But Swami, You’re Enlightened?

The wise should not create confusion in the intellect of the ignorant, who are attached to action. Efficiently performing all (his) duties, with discipline, he should inspire (them). Gita 3.26

Recently I was in a book reading session in the Ashrama library with Sadhvi Nishtha ji, a nice soul. We were reading from Swamiji’s book on Kundalini and the famous Daksha Yajña story was being discussed.

In the last, she asked us if we had an opinion on the story twice and I finally raised my hand when she asked the same, the second time and said – That even Daksha, was blessed by Lord Shiva’s anger. His metaphorical head of ‘ ego ‘ was cut and replaced by a new one (the ripe ego or the Ego of devotion as called by Sri Ramakrishna.) You see since the tale is Lord Shiva got angry for loosing Sati and cut Daksha’s head and replaced it with a goat’s head. Though not as clearly as I’m able to write it here.

I usually like to stay unknown among crowds though I dont think I’m an introvert. I can give a full blown lecture if asked.

I saw a lady sitting in the crowd who I just saw a few days ago at the head office, who seemed in distress and wanted to meet Sadhvi Vrinda ji and took the meeting form from the help desk.

This very same lady posed a question to Nishtaji somewhere along the line of ” how to stay calm throughout the day”.

And as soon as I heard, I foolishly butted in and answered her. (We were all participating and interacting in the session so it was natural yet foolish.) You see a few days ago, I asked Swamiji a similar question in the discourse.

” Okaey raise your hand, who has never asked a question “. 

I was given the first chance to ask. It was the discouse on 15th February. It’s still online if you wish to see it. 

” Namaste Swamiji, I think mind is at the centre of the concept of Adhyatma. So mann, mei Rajas aur Tamas ko ghatake, Sattva bhadana, kya yeh adhyatma hai? Kya guno ka vichran rokakar dusri duniya mei ghum jaana(Samadhi) adhyatma hai? Ya teeno guno ka vichran ho rha hai and still we remain ‘unperturbed’ yeh adhyatma hai?

Swamiji – ‘ Option C tick, next question ! ” and starts laughing with the crowd following him. 

Then he asks ” Is English fine? ” 

” Swamiji hindi! ” – said I. I am proud of my English but Swamiji ke Hindi zyada pyaari hai 😌

He explained that your very svabhava(nature) is adhyatma. He further explained that – ‘ That Svabhava(nature /attitude/conduct) which takes you to that Aksharam Param Brahma is Adhyatma” by quoting a verse from Chapter 8 of the popular Bhagvad Gita. 

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते |8.3

He further stated that following such svabhava, you’ll automatically start going beyond the Gunas.(and won’t have to worry about them) 

You don’t have to chase a particular state of the mind (whether Sattvic(calm), Rajasic(enjoying) or Tamasic(slothful).

These states will come and go but you must remain mindful and maintain your svabhava(right attitude/conduct ). 

This is spirituality. 

Meditation and japa are only there to help you with your conduct out there(in the world) and are not ends in themselves.

And in following this very conduct, I failed.

You see a woman was asking question from a woman and I foolishly got in between. I was unmindful, and thought I could answer her question well.

Because you see her question was a little similar to mine because it too implies that she wanted her mind to be calm all the time, and be more Sattvic than Rajasic and Tamasic like I asked in the question, which is impossible unless you are perfect in yoga(not meditation, or asanas but Yoga as in union with the Paramatma.) 

You see quite often a person asking a question wants the answer only from the specific person asked, because they seek attention, like I did from Swamiji when I asked the question in the discourse. The answer was a side benefit. 

His attention is bliss 😜🌟

So not only did I incompletely answer her question, I also robbed her of her time, attention and possible emotional fullfilment from Sadhviji. (all of which I got from Swamiji) 

God, she must be totally mad at me. And she should be. I’m a padha-likha bewakoof 🥲

If I consider myself a bit wise, I should let people follow their heart (their nature), instead of bashing their minds with my take on spirituality. 

It’s kinda ill-mannered to answer if you are not asked in the first place. 

It’s important I remember, that the next time I see a person whose problem is not Adhytamic, but simply Adibhautic or Adidaivik, I don’t butt in and start rambling with spiritual knowledge.

Like at the airport in Kolkata. 

Or with the cute girl who came with her family to enjoy a vacation.

Or the one I’m currently texting. Or my sister. (you see I’ve made this mistake countless times before and I need to write it down somewhere, so I don’t repeat it. Go read my other posts. They’re also the same 😂) 

Or My own father fits perfectly in this. I always try to explain the scriptures just a little to him so that his life doesn’t go to ‘waste’, especially when human life is so precious as stated in Vivekachudamani and countless other scriptures, where they declare realization to be the goal of life. 

But there’s no use giving my Father the knowledge of the Gita, it may harm him but it will not help him, unless he’s fully surrendered. 

Yes, even if you want to help them. 

You cannot help people if they don’t wish to be helped, need help or see that they need help.

Repeat that in your head. 

I remember a line from Swamiji’s own mouth which strikes my mind – ” But I need to hear it from you “

That’s why the chief thing a Guru wants from his disciple is surrender/lack of egoism. 

Even Lord Krishna didn’t give spiritual knowledge to Arjuna until he finally surrendered in Gita 2.7.

I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me.

Many people are not ready for spirituality, even if they think they are. The wise should not confuse them by telling them about Brahman or discussing the royal secret. ( rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam Gita 9.2)

Swamiji himself has said about this, that people’s troubles are unending, even if he finishes one of them, the next one is already in line.

There’s a difference between a seeker and a bhogi ( A seeker moves from obstacle to obstacle whereas bhogi’s move from problem to problem.) 

They have to shift from being a bhogi to a seeker on their own, and in their own time. 

That’s why the Lord generally just gives us whatever we think is good for us, instead of telling us the final word on spirituality. 

The enlightened ones always emulate a conduct following which we too can reach the goal. 

Understand, if I see Swamiji meditating day and night, I will think that ‘that is spirituality’ ( whereas Swamiji got to that state after many years of action and practice out in the world.) 

Hence he has always written and made it clear that meditation is not a substitute for right action. And is to be used like salt in dinner. (which he told me again in the discourse) 

He does tremendous action (working even more than us) and does Aarti of Sri Hari in the temple (even though he literally carries the Lord right in his heart.) 

I remember a story which still deeply touches my heart and was the inspiration for penning down this post. 

Once there was a novice, a Brahmachari. He saw an awakened Master collecting flowers for the evening Aarti. 

You see it is generally the Brahmachaaris who do all these acts, so he thought why is the Master doing the same.

He asked – ” Swami, they say you’re enlightened. Why are you collecting flowers for the pooja and stuff?” 

Master smiles and says – ” Then tell me what I should do ?”.

The enlightened Masters are always happy to play along with our dumb questions and minor problems magnified under a microscope in life, even though they know true Adhyatma. 

The Brahmachari must’ve thought something like remaining in Samadhi and ecstasy as the highest so he thought of collecting flowers as a smaller act, not worthy of the Master, only for lower level of aspirants. 

An enlightened person behaves, acts, talks and laughs just like us. 

They unlike me, don’t go on rambling on spiritual truths, where it isn’t needed. 

Sri Ramakrishna used to say in this regard – When a person gets enlightened, does he develop horns? 

But internally they are’s entirely different.

Don’t confuse realization with mysticism,which we do so quite often. 

Swami Vivekananda used to say We Hindus worship

“a transcendent immanent God. “

He’s right here, in our daily experience, yet we miss Him all the time, and an enlightened person never misses Him (even if giving a discourse.) 

Now I understand why Swamiji doesn’t need to look at Sri Hari even when he’s giving a discourse. 

You see, I used to think, doesn’t Sri Hari feel neglected, when Swamiji is giving discourses. Nobody looks at him. 

Now I got the answer, Swamiji never misses Him(inside), even if we’re seeing him deliver a lecture. (from the outside) 

Anyone who is spiritual/adhyatmic is in fact even more normal than us (in outward appearence. ) 

Tomorrow if Swamiji stopped wearing his robe and started mixing with the society, he will seem almost like a normal human being, even more normal than us. 

You may not even recognize Him. 

Because we are so much more than normal, if you get the joke. 

” Live. Love. Laugh. Give.” ( be normal) 

तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं। भर्गोदेवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्।’

May we constantly draw inspiration from Him, the shining one, the one alone whose worthy of worship. May He set/move our minds ( towards the Higher.)

Also, side note, today is Sri Ramakrishna’ s birthday. Wish Him Happy birthday!