‘swarup’ – ‘Swayam-Sampanna’, ‘Shakti-Sampanna’ and ‘Ansa-Sampanna’. This swayam-sampannaa shakti is the avatarya-shakti. ‘Shakti-Sampannaa’ and ‘Ansa-Sampanna’ are ‘Sadhan-Shakti’. Siddha is also Sadhan.
It is the objective of ‘gurushakti’ to take one from darkness (gu) to light (ru). Suppose I have taken ‘diksha’ through a person but I have no communication with him nor receive any inspiration from this source. Later if I receive the attraction of ‘gurushakti’ through some other person within whom the power of guru is awakened and get inspired to follow the path of truth, then this does not mean that I am being disloyal to my guru. If you can progress along the path of truth through any means, then that is due to the kindness of guru (gurukripa). Here the guru who has actually given you ‘diksha’ has no reason to get offended.
Another thing – one can never judge ‘shakti’ with the help of bookish knowledge or scholarly pursuits of theories – this is foolish. There are two ways to evaluate ‘shakti’ – either by awakening ‘shakti’ within oneself or by completely surrendering to the living embodiment of ‘shakti’. There is no other way to realise divine power.
Many have asked me that this is a period of transition. Great men, prophets have made special mention of this time in the earth’s evolutionary cycle when destruction and creation co-exist. In other words it means the end of all that is untruth and against the basic principles of humanity (‘adharma’) and awakening (‘jagaran’) of the power of truth (satya). Earlier I used to foretell the future by palmistry. I have stoned many at one time – I mean I used to prescribe gemstones (to ward off the effect of planetary influence). But I left everything. Why? I also used to wear such gems. Within just three days of receiving the companionship of Madhab, I threw away the stones because true knowledge removes our dependence on trivial objects. If you depend on true objectives of life by gaining the knowledge of truth, I can guarantee one hundred percent that you will not find yourself without a shelter. When I realised this, I threw away those rings with gemstones and stopped all those forecasts that I used to do as a fortune-teller. An inspiration kindled within me to do something which will be for the permanent welfare for humanity. Humanity is rudderless. In the present days, scarcity of basic needs, strife, selfishness has engulfed us all. Men have become confined to their own domains. They are extremely watchful of their demands, as if, like Duryodhana of Mahabharata, we all have taken the vow not to part with an inch of soil without a fight. This is the root of all strife. The strife will increase as time progresses.
Natural disasters, new evidences of incurable diseases, strife, quarrels, war, communal violence etc. will be on the rise. All these will lead the world into such a situation that our knowledge of the material, which has been the source of our confidence till now, will become ineffective. However, another power will awaken to give shelter to mankind. When man becomes helpless he cannot neglect that shelter. As long as his ego is dominant, he depends on material strength. Till then our ego restrains us from submitting to that power where we all should surrender. Why does our ego restrain us? We exist in the domain of the ego (abhiman). Who is eligible for respect? The person who gives due respect to others is the one who holds that eligibility. On the other hand, the person who dominates others and tries to establish himself above all is actually imprisoned by his own ego. Here you feel that you are better than the other, but actually you are not. Others may respect you because of your material powers. But then it is only pretension of respect, not true respect. In order to receive true respect one also must give proper regards to others. To get love, one must give love. Love is not available on demand. If you love, you will be loved. It is a simple thing known to all. Then why do I say it? We choose to be ignorant in spite of our knowledge. We know everything but we do not follow. Practice before you preach. We exist in a ‘foreign land’ (upa-desh) or ‘Manorajya’ (the realms of our mind). Our own country is Atmarajya a(the realms of the Self). We have been exiled from Atmarajya and are languishing in Manorajya. We have been the subject of Dhritarashtra – the Mind. He is blind, but he is directing us. From that Upa-desh (foreign land) we have acquired the habit of giving sermons (upadesh). But we ourselves have little strength or inclination to follow our own sermons (upadesh). So it is said that only he can command who obeys the commander. We have a blown up ego, constantly giving sermons, directions and commands. As long as we have the power, others will meekly follow. But as soon as we become powerless none will obey. This is the general picture in all households.
Our time is short. This is Kaliyug. We are frail in body, weak and have a brief span of life. We have lost many precious moments out of this short life of ours. No more. We must seek our true self. This will never affect the work we have to do to earn a living. Precious moments are wasted in so many ways. If we do not waste that time we can utilise it in the search of the self. So the simple ‘sadhana’ is to think when we lie down on the bed at night, that how many times during the day we have behaved in a manner that was unnecessary, spent extravagantly, paid attention to unwanted gossips. How many times we have flared up in anger or seethed in jealousy. If we separate ourselves from the mind at night and try to analyze the actions of the Mind during the day, it (the Mind) will be scared. From the next day, it will try to rectify itself. If we keep watch because in reality the Mind belongs to Me (the Self). Due to ignorance, the Mind has dominated the Self. But the Mind is a part of the Self. We have forgotten this basic truth. This is why we must carefully recollect our actions at the end of the day and analyse.
Here, is a point to note. You should keep in mind that you should selflessly give all that is due to others. Don’t ask anything in return. This is the best way (sadhana) to be eligible for attaining peace and seeking the divine.
I shall not prolong my speech because this has no end. Now let us listen to some songs and then I shall recite ‘Nama’. We shall end early. Those, who have come from far, please do not leave without seeing the end of the function, whatever the trouble, because the final refrains of this function are the most important impressions that will remain imprinted in your mind.