'Divine Light' Index | 'The Indian Background' Index

Divine Light

Special Internet Issue

Containing the discourses of Shri Mataji,
mother of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji.

Salutations at the Lotus Feet of Satgurudev

Volume 1, No 1
 

[Dividing Line Image]


Content

Only by Your Grace : Devote your life for this Light.
The Four Graces : God has given us the brain to think with.
The Inner Peace of Soul : Man has now become his own enemy.
A Little More Effort : Practice meditation, and you'll live happily ever after.

Only by Your Grace

Unerring Nature, still divinely bright,
One clear, unchanged, and Universal Light,
Life, Force, and Beauty, must to all impart.

Alexander Pope.



This Discourse given by Shri Mata Ji in Washington, D.C., June 1972, was translated by Guru Maharaj Ji, Her Son.


Here on the stage are many mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are all facing toward light; they are all trying to reach the light. They have become so attached to light, they love it so much, that they go and burn in the light. They don't care; they burn in the heat of the light, but it doesn't matter to them.

Everyone is searching for true peace. Everyone is searching, but until we get so dedicated, unless we get really merged, unless we get as attached to that Light as those mosquitoes are, we are not going to be able to see the Light. This is very important for us, and it's really a perfect example that Mata Ji just gave, that we have to love the Light as much as these mosquitoes do.

Sometimes, people receive this Knowledge, and they get confused. Some little thing happens with them and they get confused, because they haven't really dedicated themselves. If man is part of God, then has anyone considered, has anyone thought about this, that if man really is part of God, then why is he so unsatisfied? What is everyone looking for? What does everyone want? All the rivers flow and merge with the ocean. When you throw a stone high in the sky, it will always try to come back and merge with the earth, because it is part of the earth. All rivers flow and merge with the ocean because they are part of the ocean. This is a concept, this is a belief of those Perfect Masters, those Spiritual Masters, and it is the belief of those people who have really dedicated themselves to the Light.

We have created so many medicines, but still we ate sick. We have not found peace. We have created hundreds and hundreds of things, but seventy-five out of every hundred are taking us to destruction. They are not taking us where we ultimately want to go. So, realize this Knowledge. Even if you can't dedicate like the great saints, or like Jesus, even if you can't dedicate yourself to this Knowledge like Jesus did, do your maximum best to understand this Knowledge fully. Meditate upon this Knowledge! If you can't dedicate yourself as those Perfect Masters of other times did, then at least try to know it, try to realize it, and do meditation on it.

An Indian poet once said that the man who is poor thinks the rich man is happy. The rich man thinks the king is happy, while the king thinks the god of the gods must be happy. The god of gods thinks Brahma, the creator, is happy, but Brahma knows that in all the world, only the devotee is happy who has dedicated his whole life to the Light.

Mata Ji just spoke of these youngsters who have totally devoted their lives for this Knowledge. They are tired of all the materialistic things, and now they are ready to devote their whole lives to spreading this Knowledge. She said that in the mission of the True Lord, in the Kingdom of the True Lord, those people are accepted who have been kicked out of the world. When the whole world kicks a human being, ultimately he comes to the Kingdom of the Lord, and there he is embraced.

Mata Ji said that it has been a long time, and it's getting pretty cold. And she says that always when the Lord has come, or a great power has come into this world, this great power always manifests Himself in human form. He comes to earth for human beings. She said, people might have heard of Lord Buddha. Once Lord Buddha ran into a great thief who was known as Angulimala. Angulimala took his knife out and said "Buddha, I am going to kill you now."

Lord Buddha said, "All right, you better kill me, but before you kill me, just do one thing. Just give me one leaf from that tree." Angulimala went and snapped a whole branch off of the tree. So Lord Buddha took one leaf from the branch and said, "You had better fix this whole branch back. I had to have one leaf, and I have got it, so you'd best fix it back now."

The thief said, "I can't fix it now."

"Why not?" asked Lord Buddha. "I just wanted one leaf, I didn't want the whole branch." He said, "Can you create a human being?"

Angulimala said, "No."

"You can't create a human being; you can't destroy a human being."

The thief understood, and he fell at the Lotus Feet of Lord Buddha and realized this Knowledge.

So now, the problem is how to understand this Knowledge; the question is how to receive this Knowledge? The answer is, when the Lord comes, to run to His Lotus Feet and get the Knowledge revealed to us. That's the whole thing for man. There is nothing else man requires that is the perfect peace, and perfect Kingdom of Heaven. So now, people who are really interested in realizing this Knowledge, come and contact us. Then, we will reveal to you this Knowledge. Those people who have already received the Knowledge, go ahead and do meditation. And, if you want to understand this Knowledge, Mata Ji says, we don't declare ourselves now, that we can give Knowledge, but keep us in reserve. Just keep us in reserve, and search throughout the world. If you can't get Knowledge anywhere, come to us and we will reveal to you this Knowledge. Mata Ji gives Her blessing to all the devotees. May God bless you all.
When the whole world kicks a human being,
ultimately he comes to the Kingdom of the Lord,
and there he is embraced.


[Dividing Line Image]

The Four Graces

This Discourse given by Shri Mata Ji in England, in 1971, was published by Divine Light Mission in the 'Divine Light' magazine, Vol.1 No 3.

Dear Premies,

The greatness of satsang (holy company) is really beyond description. In the Ramayana it is said satsang is only obtained by greatly fortunate people.

Sadh Sudharahi Satsangat Pai
Paras paras Kuthutu Suhai

This means this human body, which you have received, is bestowed on you as a boon by God. But you should know the greatness of this, you should know the sole purpose for which it is given us. We forget the aim of our human life and we waste it in worldly purposes. Scriptures praise the greatness of the human body and declare it to be priceless, because by having this body we are standing at the door of salvation or liberation. In this human body we can make the effort to obtain God realisation. Even the gods and goddesses in heaven are greedy to obtain this body. If you miss this golden opportunity of knowing Truth in this life you will repent, after this priceless time is passed in vain!

There are four graces which are bestowed on the Jivatma (individual soul). The first is the grace of God, who has given us this wonderful human body with which we can act as we wish. If it was not bestowed on you, how would you be able to visit His universe? The second grace is scriptures, which point out that you should go to the shelter of Tatwadarshi (Perfect Master). Then only can you know the path of Truth, the way of everlasting welfare. How should we go to a Perfect Master? Many stories of previous Saints are given in the scriptures. How they received Knowledge of Truth in their life, how great a thirst they had and how it was quenched.

In the 'Bhagavad Gita', lesson four, verse thirty four, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, "O Arjuna, with a child-like heart go to the shelter of the Perfect Master. Bow to His Lotus Feet, serve Him and ask questions about the True Knowledge. And if he is pleased with you, He will impart to you the great Truth."

By being humble and poor, as a child is, and with a strong desire and thirst, this Knowledge received. It is never received by argument as this subject is beyond intellect and should not be discussed in an argument. This is the second grace, that of the scriptures which point out and inspire us with what we have to do in our human life.

The third grace given to man is that of the True Satguru (True Master) who bestows the Knowledge of the Holy Name and Divine Light of God to us, within our hearts, then we know the technique to turn our thoughts, or waves of mind, inside. He gives the way of controlling the mind and thus making it steady and stable, showing us practically the mystery of Truth. One who goes to the shelter of such a Master can easily cross the ocean of this world, which is full of sorrows and sufferings.

O man, understand and think! Your mind is always going outward to the objects of the senses, the emotions and thoughts of your mind are directed outwardly. Learn from the tortoise who whenever there is a chance of attack on it withdraws itself into its hard shell inside. In the same way, when there is Satsang you should hear it by diverting your mind completely inward and listening attentively.

God has given us the brain to think with. There is an abundance of rain but the Swati raindrops are very rare. And in the sea, there are many, many, waves, always coming, countless in numbers, but the oyster does not care for them and always keeps its mouth open so that at any time that Swati raindrop may fall into its mouth. It always bears the hurt that waves cause it but never discourages itself due to the hindrances of them. For the drop of Swati, when it reaches the mouth of the oyster converts into a precious pearl afterwards.

Jako Jahi Per Satya Saneho
So Tehi Melahe Na Kachu Sandehu

When that oyster struggles so much and has great love for that Swati drop, that drop has to fall in its mouth. When God has given us this priceless human body, then will he be not on this earth with us? Of course he would have come, and always one who seeks finds. One who seeks the pearl after diving deep into the sea always gets success but not the one who just sits near the seashore.

The fourth grace bestowed on man is his own. God has given us human birth, scriptures inspire us to go to the shelter of the Perfect Master and to recognise Him, and the Master imparts that Knowledge. Now for one who has received that Knowledge, this grace means his own effort in practising the Knowledge. This wealth, money, house, family, and all may be received, but at the final moment, none of these will help us and even our own body is left behind. Therefore always remember the Holy Name of God, earn this spiritual money as much as you can and make the effort to cross this ocean of the phenomenal world. Lord Krishna said, "O Arjuna, do action by the body with the senses, and by the mind remember My Name."

Guru Maharaj Ji is going from place to place to give the technique of mind control, by the Holy Name to people taking the shelter of His Feet. Know that highest secret and then practise that in your life and to whom is that Knowledge bestowed? Not to all. There are two kinds of people to whom this Knowledge will be given. To a son and to a disciple. As one father has two sons, one obedient and serving to him and the other who never listens or obeys him, the father is pleased only with the obedient and serving son. And when the father distributes the property, the obedient son takes all the heritage as the father does not like to give to his disobedient son. To his disobedient son he would say, "As you always tried to give me a bad name and never obeyed me, I should not give any part of my heritage to you." Similarly, perfect Knowledge as Knowledge of Truth is only given to those who are obedient disciples, who are always full with those qualities which please the Master. So the Master gives the heritage of Divine Knowledge to that son or disciple.

When the Satsang meeting was held in Jaipur the king of that state, president of the parliament and the prime minister also came The minister came and heard Guru Maharaj Ji's discourse with good interest. All sat down on the floor and though he came for only fifteen minutes, the minister was so attracted by the Satsang of Guru Maharaj Ji that he listened to two and a half hours of Satsang. They said, "Our position is not greater than the seat of saints". So it was right; he who becomes free from ego can receive this Knowledge.

Once a king went to Guru Nanak and at the door told someone to tell Guru Nanak that the king has come. Guru Nanak asked what is the work of the king to come here, as to the shelter of Guru only a poor and humble seeker thirsty of Truth and service, should come. When the king heard this answer, he understood that really he should not go to the master like a king. Then he requested forgiveness from the Guru and said "Your servant and beggar has come to your door and wants to see you." Then only he was able to see Guru Nanak. Therefore we should approach realized saints with a humble, poor, and childlike heart. He gives a strange thing, due to the lack of which all are suffering.

Saints say that there is a Word of Name that was in the beginning of the world and that is now and that will be forever. The Word is the life in us and as long as that conscious Word lies within us our physical body is working. We are working, speaking, walking, but by forgetting that Word today, man is entangled in mine and thine, but this sense of mine and thine can never go with you after death.

This physical existence is not true. At any time this body can die. Today man has forgotten that path of peace taught by the great saints, by following which one can be happy forever. Unless one follows the path of Truth, shown by the great Seers of Truth, there can be no peace in society, country or in the world, and there can be no unity and co-operation amongst societies. From time immemorial, this path of reality, unless shown, was not known by people, and not knowing their own real self they suffered greatly But when they followed the path and realized their Divine Self, they became happy for always and were dipped in the waters of love and embraced one another.

Therefore, think and think, O man. Know that Holy Word of God by taking the practical guidance and grace of the Living Master. In the heart of man dwells God as Divine Light. Realize that Light which is self-effulgent and self-luminant. No sun, moon, stars, lightning or any other lighting are enlightening that, but all these sources of light get their light from the ultimate source of enlightenment. We can meditate on that and remember the Holy Word all the time. That Word that is inexpressible in letters or alphabets and is self-uttered and self-named. It is the secret lying inside all people. Many people think that by doing external practices, they can obtain salvation and peace of mind. But this is not true, because at the final moment we do not have the use of our senses. Our tongue cannot speak, then how can we chant mantras at that time ? Our legs do not stand, then how can we go on pilgrimages to temples and churches? We cannot do those external techniques. Only the Holy Word which is causing our breath to take place can be remembered at the time of death, that which is beyond the body, senses and intellect. Only an enlightened soul, a Satguru, can reveal that wonderful Knowledge of the Holy Name of God.

You people come tomorrow also and ask questions about this Knowledge, but not just to argue as we have not come to argue over the subject of spirituality. We should not go to argue on religion to saints, as by arguing you only get entangled by the network of words and various philosophic ideas of speculative thinkers. Thinking is not realization. Come politely with love and faith and then you can receive. The heart should be. pure. Why do we love a child? Because a child has a pure and simple heart, so we should go along like a child to pray for the bestowal of this great gift of the Master to us. Those who have taken Knowledge should try their best to change their life. This is the greatest thing you can achieve now. One who has got this philosopher's stone of Name, his heart is changed from iron to gold. But this Knowledge is even greater than the philosopher's stone because that can only change iron to gold by its touch but not into the philosopher's stone itself. But Guru Maharaj Ji makes the aspirant as Himself. The sermons of the Master have the power to dispel the darkness of the whole world.

Rivers always flow downward to the Sea. Why? When they reach the sea, then only can they take rest. Throw a stone upward, and it falls down and takes rest when it mixes with the earth. The flame of a lamp is always directed upward. Why? The rivers are a part of the sea and so they want to meet with their original source. Stone, being a part of the earth, always comes down to meet with its source. The flame of the lamp is a part of the fire of the sun, so it is directed upward. It is a natural tendency in the universe. Why do we want peace? Our soul originates from the Perfect Peace of God, so all of us are in search of permanent peace. But unless we are united with God, our souls cannot have rest and peace. Therefore know that path of Peace and Knowledge.

Nanak says those who themselves remember the Name of God and inspire others to know that are certainly free from the world. Therefore you yourselves know that and help others to know it also. Great souls can only teach mankind and not animals or stones. God himself comes in human form and teaches through the lips of the Guru in the language of man. All other actions and enjoyments can be enjoyed in animal bodies also, but you cannot realize God in those bodies. Man can do action and enjoy the fruits of those actions (Karma). He can cook many delicious dishes and can eat too, but animals can only eat, not cook. Because lower bodies are not able to create their own karma, only the human body is called the karma yoni (body). Someone who has this great body, yet who denies his real self, is called by the scriptures an animal without horn or tail.

Therefore all of you listen and think over what is the purpose of this life. Although you can possess great wealth, great degrees and position, without self-realization, all this is of no use. Without the Name of God, peace is not gained. Therefore know that thing first from Satguru and practise it in your life.


[Dividing Line Image]

The Inner Peace of Soul

Satsang of Shri Mata Ji at Porchester Hall, London, W.2, 8 Jan 1972

Dear aspirants,

Happy New Year and may God bless you and bring happiness into your life and may this New Year be blissful for you. The New Year can only be fruitful for us when we follow the path of Truth, when we accept good ideals and put them into practice in our daily lives. Today everyone is engaged in some kind of action, but whatever action man is performing he is just concerned with his physical life, and just to satisfy his bodily needs. What is the best work that a man can do in his life? He cannot understand this by his intellect and mind. A man can only perform actions according to the limits of his intellect, but the holy scriptures say that the actual real path that can bring happiness and real satisfaction is quite different to this. They encourage us to live in this world peacefully and cheerfully, so that we can love each other and lead a happy and blissful life. History tells us that man now thinks that he is very intellectual and he has developed so much in this material world, but at the time of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna put a head of a man on a tree and enabled him to see all the war which was a very big war, the Mahabharata. His hands and body were separate from his head and Krishna showed him everything, whatever happened on the battlefield.

You know the fire that burns man's heart is anger, and man wants to control this anger but he doesn't know how to control this very horrible fire which burns his life away, only a Great Master knows how to control this anger, how to save man from this fire; He alone knows the right path, the right means to control this anger, this fire. There is no time when there is not a Great Master among mankind to teach how to get peace and how to live in this world peacefully and cheerfully. He always comes to teach them the technique to live and let other people live, but whenever He came in the past most of the people criticised Him and did not take full advantage of His Knowledge. History tells us this, it repeats itself again and again. You all know that from time to time a Great Master comes to save the world, that is why you celebrate Christmas day, you burn candles and decorate your houses and markets and so many other important places, for what? To remind yourselves of the holy birthday, the happy birthday of Lord Jesus who came to protect mankind, to teach mankind the right path to attain peace. You decorate your houses in order to invite the Lord to be with you, but when He came very few people recognised His glory and followed Him. And in the future the Lord will come from time to time to awaken mankind from the sleep of ignorance and to teach them the path to enlightenment. And the Great Master's divine activities will be recorded in history which will remind mankind about these Great Masters and they will sing Their praises over and over again.

Man learns so many arts, and so many technological things, to build beautiful houses and roads, cities and so on, in order to bring comfort and happiness into his life. The Lord has given us this human form, this precious gift, which is a very, very important thing, not only for this material progress, not only for the satisfaction of material life, but to attain perfection, to attain complete realisation of God. God alone can bring permanent satisfaction, permanent peace. Material things can give us little pleasure but not permanent satisfaction. Man has forgotten His Creator. Because of his intellectual development he thinks that he knows everything, that he is everything. When such a time as this comes, the Lord then incarnates Himself to direct mankind on the path to bliss, happiness and real peace. When we were children, we didn't know any language, we had no intellectual development, we were unable to speak. But what is that Holy Name of God which a child remembers when he is in his mother's womb? By external languages no one can communicate with God. What is that language which enables a man to communicate with God, which enables a child to speak with God, in his mother's womb? Know that Word, know that Name, know that primordial vibration which is so capable of enabling a man to reach God, to merge with God. Know that Word, know that language.

We need a living doctor, a living leader, and a living Master. A Master who was born in the past is not going to bring real Knowledge into your life, only a living Master can give you True Knowledge, can reveal to you the practical experience of God. People accept living doctors and living leaders but they do not accept the present, living Perfect Master. But tell me, how can a picture of a past Master give us True Knowledge now? It is obvious that we require a living doctor, and a living political leader, so also we require a living Perfect Master to show us the right path to God. Nowadays mankind is standing like a house without a foundation, at any time the house can fall. He is standing on the brink of total destruction, he has invented so many destructive weapons to destroy himself. Russia and America are the two biggest nations and if they fight with each other, not only will they be destroyed but many other countries of the world will be destroyed. Man does not want to be humble, everyone wants to become a great national leader or wants to develop his own country, yet they don't want to be humble and love mankind. But no one can get real happiness and peace if they do not have real Spiritual Knowledge, for this alone can bring about true peace and happiness.

Man has now become his own enemy. You know this very well because of your past before you received Knowledge, the way you used to live and the methods you tried for peace and satisfaction. You know this very well and when you received the Knowledge of Guru Maharaj Ji you got real satisfaction and peace within yourself. Man doesn't know that peace lies within himself, he wanders outside in search of peace, after sensual pleasures, but the real source of peace and contentment lies within oneself.

There is a beautiful ashram in India called Prem Nagar. There are many other ashrams in India but Prem Nagar is especially beautiful Ä and many western people came to see Guru Maharaj Ji before they received Knowledge. At that time they were wandering in India here and there listening to many different types of sadhus. Some gave them rosaries, some gave them mantras, some gave them other means. They grew their hair long and put ashes on their body and became sadhus, and Mata Ji asked them, "Have you seen the Light which shines within yourself?" And they said, "No Mata Ji, we haven't seen it." "Have you realised the Holy Name of God which lies within your heart?" They said, "No. We have received these rosaries and mantras, but no Master gave us the inner Light, the inner Word." Then Mata Ji said, "Why are you wasting your time? This is not the way to attain liberation, to attain enlightenment. Follow the true Master who can give you Spiritual Knowledge, who can show you the inner Light and reveal to you the inner Word of God." And when they heard satsang they received Knowledge, and after receiving Knowledge they gave up their dhotis and all external hypocrisy, you can say, and adopted the right path. And now you can see their lives have been completely changed. No one can say they are not active, no one can say that they are dirty, for every true devotee of Guru Maharaj Ji is really pure externally and internally. They are performing their worldly duties and following the path of Truth and by this they are increasing peace, love and harmony throughout society. Many sadhus have come to see Mata Ji in India, they used to do so many different actions to attain enlightenment, and when Mata Ji asked them, "Have you seen the Light?" They said, "No, we have not." "Have you experienced the Holy Name?" "No, Mata Ji," they said. Then Mata Ji said, "What are you doing? You're wasting your life. You are neither serving your family, nor yourself, nor society. Why are you wasting your time?" And then they began weeping, they shed tears saying, "Mata Ji, no Master showed us the right path, no Master directed us on the path to enlightenment. Please give us Knowledge." Then they received Knowledge by Guru Maharaj Ji's Grace. Now they are spreading this message, the Knowledge of Guru Maharaj Ji and bringing peace into other people's hearts and really have been completely changed and are leading a very beautiful spiritual life.

One boy, who is from England, was coming to Delhi from Hardwar just two weeks ago, he was travelling on a train in a second class compartment, and three wicked people entered into the compartment where there was no one except that premie. They robbed him and attacked him, and at that time he began praying to Guru Maharaj Ji, "Oh Guru Maharaj Ji, I am not afraid of death, but I have one regret in my heart that, after receiving this Knowledge, I could not serve you. Oh my Lord, give me the opportunity to render some service to you, to spread your Knowledge." Then he began meditating on the Holy Name and fell unconscious. Those wicked people took his passport, his money, his clothes, everything, and when the train stopped at the station they ran away. At that time there were some policemen standing there and they became suspicious about the men and they arrested them. At the same time, the premie regained consciousness and he began to shout and when the police saw that his clothes were full of blood they came and asked him what had happened and he explained everything. So he was sent to a doctor for treatment and the three wicked people were arrested and put into jail. After two or three days he regained his health and he got his passport, his clothes and everything else back, and then he came to Delhi and saw Guru Maharaj Ji. He told Mata Ji, "l have experienced two things. Firstly, how death comes suddenly and man doesn't know that it's coming; he is happy, cheerful, laughing, but death comes suddenly and takes him away from this earth. Secondly, I have experienced the Grace of Guru Maharaj Ji, the power of Guru Maharaj Ji. For at that time I did not remember anyone else in the world, I just remembered Guru Maharaj Ji when I was attacked and I asked Him to help me, to protect me, to give me the chance to serve Him, and I received His Grace; He saved me at that time. They had tried to kill me and they thought I was dead, but by Guru Maharaj Ji's Grace I got my consciousness back." So he was telling about his experience how death can come at any time, with no invitation. But if you take refuge in Guru Maharaj Ji and pray Him to help you, then He comes to help you. This is the nature of life, no one knows when this body is going to die. So know that Knowledge that Guru Maharaj Ji gives, because it is the Knowledge of Truth, the true Spiritual Knowledge and when you know this Knowledge, meditate on it and put it into practice, then you will never die. Many of you have experienced this inner peace of the soul after receiving this Knowledge. The soul is neither small nor big, it is pure consciousness, it is the divinest part of the Almighty Lord. It never grows nor decays. If our soul within our hearts could grow, then also our stomach would grow and it would become bigger and bigger, but it's not like that. The soul is always the same, equal and constant, the subtlest vibration; if it could grow, then it would decay, because where there is growth there is decay, then it would die. But no, the soul is pure consciousness which remains all the time unchangeable. So meditate on the soul and you will get inner peace. But how can those who 'do not know this Truth meditate? They cannot. So receive this Knowledge and then you will be able to direct your mind and senses inwards, and when your mind is inward you will be able to get peace from within yourself.

Guru Maharaj Ji's lilas are so divine, so perfect, but only devotees can understand them, other people cannot, especially newspapers. They write so many things about Guru Maharaj Ji, they don't understand, they are not enlightened souls, they are not realised personalities and so they cannot understand the Knowledge and the wisdom of Guru Maharaj Ji. People did the same thing when Krishna and Rama were here. Ravana, who was a very great learned king of Ceylon, opposed Lord Rama. He criticised and published so many false accusations against Lord Rama. Krishna was born in prison. His parents were put into jail for ten months, but Krishna performed so many miracles, so many lilas, so many great activities, but still at that time very few people Understood His Divinity or realised His greatness. Some of the people and kings of that time simply opposed Krishna. When Lord Jesus came, the same thing happened. Some disciples spread His message and inspired people to follow and worship the Lord, but one or two betrayed Him they were also disciples but they did not realise His power, His spirituality. Other people also criticised and crucified Him.

Now that you have received this Knowledge meditate on it and spread Guru Maharaj Ji's teachings because this Knowledge alone can bring peace and satisfaction into the hearts of mankind. You should not concern yourselves with other people's activities, your aim is to meditate and spread the Divine Knowledge of Guru Maharaj Ji so that you may lead a perfect spiritual life. Spread Guru Maharaj Ji's Knowledge for this Knowledge has given you peace and will give other people peace also!

One student who came from Germany to Prem Nagar Ashram and then to Delhi was searching for this Knowledge for a long time; he had studied many scriptures, many philosophies. His parents are in China and when he received this Knowledge, he said to Mata Ji, "This Knowledge is very wonderful. I must spread this Knowledge in China." And now he has gone to China, his parents are there and he is studying in the University getting a degree.

We should not care about infamy or praise, we should not be affected by these things because Great Masters are above all praise and criticism. Shri Maharaj Ji used to say, "My message will be spread more by my critics than by my devotees. If I spend hundreds of thousands of rupees still this message will not be spread, but when my critics criticise me, I don't even spend a single penny and they just spread my Name throughout the world, and they have already done so." Everyone knows Guru Maharaj Ji nowadays, everywhere! So He says, "I love my critics more than my devotees!"

(Mata Ji sings) This song means: when the Lord comes, He inspires people to criticise Him so that He may see whether His devotees are firm on the devotional path or not, whether their faith is stable or not. He wants to know where they are standing and how much they love Him. On one side people criticise the Lord, and on the other side some people praise Him. Now is the time to realise stability of mind. A true devotee never gets confused, because he knows the Truth, he knows this from the experience of the Knowledge which he has received from his Master, so whatever happens, happens according to His Will. He wants to test His devotees so that He may know who is a stable-minded person, who is firm on this right path, who loves Him for the sake of love. So whatever happens, happens according to His Will.

Many premies, both from America and England, have sent letters to Guru Maharaj Ji requesting Him to come soon, but as He had returned to India after being away for ten months, and as there are millions of devotees
who never before have missed the Guru Puja and other festivals, but now because Guru Maharaj Ji is travelling from country to country they couldn't have Darshan for ten months, so now their love is keeping Guru Maharaj Ji in India. Many educated people, politicians and ambassadors from other countries are going to see Guru Maharaj Ji, they go to Punjabi Bagh and get appointments to talk to Guru Maharaj Ji, so He couldn't come here so soon, but He has sent Holy Mother and very soon He will come if your love is powerful enough to call Him. The call of the heart compels the Lord to come, not just writing a letter, but the call which comes from the heart inspires Him to rush to see His devotees. So develop your love, make it so strong, so powerful that the Lord will come very soon. Mata Ji will give you satsang from time to time.

 

[Dividing Line Image]


A Little More Effort

This Discourse was given by Mata Ji, Mother of Guru Maharaj Ji, in Concord, Massachusetts, on May l9th, 1972.


There was once a yogi who lived a very strict life in the forest, living on berries, and having no possessions of his own. He was just sitting there, hoping to find God. Forty years passed, and still he was sitting there, but still God didn't come. You see, there is a way to do everything, and this yogi didn't know the way to find God. And so God didn't come. The yogi had let his hair grow very long, and his fingernails too, and he had smeared himself all over with ashes, and he looked like nothing on earth. He had almost lost consciousness of his body altogether.

Finally he became tired of that way of life, because the birds used to come and nest in his hair year after year, because that was all he was good for. He was a fine place for birds to bring up their children. So finally he got bored of just sitting around, and said to himself, "This is no good. I'm going back, and I'm going to get married. Even if I can't see God, at least I can enjoy bringing up some children of my own."

He was on his way back from the forest to live in the world, when he ran across a famous dancer who was rather short of money. She said that she was going to dance in the palace of the king in a nearby town, although people told her that the king was a miser who wouldn't give her a penny. She told the yogi that she was sure he would give her something if she danced well enough and long enough.

So the yogi, the sadhu, thought that this would be a splendid way to be introduced to worldly life: he would go to court and watch this famous dancer dance before a king. And he went to the palace, and he sat there in the corner with his long hair and his blanket. And the king was there, and his son and daughter. And the dancer danced, and she danced, and she danced.

She danced until the first light of dawn crept into the courtyard, but still the king threw her no gold coin, tossed her no purse: and at last she became tired of waiting, and sang to her husband,

"We won't grow rich by standing here.
I think we'd best be gone, my dear."

But her husband, who was playing the tabla, sang back to her,

"We've done so much, there's not much more to do,
let's not stop here, let's see this business through."

Now this yogi was a naked yogi, and his blanket was the only cover he had. But he was so overwhelmed by this verse that the husband sang, that he forgot all about his nakedness, and took his blanket, and threw it across to the dancer. And the king's daughter threw her diamond earrings across to the woman, and the king's son took off his ring, and threw that.

The dancer was very satisfied, more than satisfied, by this unexpected turn of events. But the king was very angry about it. And his reason was this: in that part of the world it was the custom that the richest man present would be the first to give a gift. So the king was very angry, and he asked the sadhu, "Why did you do that? Why did you give her your blanket before I had made my contribution?" And the sadhu, the yogi, said, "O King, I had nothing else to give her, so I gave her my blanket. If I were the emperor, I would have given her all my lands, my palaces and slaves, because she and her husband just saved my life. When her husband sang, "We've done so much, there's not much more to do, let's not stop here, let's see this business through," l suddenly realised that God was giving me one last chance. I have been meditating and trying to see God for forty years, but recently my mind has been beginning to trick me. It has been persuading me to give up my attempt to see God, and to go back into the world and get married instead. But when I heard that verse, I understood something. I saw that if I made a little more effort, my whole lifetime's search would be rewarded. But if I gave up now, I would have wasted my whole life. So I was simply overwhelmed that they should give me such good advice, especially as they didn't even intend it for me; and I gave them my blanket, because that was all I had to give them in return."

So the king turned to his daughter, and asked her why she had given her diamonds to the dancer, and she replied, "O Father, what can I say? I was just going to commit a terrible sin. Every time I have asked you to arrange a marriage for me, you have said, 'Okay, I will arrange it soon.' But you were so stingy that it never occurred to you that I was slowly growing old, and you never did anything about it. So I finally got very impatient, and tonight I was going to run away with the Grand Minister's son. But when I heard that verse the dancer's husband sang, I realised that if I had managed to wait this long, I might as well be patient a little longer. And when I saw that that little ditty had saved the reputation of our whole family, I just gave them my earrings. It was the least I could do."

And then the king turned to his son, and asked him why he had given away his ring. And the son replied, "Tonight would have been the last night of your life, if it weren't for the dancer and her husband. Recently I have become completely fed up with your miserly ways. You refuse to marry my sister, although she keeps asking you to find her a husband, and you are completely reluctant to allow me any power, although I am your son and heir, and a grown man. Tonight I was going to kill you, and then I would have given my sister's hand to a worthy husband, and ruled the kingdom to the best of my ability, because everyone was getting completely tired of you and your hesitations. But when I heard that verse, I said to myself, 'I have waited this long. Perhaps I should be patient a little longer.' So that poem saved you from death at the hands of your son; it saved me from killing my own father; and it saved our land from the rule of a murderer. That little ditty worked wonders for us all. And that's why I gave my ring to the pair of them."

At this point, it dawned on the king that something marvellous had happened. He appointed his son to rule his kingdom, married his daughter off to a brave and gentle prince from a neighbouring state, sent lavish presents to the dancer and her husband, and then went off himself with the yogi in search of God. And all because of a little poem that said "let's not stop here, let's see this business through."

So this is the point that I'm trying to get across, dear people: have a little patience, practise this meditation, and you will all live happily ever after.

[Dividing Line Image]