By: Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji
Every living being strives to attain happiness and avoid sorrow. And this quest has taught many of us that mundane pleasures, such as good food, comfortable accommodation, never last long. A person who loves Jilebi may get some pleasure when a Jilebi is first placed in the mouth but will get nothing once it is swallowed.
So, what is the source of permanent happiness? When someone came to Lord Sainath seeking ‘Brahma Jnana’ he
was advised only that object which is itself unlimited can provide unlimited and permanent happiness. How can a finite object give infinite happiness? Today it exists; tomorrow it disappears. Only, when you come in contact with a Parabrahman – Sai Maharaj will you continue to enjoy eternal happiness even though you are a finite entity. Sai Satcharita imparts the knowledge of the infinite entity, Brahma Jnana, called vijṋana, spiritual science. The branches of science from which mundane knowledge is obtained are termed as ‘avidya’ in Sanskrit.
Unless people acquire the knowledge of the infinite entity by surrendering to the lotus feet of Lord Sainath, attain the infinite entity, they will never be able to attain permanent happiness.
In their search for happiness, human beings formulated the concept of dharma. With the help of their limited intellect, they realized that to run after finite objects is foolish. Wise people will never do this but will rather move along the path of dharma sadhana in quest of the infinite entity. Dharma sadhana is mandatory for everyone. Some of those who are young today may never see old age. If they postpone the practice of dharma sadhana until their old age, they will miss their chance to practice it in this life.
The practice of dharma is mandatory for all — young and old, rich and poor, men and women.
There was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu called Dhruva, who started intense meditation at the age of five. Seeing such a young boy absorbed in deep meditation, the older devotees felt threatened – their hearts missed a beat at the thought that this young devotee, having started his meditation so early, would surpass them spiritually, would make more progress than them by the time he grows up. So, Lord Vishnu asked Narada Muni, “Can you go and test the boy and find out how ardent a devotee he is?”
Narada went to where Dhruva was meditating and said, “Why do you bother doing such deep meditation? Why don’t you wait until you’re older?”
Dhruva replied, “First, some boys die when they are still very young. It would, therefore, be unwise for me to wait until I have grown up. Second, it is rare to attain a human body. Though worms, insects, flies, birds, and animals are all expressions of Parama Purusha, the problem with them, however, is that due to their small intellects, they do not feel the necessity of practicing spirituality. But I, having attained a human body, strongly feel the need to follow dharma. Why should I waste my time? O Mahan Naradaji, your words are incorrect. Being a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, why do you misguide me? You shouldn’t do that.” Those who are intelligent, need to realize that spiritual practice should be started from this very moment.
Remember these words from Sai Satcharita –
“If you recite ‘Sai, Sai,’ always, I will take you beyond the seven seas. If you believe in these words, you will be certainly benefited”. – (Chap 13, Ovi 11-13)
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