K.

PARVATHI KUMAR

WISDOM BUDS

DHANISHTA

K. Parvathi Kumar,
WISDOM BUDS

1st Print : November, 1994 2nd Print : May 29th 2005

Copy right : DHANISHTA All rights reserved. Books available at : THE WORLD TEACHER TRUST 14-38-2, Radhamadhavam, Muppidi Colony, Visakhapatnam - 530 002. Andrapradesh, INDIA.

ISBN : 81-900 332 - 5 - 5

Printed in India by :

Aquarian Printing School

Visakhapatnam - 530 016 Andhra Pradesh

PUBLISHERS NOTE Wisdom Buds are 7 in number in this Book-let. They are called forth by those who seek wisdom from the author who prefers to be called as the composer, for, according to him: ALL BELONG TO WISDOM WISDOM BELONGS TO LIGHT. Sri Parvathi Kumars talks, teachings and writings are sought by many groups in 4 Continents. From time to time he keeps touring, teaching, talking and writing Wisdom at the request of those who seek through him. From him, arrived already WHITE LOTUS that unfolds Light, MITHILA that contains the Science of Alignment, 3

AQUARIAN MASTER that deals with expansiveness of Aquarian Energy, SACRED DOCTRINE that provides an account of Genesis, Yoga Path and the practical methods to realise the Self, THE ASHRAM LEAVES which are Soul stimulants. The publishers now pick up 7 talks among many that he gave at different occasions, to bring out this Book-let. The Composer names these 7 talks as WISDOM BUDS. These Buds according to him unfold within the being as brilliant lotuses when contemplated upon. THE WHITE ISLAND deals with the Plane of Light and the Plane of Light is the field of the Soul. An interesting narration of the Kingdom of Light, is rendered for the beings to recollect within them their original abode. 4

THE NEW AGE TEACHER is the modem replica of the ancient teacher. In this modern time Where there are many self-styled teachers in the field, Sri Parvathi Kumar renders out the way to recognise the Teacher. The teacher is one who administers the teaching as the way of life. Wisdom Teaching is not a vocation. It is an under-current of life and has to be lived by. Teaching without demonstration reduces it to preaching. A clear distinction can be drawn between the Teacher and the Preacher through the study of NEW AGE TEACHER. There is much expectancy all over the Western Block about THE RETURN OF CHRIST. When asked to spell out his understanding of Christs return, Sri Parvathi Kumar gave out that the Christ already started returning in the Aquarian Way (A Novel Way of Reappearance). 5

THE PRINCIPAL TEACHINGS OF KRISHNA was a talk rendered in 1990 spontaneously to a Group of Youngsters coming from Europe. The teachings of Krishna are valid for all times to come. A few important teachings of Krishna are enumerated in this talk. THE PATH OF GRADUAL UNFOLDMENT is an account of systematised approach for Self unfoldment which one can directly apply upon himself and verify the truth of it. UPANAYANAM & MARRIAGE The Vedic Sacraments are now receiving great attention in the West. Western Truth Seekers are evincing keen interest to understand the importance of these Sacraments. In fact, Sri Parvathi Kumar at the request of Western Brotherhood 6

conducted these Sacraments to them during the last 7 years. For those who wish to know afresh the meaning and importance of these Rituals, the two talks on the two Sacraments, throw adequate Light. The Publishers deem it their humble duty to present these Buds of Wisdom to those who seek Wisdom. DHANISTHA 7-11-94 Visakhapatnam

INDEX Page No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The White Island The New Age Teacher May Christ Return to Earth The Principal Teachings of Lord Krishna The Path of Gradual Unfoldment Upanayanam Marriage - A Sacrament

THE WHITE ISLAND

The White island is beautiful in Quality and in form. It carries the divine brilliance and splendour. It is ever illuminative, eternal and perpetual. The very thought of the White Island makes one stable and pleasant. The vision of the Island destroys once and for all the cycle of death and birth. The residents of the island live with bodies of radiating light. They are ever engaged in uttering the sacred word that guards the worlds. The rays of Love and Light form the brick and mortar of the residences in the Island. The human brow centre is a replica of this sacred land. In this land, the residents and the residences have no difference in identity.

The residents of the White Island are competent and hence are not desirous. The fruit of contentment is enjoyed as a consequence of their desirelessness. Although they are desireless they have plenty and are not empty. Liberation is their way of life. They experience the world of forms as their own forms and carry the thought of no-other. Others desire and hence they experience emptiness - lack of that which is desired. The Lord of the most high shines forth in purity and poise endlessly, untouched by the hyper and hypo activity. The gardens, the parks and the pathways carry the splendour of the mercurial green light coupled with the tinge of orange (Sree) the glow of the golden hew with the electrical blue centre and circumference (Ha) and the warmth of the Nature Divine (Ri) 10

The glorious White Island is not a place or a plane to be ascended. Wherever one is, it manifests when one gains identity of himself with that of the surrounding. It is hidden within the whole World as the latters blue-print and is the basis brilliant of the worlds that are built up. The sound and the light are in total unity in this Island inter-laced in their function. The voice of Silence is ever heard in all sounds and the body of Light is ever perceived in all forms. The Island is ever protective when thought of. Even when the worlds go upside down, the sacred island remains untouched. The reality of One in all and All in One is fully manifest in this Island. The pair of subjectivity and objectivity 11

culminate into existence in its centre, while they co-operate within the island. The other name for this island is The Land of Welfare and Well being. The trees in the Island are seasoned for all seasons. They sanction fruits of experience that call forth the end of desires. They are called the trees of Progeny. They give fruits throughout the 12 months and the six seasons and thus perpetuate creation. They bestow .growth and spread fulfillment to those who take shelter under them. Other trues have no place in the Island. The stunning beauty of Time is experienced in the White Island. The Time is eternal present, devoid of future and past in the mysterious land. The residents live in eternal present. They have no past 12

memory and future expectations. The past and the future culminate in the present. It is a state of being where memory is not and expectation is not. The flowers of the gardens spread the fragrance of the Present. The blessed residents inhale the fragrance and experience the nectar as the honey secreting from the flowers. Filled and choked with the experience of the eternal present, the residents immerse in uttering forth the story of the eight syllabled one (Narayana/ Christna). The sacred utterances utter forth themselves through them while they are in the state of pure experience. The feeling that they are experiencing also falls off. When they feel that they are experiencing the 8 syllabled one, they fall 13

off. When the feeling falls off they remain in experience! The beings of the Island fly. Their bodies, made up of the fabric of light, form their vehicles of flight. The measurements of their bodies are beyond measuring. They expand and contract. They grow lighter and heavier. They are elastic like plastic and transparent like glass. For them there is no difference between their bodies and the plane of their existence. The bodies are just vehicles to facilitate their contemplation upon the Plan - the other name for the Lord. The birds of the Island sound forth musical notes of life. The rhythmic unfoldment of the music seem to balance the involutionary and evolutionary seed sounds of Ham and Som. 14

The male and female move in couples as friends and are not suffered by lust. The cupid fears intimidating their state of togetherness in friendship - a perfect state of Yoga. Those who are indifferent to the Universal consciousness and its Oneness, those who are interested in other things, those whose ears have inclination to listen to criticism, those who are impure in mind, in senses and in body have no place in this Island. Even those who are self disciplined and well versed in the scriptural knowledge of Universal Self also miss this island on account of their estimates about themselves. Those who estimate others are unfit to be in the island. And those who estimate themselves are also unfit because 15

they are stuck in their personalities. Many well-meaning scholarly people are stuck because of their interest in their personalities. The island belongs to those who are concerned of the unhappy and the needy people. In the latter, they see the manifestation of the one consciousness as no different from them and therefore work for them, without feeling that they are working. This is due to their realisation of oneness. When one scratches the left hand with the right can it be said that the right hand rendered great service to the left? You feel it so natural a phenomena that you do not ever think of it. The residents of White Island too function in this fashion. Conversely all those who function in this manner belong to the White Island. Until the learned see the ONE in the 16

heathen, the learned have no entrance into the Island. The White Island is like a White Lotus in shape and carries structures that have pyramids as peaks and unfolding lotuses as bases. In the Centre of the Island there is a circular pericarp. Upon it rests a fivehooded serpent - coiled and with the hoods unfolded. Within the circular space of the coils exists the electric blue that which is eternal and endless. The entrance of the island is well guarded by two dwellers on either side of the threshold. They do not permit entrance when seen! - K. Parvathi Kumar

17

THE NEW AGE TEACHER

The New Age Teacher is one who takes to modern life and proceeds to demonstrate how that life can be lived divinely. There are no divine and nondivine vocations. It is the attitude of service while in a vocation that makes it either divine or diabolical. Business, profession, even politics are no bar to a New Age Teacher. He demonstrates how such business, profession or vocation can be handled from a divine angle. Traditionally certain forms of vocations are consigned as the avenues ofspiritualists. A New Age Teacher walks free with divine Will in every area of operation and hence does not limit himself to the traditional placements such as 18

teacher or healer. He remains a teacher and a healer in spirit though not in form. He expresses the highest ideal of marriage and demonstrates the principle that underlies the perpetuation of the race of men. Family is the fundamental school that teaches co operation, co-ordination, responsibility, sharing and distribution. A man who lives for himself is taught practical lessons to live for others too. There is much scope for adjustment of views and view points. Man is made to learn adjustibility and adaptability through family life. Family life also gives experience of Love Man grows into group consciousness from separative individual consciousness. Following the elders, befriending the co-bom and guiding the youngsters become a natural process. In short all spiritual values can be well learnt 19

in a natural and normal atmosphere. The New Age Teacher demonstrates these values. He also demonstrates how the biological instinct of sex can be beneficially put to use by profering good bodies to incarnating souls. Stand free while surrounded is the 10 principle of New Age Teacher when he works in family life. He is not bound by the bondages of the family. He may allow others to cling to him in family but he does not cling to them. He loves and he is loved in the family. There are no estrangements, animosities, discord and the like. At the same time he suffers not the pride of the pedigree of family. He is apparently attached but remains detached in his being. He is seemingly dependant but is independant. His style mocks those who abandon families in the name of 20

service and in the name of spiritual practice. He stands for practical spiritualism as opposed to speculative idealism. He participates with the felicity in social functions and generally remains a vital factor in society, influencing positively the minds of those men who matter in the society. He remains well connected through goodwill to the leading men of the society and affectionately spreads his magnetic thoughts into their individual spheres of activity. He reveals to those men of society, a higher dimension in their respective vocations, therelby stimulating their effectiveness in the vocations. Doctors, lawyers, officials, journalists, businessmen, the sick, the poor - all those who come in touch with the New Age Teacher, feel inspired and 21

healed in the esoteric sense though not at the superficial layers. He stuns the logic of the intellectuals and makes them reorient their logic. He distills the emotions of those who polarise to adoration of a form. He supplies intellect to those who are deficient of it and neutralises the extra intellect to those to whom such excessive intellect is a hindrance. He subtly guides all those who touch him in his life. He heals and he teaches but subtly. He does not remain a self-styled Teacher or Healer, but carries out the age old sacred work of healing and teaching through hints sometimes and through demonstration at all times. He maintains a vocation to liveby and does not make use of the occult sciences 22

for his livelihood. Teaching and practicing occult sciences for money is strictly absent in his life. He allows the sciences to flow through with-no tinge of commercialism attached thereto. Eventually if money pours in, he scrupulously diverts it to the activity of goodwill. In every walk of life, he is natural, normal, temperate. He does not exhibit anything special in his gestures, speeches and actions. His way of life is a flowing stream that soothens others and at no cost disturbs others either physically or emotionally or even mentally. His actions and speeches do not arouse excitements or sensations. He keeps his personality hidden and projects the soul through the personality to reach out others. 23

The New Age Teacher does not pitch upon others personalities. He functions as Soul with Souls. He is least interested in reality, in the personality affairs of others. He nevertheless guides even at personality level, when sought to, by his associates. He does not encroach upon or enter into the private thoughts of those who surround him. He lives free and allows others to live free. There are no string? attached, no holds and no bars too! Freedom with responsibility is the watchword around Him. . He forgets not himself but forgets about himself. He remains keenly interested in helping unhappy beings around him. He does not speak of his personality as it does not exist to him. He remains silent to criticism and judgements made upon him. He promotes goodwill 24

all around and intelligently discourages his personality worship by others. He gradually directs all worship to the ONE Divine Energy and ceases to exist between the worshipper and the worshipped. He remains a guiding light and gives way for Light to those who seek. He functions as transparent intermediary that does not allow its presence. Like the space in between two objects, which is not felt he is not felt more. Linking up is his method. Having linked the soul to the Super Soul he departs to yetanother case. He does not live by his attainments, his name and his fame. He walks alone unmindful of all that surrounds. Statements and utterences made by him warrant deep consideration and intense attention, for he is suggestive in his speech and never dictatorial. He 25

respects others freedom and hence does not infringe upon it even at the thought plane. Imposition of his views upon others, is totally prohibitive to him, as he lives in tune with the Law of Nature. He demonstrates how all life is One Life. Indeed he walks upon earth so normal that he escapes notice of the busy world. He builds no ashrams on the physical plane nor does he live aloof of busy life. He is the mobile ashram and enables development of such ashrams in those that surround Him. MAY THE ATTENTIVE LOOK OUT! Date : - K. Parvathi Kumar

26

MAY CHRIST RETURN TO EARTH

CHRIST (is the Principle of Love and) belongs to humanity, to the world of men and not only to the churches and faiths throughout the world. CHRIST is in us as He was in Master .Jesus. The difference is in the degree of His presence. The more man allows, the greater CHRIST functions through. The technique is deep concern for fellow unhappy beings. The method is extension of a skillful hand alleviate such beings. The other name of CHRIST is symbolically the return of humanity to the path of righteousness. The East is comparatively more compassionate and yet less effective than the West. The West swayed and sweeped even the East during 27

the past 200 to 300 years. But at the end of this century, the West started though not in a significant way, looking towards East, where life is understood as something more than sheer competition, as an invaluable gift of Nature to be experienced in a spirit of co-operation as opposed to competition. Man is gradually realising the stupidity of falling into a mad race for accumulation of money and power and is learning to turn away from these two shadows of his own self. There is dawning upon the awakening Consciousness ofhumanitythe great parallaling truth that God pervades all forms, conditions from within all kingdoms of Nature and expresses innate divinity through human beings. God the Transcendent (greater, vaster and more inclusive than the heads of the ologians) 28

is universally recognised and is generally emphasised. The truth that He created the World and stood by it is more understood now than in the preceding centuries. That God is not a person but can function through human agency is well demonstrated and hence is well recognised in the East and is now being realised by the West. That every human being has the potency to become a Son of God through systematic practice of certain life principles is a repeatedly demonstrated truth. Limiting God to a name and a form, looking to Him in a place and at a time is nothing but mans limitation imposed upon God out of the formers sheer ignorance. This awakening enables return of Christ-Principle among human beings.

29

CHRIST taught that the Kingdom of God is on Earth and told as to seek that Kingdom first and let all things go for its sake. That kingdom has ever been with us, composed of all those who, down the ages have sought spiritual goals, liberated themselves from the limitations of the physical body, emotional controls and obstructive mind. Its citizens are to-day living in physical bodies working for the welfare of humanity. They use LOVE as their technique assisted by Will and intelligent activity. They will, they dare, they risk and yet they remain silent. They are not the emotional devotees nor the impractical idealists. They are the New Age Teachers that teach through demonstration, not through mere spoken word. They are a great body of ILLUMINATED MINDS working 30

actively in all walks of Life, including politics and science. It is they who are realising the Kingdom of God and sharing their fruits of labour with those who are inclined to work in line with the age-old principles of love, compassion and cooperation. This great body is functioning effectively, averting wars, catastrophies and human crisis and is rapidly demanding the attention of many in humanity. It is an organised body, which is already evoking recognition from people who are open minded and unbiased. The idea of return of CHRIST is a most familiar one. The concept of a returning Son of God in response to human need has its place in the teaching of the majority of the world faiths. But the hard truth is CHRIST never left us. He cannot return 31

because he has always been here upon our Earth. CHRIST IS LOVE. Love resides in and presides over the Heart. The Heart of every human being is the throne upon which the CHRIST presides. His return is nothing but his descent into our concrete minds, into our senses and through our actions. When this happens to any man, lo! CHRIST has returned to the Earth. It is called DWIJATWA in the Eastern Scriptures i.e., born for the second time. His descent is our second birth. The other name is Reappearance. This phenomena of Reappearance or Return to Earth is found more perceptably in recent years with the increasing understanding oi human unity and Global understanding. Only when man gives up his aim of living for himself and takes up the mission of offering himself up for the fellow beings, the birth of CHRIST becomes possible. 32

The life story of every initiate broadcasts the same message. It is true with the individual. It is also true with Communities. Nations and Races. Capricorn marks the dawn in a cyclic year. It promises the return of the warm rays of Sun which deliver the beings of the Earth from the sleep and the chillness of night. This is the case of Sun-rise every day and of Capricorn every year. It is also the case in bigger cycles. All the cycles mark the reappearance of SAVIOR. It is a cyclic fulfilment of the prophecy that whenever Lawlessness prevails over the Law, I come down from time to time to set right. The present humanity is passing through momentous time where a cycle is about to end to give birth to a time cycle of Light - a period of dawn, where 33

there is general awakening from the ignorance and the consequent limitations. The general Planetary situation now forces the humanity to recognise the causes and the source of the present disaster. As a result of the two wars of the century (and the resultant pain also) man is driven into the depths of his own Consciousness. There is also mounting invocative cry, prayer or demand directed toward high spiritual realms, no matter by whatever name they are called. The general prayer in one language and faith can be said. From the point of Love within the heart of God Let Love stream forth into the hearts of men May Christ return to Earth Date : - K. Parvathi Kumar 34

PRINCIPAL TEACHINGS OF LORD KRISHNA

The main teaching of Krishna relates to the eternal existence of the One Consciousness. His first teaching is to clear the misunderstanding of death. Krishna speaks that no one really dies. There is no such thing as death. He says that there is eternal existence upon which there is periodical springing up of universe and in the universe we keep existing eternally through-out the span of the universe. When the universe is absorbed into the One Existence we are also absorbed into it, when it is blown out into universe we all come into existence. So our little spans are not so little as understood. As soul we continue to exist and Krishna wants us to 35

understand the soul and the vehicle of our constitution and the soul carrying the spirit. So the spirit, the soul and the body - these are the three aspects which Krishna speaks of. The body keeps changing because it is of matter. The soul is composed of the spirit and the super fine matter which is as eternal as Consciousness, that is what we call the etheric body. All gross matter springs up from the super fine matter (premordial matter) which is made up of ether. So the permanence of the spirit and the permanence of this matter during the existence of the universe is what Krishna proposes. And Krishna says this soul is impermeable of matter, water, fire and air and exists as long as the universe is in existence and hence there is no such thing as birth and there is no such thing as 36

death, if we understand the concept correctly. The basic fundamental teaching of the concept of birth and death is attributed as any of the events that are happening in life, our getting into sleep and getting out of sleep is also an aspect of death and birth and we continue to exist through the sleep. Similarly our living through the four stages, namely infancy, youth, adult and old age, is experienced as one living, there is no experiencing of the death of one stage and the birth of the other stage. In the same fashion through birth and death we continue to exist, that is why Krishna argues that one who understands this clue lives through the death. To him there is no such thing as death. Krishna speaks of the quality of the Soul, the soul as the owner of the form 37

and that the owner is never killed in the body, while the form keeps changing. There is no cause for sorrow when existence is eternal. The first step therefore, is to understand that we exist eternally as souls. Then what are we to do? That comes as the second step, which is, to tune up to the Law of the Universe. When we tune up to the law of the universe then we are in harmony with the universe. When we do not tune up to the law of the universe we do not remain so much in harmony. All our conflicts, enigmas and problems of life arise out of our ill comprehension of the Law and our inability to tune up to the Law. So the moment we tune up and work with the law then the whole eternal existence is experienced as a splendour this is the second step says Krishna. 38

The third step, Krishna says, is each one of us have a nature peculiar to ourself. According to the nature we hold, we have to choose the kind of work that will keep us in harmony, and keep working with that kind of work so that the harmony is established at all times. Never imitate or copy the nature of others, because even if it is a greater one it does not give harmony to us. That which gives us harmony we should be able to follow. It is like a cat trying to imitate a tiger, cat is a cat - tiger is a tiger, it is good for the tiger to be tiger like and for the cat to be cat like, if the cat imitates the tiger it cannot live happily. One has to make an understanding of the quality of work that keeps him in harmony and pursue the same to be in harmony at all times. One must try to get 39

into that quality more and more. And Krishna explains the quality of a teacher, the quality of a ruler, the quality of a businessman and the quality of those who serve. Among these four qualities that which really suits us we have to work with. One would have no complaints when one has tuned up to the work according to the soul quality. So this is what we have to do, to tune up the quality of the soul so that the soul can function through. As between the teacher, the ruler, the businessman and the social server there is no such distinction as more sacred and less sacred and all work carried out through the four qualities is sacred. This truth can be understood when one harmonises his nature with himself. There are many great adepts who are functioning in all the four qualities of life. 40

As between them there is no feeling as low and high. There is only a feeling of one for the other - brotherhood. Is is only the ignorant who see the high and low as between the qualities and each one competes for that which they ignorantly consider high. The scriptures reveal that from the butcher to the ruler and from the businessman to the teacher all are equally important to the society and all can tune up to the eternal existence by dedication to their respective works. The clue is to harmonise the quality of nature that one holds so that he becomes stable of Consciousness. It is necessary to be stable of Consciousness, be it through teaching, healing, administering or through any other means of service to society. Any of the four qualities when pursued according to ones own nature 41

leads to stability. Krishna says that stability of Consciousness is attained only by tuning up once own nature but not by imitating others nature unless such other is also of the same quality. Initiates exist in all walks of life. They are not restricted to Preachers or Teachers. It is for this reason the Veda describes that The teachers are My head, the rulers are My shoulders, the businessmen are My thighs and the others are My feet. In the whole body all organs are equally important and no organ can imitate the other but can do its job for the benefit of itself and for the benefit of the whole. The fourth step is about how to tune up the individual nature with nature divine and there comes the importance of functioning. Krishna speaks that happiness or unhappiness, profit or loss, 42

comfort or discomfort do not exist the moment you are tuned up to the law through functioning as per your nature. When individual nature is harmonised through a right functioning through selection of a work which is harmonious to your nature, then it is so absorbing so interesting so loveable to you that you do not care about the comfort or discomfort of it, the happiness or unhappiness of it or the profit or loss - they do not exist. And then Krishna says that you will slowly realise that this way to function is to live. The functioning has its own details of steps and it has to be worked out with DISCRIMINATIVE WILL and how to work without motive and without aspiring for result and how in work there is experiencing regardless comfort, 43

discomfort, happiness, unhappiness, profit or loss. Krishna then speaks about the philosophers who think that all work is for result and how foolish they are in their understanding of the work. Then he speaks of those who foolishly try to possess and how possession will create complications in life. And then he speaks about the natural distortion that takes place in understanding wisdom according to once own impurity of the vehicle. The best wisdom given is refracted according to ones own quality. So that is what Krishna cautions and then he says, the need to work more and more with discriminative Will and only do that much which is required. Never over-do or under-do a thing and only do as much as you have to do without concerning 44

yourself with the result and without yourself being the motive of any deed and without making any beginning from your side of any act. This is the ultimate of all action, which one has to understand practising step after step. No one can think of doing anything relating to the last step namely let no deed start from you. Let no deed start from you is the state of Christ, it cannot be the state of ordinary spiritual practitioners. He should first start functioning with what exactly he is required to do. He must know what to speak. He must know in the same fashion how to act, how much to act, where to act and where not to act. So, SPEECH - ACTION these are to be learned first and then the ability to remain impersonal in action is to be learned and 45

then the step will come relating to action being happening and nothing starting from him because it has already started in the beginning of the creation and he is not anyone to begin anything as it is already existing. So these steps have to be carefully worked out and at the same time do not seek comfort in not-doing. The teaching of Krishna calls for action and not for seeking comfort in inaction. This is the core of all doctrine of action and it requires an excellent understanding and it has to be worked out for life time. We have to check up whether we are speaking and acting according to requirement or under-doing or overdoing, that is where the whole thing is filtered and only a handful will remain over and above that and those are the Masters. 46

So we have to be unconcerned about the results. Anything we do we need results but the doctrine says to experience action. You should be unconcerned about results and then do not carry any motive. But everything we do carries a selfish motive. Even in spiritualism we are selfish, that is our peculiarity. We want to be more spiritual than the other, we want to see Masters even before others see, there is competition to experience the Master, to experience spirituality. Selfishness does not work in spiritualism, it is the lack of it that works in spiritualism. But man is so concerned about his own self that even in spiritualism he only tries to see how much he has gained and there is no way to experience unless that disease goes away. So result is a big thing to overcome - we may pose that we do not work for 47

results but ultimately we know that we are only working for the results. So the doctrine of action calls for action and that action is of two types. Action for ones own benefit and action for the benefit of others. If one observes nature keenly, the clue is found, that one works for the other. The whole Wheel of Creation is based on this clue, hence it is time that man should shut his own pursuit and start working for the benefit of others. This is the way to mastery and this is the only way to experience the oft used (or abused) words like - God, Love, Light, Christ, Krishna etc. When one works with discriminative Will for the benefit of others, there is no such thing as attachment and he explains the doctrine of attachment. According to Krishna attachment or detachment is more mental 48

than physical. He laughs at those who physically detach without being mentally detached. He admires those who seem to be entangled in the worldly affairs but are mentally detached. The mentally detached and physically active souls are the real instruments of God, while the physically detached are lesser instruments. The one who is stable in Consciousness exist only to Consciousness whether or not he is surrounded by persons, places, things, articles etc. Then Krishna explains how one functions if he is very stable in Consciousness. As an example Krishna narrates the quality of stable One : No agitation by sorrow, no desire for happiness, no craving, no shirking, no outburst - his Consciousness is stable. 49

He is figuratively called the Silent. No particular attachment anywhere, no particular enjoyment for the pleasant, no particular hatred for the so-called undesirable. He recedes into himself. His senses calmly recede from the objects. The process is like that of a Tortoise withdrawing its limbs into its shell. Then his Consciousness is stable. But beware ! Do not make your senses starve ofits objects. Starvation is no withdrawal. The objects are away from the senses but they leave their seeds of craving in the senses only to be germinated again with redoubled vigour. This is the result of starving. Withdrawal is quite different. It is the fine process of 50

leaving the lower taste by tasting the higher. One may be very learned. One may apply the greatest effort to control ones senses. Still the senses agitate and draw the mind into their agitation. No amount of knowledge or scholarship or effort will be of any help. It is only by cultivating the higher taste one can leave the lower. Through this process control all. Be in synthesis. Always have I AM as your object. This is the only way to subjugate your parts into you, not by you. Then have your consciousness. When one thinks of an object one is attached to it. Then he desires it. A desire to it, causes hatred to its opposite. Hatred causes confusion. This causes escape of recollection of his own consciousness. This 51

escape shatters the will. With this step, one disintegrates. Arrange everything in you to obey the I AM in you. Then you live clear in your own I AM even though objects apply themselves to the senses. This clarity is the pure state in which sorrows have no place. Will stands only on this pure background. Will makes its appearance out of your own synthesis. Lack of synthesis distorts will. Distorted will carries no peace. What of happiness when there is no peace? Then the senses blow like winds in all directions - they drive the mind as a feeble ship. Then the Consciousness is at the mercy of the stormy tide of life. Have your senses withdrawn from 52

their objectives to live above them. Then only the Consciousness is stable. Visualise the rotation of the earth globe. Some sleep into the night while others work awake in the day. Similarly some are awake in the activity of the senses with the mind. Will and stability of Consciousness do not exist to them. To them it is sleep. But those who are controlled, are awakened to will and stability. To them it is day. To them the mind, the senses and their objectives exist in sleep. They do not want anything. Requirements come and approach them, flow into them as and when required and finally merge in them. See how rivers approach the Ocean, flow into it and finally merge into it, losing their nature. 53

Even being filled, the ocean stands stable and has no change in its level. Such a one experiences what is peace. One who desires can never experience peace. Thus man should leave off all his desire and act without desiring. He should be I AM. No localisation of I AM, No mine! Such a one can achieve peace. (Localisation of I AM results in limiting the Consciousness which causes separation of the One self-this in turn triggers all illusion and ignorance). This is the creative state required. Once this is achieved, no one is confused. If one can stand this stage even while one dies (while the mind disappears) one attains the experience of creative merging. So, if we keep looking to this check 54

list, we know for ourself, how stable we are, we do not need others to tell us, so this is how the whole scheme is . K. Parvathi Kumar Visakhapatnam, Dt. 30-03-1990.

55

THE PATH OF GRADUAL UNFOLDMENT

1. There is a sure path of gradual unfoldment in observing (and thereby experiencing) the ONE Consciousness in all that is called God, the Divine, the Supreme, the Light or by whatever name. Meditating upon all visible forms (of the beings) as the manifestation of the One, attending to them responsibly, making effort to discharge our duties to them as a matter of worship is the foundation for all natural unfoldment of Consciousness. It establishes normal temperament in the aspirant and prevents distraction into speculative spiritualism as 56

2.

against operative spiritualism. The latter is more effective and experiencing than the former. 3. An aspirant in practice of the aforesaid fundamental postulate progresses even if he/she does not visit Temples, Churches and Mosques. It does not mean that visiting the Temples, Churches etc., is prohibitive. The visits need not be at the cost of ones own duty. To the spiritualists these visits happen effortlessly during the course of discharge of their duties to the fellow beings and even if they do not happen he is not worried. Meditating on all visible universe and the forms therein gradually establishes in the aspirant the truth 57

4.

that GOD IS OMNIPRESENT. He is realised both within and outside the Temples. To the ignorant God Consciousness exists in Temples only and the other places are non God to them. To the Spiritual Students it is realised gradually as the life behind the form. The student, therefore, comes to a logical conclusion that he need not run away from life situation in search of God, in search of Service and in search of Sacrifice. All is found within and within the given system of life. He realises that God is within and that service and sacrifice shall have to start with himself i.e., dedicating himself for the benefit of others. Service and Sacrifice become normal and natural but not artificial and hypocritic. Such are the ones who 58

knock the door of initiation for Atonement at one ment. 5. The God cannot be defined to exist at a place in exclusion to other places. At a time in exclusion to other times. In a form in exclusion to other forms. And by a name in exclusion to other names. He is unlike the forms in creation, immutable. He is unguessable. He exists stable in all that is. He cannot be visualised by those who neglect Him in the beings as the beings. For the created beings it is easier to comprehend the One God in the form of beings. By being serviceable to the beings (who are made up of the One Consciousness) one gains the vision of ONENESS of the apparent many. 59

6.

7.

Those who refuse to see God as the created universe and try to pursue for Him closing ones eyes in the name of Meditation or Yoga or penance are complicating themselves and are illusioned. Theirs is the path made difficult by themselves. The Yoga Students, who pursue the LORD in the created forms need not relinquish their daily routine, or their acts or responsibility. They can conduct themselves submitting the consequence of their actions to the LORD the I AM in everyone. Such practice liberates the practitioner from the consequence of their actions. It could be difficult in the beginning to submit the consequences of actions to the LORD and carry out the duties 60

8.

9.

to the beings around. What should be done in those circumstances? It should be recollected for practice. Each failure should lead to a more determined resolve. What happens if we forget? We should create a type of routine where it becomes difficult to forget. What happens if such routine cannot be established? Still there is a way; keep doing that which is to your liking, leaving the results to the LORD. 10. As one gradually practices the above steps, the unfoldment is sure and certain. The mind unfolds to duties and responsibilities and shuns laziness, indifference, irresponsibility. The duties are well performed and with ease and they do not bring in 61

consequences as there is neither over nor under doing. For example when you eat as much as is necessary, it maintains good health. When you over eat or under eat, it disturbs the equilibrium of health. So is the case with regard to every action. Yoga is equipoise and you will reach it through right action. 11. When such poise is gained in mind, scope is laid to visualise more. See how in a stillwater lake the stars and the moon in the sky are reflected. Even the pebbles below are made visible. That which is above and that is below are clearly seen. Such is the mind of a Yogi. How does a Yogi perform his duties? He is (a) Friendly to all beings. 62

(b) Unpossessive of persons, properties, things and thoughts. (c) Tolerant and is not affected by adversities or fortunes. (d) Not critical of others and is accommodative of others faults. (e) Content and works for precision and perfection. (f) Yogi at all times in all places and at all situation. Meaning, his mind, senses and body are in alignment with himself. How to understand if one is functioning as a Yogi? When he (a) is not emotional and does not stimulate others emotions; (b) is not glamoured for things, however, valuable they are ; 63

(c) is pure of body, senses and mind; (d) is capable and dependable and is not dependent on others; (e) is detached mentally even amidst problems; (f) respects others freedom of thought, freedom of movement, freedom of beliefs etc. (g) stable ; (h) does not commence any act for his personal benefit; (i) has no particular situations to be particularly happy; (j) carries no jealousy for others ; (k) craves for and lives in the presence of the ONE;

64

(1) unmindful of profit or loss, victory or failure and comfort or discomfort, while discharging his duties; (m) enjoys every life situation as an interesting part of the Grand Play.

K. Parvathi Kumar Visakhapatnam, Dt. 7-11-1992.

65

UPANAYANAM
Upanayanam is the most sacred of the sacraments conducted to elevate the soul incorporated in the body. MEANING : Literally, it means to go near or to walk near. The subject walks into the Ashram of a teacher to learn. The teacher, making a close study of the student, his potentials, qualities, limitations, attitudes, aptitudes etc., carefully trains the student for two periods of seven years each. Under the meticulous guidance of the Teacher, the student picks up his soul qualities and develops skills so as to usefully serve the society. He learns and practices the sciences of the world and the science of man too. 66

As he comes out of the ashram of the teacher, he is fully equipped to serve society and thus gains fitness to to be a householder. A convocation is held for his batch of students before they leave the school (the ashram of the teacher) and the convocation function is called Snataka Utsava. Thus the sacrament Upanayanam culminates in Snataka (the convocation). RIGHT AGE Normally, depending upon the brilliance of the child, the sacrament is conducted in the 7th or 9th or 11th or 13th or 15th year of the child. If the child shows unusual brilliance since initial years, the sacrament is conducted even earlier i.e., in the 5th year. We know from history that Lord Buddha was conducted this 67

sacrament in his 5th year. Likewise, Master C.V.V. the Aquarian Master too went through this sacrament in the 5th year. By seven years. It is generally expected that the soul gains hold over the seven layers of the human body and hence is considered the right time to remind the soul and train the body scientifically and systematically. Sytematised education that constructively develops mind through the teenage is what is contemplated. REVISIONAL SACRAMENT : At the time of Upanayana, all the previous sacraments done from the time of birth are redone. Even if those were done properly, they are redone, to purify the layers of the body. The Jata Karma (cutting the Umbelical cord) Nama Karana 68

(the naming ceremony), Anna Prasana (the initiation into food from breast milk), Aksharabhyasa (initiation into literacy), Chevulopanayana (the ear ring ceremony) are all done once again, to purify every aspect so as to prepare the body for the high initiation of Upanayana. These should be gone through with utmost care and diligence. The father of the Vatu (the child that is being initiated into Upanayana), addresses the Lord as in the form of the august gathering as under to gain the blessings of the Lord for the child so to enable the child to gain fitness for the sacrament. May the august gathering condescend to listen to my submissions. May you accept my offerings with compassion. 69

May you pardon the errors that may have happened with my son eversince he was born till this time, i.e., upto this sacrament Upanayana. Errors such as : a. Drinking milk from the breasts of others mothers, who are pure or impure. b. Mixing up with colleagues of undesirable vibrations while at play, at conversation and by touching and hugging each other. c. Urinating while standing.

d. As per necessities of time and place, transgressing sanctions of purity and e. Being not dutiful in the past and past lives. And May he gain fitness to the 70

sacrament Upanayana for now and hereafter for future lives. May he gain fitness to utter Gayatri -The Sacred Mantra. May the Lord narayana and the Goddess Lakshmi be pleased with this sacrament. May you be pleased to bless the child and bless me. The august gathering responds to the submission of the parent and bestows blessings saying. So mote it be. SEED-SOWING CEREMONY (Ankuraropana) : Every ritual is always preceded by seed-sowing ceremony. The cereals of nine 71

varieties are sowed into five pans, indicative of the cyclical growth of cereals, their usefulness to life and their continuity through cycles of time. The sowing is done seven or five or three days before the Upanayana ritual. Thereafter, they are either implanted in the front or rear yard of the house to grow further. Later, the grains are offered to the birds and the plants to the animals. Grain has a cycle of existence. Man too has a cycle. Grain continues through the cycles of time. Man too. Continuity of soul through incarnations is to be realised. Hence the sowing ceremony. The grain sprouts and grows. The man in the body also grows besides the body growth. The grain plant yields multitude of grains. Man is also 72

expected to give rise to multitude of lifenourishing, life-promoting and life-giving acts while in incarnation. The grain having yielded multitude of grains, sacrifices its fruits and itself to the benefit of others. Man has much to learn from the grain. Hence this ritual of seed-sowing plays an important part in every sacrament and much more so in the sacrament relating to Upanayana. OBJECTIVES OF UPANAYANA : The basic objectives of the sacrament are to : a. Assign the child to the care of a teacher and an ashram. b. Educate the child at all levels, namely, economic, social and spiritual levels. c. Bestow longevity, brilliance, fame, splendour and fulfillment. 73

d. Study the Veda (Wisdom) along with the keys. e. Teach the veda along with the keys. f. Utter the 24 syllabled Gayatri Mantra and thereby experience the second birth.

THE SACRED THREAD : The sacred thread is worshipped with utmost reverance and is touched by the wisemen (to transmit vibrations) and thereafter the father proposes : I now bestow upon my son this sacred thread to enable him to conduct the acts of Goodwill as contained in the Scriptures. Let it bestow longevity upon my son. May the Devas of the sacred thread accept my humble salutations and bless. 74

Thereafter while investing the sacred thread the following affirmations are made : May you be stable like Indra - the King of celestials. May you rule unfettered, the Kingdom (the seven layered body) with utmost responsibility. May you be fit to encounter and resist the ill-health and evil acts of the body. May you occupy the whole body with full strength and vigour, just as the King celestial pervades over the creation and just as waters flow and occupy the fields. Taking in the right food, may you gain the praise of the Devas. May you master listening and uttering.

75

Having thus affirmed, the sacred thread is vested saying : The sacred thread is the purest among the pure. It is the co-born of the creator himself. Vesting the sacred thread bestows longevity, purity, vitality and brilliance. May this moment be auspicious. INVOCATION OF THE DEVAS OF WILL (NANDI) and of SPLENDOUR (SOBHANA) Into the chaste brahmins the devas of will and of splendour are also invoked, to bestow blessings on the child. On their invocation, they are worshipped and are sought to bless the child by keeping good contact with the child, all through his period of education with the Guru (teacher). They are also prayed to bestow 76

longevity, brilliance, fame, vitality and allaround progress upon the teacher and the taught. The brahmins and the gathering in one voice declare : So mote it be. THE RECOMMENDED FOOD : The food recommended to the child during his stay at the ashram of the master (teacher) is bland food i.e., without salt, chilly-spices etc., Among the five senses, taste is the most powerful and this needs to be brought under the control of the child right from childhood. Otherwise, for life one becomes slave of his taste. Through this sense, the body gains control over the soul. Gradually, with the help of the sense 77

of taste, other senses too declare independence and enslave man. Man thus gets sensuous and there is no way to overcome. Just, the food that we take in can cause such havoc, when we are not alert. Lord Krishna says the one who overcomes taste, overcomes the body of senses. One who succumbs to taste, succumbs to all. OTHER AUSTERE MEASURES : During the 14 years period with the teacher, the student is not allowed comforts in life, while, the necessities are fully attended to. He is not allowed to sleep even upto dawn, to sleep on cushioned beds, to apply cosmetics and scents to body or to have hot water bath. All these seem to be curt and rude. But the mastery over body is gained, so that 78

in the latter part of life, the body cooperates in all works. Only from the time of marriage he is allowed splendour in life. Study, learning righteous habits, gaining mastery over tongue, the other four sense organs, gaining skills of life are of primary importance. The Children are not allowed to bring from their house, even clothing. The formative years of life are thus taken complete care of. The student comes out as an effective aligned instrument, fit to serve the community. TONSURE : The father brings lukewarm water. He invokes the Devas of Radiation (ADITYAS) into the knife. He wets the head with water saying:

79

May these sacred waters wet the head to bestow longevity of life, brilliance and to enable you to vision the sun for long years. The father thereafter scissors the hair of the son from East, in a clock-wise direction. The first scissoring is on the East, the second on the South, the third on the West and the fourth on the North. The tonsuring is done thereafter in the same order, uttering the following invocation: East : I tonsure (the hair) with the same knife, as used by the cosmic Sun upon Varuna. May it be auspicious. South : I tonsure with the same knife as used by Varuna upon Brihaspati 80

(the Jupitarian principle) Agni (the Lord of Fire) and Indra (the King celestial). May it bring fame. West : May you visualise the Sun through your acts of Goodwill. May such acts bestow longevity and fame upon you. North : I tonsure with the same knife as used by Varuna upon Brihaspati (the Jupitarian principle) Agni (the Lord of Fire) and Indra (the King of celestial). May it bring fame. Having thus tonsured, the hair is collected each of the four times into a bowl of cow-dung. Later, the hair and the cowdung are deposited at the root of Audambara Tree (a sacred tree that vibrates yogic energies of Lord Dattatreya). 81

The Tonsuring ritual is concluded with offering to the Lord of Fire, seeking his protection for the child. Tonsure is frequently done in all religions during rituals. The hair on the head carries the electric charge and conducts the thoughts from the surroundings into the beings. Tonsure is a overhauling process that gives freshness and even sometimes needed when embarking upon new thought patterns and new projects that require a new/fresh approach. It enables a fresh resumption of activity. Cow-dung is considered as comprising of purifying and sanctifying chemical action. Cowdung also is frequently used in rituals on account of its harmonising chemical potential. STONE STABILITY : On the Northern side of the fire-place 82

a stable stone is laid and the child is asked to stand still upon the stone. The teacher declares : Ascend the stable-stone and gain stone-stability. Live a stable life. Resist the evil. Fight those who desire fighting with you. Do not recede. Face. Do not escape. Thereafter, the child is directed to offer ghee to fire, seeking support and protection. FOUR-FOLD INVESTITURE : The body is thereafter vested with 1) 2) 3) 4) Clothing Deer Skin Mounji Staff 83

1. The clothing, the strings therein and the borders that protect the cloth are representative of the Solar Ray. The boy is vested the cloth invoking the protection of the Solar Ray. 2. The deerskin is desirable to maintain satwa (poise). It bestows progress, vitality, brilliance and fame. It also attracts right vibration and right food. 3. Mounji is bestowed to prohibit inauspicious utterances. Thereby the armoury of protection offered by the Solar Ray remains intact. Continuous auspicious utterances make the Mounji more powerful and affords greater purity. 4. The staff is given to make the child remember that he works for the Society and protects it. 84

ACCEPTANCE OF THE DISCIPLE : I shall behave responsibly with the chosen Master, understanding acts of death and immortality. May the master protect me, direct me and illumine me during my stay with him. May my conduct be auspicious. Saying so, the disciple walks upto the Teacher. The Teacher : A wave of the ocean reached me in auspicious enthusiasm. It enables me to experience immortality. This student is no other than the Solar Ray, that which is I AM. Saying so, the teacher takes hold of the right hand of the student and says further : Now the Lord of FireAgni took hold of you. The Lord of Vibrations - Soma took hold of you. The Central Sun, Savitha, took hold of you. 85

The ever-flowing energy, Saraswathi took hold of you. The preserving light Pusha, the teacher of the teachers, Brihaspati, the pulsating Lord Aryama and a host of others took hold of you. You have become a friend. In friendliness, the Lord of fire accepts you in the form of your teacher. I hand you over to these (aforesaid) intelligences for protection, direction and illumination. On behalf of them, with the permission of Savitha, the Central Sun, I accept you to be with me, around me, near me. May this moment of my acceptance be auspicious and shower blessings for eternity. The teacher guides the student to the fire place. He invokes the celestial 86

intelligences and directs the student to offer food to them. The student does so with veneration to Soma, Savita, Saraswati, Mrutyu, Yama, Gada, Antaka, Jala, oshadhi, Prithvi and Vaiswanara. Thereafter, the teacher holding the hand of the student encircles the fire place thrice in clockwise direction. Sitting face to face with the student the teacher whispers in the right ear of the student as under : By the power conferred upon me by the Lord Savitru, I accept you. May you be blessed with good progeny, with goodwill, with brilliance and with ability to train people that feed and protect others. 87

THE COMMANDMENTS : The following general injuctions are given to the child to be followed meticulously : 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) I shall follow instructions. the teachers

I shall be discrete in speech, in movements and in eating. I shall fulfill the duties entrusted to me by my teacher. I shall not sleep during the day. I shall eat food as is given and shall not exercise desire and demand for food. I shall accept no drink other than water.

6)

88

7)

I shall be loyal to the teacher.

INITIATION INTO GAYATRI : The student humbly approaches the Teacher and prays : Oh! Venerable Master please be kind to intitiate me into Savitri. Pleased with the student, the teacher forms a triangle with the father of the child. The teacher and the father utter forth the mantra. The child repeats. I. OM BHUH, OM BHUVAH, OM SUVAH, OM MAHAH, OM JANAH, OM TAPAH, OM SATYAM OM TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DE/ASYA DHIMAHI, DHIYOYONAH PRACHODAYAT. 89

II.

OM BHUH TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM OM BHUVAH BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI OM SUVAH DHIYOYONA PRACHODAYAT.

III. OM BHUH TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI OM BHUVAH DHIYOYONAH PRACHODAYAT. IV. OM SUVAH TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYOYONAH PRACHODAYAT V. OM BHUR BHUVA SUVAHA OM TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYOYONAH PRACHODAYAT. 90

Having been thus initiated, the child is also given a brief meaning of the Mantra, which is as under : We meditate upon the Lord of Light, Bhargodeva : May that Savita, (the Central Sun that permeates through the Sun Globe) embrace us to alert our Will. GAYATRI WORD MEANING : YAH NAH DHIYAH - That which - Our - Wills

PRACHODAYAT - Alerts, or stimulates TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM - That - Light of the Central Sun - Embrace us 91

BHARGOH DEVASYA DHIMAHI

- The Light - The Lord of - We meditate / or is being meditated

The sole purpose of Gayatri japa is to stimulate the will divine in us, so that we conduct life purposefully, i.e., fulfill the very purpose of our incarnation into the body. We have the Sun Globe, Surya. He receives light from a centre, the central Sun, called Savitu. He is the solar Centre. Even he receives light from a higher centre, the cosmic centre, which is the source of the Lord of all light. He is called Aditya or Bhargo Deva. Aditya, Savita and Surya successively bring light unto the beings. And the beings are the solar 92

rays in flesh and blood. Through Gayatri Mantra, we link up to our source and thereby conduct our lives as a Solar Rayplaying our part in the Grand play. Having thus received the Mantra and its meaning the student utters thus : May I be fulfilled, May the light Absolute be my Wealth. At this moment it is considered auspicious, to gift a cow to the deserving. Having uttered Gayatri and gifted the cow, the student is introduced to the daily fire ritual. The student and the teacher thereafter walk upto the ashram of the teacher where the student preforms daily: 93

1) Gayatri Japa 2) Fire Ritual and 3) Duties entrusted to him by the Teacher. This is besides learning Wisdom and skills of life. A WORD ON GAYATRI : Gayatri is the light of the World. The World consciousness, the Universal consciousness that emerges from the Universal Being. It is the silver screen upon which the creation happens. Gayatri represents the awakened state before the creation. It is the potential space on the background of space, through which the creation of multitude of Solar and planetary system emerge as also the beings of the said system. It is the 94

Universal awareness and is the source of all creation. It exists in us too, as awareness. Awareness is the basis for all thought, speech and action. Hence, it is the source of all our activity. Likewise, at the Universal level, it is the awareness on the basis of which the Word goes forth to form all this. The universal awareness is called the Mother and the Universal Being is called the Father. The Father, the being is the basis for the Mother, the awareness. The Mother is the basis for the creation. We too have these states. We are-beings. That means we exist. Upon this back ground of existence, we awake and become aware. Awareness as the basis, we think, we speak and we act. For all creational work, awareness is the basis. Awareness is the offspring of Being. Through Gayatri the identity with 95

Universal awareness is gained so that our little awareness functions in tune with the Universal awareness. It is a process of alignment with the Universe that is contemplated through invocation of Gayatri. It is a method of finding ones own fitness in the total plan - Divine. It enables walking into greater measure of Light, which in turn, enables better vision, better audience, better comprehension and hence better functioning. Its invocation done twice daily, during twilight hours, is considered propitious. The sound formula is called Gayatri, i.e., it protects when sung. Singing implies musical utterance in contrast to murmuring. The effect of Gayatri is more when sung musically, aloud. The Mantra 96

says, We meditate, meaning that it is a mantra to be sung collectively. Collective singing of Gayatri during twilight hours protects, directs and illumines the utterers. Since the contemplation is upon the Universal consciousness, it is the highest form of worship/meditation. For this reason, it is said there is no equal to this Devata. It is the sumumbonum of all that is. Gayatri is not Indian, for, Light Universal cannot be Indian. All belong to Light and no one can claim ownership of Light. Hence, according to occult understanding, Gayatri can be sung by all who have the deep inclination to do so. It is no more an exclusive property of a few. It was never so. It is a matter of inclination. The deep inclination is the 97

fitness to utter forth. To own Sunlight and deny it to others is an act of ignorance. Purity of Mind and Body and purity of place as also clarity in utterance are however demanded. Let the Light Universal, stream forth into the minds of Men Let Light descend on Earth

Visakhapatnam, Dt. 26-02-1993.

K. Parvathi Kumar

98

MARRIAGE - A SACRAMENT
Marriage is an important sacrament to the human being. It sanctifies the one who marries. It purifies and transforms. Copulating is different from marriage. Animals, birds, insects copulate. Man marries. There is a difference between the two. If man understands marriage as a licence to copulate, he is no better than a beast. There is always a higher purpose in every sacrament and marriage stands out as the most important of such sacraments. THE NATURAL LAW : It is but the Law of Nature that you give that which you receive to remain neutral. When you receive more than that 99

you give it binds you. When you give more than you receive it weakens you If you allow inflow and outflow in equal measure, it enables you to live in balance. It applies in all walks of life. It also applies to your body. We received body through our parents. Hence we have a duty to give body to another Soul. A seed becomes a tree to give birth to fruits and seeds. This is Natures Law of continuity. Nature conducts this Law to perpetuate itself. We receive support from Society, hence we have to support the Society. We receive support from parents and elders during early stages of life. Hence we need to extend this support to youngesters as we grow. We receive teaching from elders. Hence we need to teach the youngsters. THE RESPONSIBILITY : The duty to prefer body to souls is 100

thus the purpose of marriage. It is not only preferring bodies that is intended by Marriage. Marriage intends proferring healthy bodies to the incarnating souls. It is a greater responsibility. In these days, man more often bequeathes diseases to his heirs than health and wealth. A couple that carry disease in thoughts, in emotions, and in speech and action, invariably pass on such disease to their progeny. Hence copulating shall have to be while in healthy condition at all levels i.e., at the mental, emotional and the physical levels. For example, a diabetic should make sure that his sugar level is well under control before he plans for a child. An obese person should make sure that he reduces his obesity before he proposes for a child birth. Congenital diseases are not easily amenable for cure and hence the couple 101

need to observe health as a precondition before giving birth to souls. The couple should also entertain a fair degree of harmony between them. A couple in conflict produce children that carry conflicting nature in them. Hence, health and harmony are vital requisites before man thinks of giving bodies to the incarnating Souls. THE POLARITY OF SEX - THE GANDHARVA The Nature conducts reproduction with beings as its instruments. To conduct this reproduction the Nature produces a power and that is KAMA, the sexual attraction. This KAMA principle known as a GANDHARVA functions on the basis of magnetic power of a Cosmic 102

Principle called SOMA, SOMA principle permeates upon Planet Earth reflecting through the Satelite Moon that revolves around our Earth. This KAMA, the Gandharva move? along Soma and is responsible for the youthfulness in the youth. The youthfulness blushes forth further just before the time of marriage in the bride and the bridegroom which is Pendii Kala - the splendour. The bride and bridegroom become charming and gain more attraction to each other. This is the function of the Gandharva as is visualised by the Seers of the ancient times. Through the marriage ritual, this Gandharva is invoked, worshipped and is satiated, so that the couple are blessed to experience the bliss of the marriage sacrament. Those who realise the power of the 103

Gandharva through the ritual gain the right attitude to sex. To them sex polarity is the means to give birth to good progeny. Toothers who do not realise the purpose and the power of the Gandharva, sex ceases to be the tool for reproduction. On the contrary they become tools in the hands of sex. Instead of the power of sex co-operating in the act of copulating, it overpowers the couple, reducing the whole reproduction ritual to that of a beastly action, which in turn gives birth to animallike man. The person overpowered by the power of sex is like the ship caught in cyclonic weather. The sex power wrecks him and leaves him in a damaged health condition for the rest of the life. THE COMPANIONSHIP : Marriage offers companionship and 104

partnership for life. Man learns to work for the woman and the woman learns to work for the Man through Marriage. One for the other as a virtue is gradually realised and man is simultaneously elevated. Each learns to sacrifice his/her comforts for the sake of the other. Each learns to share his/her pleasure with the other. Give and take, Share and Distribute gradually develop. Above all Man learns to gradually accept others view point, a big step in evolution. One learning from the other and at the same time teaching the other becomes a natural process. Concern for one another unfolds the heart petals and man gradually starts experiencing the bliss of LOVE. Man protects the woman and her interests and woman takes care of mans needs and in the process identity is gained, where union 105

of souls is experienced in distinction to union of bodies. Oneness is realised. THE GROUP : As man and woman live in such harmony and health and give birth to Souls, a duty is well performed. But the duty is not yet fully discharged. As they beget children, together they need to work for upbringing the children in right atmosphere. The children should be given right food, right habits and right attitudes in Life. Only then the duty is well discharged. Thus in the process, both of them work for the children learning further lessons of sacrifice. As the family group develops with 4 to 5 members living together, group consciousness is gradually gained as against individual consciousness a step indeed towards 106

expansion of Consciousness. Family thus stands as an important school for learning lifes lessons. It is indeed contemplated by Nature as the Fundamental school of learning. As the family develops in harmony many times, instead of gaining identity at the soul level, attachments are developed, which again becomes counter productive. Attachment is the lower form of Love. It binds persons and limits them. While Love allows living and experiencing together without being bound. Stand free while surrounded is the keynote of family life. In the East, more often the Love among family members degenerates into attachment to family, while in the West, it degenerates into detachment of a negative nature. A balance between the 107

two gives the experience of Love in family life. FAMILY SYSTEM (GRIHASTASRAMA) Among the four Asramas (i.e., Infancy, Youth, Family Life and retirement the four steps of mans life), the Grihasta ie., the family man is the backbone for the other three namely, the infants, the youth and the old. In this period of life, man learns, experiences and fulfills the purpose of his life. Marriage is thus a stepping stone for this coveted life experience. THE MEANING SIGNIFICANCE AND THE

On completion of education in the School of learning the Brahmacharin is expected to return from a convocation. At the convocation he gets instructed that he 108

shall not cut the thread of continuity of progeny. In accordance with this instruction, the Brahmacharin accepts a virgin in marriage. The bridegroom is considered to be the embodiment of Narayana (The Spirit) and the bride is considered as the embodiment of the Goddess Lakshmi (The Divine Nature). The union of the two is a replica of spirit and matter for a New Creation. The bridegroom is given the bride to fulfill the purpose of Life. It is with this attitude, he is expected to receive the Virgin. At the time of Subha Lagna, the bridegroom and the bride should look into each others eyes! This is considered as the first union. Looking into each others 109

eyes is the first act of union and it should not be lost sight of. The bride and the bridegroom place upon each others head a recipe which is a mixture of Jaggery and Cumin. Jaggery and Cumin when well mixed give birth to positive electriccharge as per the Ancients understanding of Chemistry. By placing this recipe on each others head, the Soul quality of the bride and the bridegroom get instantly attracted to each other and the union of the Souls takes place. ROLE OF THE BRIDE GROOM IN THE RITUAL : The Bride-groom has greater role to play in the ritual than the Bride. He should invoke and oner salutations to the Lord of the Universe, to the masters of Wisdom, 110

to the elders that are present at the marriage, to the youngsters that are present; and also to all those who are present visibly and invisibly. He seeks the blessings of all for peaceful co-existence with the bride. The gathering at the marriage should also carry the deep intention to bless the couple for blissful married life. Normally the invitees lose sight of this duty and get pre-occupied in out of context talk or thought. The bride-groom should also carry an understanding that he is marrying the virgin in tune with Natures plan of which he is a part. He seeks thus protection of the Natures Law. The bride-groom should further understand that the marriage is meant for 111

fulfilment of nature ordained duties but not for mere sexual enjoyment. The foremost of such duty is to realise TRUTH through the union with the female nature. The Bride-groom should understand that he is accepting the Bride witnessed by the Five Elements, to please the Pitris, the Procreating Devas. He should know that he is marrying to realise the Laws of Righteousness, to experience life in all ways and to continue the chain of reproduction through his family dynasty on this Planet, begetting VIRTUOUS CHILDREN. He should willfully propose to experience immortality through his union with the Bride. In performance of righteous actions, he should not ignore his wife. In realising 112

the splendour of Life he should not ignore his wife. In fulfillment of desires, he should not ignore his wife. These are the three promises he makes and he is expected not to default on these three counts. Visakhapatnam, Dt. 22-08-1992. K. Parvathi Kumar

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LORD MAITREYA

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LORD MAITREYA -THE WORLD TEACHER Lord Maitreya is a sage of great brilliance descending from the order of Lord Vishnu - the Second Logos, the preserving Light, the Logos of LoveWisdom, the Cosmic Second Ray. Lord Maitreya was the Prince of Benares, the holiest city of ancient India. He abdicated the throne in favour of his brother, with his fathers permission, and joined the Divine Plan 5000 years ago along with Veda Vyasa under the guidance of Parasara, the then World Teacher. Maitreya, Veda Vyasa (the author of Mahabharata, Bhagavata and classifier of the
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Veda) and Sandipani (the childhood teacher of Lord Krishna) are the chief disciples of the then World Teacher, Parasara, who perceived and worked for the Divine Plan until the birth of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna, the Jagadprabhu (the Lord of the Universe) and the Jagadguru (the Teacher of the Universe), installed Maitreya as the World Teacher at the time of the formers departure from the physical. Krishna found that Lord Maitreya was the most appropriate to continue the Word on the planet and help the beings to find their path of ascent/evolution. Since then, Lord Maitreya, the World Teacher, assumed the august responsibility of imparting the Word through
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Astanga Yoga, through service and through sacrifice. The variety of Yogas, such as Raya Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Agni Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Sanyas Yoga, are all offshoots of the Astanga Yoga introduced and initiated by Lord Maitreya. The term Yoga essentially means union. It suggests the state of unity of the individual self with the Divine.

Among those who co-operate with Lord Maitreya in fulfilling the Divine Plan are the great Initiates Maru (Morya) and Devapi (Koot Hoomi), of solar and lunar dynasties respectively. King Yudhistira and the Wise Vidura are among the foremost disciples of Lord Maitreya. Master Djwhal Khul (D.K.),
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popularly known as The Tibetan Master, has been the chief disciple from the network of disciples of Lord Maitreya, who in the recent 100 years has been gradually externalizing the Plan for the benefit of the beings who are afflicted by Kali and who are seeking the Path to Truth.

The teachings of Lord Maitreya are one of Synthesis, of unity of existence and of Love and Wisdom. Under the direction of Krishna, he inaugurated 5000 years ago the Path of World Discipleship in the name of Bbagavata Marga and has been preparing disciples in the Path, who in turn help the aspirants to enter the path of Truth. The work of the Lord is to orient the seekers to Truth and to its pattern of
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functioning through Time, in Space, devoid of all isms, but not to discard and denounce. It is also the work of the World Teacher and his followers to uphold the Truth in every system, in every religion and in every ism.

The disciple working in the Path of the World Teacher remains simple, as common among the common, and yet inspires the surroundings into the Path of Truth through demonstration of sacrifice, service and love in action. He does not pronounce himself to belong to any order of hierarchy. He rather prefers to work in silence. Silence, secrecy, service and sacrifice are the four corners of the square within which he works incessantly. He de-monstrates Yoga in every walk of life, in the domestic and also in the social circles. Spirituality remains the
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predominant thought-current in the domestic, vocational and social field of activity.

Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Madame Alice A. Bailey and Dr. E. Krishnamacharya (Master E.K.) are the recent exponents of the work of Lord Maitreya, while Master Jesus and the great Initiate Pythagoras are believed to be the exponents of the same work in the past centuries. Today there are about 3000 groups all over the world that function with the inspiration flowing from the World Teacher. L ord Maitreya is believed and worshipped by some Christians as Christ. He is prayed as Babaji of the Himalayas by some others. He is looked at as Maitree Buddha by some Buddhists. In him the
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divine touch of Lord Krishna is experienced by an order of Hindus. He is generally recognized by many in re-cent years as the head of the Himalayan Hierarchy, which constitutes the Inner Government of the World.

The name of the World Teacher is indicative of his divine qualities. Maitri means friendship, friendliness, benevolence and goodwill. Benevolence personified is Maitreya. Friendliness is again indicative of equality, of similarity, of complete understanding and of complete co-operation. The strength of the World Teacher is in his benevolence and his kindheartedness. In him the pairs of opposite function as complementaries. In him the conflict of duality dissolves to give raise to harmony.
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The World Teacher, Lord Maitreya, is the embodiment of many virtues and his virtues are sung among groups who invoke his presence for the worlds welfare. The return of his presence into the masses is experienced by many who are dedicated to goodwill in social actions. His presence is experienced by some as the return of the Lord as Kalki, by some others as the return of Christ and yet by others as the synthesis in their thoughts and deeds. The World Teacher Trust is a group of servers who function with the main idea of goodwill in the field of healing and teaching. Its groups are spread all over the planet today. They sing the Song of Lord Maitreya every dawn and dusk to permeate the tranquillity of the Divine
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Presence linking up to the World Teacher. This song is sung among the planetary groups of goodwill. Interested persons and groups may sing the song during the twilight hours daily.

THE SONG OF LORD MAITREYA

I Jagad Guru Namasthubhyam Himalaya Nivasine Namaste Divya Dehaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha Namo Jnana Svarupaya Mayamoha Vidarine Nirmalaya Prasanthaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha Namo Bodhisattvaya Nama Punya Murtaye 123

II

III

Purnananda Svarupaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha IV Siddhi Buddhi Prayuktaya Siddhi Buddhi Pradayine Bhavabhiti Vinasaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha Namaste Karma Nistaya Yoginam Pataye Namaha Brahma Jnana Svarupaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha Namaste Guru Devaya Namaste Dharma Setave Narayana Niyuktaya Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha Namaste Karuna Sindho Prema Piyusha Varshine Jagad Bandho Namasthubhyam Maitreya Ya Namo Namaha 124

VI

VII

I Salutations to the World Teacher, The Dweller of the Himalayas. Salutations to him who has the etheric body of effulgence. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you ! II Salutations to you, the embodiment of knowledge, The dispeller of ignorance and illusion. You are the pure and the tranquil one. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you! 125

III Salutations to you, the one of poised wisdom, Salutations to you, the embodiment of goodwill in action. You are the embodiment of complete bliss. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you! IV Fulfilment and wisdom are the qualities associated with you. You are the bestower of fulfilment and wisdom. You are the destroyer of the fear of birth and death. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you! 126

V Salutations to you, the action oriented one, Salutations to you, O Yogi of Yogis. You are the embodiment of the Word, the Truth. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you! VI Salutations to you, O Deva of the Initiates, Salutations to you, O Bridge to the Dharma, the Law. You are the one appointed by Krishna, the Lord of the Cosmic Synthesis. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you! 127

VII Salutations to you, Ocean of Compassion, Who always shower the Nectar of Love. You are the one related to the World. O Lord Maitreya, salutations to you!

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THE QUALITIES OF LORD MAITREYA

The song speaks of the following qualities of the Lord: 1. 2. 3. Jagad Guru The World Teacher Himalaya Nivasine The Dweller of the Himalayas Divya Dehaya The one with divine body - the Vajra Sarira or etheric body of effulgence Jnana Svarupaya The embodiment of knowledge Mayamoha Vidarine The dispeller of ignorance and illusion 129

4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9.

Nirmalaya The pure one Prasanthaya The tranquil one Bodhisattvaya The one of poised wisdom Punya Murtaye The embodiment of goodwill in action

10. Purnananda Svarupaya The embodiment of complete bliss 11. Siddhi Buddhi Prayuktaya The qualities of fulfilment and wisdom are associated with him 12. Siddhi Buddhi Pradayine The bestower of fulfilment and wisdom 130

13. Bhavabhiti Vinasaya The destroyer of the fear of birth and death 14. Karma Nistaya The action oriented one 15. Yoginam Pataye Namaha The Yogi of Yogis, who are skilful in action and who carry equanimity and Love 16. Brahma Jnana Svarupaya The embodiment of the WORD, the Truth. The Word in flesh and blood in its eternity 17. Guru Devaya The Deva of the Gurus (Initiates) The Teacher of the Teachers 18. Dharma Setave The bridge to the Law from the state of lawlessness 131

19. Narayana Niyuktaya Appointed by KRISHNA, the Lord of the Cosmic Synthesis, to institute the Law through teaching in the Kali Age 20. Karuna Sindho The Ocean of Compassion 21. Prema Piyusha Varshine The one that showers the Nectar of Love 22. Jagad Bandbo The one related to the World

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GOOD FRIDAY

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THE SUBJECTIVE LIGHT

Good Friday is the most important day for the ritualists who practise the inner ritual in the secret and sacred temples. Friday is very important because it is the day that opens the doors to us to the subtle kingdom, which is the kingdom of Light with its rainbow colours. The pure white ray manifests as the seven rainbow colours. The gross physical is like the brown Star from where we have to ascend into the higher states of light, which are represented by the subtle light. Friday stands for the subtle light and hence all (rituals) temples are conducted on Friday evening, so that through the ritualistic work, in the night, during darkness, the light can be experienced.
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Darkness is the subjective light, while

the daylight is the objective light. Full moon is light objective, while new moon is light subjective. Darkness stands for subjective light and for that reason, Friday is important. THE PATH OF SELF SURRENDER

Good Friday is the best of the Fridays of the year. Good Friday is an annual event and has also come to be the Friday on which the Grand Master Jesus passed over into the realms of Light and came back again to establish the Path with the Light that he received through such ascension. On that Good Friday there is the ascension and the resurrection. The
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grand Master walked the Path of pain on that Friday at 7 p.m. l.S.T. (3.30 p.m. in Jerusalem). He walked the Path till about two and a half hours. Later he was crucified on the cross in the twilight hours, -an event which is unparalleled in this era. There is no equal to it.

The Path that he followed is the Path of Grace or Anugraha in Sanskrit Such Anugraha is possible only if one has surrendered the self, which is so very easily spoken by the Hindus as Atma Samarpana, Self Surrender. S urrender the things relating to personality is one thing, surrender of the personality is another tiling; surrender of the self is The Thing.
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Hence, surrender means sacrifice. In the Veda it is called the all sacrifice Sarva Utah. All is sacrificed, including our self, at the feet of the Lord. This is also called Holocaust in Greek and Jewish rituals. The Purusha Suktam of Rig Veda speaks elaborately of the Yajha of Sarva Utah, which is seldom demonstrated to that extent as Jesus, the Christ. It is the most difficult of the paths to follow, i.e., the Path of Self Surrender, which is also called the Path of Anugraha, the Path of Grace. Jesus Christ is the only example, during the last 2000 years of such a sacrifice, and there is no equal to it till date. He volunteered for such crucifixion and it happened to be on this Friday, which was considered as Good Friday even before.
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Good Friday existed even before this

event. It is the Friday in which the annual ritual of Pass-over is conducted in the secret temples. It is in conformity with the Vedic Astrology. Pass-over is known to the present humanity as relating only to the event of crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, but it is as old as the Veda.

THE MOTHER OF GRACE

When Jesus Christ was crucified, the Roman soldiers ensured that he died on the cross and left. Then came the mother with a lamp in her hand.
Mary represents the Virgin or the Mother of the World. She comes in the midnight hour with a lamp in one hand and with an ear of corn in the other hand. 138

Mother

Carrying an ear of corn is also very common with the Hindu deities like Mother Meenakshi or Lalitha or any of that order. She comes with an ear of corn in her left hand and with a lamp of light in her right hand. She comes to her son and looks at him. She is the Mother in Darkness, i.e., the Subjective Light relating to Jesus Christ. Mary always stood by Jesus in the background and helped him to con-duct the work. The ear of corn represents the spiritual food, while the light represents the dispeller of darkness. The two put together incorporate the Grace of the Lord, the World Mother. Thus, the Grace of the Lord worked out through the Mother and transmitted the White Ray to Jesus Christ. As a consequence, Jesus Christ again got
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rejuvenated, resurrected, in the seven tissues of his body and life reentered through the spiritual food. White Ray carries in it the rainbow colours of the Seven Rays. The seven tissues of the body of Jesus were brought back to (life) light. Such is the power of the Mother.

T he

Blessed are the ones who follow the

Path of the Mother, who stands as the grace of the Lord.

I n the process of crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended into the cosmic plane relating to our planet and experienced the sublimest of the experience that one can think of on this Planet, and then came back to establish the Path.
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THE YEARLY DRAMA OF THE RITUAL OF PASS-OVER

C rucifixion, ascension and resurrection is a ritual of the highest order. This ritual was known to the Vedic temple heads, the high priests of the pyramids and to the grand Masters of the esoteric temples. It was known to many but practised by none.
Saviours are born through such rituals, and this ritual is possible only on a Good Friday.

World

T he day of Pass-over is commemorated with the event of Jesus Christ ascending into the higher world, but the truth is, even before Jesus Christ was crucified, ascended and experienced
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the Truth Sublime, there is the yearly drama of Pass-over, which is conducted in the Vedic rituals from times immemorial. We should remember this.

The ritual of Pass-over existed even before Jesus Christ. It was there in Judaism, in the Assyrian and Chaldean systems. It existed in the temples of Ibez of South America. It was, and is there in the Indian Vedic system, and mostly forgotten by the exoteric religions and traditions. But in the esoteric religions and traditions, (in esoteric temples) it is still considered to be the day of the greatest illumination.

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THE THIRD DECANATE IN ARIES

Good Friday is the greatest day of illumination for the simple reason that in the zodiac of 12 sun signs (one year of 12 month), Aries stands for the highest point of illumination. Aries marks the highest point of illumination for the planet and the planetary beings. It is for this reason, in astrology, the sun is said to be exalted in Aries.
third decanate of Aries is the sublimest of the Aries energies, because it stands for spiritual energies. In any solar month, the third decanate is considered spiritual. It is for this reason that even in the mundane astrology, planets who happen to be in the third decanate are 143

The

considered to be much more effective, much more beneficial. Thus the third decanate in Aries, is the sublimest solar period of the year.

Pass-over into the higher realms, into higher planes of this planetary sphere, which is in seven planes, is possible during that time. The planet also has its cosmic plane. Thus, initiates can ascend up to the cosmic plane of Existence of the planet by rightly utilising the energies of the third decanate of Aries, which stands for the highest period of illumination, and a Friday in that decanate is the highest point of illumination, full of sublimest subtle experiences! It happens once in a year, once on that Friday. Hence it is Good Friday, it is the day of Pass-over, passover to higher planes of Existence.
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are conducted all over the planet, ever since the Vedic times, to experience the highest possible consciousness which is presented to us through the month of Aries. The drama relating to the pass-over is conducted in the temples on this Friday ever since.

Rituals

The month of Aries is a month of greatest importance in all old theologies. Exoterically, they were conducting certain rituals of purity and worship, but esoterically in the secret temples, this Friday is considered to be the day on which the ritualists should workout the pass-over into the highest plane of Existence to experience the cosmic plane, then come back in the month of Taurus and Further come down in the month of Gemini to express, through the Throat
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Centre, the Plan for the rest of the nine months.

This is how a ritualist is expected to tune up to the energies of the solar year and conduct the Plan relating to the Earth in tune with the higher intelligences. Such is the work of Pass-over.
remember Jesus Christ today, because he is the dearest and the nearest one. He is the most recent one that has very successfully completed the ritual of Pass-over and hence he shall have to be remembered. The Mother, the Mother of Grace, has to be remembered as well, because only through her grace the seven planes can be ascended. Also remember that Light is to be experienced only to come back and serve the fellow beings.

We

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Such is the beauty of the Good Friday.

The dimensions relating to it are too many, they can only be hinted at, at the moment.

Remember Aries, the third decanate, Friday, the Mother of Grace, being the outposts of the Lord on this Sacred day.

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MARIA MAGDALENA

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INTRODUCTION

Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. Woman, why are you crying? they asked her. She answered, They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him! Then she turned round and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. Woman, why are you crying? Jesus asked her. Who is it that you are looking for? She thought he was the gardener, so
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she said to him, If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.

Jesus said to her, Maria! She turned towards him and said in
Hebrew, Rabboni! (that is to say, My Teacher!) (John 20,11-16).

There are many Initiates in India who have demonstrated love with-out desire. In the Occident we have Jesus Christ who demonstrated it in his life. If we love we cannot desire; that is pure love. We love a person, be-cause we desire certain things from the other person. We love a place, because we wish to derive something from that place. We love a thing, because we want to derive something from it. We are looking for
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fulfilment of our desires in the name of love.

To an Initiate there is no such thing as loving places, persons and things. To him, love does not require a venue. But to an ordinary man love requires a venue. To an Initiate there is no such thing as showing love. Showing love is nothing than showing desire or fulfilling others desires. The love of Jesus was complete, in that he never desired anything from any of his disciples. He was only loving them because they were attracted to his way of life, which is the wisdom of the Initiates. The relationship of Jesus with Maria Magdalena was on a soul to soul basis. There can be no other relationship to an Initiate of that order.
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When Jesus stepped on the banks of the river Jordan, after 18 years of preparation, he was a complete man. In him there was the full presence of the feminine aspect. He was androgynous. He did not need the presence of any female around him. None of his disciples played a supportive role. He was self-sup-porting. The disciples did not have the status to help Jesus. He had come to help them; how could they help him? If one is in a state of receiving help from his disciples, he is no Master. A Master is selfdependant and self-reliant, self-confident and self-governing. He had come to give a demonstration of wisdom to a few as to how a complete man should be. His complete-ness had attracted a few and he gave it out to them. The wisdom he carried was the way of life.
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Among the disciples who received the way of life from him, Maria Magdalena was one of the most prominent disciples. She had a good transformation in a short cycle of time, because in her there was alignment. Her actions and thoughts were aligned. She carried complete conviction in what she did. Such people can easily tune up to any concept when focused, because basically they carry alignment with them. They dont have deceitfulness in them. There are people who do not attribute to themselves some-thing which they are not; they are truthful to themselves. It is that truth which helped her to transform very quickly. We all know Maria Magdalena as a prostitute. For all objective pur-poses she was so, but we have no idea of what
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alchemy she went through, to be one of the grand disciples of Jesus Christ. She was the first who was able to see the etheric body of the Master coming out of the sepulchre. Unless so much change has happened to her within, she would not have been able to see the etheric presence of the Master. How much work has been done to turn out an ordinary woman into a disciple!, - a fallen woman, according to the society.

Everywhere we find transformation happening from within. The detail of the transformation happening from within is not put out, only the fruits of the labour are given out. The difficulties that are gone through are silently endured. We do not see how a seed transforms into a root and sprouts, we do not see how the flowering happens, we also do not see how the
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flower transforms into a fruit and how the fruit ripens. We only know the taste of the fruit when it is offered to us.

Maria Magdalena was so much in her personality life. She was acclaimed as one of the most beautiful women of her time and she was admired by all. She was admired by the political leaders as well as by the government officials. They were all loving her and she also believed that they were loving her, until she met Jesus. Her personality was very big. She was living in great vanity and great riches; she was wielding much power in the government and in the political circles. All the influential people in town were her admirers. They were feeling that a look by her was a great favour done to them. She used to move in the streets in a
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glorious palanquin. People used to look at her in great admiration as if the queen was moving. She used to enjoy such situations. She used to shower her blessings by looks. People were feeling: Ah, she looked at me. That was the stature she enjoyed.

One day when she was moving in the streets in gait, she saw Jesus walking along with his disciples. Jesus was a very handsome man. He was in the vigour of his youth in his 30th year. The one great damage that people has done to him, is to picturize him as a sad looking man, as if he never smiled. Jesus was a smiling beauty of his time, spreading radiance from every part of his body. His forehead distinctly carried a golden hue in the shape of a bud, in between the eyebrows. Such a person was walking on the other
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side of the street when Maria Magdalena was moving in her palanquin. All people looked at her with admiration. Jesus did not. But she looked at him; she felt hurt and thought: Why this man did not look at me?. She was acustomed to people looking at her with admiration. She now encounters a situation where a man did not care for her. Naturally she was hurt and she made note of him. That is how Jesus made his first impression. The same situation repeated for a second time and Maria Magdalena gained a still deeper impression. She asked her maiden if she knew who was the handsome man who did not look at her. The maiden made inquiries and reported that Jesus was a kind of a mystical person who teaches the gospel and seemed not to care for anything else. Maria Magdalena was 157

recollecting Jesus all the time and was asking herself if he did not love her or, at least, like her.

O ne day Maria Magdalena was standing on the balcony of her house, looking around in the evening light. Suddenly she found Jesus seated under the cypress tree across the garden, near the gate. She felt encouraged and started thinking if he would be coming in or if she should go out. She would have liked him to come in, but he just sat at the gate. Maria Magdalena was in conflict thinking: has he come for me, or is he just taking rest on his way?. These thoughts were moving inside her. She became restless. The man about whom she was thinking all the time was at her gate, but she was not sure if he would come in or not. Her vanity did not allow her to go out and
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invite him in. She spoke to her maiden and the maiden replayed: Why dont you go to him and invite him? Instead of suffering inside about him, better go and meet him there. Maria Magdalena thought for a while and then walked out. As she walked towards Jesus, Jesus walked towards her and said: Maria, I love you. She felt happy and comforted. But Jesus did not stop at it, he further said: Maria, I love you; others do not. Then she was in confusion and asked him for an explanation. The Master again said: You have many lovers, and yet I alone love you. Other men love themselves in your nearness. I love you in your self. Other men see a beauty in you that shall fade away sooner than their own years. But I see in you a beauty that shall not fade away. I alone love the 159

unseen in you. All men love you for themselves; I love you for yourself. They want your body and you think that they are loving you. If you deny them your body, they will hate you and turn against you.

Maria Magdalena could not believe it at first. She thought that they were all her real admirers in all planes. Then she thought to put it to a test. She started not being available any more for anybody. She stopped admitting people into her house. A big government officer came to the house and his entrance was denied; he felt offended. A military officer came; he was also not admitted; he felt offended as well. Thus, the government officer felt offended, the military officer felt offended, the politician felt of-fended, the police officer felt offended, the tax officer felt
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offended, the businessman felt offended! All the offended men called for a meeting, and because of the insult they had suffered, they declared her to be a prostitute. Before that, she was not considered so, because all their wishes were fulfilled. She was treated as a very important person. But now that she denied her body and emotion to them, they have declared her to be a prostitute! For that purpose they invited a priest and told him to apply the Law of Moses upon her, which meant to stone her to death in public. The judgment was passed!

From a grand personality life, Maria Magdalena was reduced to be a prostitute on the streets. She could no more live in the big house; she had to move out to the streets, and the same people who used to
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look at her with admiration, started to throw stones at her.

The day came where she was to be stoned to death. While they wanted to start stoning her, Jesus came and offered his body as a protection to her and said unto them: If you are all righteous men, how did she become a prostitute? How can a woman become a prostitute unless men misbehave? The one who did not misbehaved with her is only eligible to stone her. The power of the statement of the Master stunned the people who wanted to stone her and they left. Once again Jesus told her: Maria, I love you; others do not. Then, she understood - here is a man who offered his life to protect her, while he does not need her body. There are the others, who wanted to use the law to their advantage
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and put her to death when she refused to offer her body! The naked truth struck her like a thunderbolt.

T ransformation triggered in her personality thereafter. What is Love was very clearly perceived by Maria Magdalena in that terrible crisis. In that crisis she found the only source, the Master. The strength of the truth that we hold is put to test only in crisis. A crisis is the turning point for everyone to walk towards the light. Crisis are common in the lives of the disciples. It is through that crisis that Maria Magdalena has become a disciple. The communication between her and Jesus was one of soul and no more on the mental plane. He did not require to communicate much to her through
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mind or voice. Such was the depth of Maria Magdalena. She could realize the beauty of the Master and the universality that was functioning through him.

Her orientation to the Master was so complete that it enabled silent transmission of the soul quality from the Master to herself. It was a joyful process of magnetization that she went through. The disciple is thus preparered. She was allowed to be around Jesus all the time, even to the extent that the codisciples felt jealous about her. The other disciples did not carry so much conviction as she carried about the Master. John, the youngest one of the 12 apostles, on whose shoulders Jesus was frequently leaning his head, was the deepest among them. He could see the esoteric side of Jesus. To
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him, the entire esoteric doctrine was revealed in the presence of Jesus. There were others who doubted him. Among the ones who doubted was none other than his own younger brother Thomas. In times of difficulties Peter disowned the Master. When he was about to be in trouble, Peter felt better to disown him than own him. There was such a variety among his disciples.

The one who really showed complete understanding was Maria Magdalena. She was the one who went first towards the sepulchre. What did the apostle do? Why didnt they go to the sepulchre? Only three ladies went! We can see the kind of belonging they had. The three ladies went to the sepulchre, but they did not find the body of the Master. They were dumbstruck and awe-struck. To them the
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situation was such that they could not live with the fact that the body of their Master was missing. It was a fact which they could not bear. That was the belonging they had towards the Master. The Master had to make haste to utter: Maria!, and Maria Magdalena turned towards him and said in Hebrew, Rabboni! (My Teacher!). Do not hold on to me, Jesus told her, because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God. So, Maria Magdalena went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what he had told her. (John 20, 16-18).

Some got excited with the news and some were putting it to reasoning: Is it possible? Are these ladies emotional?.
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The intellectuals try to sweep away the visions of the real ones as emotional. There were others who doubted. Jesus Christ had to come, give his presence to them and tell them: I dont die.

The concept of resurrection is very clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus, and it was so as he walked up to the banks of the river Jordan. There was nothing that he needed to learn during the last three years. He had a mission (a plan) and he fulfilled it. He always remained a big challenge to humanity and he is frequently confronting the human intellect with his demonstration of life after death. The teachings that Jesus gave were complete and very simple, but only a few could really pick them up in their
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complete sense. Maria Magdalena was one of them. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was already an Initiate. There was nothing that she needed to learn from her son. She knew the whole scheme of things. She was the one who was giving a kind of presence to protect those who were working with Jesus. She also had no role to protect Jesus, but she had the role to protect the followers of Jesus. That is the reason why the followers of Christianity seek protection through Mary. If the followers of Christianity want to get protection, they pray to Mary, the Mother. If the followers of Christianity want to get resurrected, they should follow Jesus.

The relationship between Jesus and Maria Magdalena was one of complete understanding between a Master and a disciple. It was a complete alignment
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between a Master and a disciple, where the disciple is fully anointed with the presence of the Universal Master. Her story gives us the message of the appropriateness of crisis in life. Every crisis makes the person deeper in his being. Spiritual realization cannot happen in fair weather. That does not mean that we have to invite unfair weather. Only through crisis we can be driven deeper towards truth.

When we look at the life of the Initiates, like Arjuna or Yudhistira, we find that they were in deep crisis. Only in periods of crisis they gained the spirit. Among the disciples of Jesus we only know that Maria Magdalena had such a deep crisis in life. That must have afforded a great opportunity for her to transform. At the point of death initiation can
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happen. Arjuna was at not mean that we have to invite unfair weather. Only through crisis we can be driven deeper towards truth.

When we look at the life of the Initiates, like Arjuna or Yudhistira, we find that they were in deep crisis. Only in periods of crisis they gained the spirit. Among the disciples of Jesus we only know that Maria Magdalena had such a deep crisis in life. That must have afforded a great opportunity for her to transform. At the point of death initiation can happen. Arjuna was at that point and Maria Magdalena was at that point. Initiation can very easily happen in such crisis. That is another dimension which I visualize in the life of Maria Magdalena.
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T hat is how the transformation happens through the death of personality. This is what happens when we are truly walking in the path of light. The death of personality for the birth of consciousness.

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