Hinduism

 

Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh or Shiva 

 

 Brahma - god of knowledge  & the creator of the universe

 

                   Vishnu the preserver of the universe

 

                               Shiva the god of destruction and re-creation                                                  

Hinduism 

Indian civilisation is one of the most ancient civilisations of the world. It has its roots in Hinduism or Hindu Dharma is a righteous way of life based on accumulated wisdom of great sages, Vedas, Upanishads and Agamas. Various basic concepts like Dharma, Karma, Ahimsa, Rebirth, Moksha (Nirvana) are inherited by various dharmic traditions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism from Hinduism. Hindus believe in cyclic time including eternal cycle of manifestation and dissolution of the Universe. Hindus believes that God is both immanent and transcendent. Hindu Dharma gives freedom to perceive and approach God in different ways. One way is via a 'Guru'.

 

Chain of Gurus - a rare gift in life if you gain a true Guru!

Whilst we are all born with a ‘Guru’ – our birth teacher (father or the mother through the medium of procreation), the privileged few may find a teacher or a ‘Guru’ to guide them in their real life. In Hinduism, the ultimate liberation and contentment can be achieved either by your deeds or by the help of a Guru. Hence, a Guru is a person who has attained a highest level of knowledge with essence of reality and is able to inspire spiritual and self-development of their disciple. The above definition does not do justice to the real explanations in our Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads or Bhagavad Gita.

 

Guru:

He who has highest Bhakti (love, devotion) of Deva (god),
just like his Deva, so for his Guru,
to him who is high-minded,
these teachings will be illuminating and life changing

 

There are many examples of such interactions - the most discussed is the one Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna tells Arjun that one can learn so much from such a guru through reverence, service, effort and the process of inquiry.

                                                 

 

There are very many examples of our saints and sages, however, there are a few that stand out and who have changed the history and uplifted India.  If you were to find one and if you are accepted as a disciple of his, this could result in a life changing experience.

Shree Adi Sankrachrya Maraj

                                                                               

“Adi Shankarachrya Maraj strove hard to synthesize the diverse currents that were troubling the mind of India of his day, and to build a unity of outlook out of that diversity. In a brief life of 32 years, he did the work of many long lives and left such an impression of his powerful mind and rich personality on India that it is very evident today. He was a curious mixture of a philosopher and a scholar, an agnostic and a mystic, a poet and a saint, and in addition to all this, a practical reformer and an able organiser.”—Jawaharlal Nehru in The Discovery of India

                                                                               

Shree Ramkrishna Paramansha

                                                                   

                                                                                                   'They danced with the Gods'

 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s whole life was an uninterrupted contemplation of God. He reached a depth of God-consciousness that transcends all time and place and has a universal appeal. He was of the belief that all religions, whether Hinduism, Islam or Christianity, lead to one God and hence seekers of God of all religions feel irresistibly drawn to Ramakrishna's life and teachings. His legacy was taken forward by his most noted disciple, Swami Vivekananda who became his successor.

 

Shree Swami Vivekanand Maraj

 

                                                                            

Shree Vivekanand Maraj’s thoughts For His Guru – Shree Ramkrishna Paramansha:

“All that I am, all that the world itself will someday be, is owing to my Master, Shri Ramakrishna, who incarnated and experienced and taught this wonderful unity which underlies everything.” He also said “If I have told you one word of truth, it was his and his alone, and if I have told things which were not true, which were not correct, which were not beneficial to the human race, they were all mine, and on me is the responsibility.”

 

                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                'Swamiji who put India on the World map'

 

 

Bhakti and Dharma / Saints and Sages

‘Bhakti’, meaning devotion, ‘Dharma’ meaning righteousness, both are not confined to any one deity. However Krishna is an important and popular focus of the devotional and ecstatic aspects of Hindu religion, particularly among the Vaishnavas. All bhakti movements even today are devoted to Lord Krishna and learned sections of the society well versed in Sanskrit still enjoy Gita which is the basis and foundation of Hinduism as well as of branched segmentations under various titles.

 

Life without Dharma (righteousness) is akin to life without oxygen that in other words is being as good as dead. Dharma is the soul of an individual. Reaching a stage where the eternity of the soul is understood is itself reaching a stage of attaining liberation. There are different types of Dharma in various contexts such as depending upon a community one belongs to, stages of life, role being played, circumstances etc.…. and people pursue different Gurus, Saints and Sages, which is absolutely fine. However, beliefs or practices of individuals should not be divisive (causing unfriendly divisions within our community – one is free to believe in whatever one chooses to or be a part of a specific sect.  At the end of the day, all these lead to Krishnaism).

 

 

There are several notable Gurus who provided service to humanity and who deserve a mention.  One such example is Swami satyamitranand Giri - Shree Jagat-guru Sankrachraya Maraj of Jyotir Matha.

 

     

   Swami satyamitranand Giri - Shree Jagat-guru Sankrachraya Maraj of Jyotir Matha.

The lifetime contributions of one of the most respected Indian spiritual gurus are acknowledged by his followers across the world. Swamiji was a Sanskrit and Vedas scholar, and had a MA from Agra University, Sahitya Ratna the highest scholarly level in Hindi language and literature, and the coveted degree of Shastri from Varanasi Vidya Peeth. Swamiji, at an early age, took the path of Sanyasa under the revered Swami Vedavyasananda in Rishikesh.  At the very young age of 27, Swamiji was chosen as the Jagatguru Shankaracharya of the Uttarāmnāya matha, or northern matha at Joshimath (also called Jyotir Math). In June 1969, Swamiji abdicated his prestigious status of Jagatguru Shankaracharya in order to continue his service to humanity and to lead the community in the sacred ideals of Sanatan Dharma, spiritual enlightenment and fulfilling inner peace.

 

                                                              

 

 

Swamiji was also the founder of the beautiful and unique eight-storey Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar. Swamiji also established Samanvaya Parivar, Samanvaya Kutir, Samanvaya Sewa Trust, many ashrams and many other social, spiritual and religious programs.  In times of National security, disasters or critical decisions regarding the countries future, Swamiji was always invited to express his opinion at the highest level – that was the degree of his balanced thinking and advice that he was able to offer for the betterment of the people of India and the World.  Swamiji was awarded the Padma Bhushan - one of the highest award by Government of India in the year 2015 for his service to humanity. 

 

 

Guruji's key message to humanity was simple as outlined below:

 

The 5 Gs' - we all have these in our hands!

 

Ganga Jal  - one chant of the specific mantra can turn any tap water into the holy 'Ganga Jal' (water of the Ganges)

Gita - the hindu holy book - every Hindu has one  - one just needs to open it

Gayatri mantra - a powerful chant / mantra and easy to learn 

Govinda - he is everywhere (Lord Krishna)

Gurudev - a teacher   - a Guru 

 

Ganga Jal  - The power of the Ganges !

 

                 

                     Wisdom of the Gita

 

 

                              

                         The magic of Gayatri mantra

 

                                                            

                                                       The eternal gift of Govinda 

 

                                                                                 

                                                                             The guidance of your Gurudev or Teacher 

 

The 5 Gs' are all you need to prepare you for mukti !

 

Mukti - liberation

In our Indian culture, Swami Satyamitrand Giriji explained that it is clearly understood that God is not the goal, but is a stepping stone to mukti, or freedom from everything, including God himself. This precious gift is on offer to all who want to take it up. Guruji’s teachings have been and were for human wellbeing and liberation including ‘self’. Each individual has the freedom to worship his or her own ‘Ishta dev (God), may it be Lord Krishna, Lord Rama or any other God. That is why we have so many Gods and Goddess. For Swamiji to reach the level of Saint hood and Sage hood, must have been an incredible journey through time. Guruji must have made that journey over several births to reach this level.  Guruji's Ishta dev was Lord Rama  - his stepping stone - his God to mukit or liberation 

 

We are confident that Guruji attained ‘mukti’ after years of meditation, prayers and service to humanity !

        

                    

Om Namah Shivai  - Guruji completed his duties and departed on the 25th June, 2019    <  Click to read

 

 Bhu - samadhi lead by Swami Avdheshanand Giri

 

 

                                       

                                                     

 

After deep meditation Swami Avdheshanand Giri emerged from the Himalayas in the year 1985. He then met his Guru, former Shankaracharya Swami Satyamitranand Giriji Maharaj and took sannyas deeksha from him. Thus he entered the holy Juna Akhara, the largest order of Sadhus and was named Swami Avdheshanand Giri. Currently, Swamiji is following in the footsteps of Swami Satyamitranand Giriji Maharaj.

 

Why Should Hindus Say “Sadgati” and Not “Rest in Peace”?

The Hindu concept of life and death is very different from that of Abrahamic religions, which have floated the expression “Rest in Peace (RIP).” Many Abrahamic religions have the concept of only one life, and henceforth an “afterlife” or “heaven” which they label as “peace.” That is why they use the expression “RIP.” Why Should Hindus Say “Sadgati“? Because this is not so in Hinduism, and there is an important reason why. Without understanding this core Hindu tenet, Hindus continue to say “RIP” mindlessly, not realizing that what they are saying is in no way giving rest or peace to anyone. 

 

Why “Sadgati” and Not RIP?

When you say “Om Sadgati” you are praying to the divine to guide the jiva atma towards a higher consciousness in its next birth. Whatever karma can be destroyed for the jiva by performing the last rites and praying for poornatva for the jiva, it should be liberated from that. This is what “Om Sadgati” imples. This is also why Bhagavad Gita chapter 14 and Kathopanishad are chanted after someone leaves the body, so as to remind the jiva of its true nature, which is that it is divine. These texts reveal the most important truths about life and death, and the true nature of the jiva atma and paramatma. The more the jiva remembers that it is divine, the better next janma he or she can get.

 

The jiva does not lose anything by leaving one body and going to the next. Its karma is also transferred from the previous body and mind to the next. Depending on how evolved the jiva was, and how dharmic a life he / she spent, the jiva has to go through a degree of (lot, or not any) suffering while leaving the body. But this cannot be assessed by medical science as it is not equivalent to “pain” in medical terms. When the jiva is leaving one's body, it goes through all the powerful experiences of that janma once again. This decides how easy or difficult the passage would be for the jiva.

 

All major Hindu sacred texts, including Bhagvad Gita, Kathopanishad, Shiva Aagamas, Puranas reiterate that as per the cosmic laws, the jiva atma or individual consciousness, cannot be destroyed. It is a reflection of the cosmic consciousness or paramatma. It is bound by karma and maya, and continues its journey from one janma to another towards final liberation – jivan mukti, living a liberated life, or moksha, emancipation from the cycle of birth and death, when it merges back into the cosmic consciousness.

The cosmic consciousness manifests as many jivas to celebrate itself – “Ekoham Bahushyam,” as said in the Vedas and Upanishads. On the path, it gets deluded and forgets this, and starts having suffering. This is the bondage it needs to free itself from.

 

So, death is like a change of clothes for the jiva atma. It travels from one body and mind to another, and continues its journey. It has the same circumstances and resources it had in its previous life, in the next life as well.

 

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri ji Maharaj

 

 

 

Arjun's guru on the battlefield was Lord Krishna !  ........who is your guru ?

 

                      

 

 

 

Jivanbhai's saying about a Guru:

Seek out a 'Guru' for life long guidance  - if you do find a real 'Guru', imbibing 'Guru guidance' will be life and destiny changing !  The 5 Gs' are all you need for liberation from this cycle of birth, rebirth and pain of birth or giving birth! 

 

 

Jivanbhai's question:

How are your own preparations for next life  - have we made any progress to date?  Be aware that time is sure to come.  Don't leave it too late - like the exam you never prepared for! The results will be there for all to view but you to bear !

 

 

Jivanbhai's reality thinking:

 

Which 5G is the best in the long run? 

 

Whilst we, in our digital world, are slowly moving from 2G, 3G to 5G, the real world is already ahead with 5G availability ( Ganga, Gita, Gayatri mantra, Govinda, Gurudev) which is far superior and has been there all our lives to utilise !

Whilst we search for AI (artificial intelligence), we have been already gifted with human intelligence which is far superior  - when are we going to make intelligent use of this intelligence ?

 

 

Jivanbhai's readiness:

 

Privilege or presence ? 

 

The privilege of holding someone's hand before the last breath, lighting of a funeral pyre, bearing a coffin on the shoulder or scattering the ashes of the departed, is not bestowed on anyone or everyone but only the lucky few who have it in them and are somehow linked to that soul regardless of their relationship - were you or are you on stand by for that split second of time ? - your readiness !

 

 

Jivanbhai's observation:

 

One way ticket, departure timetable and tattoo ink ? 

 

When a child is born, it arrives with no luggage, baggage, but with two closed fists and an exquisite body.  One of the fist holds the 'one way' return ticket back and the other holds the 'departure time with date'.  So why does one collect so much clutter and coins which one will not take back with oneself, and undergo so much heartache & pain on tattoo ink & fake 'make-up' for a skin with appearance so pure ?

 

 

Jivanbhai's tables:

 

Phone Worship ? 

 

While waking up, the first darshan (look or prayer) is the phone, the last darshan (look or prayer) is the text message and the inbetween darsans (looks or prayers) at breakfast, lunch, dinner are Whatsapp messages, pics, videos, etc............  They tell me that it is an 'art of communication' which has excelled ................really ?  .......... Wow  - excelled at the breakfast table, lunch table, dinner table, restaurant table, in bed ....& .......again at breakfast table  - Wow !  indeed excelled interactions !