THE GLORY OF ANCIENT RISHI-S OF BHARATHAM : SWAMI SIVANANDA

OPINION
       23/03/2019
                 1734.

THE GLORY OF ANCIENT RISHI-S OF BHARATHAM  : SWAMI SIVANANDA

1. INTRODUCTION :-

A RISHI is a god on earth. To him, the whole world is mere straw. To him, gold and stone are alike. To him, pleasure and pain are the same.

A RISHI lives in God. He has realized God. He knows God. He has become God. He speaks of God. He shows the way to God. He is God-intoxicated. He is God Himself. He is one with God.

RISHI-S are God's MANIFESTATION  on earth. God reveals Himself in a RISHI in His full glory, infinite power, wisdom and bliss.

The RISHI-S constitute a ladder for the pilgrims to the shrine of God. Wherever saints and sages stay even for a half-second, then and there are sacred places like Varnasi, Prayag and Brindavan.

A RISHI is a blessing on earth. RISHI-S are the living symbols of KNOWLEDGE AND SANATANA DHARMAM  and are the true benefactors of humanity. Throughout history,  RISHI-S have played a great part in preserving spiritual values in the world.

The moment the mind thinks of a RISHI, immediately all evil desires, base passions, are brushed aside. Meditation on the lives of saints is equal to holy company. Study of their teachings is equal to holy company.

To think of RISHI-S, to live in their company, to have good fortune of receiving their blessings, is to draw forth upon yourself a shower of purity, inspiration and divine consciousness.

2. THE NATURE OF A RISHI :-

A RISHI is free from I-ness and mine-ness. He is free from lust, anger, and greed. He loves all beings as his own Self. He is endowed with dispassion and mercy. He speaks the truth and serves all. He ever meditates on the Lord. He does not speak ill of others. He has equal vision. He sees Devi or Mother in all women. He is ever joyful and peaceful. He sings the glory of the Lord. He has divine knowledge. He is fearless and generous. He never begs, but gives. He is majestic and lordly. Such a one is rare in the whole world. He is not easily found. He is not born everywhere.

Love is the very breath of a saint. Mercy is his very nature. His heart overflows with compassion. He does not look to the faults of others. He returns good for evil and blesses those who curse him.

The heart of a sage is a flame of love and his whole being thirsts for the uplift of suffering humanity. He forgets himself utterly and lives but for the sake of others.

A RISHI sees the whole world as the projection of his own soul. A RISHI sees unity in diversity. He becomes one with the whole world.

A RISHI is a youth amongst the youth, aged amongst the old, brave amongst the brave, a child amongst children. He feels the pain and suffering among sufferers.

3. THE LIFE OF A SAINT :-

The life of a RISHI is plain, simple, and attractive. It is full of grace. It is methodical. A RISHI is ever of good cheer. He knows no ill of life. To him, life is joy. He experiences no trial of misery. He is fearless. No monarch has sway over him.

The life of a RISHI  is always a life of quiet, of indrawn stillness, of solitude and aloofness. He is untouched by the changes of the world. No external happening can shake him off his balance. He is centred in his own Atman or Absolute Consciousness.

A RISHI is desireless and so he is ever happy. A king possesses everything and so he is happy. But, the happiness of a sage is infinite, because he lives in his own Atman, the ocean of Brahmic Bliss. A king is full of fears and worries. He is afraid that his enemies will conquer him one day and so he is restless and miserable.

The happiness of a liberated sage is not sensual pleasure. It is Atmic Self-bliss. He enjoys the whole world simultaneously as the Self of all objects. His happiness is not in time. It is transcendental bliss.

A RISHI  alone is really wealthy. Multi-millionaires with cravings and desires are beggars. A RISHI is superior to an emperor, to Indra, the Lord of heaven.

A RISHI has awakened from the dream of life. He enjoys eternal bliss. To a sage of illumination, the entire world surrenders.

4. A RISHI  NEED NOT BE A GENIUS :-

The RISHI moves among men, but he is unseen by all men; he is taken by them as an ordinary man.

Only a RISHI can know a sage. He will sometimes appear like a Sarvajna, an all knower. He will sometimes appear like an Ajnani, an ignorant man. He knows when to act like a Brahma-nishtha and when to behave like a fool. Do not judge him. If you approach him with the proper Bhava, with faith, devotion and spiritual thirst, he will impart the highest knowledge to you. If you approach him with a bad motive, he will behave like a madman and you will be deceived. Great will be your loss then.

A Brahma-jnani or liberated sage need not be a genius. He need not be an eloquent speaker, orator, lecturer or professor. But, he is calm, serene, and tranquil. He is taciturn and silent. His silence is superior eloquence. He has equanimity and balanced mind. He has equal vision. He has Samata and Sama-drishti. He is a Mouni, Maha Mouni, and Muni. He has divine wisdom and intuitive knowledge. In his presence, all doubts are cleared.

5. RISHI-S HAVE NO CASTE :-

There is no caste among DEVARISHI, BRHAMARISHI, RAJARISHI, SAPTARISHI, MAHARISHI and RISHI. A RISHI is like a lion out of the cage, free from shackles of caste, creed, profession, tradition and scripture. Do not look to the caste of BRAHMARISHIS-S TO RISHI-S. You will not be benefited. You cannot imbibe their virtues. In higher religion, there is neither caste nor creed. Cobblers, weavers, and untouchables had become the best RISHI-S.

6.  RISHI-S DIFFER IN THEIR CONDUCT :-

Knowledge is the same in all sages, but their conduct is different. Sri Vasishtha was a Karma-kandi; he did Havans and sacrifices. Raja Janaka was a Bhogi; he ruled his dominion; he enjoyed regal pleasures. Sri Dattatreya was a wanderer; he was an Avadhuta, a naked Fakir. Kakabhusundhi was a Yogi. Some even marry.

RISHI-S like Dattatreya and Jadabharata roam about happily. They have neither rooms nor clothing. All dualities have become extinct. They cannot work for the well-being of the world like KING AND  AN EMPEROR. But, their mere presence elevates people.

The other type of RISHI is the benevolent RISHI - like Raja Janaka and Sri Sankara - who works for the solidarity of the world. He has compassion for all. He writes books, conducts classes, establishes Mutts or Ashrams. You may ask: "Which of the two kinds is superior ?". The answer is: "Both are on the same level".

7. A RISHI IS NOT SELFISH :-

Ignorant people say, "A RISHI is attempting for his own Self-realization. He is extremely selfish. He is of no use to society". This is a serious mistake. A RISHI is the most benevolent superman. He is extremely kind and compassionate. He elevates at once all persons who come in contact with him. Further, he does Sakti-sanchar through his Divya-Drishti. He finds out the deserving aspirants and raises them up through Sankalpa Sakti, even while remaining in a cave or Kutir in the distant Himalayas.

A Jnani is not a selfish man as worldly men think. His spiritual vibrations purify the world. His very life is exemplary and elevating. He gives hope and encouragement to others to tread the spiritual path. He is the only real lover of mankind. He feels the presence of God in everyone. He loves his neighbour as himself. A Jnani only does real selfless service as he feels the presence of God in all beings. He is the real altruist and humanitarian.

8. DO NOT JUDGE A RISHI :-

You cannot apply the worldly yardstick to measure the greatness of the RISHI-S. Do not superimpose defects on them on account of your evil eye. You cannot judge their merits.

Brahma-nishtha are like fire. They can consume anything. Their very touch purifies everything. They are beyond good and bad; they are themselves the supreme good. Do not imitate their actions. Their actions are strange and mysterious. They are beyond your intellect. If you commit theft and say, "Did not Krishna steal butter ?", you will be hopelessly ruined. Krishna lifted up the Govardhana Hill with His little finger. Can you lift even a big stone with all your strength ? Follow the Upadesa of saints and Mahapurushas; you will attain Brahma-Jnana here and now.

9. HOW TO BENEFIT BY THE COMPANY OF RISHI-S :-

To benefit from the company of RISHI-S, you have to prepare yourself first. Do not go with any preconceived notion or prejudice. Go with an open, receptive mind. Go without expectations. Approach them humbly and respectfully. Assimilate what appeals to you. If some of their teachings do not appeal to you, do not form a hasty opinion. If you do not like them, you need not take them to heart. What may be suitable to another may not be suitable to you. Yet, with regard to broad fundamentals, there can be no difference of opinion.

When you go before a RISHI, do not ask him questions out of mere inquisitiveness. Sit in his presence humbly. Observe him. Listen to him without prejudice. Ask him only such questions about which you really need clarifications. Ask him only pertinent questions. Do not draw him into politics or public bickering.

Meditate in the presence of a RISHI. You will get inner light which will clear your doubts.

10. RISHI-S AS ADVISERS :-

The very company of  RISHI-S has a tremendous transforming effect on the lives of true seekers. It lifts them up to heights of sublimity, purity and spirituality. It does not fail to affect even the rank materialists.

Every school, every college, every boarding house, every jail, every institution, every house should have a saint for the guidance of its members.

RISHI-S only can become real advisers to the kings, because they are selfless and possess the highest wisdom. They only can improve the morality of the masses. They only can show the way to attain eternal bliss and immortality. Shivaji had Swami Ramdas as his adviser. King Dasaratha had Maharishi Vasishtha as his adviser.

RISHI-S are in abundance. You do not want them. You do not wish to approach them. You do not wish to serve them. You do not aspire for higher things. You are perfectly satisfied with some broken shells and glass-pieces. There is no thirst or spiritual hunger in you for achieving higher divine knowledge and inner peace.

Spiritual opportunity is a rare privilege. Do not lose such opportunities. Take recourse to the company of sages and saints. One moment of company with the Holy builds a ship to cross this ocean of life.

God is the great purifier. A saint also is a great purifier. God incarnates as saints and sages when their need is felt most.

Study the lives of RISHI-S. You are inspired at once. Remember their sayings. You are elevated immediately. Walk in their footsteps. You are freed from pain and sorrow.

Seek the company of RISHI-S and evolve. Satsang with RISHI-S is unfailing in its results.

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NOTE :-

APART FROM  RISHI-S, BHARATHAM IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE GREAT ACHARYAS BEGINING FROM ADI SRI SANKARACHARYA, SRI RAMANUJACHARYA AND MADHAVACHARYA,

LATER SRI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHAMSA, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, SWAMI  SIVANANDA, SWAMI TAPOVANAM, SRI RAMANA MAHARISHI, SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA, SRI AUROBINDO, SWAMI KRISHNANANANDA, SWAMI CHIDANANDA, SRILA PRABHUPADA, AND MANY MORE .....................

TODAY SATSANGAM WITH THESE GREAT ACHARYAS GUIDE MANKIND IN THE RIGHTEOUS PATH, SATSANGAM PROVIDES THE DIRECTION, BUT IT IS THE SELF REALISATION, BY EACH AND EVERY ONE MAKE LIFE DIVINE AND BALANCED MIND, KNOWLEDGE AND PEACE.

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OPINION :- Glorification and dehumanization

1. INDIAN DEMOCRACY INFECTED BY DEADLY VIRUS = CORRUPTION : -

The greatest threat that democracy is facing in India today is the scourge of corruption. Despite having a vigilant press, an outspoken civil society and an impartial Judiciary, the most disheartening fact of Indian democracy is corruption. Corruption in public life has been a major concern in India. Corruption continues to exist in covert and overt ways at all three levels political, bureaucratic and corporate sector. One can see the nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists which has resulted in corruption and corrupt practices. The high level of corruption in India has been widely perceived as a major obstacle in improving the quality of governance. In fact, corruption is a sign of political instability. and institutional decay, challenging seriously the validity and propriety of governance.

2. INDIAN POLITICS SAFE PLACE FOR RETIRED CRIMINALS :-

Criminalization is a fact of Indian electoral politics today. Criminalization of politics means to use politics or political power for immoral gains. Criminalization of politics is the very negation of democratic values and has no place in a democratic set up. The voters, political parties and the law and order machinery of the state are all equally responsible for this. There is very little faith in. India in the efficacy of the democratic process in actually delivering good governance. The unholy nexus between politicians, civil servants, and business houses have a baneful influence on public policy formulation and governance.

3. TOO MUCH FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION = EXPRESSION OF NONSENSE :-

Never before in independent India’s history have so many writers and public intellectuals mounted a collective protest against the government’s failure to protect freedom of expression and contain religious intolerance. Over 30 writers have returned their state awards citing the reason that they are “raising their voice against the changing secular fabric of the country”. They were joined by many other scientists and artists in this exercise. It is important to note that this response is not born out of an anti-government or pro-minorities bias. It is the result of accumulation of growing dissent over a variety of repressive measures against individual freedoms. But the government seems to be blind towards public opinion.

4. INDIAN POLITICS IS FOR ALL USELESS, WORN-OUT CINEMA STARS FINAL RESORT :-

 The low percentage of attendance and no participation in any debates,or sincere dedicated, honest effort as member of parliament is lost from these group.

5. VERY BAD GOVERNANCE :-

The crisis of governance in India today is a consequence of the breakdown of democratic institutions and the emergence of an unholy nexus between inefficient, corrupt civil servants and vote-hungry politicians. As a result, more than six decades after independence, despite low place in the human development. The basic fabric of good governance does not occur by chance. Good governance is associated with responsible political leadership, enlightened policy-making and a civil service imbued with a professional ethos. The presence of a strong civil society including a free press and independent judiciary are the pre-conditions for such good governance. It must be demanded by citizens and nourished explicitly and consciously by the nation-state.

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LAST WORD :-

1. POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICIANS MAJORITY ARE CHARACTERLESS, NO MANNERS, NO FITNESS IN THE JOB, OTHERWISE HOW RABRI DEVI, AND LALU SONS OCCUPY ASSEMBLY SEATS IN BIHAR;

2. BOOK WORMS, WITH HEAVY LOAD OF DEGREES, SUCH AS KAJRIWAL AND SHASHI THAROOR MISERABLE FAILURES IN POLITICS;

3. LUNATICS, SUCH AS RAHUL, PRIYANKA, MAMATA ARE SHAMEFUL TO ANY NATION IN POLITICS, DO NOT HOW TO TALK, DO NOT KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE!!!

4. COMMUNISM HAS NO PLACE IN INDIAN POLITICS, THE WHOLE WORLD REJECTED THIS IDEOLOGY

5. WE NEED TO LIMIT THE NO OF PARTIES, AND LIMIT THE ENTRY POLITICIANS BY PUTTING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA- VERY URGENT NEED.

JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDE MATARAM
BHARAT MATA KI JAY.

VERY LONG WAY, BUILD NEW INDIA SANKALPAM, AT DISTANCE IS BRIGHT