To celebrate the registration of Shri Nimishananda Ashram in Malaysia as ‘Divine Society of Shri Nimishananda’ many public events and Maha Satsangs have been organised by the Malaysian devotees from 4th October to 16th October 2009. Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji has come to bless one and all with His all encompassing grace, nectar of wisdom and unconditional love. Twenty eight devotees from the Bangalore Ashram have also accompanied Pujya Guruji to Malaysia on this yatra. Satsangs have been arranged in various prominent and important temples and organisations in Malaysia and have attracted hundreds of devotees so far. The salient points of these Divine discourses will be featured on this page everyday during the Malaysian Yatra.
Satsang at Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Kg. Kasipillay, Kuala Lumpur, 4th October, 2009
Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji was welcomed by the trustees, priests and devotees of the temple with the Purna Kumbha Swagatha which is traditionally offered to Sadgurus and Mahatmas. After offering reverential saluations to all the deities and being ceremonially escorted around the temple, Pujya Guruji gave a discourse accompanied by bhajans from Shri Nimishananda Asharm bhajan troupe. Expounding on the inner significance of the Dashavataras or ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji said – “In this beautiful sanctum sanctorum of Shri Lakshmi Narayan, let Me pray for the peace, prosperity and well being of all of you who have gathered here and let us pray together for the happiness of all beings.”
“Today we have all assembled to understand our relationship with God. What is it that God has given us and what is that God wants from us? Whenever we pray to God either at home or in the temple, we visualise that He is somewhere outside us. But, in fact God is in our own hearts. The Chaitanya or Energy of Lord Vishnu is encapsulated in each one of us as our Soul. Our ultimate aim in life is to understand God by experiencing His Presence constantly in ourselves.”
“Before we attain this state of enlightenment or self realisation, all of us undergo a long process of evolution. This is depicted in the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma in various ways. The Dashavataras or ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu also symbolise how the normal human mind evolves to become a divine mind when we reconnect ourselves to Divinity. Let us look at the significance of a few of these avatars.
Kurmavatar, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise symbolises the stability of mind which is required to worship God. When we activate the energy of our soul through spiritual sadhana, the mind detaches itself from sensory stimuli and turns inward like a tortoise that draws in its limbs in the face of danger. When the mind has attained total stability in this way, it becomes like a fish (Matsyavatar) which can swim easily and effortlessly in the bhavasagar or ocean of worldly existence. Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as a divine boar or Varaha shows us that if we want to understand God, we should dig deep into our hearts and dwell there. Bhajans, Kirtans, Satsang and meditation propel us on this inward journey to truth.”
“When we foster a constant association or satsang with Divinity in this way, God will come to protect us from all the dangers, temptations and cravings of our worldly existence just as Lord Narasimha came to protect His devotee Prahalad. Prahalad could invoke Lord Vishnu in this form because of his intense love, faith and devotion. Intense devotion annihilates the ego and realigns us with Divinity. When we link ourselves with Divinity, the grace of Rama re-establishes Dharma within us. It was Rama who first upheld Dharma in the Threta Yuga and made it an intrinsic part of human life. With Lord Rama’s grace our life becomes very dharmic or principled and we are able to establish Dharma in the lives of others as well. A dharmic life is fragrant like the Tulsi or Holy Basil and Chandan or Sandalwood which are most beloved to Lord Krishna who is the embodiment of unconditional love. When our hearts overflow with the sweetness of love for God, we begin to resonate with Lord Krishna and become like a flute in His hands. His Divine melodies flow through us to the whole world. In this way, when we become dharmic and vibrant with unconditional love, we allow God to mould us according to His Divine Will and become one with Him. This is the state of supreme enlightenment which is the goal of our lives. This state of ultimate human perfection or enlightment is symbolised by Buddha, the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. When we are enlightened, we become channels to transform humanity and take them to a state of reunion with Divinity. Thus, as we evolve spiritually, all the nine avatars of Lord Vishnu incarnate within us one by one, as we await the tenth avatar of Kalki.”
“So today, let us begin this process by surrendering at the Lotus Feet of Lord Vishnu with the prayer – “Fill us with Your love and give us the attitude of gratitude and humble servitude. Sculpt us with Your Divine Will and make us channels of Your compassion and wisdom in this world.”
JAI MATHA, OM TAT SAT