Sadguru Darga Swamy - Jignasa
Traditionally when a devotee contemplates on his desired / beloved, it will be on one or all of the following.
- Name / Nama
- Appearance / Rupa
- Quality / Guna
- Nature / Tatva
- Mantra
- Yantra
- Tantra etc
The idea is that the mind contemplating on the desired attains a one pointed focus and eventually become the desired. The Brahamara-Keetaka Nyaya.
On Multiple Occasions i had the opportunity to listen Swami explain the Brahamara-Keetaka Nyaya.
As the mind progresses on the path of concentrating on the "Ista" the desired object, the 8 Satvika bhava will start manifesting in the meditator.
Many times i tried to sit quietly and contemplate on Swami to see what comes on top of my mind...
- I experienced the mesmerizing(Sammohana) quality of swami on multiple occasions.
- Swami instructs very little by word of mouth. The devotee needs to learn by observation. It took many years (Perhaps more then 8 years) for me to understand this lesson.
- I don't recollect Swami instructing anything to me directly asking to do so and so..etc. He handled me very openly, never constraining or restraining or redirecting or correcting.
- Externally Swami may seem very harsh(Speak & Behave), but his heart is like butter. It will take some time to realize this as one spends some time closely with keen observation.
- He never liked publicity, Pomp & Show. Indeed it is a rare fortune to get the presence of such a Master who instructs/develops his devotees on a one-one relationship.
- He never liked any hierarchy or organization structure. It is always a 1:1 relation, direct from Swami to Devotee. Anyone/Anything getting in between was never tolerated.
- He never accepted any personal favors, either monetary or in the form of goods or gadgets.
- From my experience i felt that he never liked or entertained questions being asked. Should there arise any confusion or question or restlessness in my mind, i prayed to him and tried to meditate on it. The questions and turbulences used to subside by themselves.
- Yes, on one occasion i remember swami mentioning that one should at least spend some time in the morning and evening contemplating, praying. Perhaps he was not particular on what one needs to be doing during this time. One may follow his taste and Swami as his inner self will guide as one progress.
- The minimum one can do is to offer at least two incense sticks to the lord that being his children we have made an attempt to remember him.
Sri Sadguru Darga Swami - Few Thoughts
- Swami is a socialist by heart. He doesn't believe in any hierarchy and handles each and every devotee on a 1:1 relationship.
- He is very humble and doesn't like publicity which he has avoided all his life. It his highly difficult in the current times to get exposed to such a master. His ashram will be like a Rishi Ashram ages back with out any large crowds etc.
- Swami is a keen observer and is very subtle by nature. In his presence if anyone flips in conversation or action, that person will get a handful scolding. One will have to be very alert and be in the moment. Most of the times, Most of the people are either in the past or in the future loosing the current moment. It will be like a walk on a razor sharp sword in his presence.
- Occasionally when Swami finds anyone falling short (Speech/Action/Thought) he will scold and shout at them badly. Usually this would be for a very short while and last for less then a minute. But for the person on the receiving end feels it very hard (Unless he's used to it or understand Swami). Swami would never nag the person on the event. It is like it happened in that moment and ended in that moment.
- This will not be without a reason, if we carefully reflect and try to understand on the sequence of events we will definitely have a lesson to learn there. However, if we fail to find any specific apparent reason, then it will be beyond the scope of a physical realm.
- The principle is that if one hurts another by Speech, Action or Thought the person sins and draws the negative karma of the individual on the receiving end. It is for this reason, all the faiths and masters taught not to hurt fellow being (Human or Animal). So when Swami shouts or Scolds anyone he draws out their negative karma on himself and heals the person. It is a way of blessing.
- Swami is a highly skilled disguiser. It is highly difficult to understand him or his spiritual depth. To a layman he looks like a normal village old man. Every person who visits him will not leave without being healed at some level. However, Neither Swami shows any signs of this or the person apparently experiences this in the initial encounters. Unless one has spent 2-3 years in his presence or observed him, one will not be able to understand.
- The way the transformation happens in his presence is inside-out. It starts deep inside. For it to become apparent, in many people's cases, it takes time. This is where "Saburi", PATIENCE, as ordained by Shirdi Sai Baba comes into reflection. One has to be patient and stick to him.
Questions...Questions...Questions !!
In the presence of a true master, do we have questions in/with us and we raise it with the master.
When we go to a SadGuru to ask a question, there arises a point on whether the question is higher than the master or the master is higher than the question.
If i have approached the master with an intent that he is the highest ideal to converge upon, i will not or should not have a question left in my mind.
For, if a master is higher than a question, i will not ask a question (Immaterial of what the subject of the question is of). I will remain calm and silent in his presence.
Naturally we cannot remain so in his presence when we have something perturbing us in the mind.
This will be a true reflection on both the master and disciple. It might not happen in the first visit itself, however over a period of time when we have visited the master ...
Have all the questions subsided in me?
Do i visit my master only for the fact that i love him and long to be with him ?
Does his presence evoke contentment and peace in my heart and life ?
Although, the master is infinitely capable to enable this in anyone who he wishes so, for the above qualities to manifest in ones experience, it is the combination of us in his presence that take us to the culmination of the above experiences.
As the seeker progresses on the path, the questions arising in him will subside. The seeker experiences enormous contentment and peace in his heart even in the wake of the worst or adverse experiences he might be undergoing. This will be the quintessential measure of a true master.
Perhaps it is after this contentment and peace, the happyness or true ananda / bliss blossoms in the seekers heart.
Miracles ! Miracles ! Miracles !
Miracles ! Miracles ! Miracles !
An interesting Question to reflect on, What is the measure of a truly enlightened master?
When we read the biographies of any saints or an enlightened masters, typically the authors make an effort to capture the experiences of the devotees where the master has performed an act beyond/bending the laws of nature.
Very Natural to collect experiences where the devotee or seeker experiencing a difficulty in life, like ill-health, relationship issues, financial problems etc. The master would have done or said something and the devotee is alleviated out of the difficulty over a period of time.
In my personal opinion, considering the infinite capability, capacity and compassion of the master these kind of incidents are very small and trivial.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa had a disciple named Adbhutanada. Adbhutananda is a very peculiar and out of the box name for any monastic individual. What so Adbhuta or Miraculous about this disciple ?
This person has attained the highest possible dimension available to man in the presence of his master. That is a true Miracle that any Master can perform.
Jesus addressed the supreme GOD as his Father. For the fact that I am the son of my father, i have the right to inherit his legacy. If my father is a King, i would be the prince. As a prince, i have all the entitlement to ascend the throne what my father has occupied. We only need to have the sincere and earnest urge for that.
To kindle the inner light of the seeker/disciple/devotee is the highest miracle that a master can perform. No doubt the master will always be eager to receive a seeker like that, with a hunger to be kindled. The seeker will have to qualify himself to receive the ultimate blessing of the Master and become a Miracle of the Master.
For me this is the measure of a truly enlightened master that anyone can highlight or enumerate.
Universal Teaching
Every religion or faith has two parts, the ritual part and the universal principles part. It is my belief that all the faiths or masters laid down the ritual part for the seekers to practice and achieve internal purity so that they can imbibe and experience the universal principles.
The ritual parts recommended by various masters over ages have been done so taking the socio-economic conditions prevalent at that time into consideration. Apparently these rituals across geographies, time and beliefs could seem overwhelming and contradictory to people outside that line of faith. This has been a great source of conflict and strife what we witness in history.
If only we can remember that the rituals are only a means and not the end. The end goal is to bring down the universal principles into one's experience by practising the rituals diligently.
So when we approach any truly enlightened master, they would not confuse us with the ritualistic part of our faiths/preachings, but in their company we improve ourselves in comprehending the universal principles of
FORGIVENESS, COMPASSION & LOVE
This is a tell-tale sign of a truly enlightened master.
All the above will entail us to follow a live master who will be able to instruct and guide us on the right path suitable to each one based on his temperament. This would help the seeker in avoiding any and all conflicts of thoughts and feelings arising out of the doubts on what he needs to follow.
The challenge will be on how to assimilate and understand the teachings of the late masters in one's line of faith or tradition to his current socio-economic conditions.
Above are the lessons that i could not have learned without being in the company of Swami by observing and following him.
Swami Handling the Audience
I had the fortune of participating in many of the sessions where people from all walks of life, young & old, scholars & illiterate, rich & poor approach him with their problems in the hope of getting some respite and relief.
Each sitting was a eye opening learning in itself.
Over the years, i have learned to guess the typical response what Swami would give to each specific problem.
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When people with health problems would approach him, he would typically ask them to visit a doctor. Go for a urine and blood examination and consult the doctor with the results. Take the medicines recommended by the doctor.
Rarely the response would differ.
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When people approached him to consult for digging a bore-well in their fields 6-7 years back he used to ask them to dig till 500 Feet, 3-4 Years back till 550 Feet, and now a days till 600-650 Feet.
However, consistently he used to ask many of them to offer milk to a snake bill before digging.
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When the unemployed seeking a job approached him, he would ask them if they have applied to any vacant position? If they have attended any interviews? He would ask them to apply for 3-4 vacancies, attend few interviews and mention that they can expect some success if they do so
Without the above conversation, i rarely saw him say that you would get a very good job etc and you will shine etc. As we see many astrologers do.
The approach and responses of Swami were different from what are given by typical Astrologers.
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When childless couples approached him, the typical response would be to go consult a doctor. The medical practitioners would coach the couple and may recommend some medicines. If they follow these they may succeed.
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Finally it once occurred to me that, is it worthy to take so much effort and pain to come to Darga for seekers and the get responses alike above mentioned. Apparently nothing extra ordinary looks to be coming out of these interactions.
Would leave this post little open ended here... Would like to ponder and introspect.
Each sitting was a eye opening learning in itself.
Over the years, i have learned to guess the typical response what Swami would give to each specific problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When people with health problems would approach him, he would typically ask them to visit a doctor. Go for a urine and blood examination and consult the doctor with the results. Take the medicines recommended by the doctor.
Rarely the response would differ.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When people approached him to consult for digging a bore-well in their fields 6-7 years back he used to ask them to dig till 500 Feet, 3-4 Years back till 550 Feet, and now a days till 600-650 Feet.
However, consistently he used to ask many of them to offer milk to a snake bill before digging.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the unemployed seeking a job approached him, he would ask them if they have applied to any vacant position? If they have attended any interviews? He would ask them to apply for 3-4 vacancies, attend few interviews and mention that they can expect some success if they do so
Without the above conversation, i rarely saw him say that you would get a very good job etc and you will shine etc. As we see many astrologers do.
The approach and responses of Swami were different from what are given by typical Astrologers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When childless couples approached him, the typical response would be to go consult a doctor. The medical practitioners would coach the couple and may recommend some medicines. If they follow these they may succeed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally it once occurred to me that, is it worthy to take so much effort and pain to come to Darga for seekers and the get responses alike above mentioned. Apparently nothing extra ordinary looks to be coming out of these interactions.
Would leave this post little open ended here... Would like to ponder and introspect.
Random Thoughts
When people approached swami for advise and relief from their mundane problems, on appropriate cases, he used to ask two pertinent questions.
1. Who is your household deity?
Note: In India, and particularly South, it is very prevalent that every family has a particular household deity whom the family worships from generations. This is handed down from generations. Ex: Most of the areas in and around Tirupathi will have Balaji as their house-hold deity or people residing around Srisailam have Mallikarjuna as their family deity etc.
2. Who are your Family Gurus?
Just as the above, many Muslim and Hindu families have a Guru (lienage) whom they worship across generations.
Upon receiving the answers, Swami used to instruct them to continue to worship the same deity if they discontinued or if there is any break in their practices. Sometime he used to instruct that they have to make an offering to their family deity to appease them etc.
What is striking to me in this is that he never used to divert anyone from their current practices, faith or belief.
On the contrary, he used to strengthen people in their line of belief and advise them to continue their practices.
Whatever Swami would do to heal them would only compliment to their existing situation to alleviate from their difficulty.
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