A person who hears about the condemnation of another incurs sin.What need be said about the sin incurred by a man who actually engages in nit picking? – Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada Moksha can be attained by all. Never for a moment think yourself incompetent or incapable of attaining moksha. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Instead of using the tongue for speaking futile issues, use it to chant the names of God. God shall then guide you along the right and beneficial path. – Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal Do not be proud of wealth, people (relations and friends), and youth. All these are snatched by Time in the blink of an eye. Giving up this illusory world, know and attain the Supreme. – Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada Effort in violation of the sastras leads to evil and effort in conformity with the sastras leads to good. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal No man is omniscient. Hence man should not have the ego that he knows all. It is ego that leads man astray and drives him to commit sins. – Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal Realise the depth of your fall from the true ideal of life and make an honest endeavour to recover it. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Daylight and darkness, dusk and dawn, winter and springtime come and go. Time plays and life ebbs away. But the current of desire never leaves. – Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada It is ridiculous to suppose that Prarabdha can be more powerful than one’s will. The reason for this is that Prarabdha itself is a creature of one’s will. What one performed guided by one’s will in the previous births, is what is now appearing as fate. What one has brought about due to exercise of one’s will in the previous births can certainly be overcome by exercise of will power in the present birth, provided one makes adequate effort. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Ordinary people get the fruits of their own individual conduct alone. But persons who are placed in high positions and influence the conduct of others have a double as others are induced by their example to be good or bad. is always the most beloved. Moreover. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal An object continues to be dear as long as one derives pleasure from it and it is detested for the duration that it causes pain. towards which affection never wanes. – Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada There is no reason whatsoever to despair about one’s spiritual progress. It is meaningless if a man just sits quiet and expects fate to lead him on in the spiritual path. even if he did not know what he was doing was wrong.responsibility. one will certainly make much progress. provided he has the capacity to know. By proper manuring and the like the situation can be very much improved. meditation and introspection which is to be done by the individual seeker. Both these forms of dharma purify and calm the mind of the seeker and help him realise his identity with God. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Does the court let go an offender even though it finds that he did not know the law when he committed an offence? Obviously not. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The greatest impediment to Bhakti is the ego. a standard of right conduct. Not only the seed determines what one gets out of the field but also by the effort that one makes to till the land. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Does fire refuse to scorch a person who touches it without knowing that it will scorch or who refuses to accept its power to scorch? Similarly. if a person commits a sin he must suffer. that which is not dear may become dear. The Atma. The future of the land is really in the hands of the people in power. They should set by their example. The same object cannot be always liked or disliked. Sometimes. that which was loveable can turn unpleasant. If one tries strong enough. Thus a man can truly surrender himself to Ishvara only if he annihilates his ego. Prarabdha has been compared by Brahma to seed. that along is done by the others”. . so is their sin the greater when they resort to adharma. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Dharma is two-fold. After all. They are answerable not only to themselves but also for others. Repeatedly thinking of Ishvara and practicing spiritual discipline precisely in the manner indicated by the Guru go a long way in effacing the ego and engendering devotion. The Lord has said in the Gita “Whatever the highest person does. which repeatedly asserts itself and prevents self-surrender. Just as their merit is the greater when they adhere to dharma. bhajan. if you go against God’s laws you are bound to suffer. one which takes the form of ritual that requires a large number of persons and accessory things to carry it out and the other japa. Similarly. Each one can derive benefit depending on one’s mentality. Desire can be overcome by dispassion. which repeatedly asserts itself and prevents self-surrender.– Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The source of bliss is not something external but is one’s own true nature. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The greatest impediment to Bhakti is the ego. Not realizing this. While another may. These are man’s worst enemies and one must never succumb to them. Both matter and the individual souls would have no independent existence of their own. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal . Repeatedly thinking of Ishvara and practicing spiritual discipline precisely in the manner indicated by the Guru go a long way in effacing the ego and engendering devotion. it does not mean that we are unintelligent. paying no attention to it. spend time sleeping. One may study Sastras in that light. Thus a man can truly surrender himself to Ishvara only if he annihilates his ego. it does not mean that the vessel itself is the limit for the capacity of the pond. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Maya is the differentiating principle which is responsible for diversity in both the universe of matter and in the universe of souls. the man devoid of discrimination seeks happiness in external objects. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Sri Krishna describes desire. anger and greed as the triple gates of hell. If it were not for maya. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal An ideal disciple will indeed act as per the Guru’s instructions and not give place to thoughts as “Is it possible for me to do as he says? Shall I try something else?” If we follow our Guru’s instructions. Though maya is the sakti or power of Brahman. From the highest standpoint of absolute truth. It only implies that we have surrendered for our own good to a power superior to us. It is because of the mistaken feeling that happiness can be got from things external that the mind goes outward. maya has no existence at all. the supreme being). Thus by conquering desires completely one can conquer anger. Similarly great souls are always showering their grace. From the absolute view. one can bring a large quantity of water. it has no independent existence of its own apart from Brahman (i. only Brahman exists and nothing else. there would be no diversity at all. Anger is a result of frustration of desire. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal The light of a lamp falls on its surroundings. the Atma. An attempt must be made to control greed by impressing upon the mind that in reality everything belongs to Ishvara alone and that one is but an instrument in the hands of Ishvara.e. but for maya. just because it is said that a small vessel can hold little water. If one takes a big vessel to a pond. we do not stop our work saying that the sun has set. . he will be before you in no time. regardless of the characteristic of the action performed. who is waiting to help you. the teachers are not to blame at all for not attempting to teach them. Such a guiding torch is the guru. Repeatedly thinking of Ishvara and practicing spiritual discipline precisely in the manner indicated by the Guru go a long way in effacing the ego and engendering devotion. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Tendencies develop. he who wishes to lead a proper life will do well to avoid evil deeds and to repeatedly perform virtuous deeds. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal A guru is bound to teach only those who do not know. we cross the vast oceans and explore the air. We have no time or desire to learn and practise our dharmas. which repeatedly asserts itself and prevents self-surrender. but seek to know. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Do not be disheartened by the spiritual darkness over-running the world. If people prefer to remain in ignorance. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Doubts can never be solved unless you approach the persons who have not merely studied their religion but are daily living it. your spiritual master. Hence.If you wish for a guru in all earnestness. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal For the purpose of trade and money. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The greatest impediment to Bhakti is the ego. We want the teachers to come to our door and solve our doubts for us. he will be farther off than before. but for the purpose of Truth we make no effort. When the sun sets and the darkness of night envelops the land. Do we not light a lamp and get on with our normal activities with the aid of that lamp? If we feel that there is an urgency. – Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Advice is of no use unless there is some likelihood of its being followed. you will ignore the spiritual gloom prevailing in the land and seek out a guiding torch which will dispel the gloom for you. Thus a man can truly surrender himself to Ishvara only if he annihilates his ego. But if you require his presence only to enable you to test his competence of a guru. do we not walk miles and miles together during the darkest of nights guided by the flickering light of a torch? If you feel earnestly and keenly the urgency for escaping from the cycle of birth and death. If we neglect our inner happiness and seek for happiness in the outside world. day and night. therefore. This process will go on forever as there is no end to desire. it is purely an act of your volition and you must be prepared to face the consequences. This process will go on indefinitely as the things which give us trouble in the world are countless. we seek to remove our mental unrest by trying to secure all the things which the mind asks for or to get rid of all the things which disturb it. the mental unrest caused by the longing for that thing may cease. But we cannot sleep always. we are seriously impairing our chances of getting it again in the next birth. to add to or take away from that allotment. our search for peace will be an endless one and true everlasting peace and happiness will never be . the number of things that are undesirable is also infinite. but the next moment you will become restless because another thing will start troubling you. but it will be replaced by restlessness caused by desire for another object. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Make honest and sincere attempt to regain and retain your inner peace and happiness. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The number of things in the world that awaken desire is infinite. perfect and permanent than the one which comes into being on the cessation of a sickness. contentment and happiness is inborn and ingrained in every one of us. If you get rid of a particular undesirable object.– Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal Know that as soon as you come into this world. If. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The mind becomes completely still (i. no doubt you get mental peace for the moment. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If you choose to avoid a present inconvenience and risk a greater inconvenience in the future. We seek such mental peace even while awake. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The feeling of peace. and this is the aim of spirituality to still the mind completely so that we experience everlasting peace. for God will be quite justified in withholding a gift which the donee does not appreciate at its proper value when he has it with him. free from all thoughts) only during deep sleep. in all circumstances. the happiness which is not preceded by a mental disturbance will be more natural. perfect and enduring than the one which follows a mental disturbance. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The health which is not preceded by a sickness is more natural. or anybody else’s. If a man gets a particular thing.e. Similarly. Similarly. the quota of pleasure and pain to be enjoyed by you in this life has already been determined and it is not within your power. Your failure only means that your present exercise of free will is not sufficient to counteract the result of the past exercise of it. If we do not succeed in the first few attempts. present). By exercising your free will in the present. it means that in the past we have exercised our free will just in opposite direction. or by blaming God.) We do not desist from the attempt to pull out the nail simply because we happen to be ignorant of the length of the nail in the wall or of the number and intensity of the strokes which drove it in. wipe out the past record and work for a better future. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal You are responsible for what you are today. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If we do not succeed in the first few attempts. we increase the number and the intensity of our present efforts to pull it out. Thus the obstacles which we face in life are just the gauge by which we have to guide our present activities. for fate is of your own making. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Fate places no obstacles in our path. You are responsible for your pain and suffering and misery. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If you do not succeed even after your best effort. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Fate is invisible. The nail . for fate being a product of your free will. The present is before you and by the exercise of your free will. do not despair. The past is past and is beyond our vision and unseen. for he is but the divine dispenser of fruits in accordance with the merits of your actions. you brought on the resultant fate (i.e. Whether for acquiring more happiness or for reducing misery. All obstacles are of our own making and it is within our competence to overcome them. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal When we see a nail on the wall we cannot see what exact length of the nail is embedded in the wall (How much effort is required to pull out the nail depends on how deeply the nail is embedded in the wall. By exercising your free will in the past. So our present effort must be proportionate to that past activity to eliminate its effects. you have to exercise your free will in the present. you can shape the future and this is what you should do. But if you keep on trying you are bound to succeed. Do not worry about fate or the past. Rather we persist and persevere in pulling it out. You have none to blame but yourself for your present state of affairs. You cannot escape your responsibility by blaming fate. can never be stronger than free Will.attained by us. instead of wasting your time or energy bothering about the past and fate. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Fate is nothing but the sum total of the results of your past actions. And this is the aim of spirituality . – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal A thing has value only to the one who wants it. we are bound to overcome all the obstacles which we face in our life. There are higher objects in life than mere living.to regulate the mind so that it is peaceful and happy in all circumstances. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Suppose you have 20 articles in your room. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal In the name of progress and economic growth we have grown weaker and weaker. This is the right attitude. it is impossible for you to regulate. contentment and happiness was normal. which gave them rest. annihilate or create at your pleasure the infinite things of the universe which are likely to disturb you. but because they were able to retain their mental equilibrium. Do not ignore your spiritual welfare. If you do not want them. Do not anticipate or hanker after wealth and worldly success. We are bound to pull out the nail sooner or later. modify. They did not depend upon outside things to make them happy. and the most pitiable part of it is that we do not and would not realise that it is poison. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Worldly life is at best only a means of livelihood. you certainly do not care how wealthy or successful another person is. and only by turning to religion can you secure such objects. lasting. . – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Man can be happy by refusing to submit himself to anything which may disturb his mental equilibrium and make him unhappy. Our ancestors were happy. we should make persistent efforts to counteract the ill effects of our past actions. peace and contentment and. But you can regulate your own mind so that it gradually ceases to be disturbed by the objects of the world. not because they had more objects of pleasure or less causes of trouble. therefore. happiness. Western thought and influence are corrupting us. Similarly. Every man must cultivate this feeling if he wants to be happy. Worldly success and wealth count therefore only with those who want them. to prepare cases for enveloping every one of them or to shut your eyes? Obviously the latter is easier. every one of which is likely to distract you by its very sight? Which is the more practical method. Similarly. Their feeling of rest and peace. if we try hard enough. nor did they concede to outside things the capacity to make them unhappy. natural and healthy and. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Take money and worldly success when it comes and use it. Just as we persevere to pull out the nail from the wall. therefore. The slow poison of un-Hindu thought and manners has entered our blood.in the wall represents the obstacles which arise in our present life due to the wrong use of our free will in the past. in the interests of mere living. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Once you begin to feel the presence of God. If a stranger standing by the road directs you. it will be time enough to blame them. You place immediate and implicit reliance on him and go as directed by him. Ignorance by itself is certainly no sin but it is a sin when there is a duty to learn. the Lord will guide us along the path of progress. If you follow their dictates and find at the end that they were wrong. it will be impossible to do anything in this world. at your request. but there is no satisfaction. Performance of duties selflessly amounts to service to God. Do not neglect your duties. for only by doing them can you serve the Lord. The thought of his ever-living presence with you will be a great solace to you. solve all our problems and doubts. but not until then. a joy unknown to you ever before will begin to be felt. to a house you are searching for. free us from all worry and trouble and lead us on to the state of realisation of the Supreme Reality. There is no doubt that the man who knows and yet errs is a greater sinner. much less an excuse. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If we limit our belief only to those things which can be proved. you must have faith in the words of our ancient sages who proclaim the existence of God. for the man who prefers to continue in ignorance and in error. the truth and the bliss of the absolute oneness of all in the undifferentiated Brahman. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal . the Lord will certainly listen to your earnest prayers. it will be time enough to find fault with him. Strict performance of the duties enjoined by them is the only way of securing the grace of the Lord. It is within your competence to perform the duties proclaimed by the scriptures. you do not ask him to prove to you he is right. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The Vedas are divine commands. If then you reach the wrong house.– Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal The happiness obtained by the gratification of sensual pleasures is nothing but a reflection of the inherent bliss of the Self and not true happiness. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If you pray with faith and devotion. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal It is our duty to learn the scriptures and follow the commands of our sastras implicitly. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal If we are honest and sincere in our efforts and follow implicitly the directions of the sastras and the guru. Similarly. If you try to dam up the entire stream. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Fate places no obstacles in our path. you cannot do without wealth. why do so many children experience pain and suffering? The reason is simple. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal It is true that in the world of practical life. The present is before you and by the exercise of your free will. So if we depend on the external world for happiness we will only be slaves of circumstances. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal To suffer the result of sin. The stream of vasanas has two currents. So until it acquires this capacity. it incurs no sin. Through the use of your free will you must purify yourself. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal It is not within our power to obtain all the things desired by us or to get rid of all the things which trouble us. namely. the sense of pain and pleasure. therefore. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Who are you to sit in judgement over other religious teachers and religions? Waste not your precious life in judging others. you can accomplish anything. All obstacles are of our own making and it is within our competence to overcome them. Do not worry about fate or the past. It is your responsibility to encourage good vasanas and overcome bad vasanas. If a child commits no sin. even when it is in the womb. Children suffer for the sinful acts done by them as adults in previous births. and this capacity. They enunciate in detail which vasanas are good and which vasanas are bad and ask you to be led by the good vasana current and resist being led away by the bad vasana current. instead of wasting your time or energy bothering about the past and fate. you can shape the future and this is what you should do. is present in the baby. only the capacity to suffer is required. The sastras. Use it to regulate your life and purify yourself. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Vasana is the resultant impression/tendency left in the mind by an action or an experience. it is dangerous. If you work with earnestness and persist in your efforts. Our mind will always be in a state of unrest and true lasting happiness can never be experienced by us. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Fate is invisible. at any moment. All our present sufferings are due to our own neglect of dharma. A child cannot distinguish between right and wrong. the religious fervour and the peaceful contentment of our forefathers. A vasana urges the person to perform the same act or have the same experience once again. the good and the bad. put an end to them by reverting to the simple faith and the upright conduct. Never forget that money is only a means of happiness and not happiness itself. The so-called bad days are our own making. The past is past and is beyond our vision and unseen. do not ask you to attempt that. . We can. But do not attach more importance to money than it deserves.Do not blame the times for your suffering. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Start with boundless hope with the presumption that nothing is impossible for you. Every man must cultivate this feeling if he wants to be happy. contentment and happiness was normal. and the most pitiable part of it is that we do not and would not realise that it is poison. the supreme dispenser of all karmas. we will obtain good results. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal In the name of progress and economic growth we have grown weaker and weaker. Similarly. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal It is not necessary to ask the Guru for anything. which gave them rest. The slow poison of un-Hindu thought and manners has entered our blood. If we are honest and sincere in our efforts and follow implicitly the directions of the sastras and the guru. but because they were able to retain their mental equilibrium. every one of which is likely to distract you by its very sight? Which is the more practical method. Western thought and influence are corrupting us. If he were to bless. and when he looks upon worldly success and sensual pleasures as an end in itself. It is always preferable to meet the foe in an open field of battle. it is enough. therefore. nor did they concede to outside things the capacity to make them unhappy. he begins to suffer. the Lord will guide us along the path of progress. There are higher objects in life than mere living.e. annihilate or create at your pleasure the infinite things of the universe which are likely to disturb you. has entered your blood and is sapping your life slowly but unfailingly. happiness. and only by turning to religion can you secure such objects. natural and healthy and. modify. Do not ignore your spiritual welfare. his divinity) and forgets God. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal When man forgets himself (i. They did not depend upon outside things to make them happy. free us from all worry and trouble and lead us on to the state .– Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Worldly life is at best only a means of livelihood. you arm yourself to meet him. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal When you know that you have an enemy to encounter. solve all our problems and doubts. “Let this man be a noble one”. But you can regulate your own mind so that it gradually ceases to be disturbed by the objects of the world. peace and contentment and. it is impossible for you to regulate. It is easier to fight a tiger openly attacking you than to fight a poison which. therefore. to prepare cases for enveloping every one of them or to shut your eyes? Obviously the latter is easier. not because they had more objects of pleasure or less causes of trouble.to regulate the mind so that it is peaceful and happy in all circumstances. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Suppose you have 20 articles in your room. it is very difficult to fight the foe who is by your side and masquerading as a friend. Our ancestors were happy. If His glance falls on us it is sufficient. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Man can be happy by refusing to submit himself to anything which may disturb his mental equilibrium and make him unhappy. lasting. unknown to you. Their feeling of rest and peace. in the interests of mere living. And this is the aim of spirituality . the truth and the bliss of the absolute oneness of all in the undifferentiated Brahman. what is the point of teaching them that many other acts of theirs are also sinful. But when the child grows up and acquires the capacity of discrimination and is able to understand the distinction between right and wrong. What can any guru do when we have no desire to reform ourselves? – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal . With them ignorance is inevitable and therefore is not a sin. many people persist in it. after being taught they will err deliberately. That will be all the difference perhaps. The fault lies with us. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal In spite of the knowledge that telling a lie is sinful. The fact that he allows his capacity of discrimination to sleep by reason of ignorance will not lessen his responsibility. When people sin. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal Young children have no conception at all of the right or wrong. To commit a sin it is necessary to have the capacity to discriminate between right and wrong. Such a teaching is not going to make any difference to their conduct. knowing that what they do is sinful. Now they err in ignorance. nor have they the ability to form any such conception.of realisation of the Supreme Reality. he becomes responsible for his actions and incurs sin if he acts wrongly.