Psychological and spiritual efforts required to bear the adverse times – 6
 If an individual performs spiritual practice in the present birth, he will get rewarded in each birth. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale is a ‘Moksha Guru’, who thinks of the welfare of the entire human race. Real welfare of an individual lies in God-realisation. Hence, on the backdrop of the impending World War 3, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale does not get thoughts about a country that is defined by its geographical boundaries; instead, He gets the thought that sattvik people (irrespective of the country they belong to) should survive so as to realise God. All said and done, as part of His duty and as gratitude unto the Nation, Sachchidananda Parabrahman In our previous Issues, we started with – Preparations required at the psychological level to face the adverse times. So far, we have covered – The importance of autosuggestions, Various AS techniques How to make the mind positive, Family preparations for the adverse times. Read about the other aspects here. |
1. For creation of a protective sheath of sattvik waves of Deities around the house, light an oil lamp
A. A period of two ghatikas (An ancient Indian measure of time, 1 ghatika = 24 minutes) in the morning before sunrise and in the evening after sunset is called sandhikal (Transition period). Sandhikal is the period during which negative energies are more active. Hence, a sesame oil lamp should be lit in the temple at home and near the Tulsi-vrundavan (A small rectangular structure in which the Tulsi is grown) or near a potted Tulsi in the house for protection from the attacks of negative energies.
B. If it is not possible to light a lamp during the sandhikal after bathing before sunrise, still do it without bathing. If this too is not possible, light a lamp after sunrise. Also, light a lamp during the sandhikal after sunset. (In fact, a lamp should burn all 24 hours in the temple at home.)
C. Sesame oil is more sattvik than other edible oils. Gurucharitra (A highly revered book based on the life of Shri Narasimha Saraswati, who is considered to be an Incarnation of Deity Dattatreya) says that if pure ghee is not available for performing Yajna (Ritual of sacrificial fires), we can use sesame oil. Therefore, it is appropriate to light a lamp using sesame oil. If this too is not possible, use groundnut oil.
D. By lighting a lamp in the temple at home and near the Tulsi plant and paying obeisance to the Deities, Tulsi and the lamp, a protective sheath of sattvik waves of Deities is created around the house. This protects the members of the house from negative energies. This protective sheath of the grace of Deities also helps in protecting the house from other troubles.
2. Reciting shlokas and stotras that bestow health and create a protective sheath
A. Shlokas
1. शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदाम् ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Shubham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampadam I
Shatrubuddhi Vinashaya Deepajyotir Namostute II
Meaning : The flame of a lamp is not only auspicious and benevolent, but imparts good health and wealth too and destroys ignorance, which is the enemy of knowledge. Hence, O’ flame of the lamp, I pay obeisance to you !
2. दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः ।
दीप हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Deepajyotihi Parabrahman Deepajyotir Janardanaha I
Deepo Haratu Me Papam Deepajyotir Namostute II
Meaning : The light emitting from a lamp is Parabrahman (Supreme God) form. The light of the lamp is the Supreme God who destroys unhappiness in the world. May the lamp eliminate my demerits. O’ flame of the lamp, I pay obeisance to you !
B. Stotras : The phalashruti (Reward) mentioned in a stotra is – ‘Reciting a stotra of a Deity protects the individual from dangers’. The sattvik vibrations created by reciting a stotra also purify the house spiritually. Therefore, recite stotras of your Deity of worship such as Ramrakshastotra, Marutistotra, Devikavach with faith and devotion.
3. It is essential to perform Agnihotra every day to protect yourself from the lethal effects of radiation
Modern science does not have any solution to eliminate the lethal after-effects of radiation caused by nuclear weapons. Agnihotra (Perpetual maintenance of the Agni by offering oblations; the ritual performed at sunset and sunrise) is a spiritual remedy to eliminate the pollution caused by radiation in the environment. Agnihotra is a very effective Yajna that is easy to perform and takes very less time. This Yajna enriches the environment with Chaitanya (Divine conscious-ness) and creates a protective sheath around the one performing it. (Read Sanatan’s Text – ‘Agnihotra’)
4. It is necessary to perform spiritual practice well and become a devotee to survive during the adverse times
A. There are many examples of how God protects His devotees : The glory of devotion is boundless. In Shrimadbhagawadgeeta, Shrikrushna has assured His devotees – ‘न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति । (Meaning : My devotees shall not perish)’. There are many examples such as that of Bhakta Pralhad, valiant Pandavas, chaste Droupadi, which prove only one thing – whatever may have been the severity of the adversity in the life of a devotee, God has saved His devotees. Be assured that if we have devotion unto God, we too will be protected by God. (Read Sanatan’s Text series on ‘Spiritual practice for awakening spiritual emotion’, which is useful for enhancing devotion and spiritual emotion.)
B. The importance of spiritual practice from various perspectives during the adverse times : Spiritual practice means daily and regular efforts made for God-realisation.
B1. Spiritual practice helps develop inner strength to face calamities : A state of emergency can arise anytime. Then, people may get confused because they will not know what to do, and will lose their confidence. At times, they may make a mistake or take an inappropriate decision. Conversely, those who have inner strength can face a difficult situation with courage and take appropriate decisions. This is because God or Guru keep providing them with appropriate thoughts and inner strength. For this, it is necessary to make efforts in spiritual practice, such as chanting the Name of a Deity.
B2. Spiritual practice helps in remaining blissful in any situation and makes it easier to tolerate unhappiness : One becomes unhappy when he faces a difficult situation. In this Universe, only God is always in a blissful state. Hence, a human being can remain blissful only if he performs spiritual practice for God-realisation. A seeker gets accustomed to remaining in a blissful state in any situation because of his spiritual practice. Spiritual practice increases mental strength which helps the seeker tolerate unhappiness.
B3. Due to spiritual practice, worldly requirements of the seeker reduce and make it easier for him to face the adverse times : Every human constantly strives for happiness, which depends on his various worldly desires. If these desires are not fulfilled, he becomes unhappy. During the adverse times, it is next to impossible to fulfil all the needs. Since a seeker obtains Bliss through spiritual practice, his worldly requirements naturally reduce. Therefore, when compared with a common man it is much easier for a seeker to face the adverse times.
B4. God looks after the prosperity and welfare of His devotees and seekers : ‘योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् । (Meaning : Prosperity and welfare of my devotees is looked after by Me)’. This is God’s assurance.
Following is the spiritual experience of Sanatan Sanstha’s seeker – The seeker commenced spiritual practice as advised by Sanatan Sanstha, offered his house to propagate Spirituality. Subsequently, the seeker experienced that when something is sacrificed for God, God’s grace knows no bounds.
Sacrificing the body, mind and wealth for the sake of God, Guru or mission of Dharma, can in the real sense be called spiritual practice. When the spiritual practice of a seeker is of this nature, God or Guru shoulder the responsibility of his welfare. Innumerable seekers of Sanatan have had this spiritual experience. If you too worship God with devotion and perform spiritual practice well, God or Guru will look after your welfare during the adverse times. With this faith, let us read the following spiritual experience.
B5. Higher proportion of Chaitanya is imbibed in the advanced stages of spiritual practice; hence, on its strength it is possible to live on a frugal diet : ‘We have read or heard that many Yogis and Ascetics can survive on the little alms they get or they can live without food too for many days at a stretch. The underlying reason is that when the spiritual practice is good, Chaitanya is imbibed in higher proportion. On the strength of this Chaitanya, despite eating less, they get the energy to function the whole day. This point is important on the backdrop of food shortages that can be anticipated during the adverse times.
Sacrificing the body, mind & wealth for God, Guru or mission of Dharma, can in the real sense be called spiritual practice !