Essence of shastra

Essence of Vedic shastra (scriptures):

1) Self (everyone) is part of Ram (God or Paramatma).
2) Self and everything belongs to Paramatma. (I am Ram's and Ram is mine.)
3) Parmatma is everywhere and in everyone.
4) Self (everyone) is beyond body and inert matter.
5) Always remember Parmatma and never forget Him. Keep repeating - "O Lord! Let me never forget You."

What is right action!

Krishna explains in Gita 4.17 that understanding what actions to perform and not to perform is mysterious. (गहना कर्मणो गतिः) It becomes more complicated as different actions may be right for different people in the same circumstances. Sometimes, even action is not important but our internal state of equanimity (समता), seeing self as part of Krishna, surrender to Krishna etc. Swami Ramsukhdas narrates very nice story about Sant Namadev. I find that story very helpful in this context. Sant Ramdev was on a pilgrimage and he stopped to eat roti (bread). He only had one dry roti and little ghee (clarified butter). As soon as he started to eat the only roti, a dog came and snatched the roti away. Sant Ramdev started to run behind the dog. Seeing him running, the dog even ran faster. Sant Ramdev screamed, "Take this ghee also. You won't like the dry roti". His attitude was of service towards dog as he saw his beloved Bhagavan in everyone. Soon, Vishnu appeared from the dog and gave him His darshan. This story tells us how to act. We should see Vishnu in everyone even animals and do actions with attitude of serving Vishnu residing in everyone. Whatever action we will perform with this attitude will be right action!

Here are some slokas to support this statement:

SB 11.29.19 - "Of all the ways (practices) to attain Me, I consider this to be best way ( practice) - seeing or accepting Me in all living entities and objects with mind, speech and body's activities." One who sees Krishna in everyone automatically acts to give happiness to everyone and thinks & acts for everyone's benefit.

SB 11.13.24 - Within this world, whatever is perceived by the mind, speech, eyes or other senses is Me alone and nothing besides Me. All of you please understand this by a straightforward analysis of the facts.


After describing duties of varna-ashram dharma, Lord Krishna describes four duties which are common to all people. SB 11.17.21 - "Four varna and four ashram's have following dharma - one should not hurt anyone with mind, speech and body, one should stay firm on truth, one should not steal and one should do those actions which give happiness to all living entities and are beneficial to them." This is based on fact that Krishna is in everyone and therefore, we should act for happiness of everyone.

BG 9.22 states - "The devotee who constantly thinks of Krishna with ananya bhakti and who worships Him, to those I give what they lack and preserve what they have." Swami Ramsukhdas explains how to attain this state. He writes, "Whatever you see, hear and understand accept all those as svarup (part) of Bhagavan and whatever changes, actions or modifications happen in that svarup are all lilas (loving play) of Bhagavan. One who accepts this understanding with determination, he does not give importance to anything else than Bhagavan. He is always engaged in Bhagavan. Therefore, he is "ananya". Due to giving importance only to Bhagavan and having loving feeling towards Him, the remembrance (chintan) of Bhagavan automatically happens."

With my limited knowledge and understanding, seeing or accepting Krishna in everyone and therefore, acting for everyone's happiness seems to me basis for action in this world. We should start this with seeing Bhagavan in people around us (parents, wife, kids and friends) and acting for their happiness and later on, extending to more and more people.

Sanatan dharma

Question. I think the definition of SIN changes with time. In some cases, whatever was SIN a century ago is not a SIN today.
Question. Is our dharma eternal? It does not change with time if it is eternal.

Many people use their incomplete knowledge and claim it to be correct as it is sanatana dharma. I see many groups of people fighting about dharma. This article discusses what is sanatan dharma?

SANATAN DHARMA

Literal meaning of sanatan dharma is dharma which is eternal. Dharma is used as analogous religion or good (pious) value system. Ultimately, dharma means our intrinsic nature. For example, dharma of fire is heat. Vyasdevji gives definition of dharma in the beginning of Srimad Bhagavatam. Gosvami Tulsidasji also writes with same understanding in the begining of RamCharitMahas. Here is description of sanatan dharma:

Our self is sat chid anand. It is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss.

"Gosvami Tulsidasji says, "chetan amala sahaj sukh rashi (consciousness, free of all impurities, and ever blissful). " Dharma is true nature of this eternal self. Therefore, dharma is eternal. But this sanatan dharma starts at the level of eternal self. We may go to different planet etc. Our self will remain whatever happens. The sat chid anand nature of self is independent of time, place and matter. BG 2.12 says, "Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be."


2) Even though the self is eternal, due to illusion it accepts itself as body. Vyasdevji says in SB 1.1.1 - By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. We are in illusion and seeing distorted reality as real. This illusion is also santana dharma as it is independent of time, place and circumstance.

3) SB 1.2.12 - Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. Vyasdevji describes Krishna as all pervading (Brahman). He resides in everyone's heart as Paramatma. He shows us His sagun form so that we can sing, hear and meditate on His lilas (pastimes or exploits) as Bhagavan. This Absolute aspect of Krishna is sanatan.

4) Krishna is the source of infinite universes. Vyasdevji describes Him as in SB 1.1.1 - Krishna is the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him.

5) Krishna in Gita and Vyasdevji in Srimad Bhagavatam reject relative dharma described in other literatures.

BG 2.42 -2.43 - Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.
SB 1.1.2 - dharma projjhitah kaitavo
Bhagavatam also reject dharma which is done for fruitive actions.

In 1.1.2, Vyadevji describes 3 qualities of sanatan dharma or the true knowledge:

1. It distinguishes reality from illusion. Basically, it is at the level of eternal self and it brings those who are at the level of inert matter to the level of the eternal self.
2. It is for the welfare of all. Obviously, the best welfare for all of us is removal of illusion or ignorance.
3. It uproots the threefold miseries. Suffering or misery happen when we identify ourself with body. But when identification with matter is removed, then there is no suffering.

Now, I will describe some aspect of sanatan dharma which are generally true. But still, there are exceptions to it. From absolute perspective, inert matter cannot touch the eternal self. Therefore, dharma described in terms of body is relative. It is sanatan from the perspective of bringing us from illusion to knowledge. Ultimately, no external action takes away illusion. Our advancement towards eternity or Krishna is based on our internal consciousness (like equanimity, surrender etc). Actions are aid but ultimately, we need to realize the Truth and understand it.

SB 12.2.41 - What can a person who injures other living beings for the sake of his body know about his own self-interest, since his activities are simply leading him to hell?

SB 10.2.22 - A person who is very cruel is regarded as dead even while living, for while he is living or after his death, everyone condemns him. And after the death of a person in the bodily concept of life, he is undoubtedly transferred to the hell known as Andhatama.

Difference between relative and sanatan dharma is very nicely described by Sri Ram in Uttarkand of RamCharitManas:

Uttarkand (Doha 40 onwards) - There is no dharma (virtue or right action) like action for welfare of others. There is no other worse sin (wickedness) than inflicting suffering on others. I have declared to you, the verdict of all Vedas and Puranas and this is also known by men of wisdom. They who inflict pain on others even after attaining the human body have to suffer terrible pangs of birth and death. Due to illusion and self desires, they commit various sins and thereby ruin their prospects in the next world. As the God of death (Yamraj), I give them the fruit of their good and evil actions. Realizing this, those who are intelligent worship Me seeing this world as full of suffering. They don't get good or evil results of their actions as they take refuge in Me, the Lord of Devatas, men and sages. Listen, my brother, these numerous good qualities and bad qualities are product of maya. The greatest quality is that one should not see both of them. Seeing good or bad in this world is ignorance.

Many people use Vedic texts or even text from RamCharitManas to show good or evil. Ram clearly says that the ultimate good is that not to see this world as good or bad. From perspective of bhakti, this world is all good. From perspective of the eternal self, this world ceases to exist in current form. Bhakta sees Ram (all good) everywhere. This is sanatan dharma.

Showing good or bad which is product of maya as sanatan dharma is incorrect. What is born of maya is never eternal? So, how can product of maya or dharma born of maya be eternal or santana?

It is You and You Alone!

: Shree Hari:
Ram Ram

28th September, 2009, Monday, Ashwin Shukla Vijaya Dashami

Questioner : You said that reason for happiness and unhappiness is because be accept there is the other......

Swamiji: It is only our behavior, our conduct and our natural tendencies (vritti) which are problematic. Seeing favorable situations as happiness and unfavorable ones as unhappiness is where the issue lies. It is impossible that the world will become according to what is favorable to us. Therefore simply blend in with The Divine Will. Accept The Divine Will as your will (Haa mein haa milaado). In whatever situation / circumstance that comes to you, say YES ! I accept ! Whatever is ordained (vidhaan) by Bhagwaan (God) is nothing but auspicious (mangal mai). If you accept what is ordained by Bhagwaan, there will be no obstacles.

In reality, whatever comes is only auspicious (mangal mai). The entire world is nothing but a manifestion of God (Bhagwat swaroop). Besides God there is nothing else. He alone has come in all these different forms. If this is clearly understood, then you will realize "shakshaat" The Absolute Paramatma... Everything is His lila (divine play). It is us who is putting them in separate compartments - separating them as favorable and unfavorable. There is only one point, because Bhagwaan is only One. Accept this with a firm determination. There is only Paramatma. This is the ultimate lesson. Ultimate principle. Ultimate Truth. It is only Bhagwaan. In the form of animals it is Bhagwaan. In the form of birds, it is Bhagwaan.... in subtle body forms it is Bhagwaan, in gross forms it is Bhagwaan.....Bhagwaan has come in various different forms.

Be silent and whatever comes to mind is Bhagwaan (God), because in my mind only Bhagwaan will come. It is Bhagwaan (God), It is Bhagwaan. Yes! It is Bhagwaan Yes! Yes It is! and become joyful. Whatever comes, whether it be fever, illness, disease, it is Bhagwaan. If pain comes, it is Bhagwaan. If favorable or unfavorable situation comes, it is only Bhagwaan. Besides Bhagwaan there is nothing else. Bhagwaan comes in many different forms. It is Bhagwaan only. Even in many forms, it is only Bhagwaan, because Bhagwaan takes on so many different forms. Infinite forms. Look at the little sapplings, look at the tiny insects, look at all the different fruits, vegetables, different languages, people, countries etc. So many different forms Bhagwaan takes on. It is all Bhagwaan only. See Bhagwaan and become joyful. Whatever comes to your mind is all Bhagwaan. All of it. All is Bhagwaan (God). Happiness - unhappiness is Bhagwaan. In honor, in dishonor, in complaining, in fame, in defame, in successes, in failures, in all forms there is Bhagwaan. In all spiritual practices Bhagwaan has come. Bhagwaan has come is infinite different forms (anek roop roopaayaa) . "sarva yoni su kaunteya.." Bhagwaan says - I am the seed of all beings. Bhagwaan is infinite. If you start seeing in this manner, you will be greatly benefited. Simply give complete reins / full permission to Bhagwaan. Set Bhagwaan free (chutti de do Bhagwaan ko). Tell Bhagwaan, I will recognize You in any form You come. Whether it be anger, fear, fright, sickness, I will recognize You. Tell Bhagwan that in whatever form You come, it is only YOU, You and You alone. It is only One. In form of food, in form of plate, in form of cup, it is only You in the infinite forms.

It is you alone in all these different forms. If you get this, it is such an amazing thing. Best of best and worst of worst situations, is all Bhagwaan and Bhagwaan alone. You and You alone. "Tu Hi Hai, Tu Hi Hai, Jo kuch hai, so tuhin hai.".... "It is You and You alone, Whatever is, it is all only You". It is You ! It is You ! It is You ! Whatever Is, It is all You ! What a Divine play (lila) it is. It is transcendental (alaukik). Only His Divine Play (lila) is happening. Respect, name, fame ... all this is a divine play (lila). You alone have become all. You have become everything and now it is called the world... It is You; It is You; It is You. Prabhu ! Prabhu ! Prabhu !

It is You ! It is You ! It is You! It is You ! ... It is You You You !!! You in all these forms ! It is You Prabhu ! Prabhu ! Prabhu ! ... You You You You .... In all these various forms It is You, It is You... YOU !

Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Siyaavar Raamchandra ki Jai, Mor mukut bansi waale ki Jai !

From Discourse in Hindi on Nov 3, 2001 at 3:00 pm by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

Ram Ram

How to Attain and Increase Love?

Question: How to Attain and Increase Love?

Answer: Now, how to attain love? I will share with you what I have heard from saints. If you desire God's love, then love all beings. Let it be such that no being is in the least bit hurt because of you. Let all be at peace. Let all attain salvation. Let all be benefited. Let all be happy. Let all be relaxed. As long as you are selfish and wanting your wishes to come true, wanting to fulfill your own desires, God's love does not manifest. Whatever my mind wants, that should happen, this is "Desire".

When there is love for all beings then Bhagwaan's love is easily attainable. Therefore love all. Do what is beneficial to all. "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah." May all become free of disease; May all be joyful; May no one experience any pain and suffering. That is the greatness of saints. They only do what is beneficial to all.

To attain this love, love each other. It is most important for householders. There must be love for each other, for everyone living in the household . To fight everyday, to create disharmony, is not a way to live. Increase your love. Start today, with all those living in the household. Start with all those that are elder to you. Do pranaam (namaste, namaskaar, homage, respectfully bow) to all those that are older. Consider all elders to be your father. Have the sentiments within that God will be happy. I want to make God happy. Anyone you meet during the day, do pranaam (respectfully bow) from within.

Pay attention to this. Have mercy on me. In all beings there is Bhagwaan (God) present. If you are ashamed to do this outwardly, then do so from within. If someone realizes that Bhagwaan resides within each and every being, then he will be unable to not do namaskar to them from within. Namaskaar is done with two feet, two knees, two hands, with heart, with speech (vachan), with two eyes, and with mind (mana). Pay respect to all.

Always see to it that it is only with Bhagwaan's grace that I will be spiritually uplifted. He has given us this human body, this satsang, this Gangaji, these scriptures, these associations, see to His grace in all of these. We are entitled to Salvation. Therefore start with namaskaar at your home… with Everyone !!! Even do namaskaar to the young ones. Day and night, do namaskaar. All fights will end at home. When you are forced to do namaskaar, all fights will have no place to go. It is like saying - no matter what, I am surrendering to you. If you do namaskaar even once to Shri Krishna, you will receive the fruit ten folds. It is so easy! it is so cheap. It is filled with nectar.

Who ever desires to attain God will understand that He resides in all. All these bodies that you see whether in a temple or anywhere, they all have God present in them. One who understands this, of him all mental modifications will end. He will stop complaining about others. He will stop seeing faults in others. He will stop being egoistical. Therefore have mercy on me and try it out and see for your self. Minimally, know that at least it is not going to harm you. You do not have to spend any money. You do not have to incur any bodily discomforts. You can do the namaskaar from within… mentally only! Teach children to do namaskaar to all. All will be happy simply by observing this namaskaar, and will in turn start doing the same. Do "Namaskaar"first thing in the morning and at dusk when the lights are turned on…. It will increase strength. It will increase intelligence. What an amazing Saadhan. It is even said in the Gita. "Namasyanti maam bhaktyaa…." Therefore start today… Give this one thing in charity today. I am asking you for this. Give it ! I rarely ask for anything. It is not my nature to ask. I am asking today. Give this charity. Have mercy on me. It is a householder's duty to give to a sadhu (sanyaansi). Do this for twelve months and see. Simply do so with your mind. All fights will end. It is one way of increasing LOVE.

From Discourse in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

Ram Ram

On Remembrance of Bhagwaan at All Times

: Shree Hari:
Ram Ram

How can one be in remembrance of Bhagwaan at all times?

In Srimad Bhagavadgita, Bhagwaan has said -

"Tastmaatsarveshu kaaleshu maamanusmara yuddhya cha (Gita 8/7)

Therefore at all times, you constantly remember Me and fight (do your duty) as well. (Gita 8/7)

Rememberance (smaran) of Bhagwaan can happen at all times, however fighting in war cannot happen all the time. Facing Arjuna, was his duty which came only as fighting on the battlefield. For various people their duty comes in the form of their various household chores. Just like war, household work - business also cannot take place all the time. In this manner, the three ways of remembrance are 1) to do one's work while remembering Bhagwaan, or 2) while doing one's work to stay in remembrance of Bhagwaan, or 3) to only do Bhagwaan's work. Of these three alternatives, only remembrance of Bhagwaan is most important and the performance of work is secondary(gaun), and in the third point, the sentiments are one of exclusivity with Bhagwaan.


Most people while working forget about Bhagwaan. In this the lack of alertness of the Self is the main reason for forgetting, but alongside there is another big mistake as well. It is a principle that those whom we have affection for, that we are connected to, they are naturally and effortlessly remembered. People consider work - business as their own, they have proprietary interest in it. Therefore only work-business comes to mind. Only work - business is recollected, not Bhagwaan. And even if Bhagwaan is remembered, then too after some time He is forgotten. In other words, one must take a firm decision that I do not want to do housework at all. I only want to do Bhagwaan's (God's) work.

"Anjan kahaa aankh jehi phoote". What kind of an eyeliner is it, that causes the eye to burst? What have we got to do with it? If while doing housework if we forget Bhagwaan, then what do we have to gain from such work? In other words a sadhak must accept that this house is not mine, this work is not mine, and I too am not mine. The house is also Bhagwaan's, the work is also Bhagwaan's and we too are Bhagwaan's. With Bhagwaan's strength, for Bhagwaan's happiness we are doing His work. In this manner, by having firm sentiments, one will developed affection, interest, connectedness (mamtaa), and thereafter Bhagwaan's remembrance (meditating on) will automatically happen. For this rememberance, there will be no need of effort. However, as long as you will continue to consider this house etc. as your own, till that time there will be forgetfulness in the remembrance of Bhagwaan.


Just like when we stay in a guest house or motel etc., then one thing is firmly imbedded in the mind that this place is not mine. In the same way, while staying at home, it should become absolutely clear and be accepted that this house is not mine. We have only come here to stay for a short time. this point should be grasped very firmly, that this house is not mine, these things, this wealth is not mine. This family is not mine. This body is not mine. Only for a short time this has been received by me. When the time is over, separation will occur. If it was mine, it would remain with me at all times. However, neither do I have any hold over it, nor out of desire are we able to change it, nor are we able to save it from dying or deteriorating. then these things etc. how have they become mine? By any ingeniunity, trick, means the "mine-ness" with it cannot be accomplished. Therefore they are not mine, not mine, not mine.

From "Jivan Upyogi Pravachan" in Hindi pg 83 by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

The best of Naam Japa

Question: What is the best Method of "Naam Japa" (divine name recitation)?

Answer: The best method is to practice "Naam Japa" with a feeling that you belong to God.
"Hoyi raam ko naam Japu, Tulasi taji kusumaaju."

While reciting Naam Japa meditate on His Divine form. When we think of the sacred river "Gangaji" the picture of it's gushing water comes to mind. When we think of a cow, it's picture comes to our mind, and when we think of a holy ascetic, his picture comes to our mind. Similarly while "Raam Naam Japa", the divine form of Lord Raam, His favorite bow, must come to our mind. Similar thing has been expressed in Patanjali's Yogadarshan -

"Tajjpastdarthbhaavnam" "tasya vaachakah pranavah."

If you are a devotee of Sri Krishna, take refuge at His holy feet and repeat that mantra -

"Shri Krishnah Sharanam mama" and at the same time meditate on His divine form. This is the best method of Naam Japa.

One method is to repeat His name with a feeling that you belong to Him. And the other method is to concentrate on His divine form, while doing "Naam Japa". If your mind wanders away, pray saying " O' Lord, help me. I forgot ! My mind wandered elsewhere." If you pray like this, God will certainly help you. You cannot do by yourself what is achieved with God's help. Therefore, both "Naam Japa" and meditating on His divine form must go on simultaneously.

It says in Gita -

"Omityekaaksharam Brahma, vyaaharan maamanusmaran" (Gita 8/13)

"Recite the word 'OM' and meditate on my Divine Form." (Gita 8/13).

The scriptures emphasize this point.

So in summary - While doing "Naam Japa" observe the following rules -

1. Have the feeling that you belong to God
2. Meditate on His Divine form
3. Do it in seclusion
4. Do it constantly
5. Do not have desire for any worldly gain in return for Naam Japa
6. Whenever all of a sudden if God comes to mind, then know that God has very graciously remembered you, and at once start Naam Japa incessantly.

From "The Divine Name" in English pg 18 by Swami Ramsukhdasji.