Life Force magazineLifeforce, Volume 8, Issue 3 July - September, 1992
Grace and Gratitude

Shri Sant Yogashram, New Delhi, April 13, 1992
Public program, translated from Hindi

Once a king called an astrologer. He asked him, "Well, when will I die?" The astrologer took out his horoscope and started calculating through it. Sometimes he would write one thing on a peace of paper and sometimes another. After doing all that he said, "Maharaji, you will die after 100 years. You have a long life!" The king thought-Oh, he seems to be talking nonsense. So, he asked, "Pandit Ji, where is your horoscope?" The horoscope was brought. Then he asked, "Pandit Ji, when will you be leaving this world?" Then Pandit Ji says, "Well, sire, there are still 40 or 50 years more. After that I will leave." Thereupon the king ordered, "Take out the sword and cut his neck at once, because he does not know. He tells me that I would live for so many years but he himself does not know for how long he would survive."

So I mean, people generally give such blessings 'have a long life!' Why should they have a long life? If they are getting joy in their lives then of course, it's okay to live a long life. Do you understand? If there is a prisoner confined in a jail and you give him this blessing, "May you remain in this jail throughout your life!" Is it good for him? Who can give him such a blessing? If somebody goes and gives him that sort of blessing that he may remain in his cell throughout his life, that prisoner probably spit at him and try to kick him. But just think for a moment, are we not prisoners? Those who have not got this Knowledge, what kind of freedom do they enjoy? Who is the freest of us all? Who is the freest in this world? First of all it has been said about the Master -"He is supremely free; none is above him." Absolutely free! But there is such a miracle in his freedom that whoever enters his realm of freedom also becomes free. And what type of freedom is that? The real freedom of inner self. Man is still imprisoned. And what does he do? He's just like even the bird in a cage.

Prem Rawat: Life Force magazineThere was a little bird which was confined in a small cage. Then the man brought it a bigger cage out of love and affection. He takes out the bird from that small cage and says, "Now, you just sit in this cage. See, how beautiful a cage I have brought for you! This is bigger than your previous one. The previous cage was made of wood but this one is made of gold. How nice a cage I have purchased for you!" But is there any freedom for that bird in that bigger cage? Because after all it is a cage. Whether it may be of gold or silver or studded with diamonds. It is only a whim of that man. But for that bird it does not matter in the least whether it is made of gold or that of silver or whatever material. But really when the Master by his grace opens the door of the heart and this heart like a bird becomes free. Then that bliss, it feels is called 'the real freedom.' Because when the heart is free, when the Knowledge is received and when it is understood that there is real freedom inside, then it becomes obvious that there is no freedom outside. Then man will realize the fact that there is such a place inside which has no boundaries. How can I be free outside? If I go outside from this inner place, I will still be in a cage. So there is no need to change cages. All this world is like a cage for me. There are so many cages. One of them may be small and the other one a bigger cage. One may be good and the other may be bad. But how big a place is there within me! Oh, there is a whole universe within me. That is what I say. There is a wonderful place within me.

The discovery of our 'true self'

Actually there are two things in me. One of them is something which is ever-changing and perishable. And then there is this other one which never changes and is imperishable. While the for mer is temporary, the latter is permanent and constant. And when these two things are united, are wedded to each other, what is the outcome? This human being comes into existence. And then one day it will happen that which is permanent will remain permanent and that which is temporary, which is made of the soil, will ultimately mingle with it. So, there is one thing which is indestructible, not bound with the bonds of time and is always free. And then there is this thing which is bound in time, and made out of soil. Which did not exist before, exists now but will not exist in future. Definition? What is the definition of the temporary? A small definition. The thing which is perishable, has not a big definition. Neither it was, nor it will be. Though it exists now, it will not remain in future. Because it is destructible. And that which cannot be perished, what's its definition? That existed before, it exists now and will exist in future. That too is a small definition. Because it is never destroyed. So two things came and mixed together -- one which is permanent and everlasting and another which is not everlasting, which is temporary. And how ephemeral it is! And how to describe that which is permanent. It is constant and eternal. I mean, just two innately opposite things. And how amazing it is that these two things completely antithetic -- could mix together and man comes into being -- with this temporary thing. And what would happen? Just like you can dig gold with a spade but the spade can never become gold. Its worth will remain just the same. The more you use it, the more its value will be depreciated. But whatever you will dig with it, whatever gold you will dig out of your mine from it, whatever nectar you will bring out of your body with its help, that can provide the experience of that thing which is immortal. So what have you experienced? What did you understand?

Human beings. I know them very well. I have talked to lots of people in so many countries I have visited. I mean, not all of them, but the main countries of the world. I have had discussions with the people. They speak different languages. Now, some people think that because those people speak different languages, they will be speaking something different. Hey, you know, whatever language it may be, its meaning are the same: "Come here. Go there." Whether they speak it in Hindi or in English.

It makes no difference. The languages may be different, but does it mean that something different is being talked about? The purport is the same. "You are a rascal. You are a scoundrel. He is very good. He is lame. He is blind." Everywhere the same thing goes on -- "I am good, you are bad." Whether somebody is speaking in Japanese or in French, in Nepalese or Tamil, in Sanskrit or English, or in Hindi or Bihari, whatever language it may be, but its meaning is the same. They express the same thing -- "Bring food. Take away food. Give water. Take away water. Take the glass." They are expressing the same feeling but in different ways, in different languages -in the whole world. I don't know whether you people have ever thought about it or not, but people in the whole world talk the same thing in different ways and in different languages.

But I have found that a human being is not in a position to save himself. His condition is constantly deteriorating in such a way that he cannot save himself. Only when he gets the grace of the Master, he can be able to save himself. But it is possible only when he is ready to listen to him. Because the guide will only show the way, how you can save yourself. He will reveal the techniques to go inside so that you can experience, enjoy and understand that thing inside.

So, whatever it was and how it was done but I don't have the least doubt that my Master has showered his infinite grace upon me. He bestowed his grace when he gave me this Knowledge and my Master's ineffable grace is with me all the time -- every day and night. And if I accept that infinite grace within my heart and be worthy of his grace every moment of my life, then I know fully well that I can pass my life in an everlasting joy and bliss wherever I am.

Because the burden of this world is very heavy, very big. I mean, the burden of these problems can crush anyone, however great he may be. I mean, nobody can escape from it. The burden is bound to come. There is no one living who won't feel its weight on his shoulders -- the burden of day-to-day problems. So it is possible that people may feel and realize that there is a burden on their shoulders but there is such a place within inside where there is no burden, where I am really free. There is ecstasy, there is Knowledge, there is light and such a beautiful dawn that is beyond description.

So, dear gentlemen, that grace is also being bestowed upon you. Accept it with your open heart and remain worthy of this grace. Then you will have a storehouse of perpetual joy throughout your life!

Many poems have been written -- written by myself. Most of them were written in English, and I have got them translated in Hindi. So I wanted that you may also listen. You have already heard English songs. Now they were translated, but this translation is nice.

(Recited poems in Hindi)

Some necessary informations

So, now this Vaishakhi program is going to conclude today.

All of you will go back to your centers, your homes -- or whatever. But practice this Knowledge. Have faith. Have trust in the Master. Trust this Knowledge. Enjoy this life. Enjoy this Knowledge! Let those feelings fill up your heart, which may increase. your regard for the Master and the Knowledge. As regards the next program, if we get time in November -- I think it would be better here in November. Because the weather is nice at that time. And if I get time and the program is scheduled to be held, all of you shall be informed about it.

Yesterday, when some new people were coming to see me, one of them asked, "Please do reply to my letter." So, I was thinking about it today. I said, how could it be possible to give reply to the letter? When his letter would be received here, it would be forwarded to the place where I am at that time. And if I do not start upon my next journey till it reaches there, I may be able to receive it. Otherwise it would be again forwarded to my next halt. For instance, if I started from America and reached Australia. Somebody came to know that I was going to Australia, then the letter which was sent from India to America would be forwarded to Australia. By the time the letter reaches here (in India) from Australia, I will be leaving for the next place from here. And I will go to England. So the letter will be directed to England and will take its time to reach there. And so it cannot reach there in time. Even if it reaches there, I won't be there. I will leave for America. And by the time it reaches America, I may fly to South America. So, the letter will be following me and I will be proceeding farther and farther on my tour. But whenever I get a chance, I get time I try to reply to your letters. But you know, so many people write to me and their letters constantly follow me. You also know very well that it takes time to get them and attend to them. However, if you wish to write, you are welcome. So, it does not matter, write to me and I will try my best to reply to your letters.

If I get time in the month of November, I would meet more aspirants. We had earmarked only five days for the aspirants this time. These five days passed so quickly that I was really amazed: It seems as if those five days were like a dream. I slept, woke up and those five days were gone! And now, we had a three day program. It seems as if today is the first day. As if the program has just started. But the program is now going to end. So if I get time in the month of November, I have decided that I would invite people in groups of ten or twenty thousands, so that premies may be able to understand the techniques again in Knowledge-reviews. So, we will have to conduct that program in groups of ten or twenty thousand people, and will have to envisage an effective procedure for it.

A matter of trust

Just see, it's a matter of faith. Really it is. Had anybody asked me, "How will you be able to give Knowledge to so many people?" I would have said, "That is correct." Because doubting people are very easily able to create stuff others with doubts. You know, there is this dung. Wherever you rub it, it will spread foul smell everywhere. If you rub it on the flower … That is its nature. I was explaining this fact to Mahatmaji one day. I said, well, things have their own distinct nature. For instance there is this rose. You take some rose petals in a certain quantity and also take some human faeces exactly in equal quantity and put them side by side in a room in a plate. Which of the two smells will be more excessive? Will it be that of rose or the other one?

Well, it's nature. Now what more can I say? It has been happening for centuries. You know? It is not of today. However beautiful and fragrant a flower may be, after weighing it, you put that thing (faeces) in the same quantity, keep them I together at one place. Then you won't feel the fragrance of the flower but the stench of the other thing.

Doubt also works like that. People were having doubts as to how it could happen. It is quite impossible. Will it happen? Will it not happen? There was so much apprehension and uncertainty. I also did not know the proper course to be adopted. Even then I did not hold any meeting. I did not sit and discuss how and what to do. I myself had to be convinced that if it was possible, it could be done. Once convinced that it can be done, then all necessary procedures came in line automatically. As has been said:

"When the perfect Master is there to take care of you, you have nothing to worry about.
All the powers of prosperity and success are ready to serve you and you are free from all bondages."

But if you have trust within you and really the Master is there -- the Perfect Master -- to take care of you, and if you actually have trust and faith in your heart then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Now, if somebody comes and says: "Well, how can you explain this thing to all the people?" I would say, "I don't know." But when the time comes, all the solutions automatically come in line before you. And they will wait outside for hours together to enter inside -- all those solutions. And you will find better and better ones. So, it happens very comfortably. And it did. Now just think about it. The first day approximately 900 aspirants were present in the Knowledge session. I asked someone, "Well, how many aspirants are left?" I was told that there were about 1200 aspirants more. So I said, "Okay, I will give Knowledge to all of them." That meant that they would be given Knowledge in one session. But if somebody could have asked me the first day, 'Could you give Knowledge to more people at a time?' I would have said: "No, I find it difficult with all these 900 people sitting here." Because I had involved some instructors also in that session. That's why there was difficulty. Even today morning I was greatly disturbed and it bothered me the whole day. But what could I do? You require understanding which was lacking. But the Master is so merciful that he saves us. I am unable to describe about his mercy. Maharaji by his infinite grace always protects us otherwise who knows what may happen. Anyway, the next day the whole session was conducted very smoothly and beautifully.

Now, it has become quite clear to me that if there is an opportunity, I have the confidence to give this Knowledge to the whole world at a time -- if there are no mahatmas or instructors. And everything can be done very easily, very smoothly. A few months earlier, if anybody would have asked me whether I would do without the instructors, I would have said, "I don't know, whether it will be possible or not." But now there is not an iota of doubt left in me about its possibility. It is the amazing grace of Maharaji indeed that he put this thought in me, otherwise I would have been in the same dilemma. Because it has been in the system for such a long time that only instructors were expected to do everything. Only they could give Knowledge. I mean, it has been a very old tradition. But people do not attempt to move the handle (of the grinder) towards them -- to bring a change in the system. But the Master gave me such a prudence that I could bring about the desired change and was able to transform the whole system. And now this transformation has brought such a great joy to me, to the premies and to the aspirants which is beyond description.

So, if I have time, I will inform everyone of you. Blessings to all of you. Just enjoy yourself. Experience this Knowledge. Be in Agya (command). It's very essential. Have faith in Knowledge which has been given to you. Practice Knowledge and enjoy it. And when you get the opportunity next time, come with profound love and faith. Yesterday, a person was telling me that some people come here to get marriages arranged and some for similar other purposes. It means that there are people who can engage themselves in such unwarranted activities if they are allowed some laxity. After all it is an Ashram, and I wish to maintain it as an Ashram.

Future planning

There is service. We have to do a lot of it. The planning of this place is not an ordinary one. It is an ever growing process. I mean, the planning of this Ashram is so big, so vast that nobody knows from which point we have to start. That's why we sometimes do not visualize the whole picture. Because we have no idea from where we should start our projects. At this place, we will have to construct a big hall for the Knowledge session. These pandals have been erected this time. As it is the month of April, it had been very nice. Lots of people attended the program. But it gets very hot at midday. So we require such a big hall which can accommodate at least 2000 - 3000 people at a time.

Now look, it is what is called proper time. And it is a matter of trust. When I came here last time in April, I was telling Mahatmaji that yes, we will have to make a Knowledge-center here, so that the aspirants could receive Knowledge. Then he said, "Of course Maharaji, please give me the design immediately and I will get it constructed." So, I started to draw the design but it could not be done. I make designs of so many things but this one could not be done. Then I came back in the month of December and talked to him. He requested me to give him the design as soon as possible, and I said, "Mahatmaji, I find it difficult to complete the design so far. Therefore, you just wait and relax. Have patience. It would be constructed at a proper time." Now, I understand why it was not made. Because if the hall would have been constructed at that time, it would have been made only for 50 people. The last time I was here, the Knowledge was given in the groups of 25 or 50 people in each session. If that Knowledge-center would have been constructed, it could only accommodate not more than 50 persons. So, it would have been of no use to us. So, this is what is called 'trust'. This is what is called 'grace' that its design could not be made earlier. Look, somebody would say, "Oh, you could not even make the design. You have taken so much time." But why do you talk of time? It was really fortunate that we could not complete the design. Now, when we will construct the hall, it will be built for 2000 or 3000 people. Because 50 people can easily sit in the hall meant for 3000 people, but in a hall having the capacity for 50 people, 3000 people cannot be accommodated. So, we shall have to make a big hall in which people might sit comfortably in every sort of weather conditions -- whether it may be hot or cold, midday or evening time, and I may be able to give them Knowledge in a congenial atmosphere.

And we have to construct roads too. As you know, it becomes very dusty. SO, we have to do that. I was talking about that also. We don't require these metalled roads made of tar -these black ones. And why? Because they produce bad smell. And when there is summer season they cause more heat. So, we have to make such roads which can prevent dust and are nice in every respect. Now, there is a problem with us that we have to fetch these tents from all parts of India. Because there are these 'Karyakartas' (workers). What does it mean? This word is made of two syllables -'Karya' (work) and 'Karta' (doer). It does not signify that 'Karya samajh ke karta' (Does the work with awareness) or 'Karya badhiya karta' (Works nicely). But he is a 'Karyakarta' (Work-doer). It means - "He will do something." He is not concerned about what he has to do. But he must do something. There was a time, when these programs started for the first time and I came here. It was said, "Well, we will use tents." They used to discuss with each other -- "Oh, a time may come when we will have to erect so many tents, then how could it be possible to get so many of them?" But since that time has come now, we shall have to do something here. Because for how long shall we continue to utilize them? So, something will have to be done. But it is a slow process. And first of all we will have to make that place brick-built, which is mostly and constantly used.

Look, we are going to build a center in Australia very soon. We have purchased nearly 1300 acres of land. It is a very beautiful place indeed. There are hills, and big open grounds. I had gone there before coming here. It is really a nice place. So, can you imagine, what will be made there at first? I know what will be our priority? First of all, we will dig the foundation for the septic tank. After that, maybe somebody would think that a satsang hall will be built there. No. After that we will build these toilets. Because I will tell you. People generally don't understand about it. A person can take his food anywhere - even sitting under a tree. And a man can sleep anywhere -- under a tree or in a ditch in emergency. But the third thing he cannot do everywhere. So, we can make arrangements for tents for people to stay, and to take their food but that task … Well, if they come for satsang or service, to do some work or not to do any work, there is no problem. Because all these are periodical affairs. But that thing is a permanent feature. The satsang hall will be utilized only when people come to attend satsang. Knowledge-center will be used only when the aspirants come for receiving Knowledge. There will be a particular area stipulated for service, and it will be utilized only when people come to serve. But even if they come without any work assigned to them, that place, however, will be used constantly. So, first of all, we will construct these toilets, so that there may be no pollution and people can feel at ease. But it was not done here, that is why there is so much inconvenience. They remained temporary. But now they have to be made brick-built with plaster. Therefore, it requires lots of service to be done here.

And I had a talk with mahatmaji and he said, many people don't come for service. So, you just understand that it is a matter of time. If you are getting the time, the opportunity to serve then utilize it, otherwise a time may come when you won't get any chance to serve. So, whatever opportunity you have got to do service, don't let it go. Serve as much as you can. Because you will get such a joy in doing seva (service) which cannot be described. I mean, it's a profound joy. For a devotee satsang, service and practice of Knowledge are essential. You have got an opportunity to serve. Lots of things have to be done here, and they have to be done with love under proper direction. So, listen, understand and enjoy yourself.

Blessings to all the people.

In 'Life Force'
Volume 8, Issue 3 July - September, 1992
Printed and published by V.P. Sharma for the Divine United Organisation,
Shri Sant Yogashram, Shahurpur, Mehrauli, New-Delhi - 110 030
at M/s Repro Offset Printers, A-248, Okhla Indl. Area, Phase-I, New Delhi-20.
Editor - Shanker Lal Goel

Life Force magazine