THE ENDLESS QUEST FOR HIM
HE IS EVEN NEARER THAN YOU THINK
OPPOSITION TO DHARMA WILL CERTAINLY INVITE DESTRUCTION
PARAMA PURUS'A DOESN'T HATE ANYONE


THE ENDLESS QUEST FOR HIM

official source: A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4

cross-references: none

this version: is the printed A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4, 1st edition, version 
	(spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most 
	up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition.

      When human beings sit down to judge things big or small, they invariably make mistakes. As the human mind is limited, how can their judgment be correct? So just see how inadequate the measuring stick of judgement is right from the start. By using our arms, we can say how many feet deep the river water is, but if we attempt to measure the depth of the ocean in the same way, we are helpless. And if there were a reservoir deeper than the ocean, the task would be almost insurmountable. Nevertheless, human beings perpetually strive to measure things.

	Something which is vast but still within the scope of measurement is called `visha'la' in Sam'skrta. Even though the Himalayas are immense, they can still be measured. We know how far the Himalayan range stretches from north to south and from east to west. But that which is difficult to measure with a very short measuring stick - in this case the human mind which returns disappointed again and again after failing to measure - is termed `brhat'. Parama Purus'a is called `Brhat', because the human mind always returns disappointed after attempting to measure Him.

	`Yato va'co nivartante apra'pya manasa' saha,
	A'nandam' brahman'o vidva'n na vibheti kutashcana.'

      Having unsuccessfully attempted to measure the Supreme Entity, the mind returns, saying, `I am unable to measure Him.' And thus He is called `Brhat'. Actually, it is not enough to call Him Brhat - He surpasses even that. He is such a remarkable entity that whoever comes near Him becomes as great as Him and is made His own. Not only does He draw all other entities into His lap, but He also makes them lose their individual identities in Him - they become absorbed in Him. That's why He is also called `Vipula'. And as He's Vipula, He is also called `Brahma'. Had He not possessed the quality of making others as great as Himself, we would have called Him Brhat, but certainly not Brahma. If He wants to maintain the sanctity of His name, He is compelled to make His devotees, who meditate on Him, who ideate on Him, as great as Himself. Otherwise we will simply request Him `Please stop calling yourself Brahma.

	The devotees call Him Brhat and also address Him as Divyam. Divyam means `possessing divine powers.' What is divine power? The physical force we use in our daily lives is known as `energy' in English: electrical energy, mechanical energy etc. This energy is nothing but a physical force and unless guided by intellect, cannot work independently. The electricity formed in clouds is wasted in most cases because no intellectual being such as the human being utilizes it. Electricity generated in power stations, however, is readily utilized because it is the product of human intellect and intelligence. That is why we say that physical energy cannot render service unless guided by some intellectual force. 

	Physical force is a blind force. Those unaware of the fundamental difference between physical force and divine force often make the flippant remark that everything has come from nature. But how is that possible? Nature does not have its own intellect but is simply the way in which the physical force has manifested itself. Nature cannot do anything original - it cannot create such a well-ordered universe itself. It is not an intellectual force but a blind force. The divine force walks behind it.

	The mind, the controller of physical force, has evolved from ectoplasm. The creator of ectoplasm is an even subtler entity, and this is what we call the divine force. That is, the supreme vibrational force lies behind all the vibrating entities. That entity which is great or Brhat is the divine force which, in most cases, directly guides the physical force. This guidance resulted in the creation of our universe which follows a fixed set of rules. Under no circumstances can these rules be violated.

	Sometimes the Supreme Entity controls the physical force through the medium of human the intellect. Human beings build cities and towns, construct power stations, organize different expeditions etc, with the use of their intellect. And thus the Supreme Entity gets the work done through human frames. If humans think that they work independently of the divine force, they are mistaken. Suppose a great scholar has an M.A. in thirty subjects. If he becomes insane what will happen to his intellect? People will point at him and say, `That man was a great scholar but since has become a lunatic. Such is the limitation of the human intellect.

      `Brhacca taddivyamcintyaru'pam' su'ks'ma'cca tat su'ks'mataram vibha'ti,
	Du'ra't sudu're tadiha'ntike ca pashyatsvihaeva nihitam' guha'ya'm.'

      What human beings think of, or the knowledge they receive from the outside world through their efferent nerves, is called `cintya'. Someone who has seen a rhinoceros will easily be able to recreate an image of it in the mind. But the person who has never seen a rhinoceros or who has never even visited a zoo is unable to mentally think of such an animal. Humans are unable to think anything original: they can only think about those objects they have previously seen in the external world. Therefore, as people cannot see or recognize Parama Purus'a in the external world with their sense organs (the very capacity of the sense organs to see or hear something has been given by Parama Purus'a Himself), they are unable to think of Him. He cannot be attained through thought as there is no opportunity to see Him in the external world. So we can only say to Him, `I don't know what you look like but I send my salutations to you in whatever form you may be'.

	Parama Purus'a always remains beyond the scope of human thought. The devotees (bhaktas) are very intelligent whereas the intellectuals (jinanis) are foolish because they consider themselves to be the only true intellectuals. That's why they are the greatest fools and are always defeated in the struggle for existence. The bhaktas, however, know what is worth knowing. They say, `Don't you know why Parama Purus'a remains beyond the intellect? Yes, its true that He's acinta', but don't forget He has given humans so much wisdom, intellect and intelligence out of His deep love for them. What better proof of His love do you want? He has greatly helped humans to move forward.' So why should He remain acintya'? According to the devotees, the reason is that had He come within the scope of thought, all human beings would have got Him within their reach and that would have been the end of their love - there would be no further desire to attain Him. The advantage of His remaining acintya is that there is an incessant desire to attain Him. This very desire to attain Him will make the humans greater and greater. That's why a poet said;

	`You have become infinite,
	The right decision indeed
	As you will remain infinite for ever.
	Had you come within our reach,
	No-one would have further sought to embrace you.'

1 November 1978 morning, Kalika'ta'


HE IS EVEN NEARER THAN YOU THINK

official source: A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4

cross-references: none

this version: is the printed A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4, 1st edition, version 
	(spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most 
	up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition.

      I further repeat;

      `Dura't sudu're tadiha'ntike ca pashyatsvihaeva nihitam' guha'ya'm'

      Parama Purus'a, the Supreme Entity, is vast. Not only is He bigger than the biggest, He is more subtle than the subtlest. Is this Entity close to human beings, or is He far away? One of His names is `Vis'n'u' which means that entity who remains covert in everything, who is an integral part of even the minutest particle, who lies covert in the entire expressed universe. So an intelligent person endowed with a universal outlook, without entertaining any inferiority or superiority complex, will look upon everything as the manifestation of Parama Purus'a, and strive to move ahead in unison with all.

	He is everywhere. If, however, one thinks that He is far away, He will remain even further away. In this context, two terms -`dur' (far) and `sudur' (very, very far) - are used. `Dur' means quite far but still within the scope of measurement, such as something thousands of miles or light years away. But if the distance cannot be measured and all mathematical calculations miserably fail, the term `sudur' - very, very far - is used.

Some people think that Parama Purus'a is far away and, showing no mercy, has left them deserted in a corner. They believe He thinks about everyone except themselves. To such people my reply is, `He thinks about everyone. If He's not thinking about you, He must be thinking about not thinking about you. If He thinks that He will think about everyone except you, He is also thinking about you.' So it logically follows that He thinks about everyone, excluding none. But even so, if someone thinks that Parama Purus'a does not think about him or her, He may remain a very distant object.

On the other hand, if anyone thinks that Parama Purus'a is near, that He is right here (in Sam'skrta, `iha' means `here'), He may be so near that the proximity cannot be measured (`iha'ntike' means `nearer than near'). We say `one mile away' or `two cubits wide' - this is `iha'. But when the object is so near that the gap cannot be measured, it is called `iha'ntike', You think Parama Purus'a is very near, but may be He is even nearer than that - His closeness is immeasurable.

`Pashyatsvihaeva nihitam' guha'ya'm'. One who has acquired inner vision - the capacity to look within, to experience or realize something by introverting the optical nerve - by dint of sa'dhana' is a blessed person indeed. What is that `I'-feeling in each and every entity? What is the `I' of `I shall eat', `I shall speak', or `I shall do'? It is that Supreme `I' which lies hidden in the small `I'. So let people repeat the is't'a mantra, meditate and sing kiirtan for their Supreme `I' which remains hidden in their small `I'.

Those who don't have this feeling and think that Parama Purus'a is far away, may cry themselves hoarse, yet their sobs will not be heard by Him. The actual truth is that the Supreme Entity lies covert in the small `I' feeling of all living creatures. So He is not far from anything; rather, He is the very `I' of each and every microcosm. With this idea or feeling in mind, spiritual aspirants should start their spiritual practice. To be ensconced in this supreme idea is the culminating point of all sadhana.

2 November 1978 morning, Kalika'ta'


OPPOSITION TO DHARMA WILL CERTAINLY INVITE DESTRUCTION

official source: A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4

cross-references: none

this version: is the printed A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4, 1st edition, version 
(spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most 
up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition.

      The word `dharma' is derived from the Sam'skrta root verb `dhr'+ suffix `man'. It means `that which sustains' or `that which is sustained by others'. For instance, fire. The dharma or characteristic of fire is to burn. Each and every object in this universe is endowed with a particular dharma which determines its very existence. If anything deviates from its basic characteristics (dharma) it will automatically have to change its name and form. For example, if fire loses its capacity to burn it is no longer fire, and we will cease to call it as such. We will name it according to the nature of the work it performs. If fire makes something wet instead of burning it, we will have to call it water instead of fire. That's why it is said that each and every object has a particular dharma of its own. So human beings will have to develop their social structure, economic principles, spiritual practice - in fact everything in life - in consistence with the principles of dharma because dharma is the divine law.

An elephant has a particular kind of structure and bathes itself accordingly. It draws water through its trunk and never bathes itself with hands as humans do because it has to act according to its dharma. Similarly, humans must also act in accordance with the system of dharma as it is a divinely decreed system.

Whatever humans do in consistence with the dictates of dharma will ensure their well-being, their victory, their prosperity. And whoever goes against these ingrained human characteristics, against these dharma-orientated characteristics, will be doomed to destruction. For human beings, ideation on Parama Purus'a is a dharmic injunction. By divine decree everyone has the right to live in the world with dignity. If anyone creates any obstacle against this dharma-oriented system, if they oppose it, they are bound to be destroyed.

You have learnt a well-ordered system of meditation and other spiritual practices based on dharma. If any individuals or groups, however powerful they may be, try to suppress you or even succeed in suppressing you, they are bound to be destroyed. History has witnessed many such a downfall in the past. No-one has ever been victorious or will ever be victorious by opposing dharma. March ahead with your own strength, march with firm steps and your head held high. Always remember that when dharma is with you, whoever will oppose you will be razed to the ground - their destruction is a must.

3 November 1978 morning, Kalika'ta'


PARAMA PURUS'A DOESN'T HATE ANYONE

official source: A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4

cross-references: none

this version: is the printed A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 4, 1st edition, version 
(spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most 
up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition.

      When people remember that they are a part of the vast extended body of Parama Purus'a there can be no distortion in their minds, even if they are criticized or abused by others or treated as fools, paupers or insignificant mortals. Human beings are imperfect - only Parama Purus'a is perfect. However, the more they proceed towards the Supreme Entity, the more they will be free from imperfections. And when they become absolutely free from all imperfections they will become one with Parama Purus'a: there will be no further separation from Him. In normal circumstances, while humans are still sadhakas, that is, when they are moving towards Parama Purus'a but are not yet one with Him, they are bound to have imperfections, major or minor.

Some of these defects lead one to sin. Society criticizes those who sin. This has a positive side in that criticism will act as a deterrent to stop people sinning for fear of being insulted or put to shame. However, such sinners should also remember that although society may hate or malign them, Parama Purus'a can never do so because they are His progeny. And the moment one remembers this, one will refrain from sinning. The best way for humans to desist from sin is to always remember that they are the children of Parama Purus'a.

`If the whole world treats me as a wretch and drives me away, I will definitely have a seat on the lap of Parama Purus'a - this is my birthright'. Thus, under no circumstances should human beings ever allow anything to distort or interfere with their mutual relationship with Parama Purus'a. They should never think that Parama Purus'a hates them. He can never hate anyone because all are His loving children. Parents may scold mischievous children but can never hate them. Similarly, Parama Purus'a may scold, but He can never hate. Sometimes parents angrily shout at their child, `Go to hell you wretch', but don't actually mean what they say. That is just the expression of their mouths, not their minds. The same parents who utter such words become extremely worried when their child falls slightly sick and lament, `Oh what will happen to our child. We're at a loss as to what to do'. This show their genuine concern for the child.

You should always remember that there are two things Parama Purus'a cannot do. The first is that He cannot create another Parama Purus'a like Himself. If someone becomes as vast as Parama Purus'a by ideating on Him, he or she becomes Parama Purus'a Himself; becomes one with Him. So Parama Purus'a remains one and only one - not two. Secondly, He cannot hate anyone. Even if He wishes to hate someone, a confirmed sinner for example, He is unable to. Under no circumstances can He do these two things.

There is an amusing story to illustrate this point. Once two jackals thought, `Why do so many people use this path? Why are they all going?" On inquiry, they discovered that they were going to court to fight cases. `Why should we be inferior to humans?' they thought. `We should also file law-suits and fight in the courts. Then we'll be just like them'. So one of the jackals said, `When a fruit next falls from the tree, I'll grab it and start eating it. You should immediately protest, shouting, `Hey, that fruit's mine. I won't let you eat it.' Then we'll start an argument which will have to be settled in a court of law. And so, they agreed to start this mock quarrel. After some time, a fruit dropped from the tree. However, the second jackal didn't raise any objection at all when his companion bit into the fruit. The first jackal complained, `Why don't you protest in the way I told you to? You're supposed to claim that the fruit is yours.' The second jackal replied, `If you want to eat the fruit, go ahead. I don't mind.' As the jackals were unable to start a quarrel, they had no grounds for filing a law suit. And that's why they will never be like humans.

The wild animals and birds cannot hate anyone even if they wish to. In the same way, even if Parama Purus'a wishes to hate someone who may be a scoundrel, He cannot. The moment He thinks about hating someone, He immediately remembers that the person is His child and says, `Come my child, come onto my lap. Don't repeat this sort of mistake in future.'

3 November 1978 evening, Kalika'ta'