(Dakshinamurti)

The entire universe is permeated by Lord Dakshinamurti. The world is the reflection, reaction and resound of Dakshinamurti. Dakshinamurti is young in age. Then, now and forever, He is youthful. However, His disciples are hoary with age. They are venerable and steeped in sacred learning. They used to spread His message in ever so many ways. It is impossible to describe the true nature of Lord Dakshinamurti.

The stories of the Lord are amazing.

They purify the lives of the people in all the three worlds,

They are like the sickle that cuts the creepers of worldly bondage,

They are like a good friend who helps you in times of need,

They are like a shelter for the sages and seers doing penance in the forest. (Telugu poem)

How can anyone describe the glory of Dakshinamurti? His nature defies all descriptions. He is silence personified. His silence itself teaches all wisdom to the seekers. From that silence emanate Sujnana (discriminatory knowledge), Vijnana (higher wisdom) and Prajnana (constant integrated awareness). He is resplendent with divine wisdom. He always has a sweet smile dancing on His face. It is not possible to describe the nature of Dakshinamurti. He is Nirgunam, Niranjanam, Sanathana, Niketanam, Nitya, suddha, Buddha, Mukta, Nirmala swarupinam (God is attributeless, pure, final abode, eternal, unsullied, enlightened, free and embodiment of sacredness)

Any amount of description and dilation cannot fully explain His true nature. His form is effulgent and blissful. How can anyone describe such an embodiment of Love! He is the embodiment of Truth!

The creation emerges from truth and merges into truth,

Is there a place in the cosmos where truth does not exist?

Visualise this pure and unsullied truth. (Telugu poem)

There is no place in this world which is not permeated by Truth. Truth is changeless. Any object in this world may undergo a change, but Truth will not!

The famous musician, late M.S. Subbulakshmi used to invoke the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurti, before she commenced her musical concert. No one can achieve even a small task without invoking the blessings of Lord Dakshinamurti. It is only by His divine will, everything is possible. All divine forms have emerged from Dakshinamurti. He is a youth. Yet, all divine powers are immanent in Him. Where can you find such an omnipresent, ever young Dakshinamurti?

 Sarvatah Pani-padam Tat Sarvato ksi-siro-mukham,

Sarvatah Srutimal loke Sarvam avrtya tishthati

(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13 verse 14)

(with hands, feet, eyes, head, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe).

Lord Dakshinamurti is present in our eyes that see, the ears that hear and the nose that breathes air. All the words that we speak belong to Him. In fact, He is the prime mover of all our activities during the waking, dream and deep sleep states. Hence, we must lead our lives with constant awareness about the nature of Lord Dakshinamurti.

Divinity is all-pervading. There is no place in this universe which is not permeated by God. There is no object in this world, which is not divine. Every object, every individual, nay, even the insects and bacteria are embodiments of Lord Dakshinamurti. It is the one Divine principle that manifests itself in different forms’.

Jewels are many, but gold is one.

Cows are many, but milk is one.

Beings are many, but breath is one.

Forms are many, but God is one. (Telugu poem)

Everyone has to recognise this truth. You may sing the glory of God by any number of names like Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Narayana, etc. These are all names ascribed to God, by man. God, however, has no particular name or form. All names and forms are His. The Dakshinamurti principle permeates all beings. He is Chaitanya Swarupa (embodiment of consciousness). Wherever consciousness is, there is Dakshinamurti. The Dakshinamurti consciousness is present in all human beings. But, man is unable to realise this divine consciousness due to attachment to the physical body. The effect of the body-mind-intellect-citta-ahamkara complex covers the Dakshinamurti principle. Added to this there are the arishadvargas (the six enemies of desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride and jealousy), which come in the way of realisation of the divine principle. These are like the dark clouds that cover the resplendent sun. We think the sun is not visible. But, once the dark clouds clear after some time, the sun appears with all the effulgence. Similarly, when you are able to remove the’ clouds’ of Ajnana, Ahamkara and the Arishadvargas, you will be able to realise Dakshinamurti as the Self-effulgent divine consciousness present in you.

Every human being should strive to divest the Arishadvargas. If you chant the divine name and constantly contemplate on Divinity, it is possible that one can be rid of these dark clouds of the Arishadvargas. In fact, the Arishadvargas are not the inborn qualities of a human being. They are acquired only during the course of one’s life. They are self­-acquired. They come one by one and settle as thick clouds on the psyche of a human being. For example, a single bangle worn in the hand does not make noise. When the second bangle is added, they start making noise. A human being starts his life as a single individual.

Gradually, he develops illusive needs like family, etc. That is Kama (desire). Due to this desire, he marries and gets a wife. Thus, they become two. In course of time, the two multiply themselves into many, that is, children, grandchildren, etc. Thus, the size of the family goes on growing. All this human bondage is of one’s own making; it is not God’s gift. Hence, one should make efforts not to entangle oneself in this bondage right from an early stage of one’s life. This is the message taught by Lord Dakshinamurti by His own example. Since, He did not entangle Himself in bondage from the beginning, He always looked young and fresh.  ( DD on 11.08.2006, 11.08.2006, pp. 2-5)

(See – Lesson, Mantra, Padukas)