February 2004 Retreat

Saints of India

The Swami began his comments on the topic, 'Saints of India', by asking why it is that so many scientists can be found in the West, while the East is the birthplace of so many of the world's saints and sages. He pointed out that Swami Vivekananda had explained that the West has investigated truth in the external and the East has focused this inquiry on the internal, and while the methods may vary, Truth is One. But while the goal of scientific inquiry is in incremental truths and discoveries, the most important aspect of truth for the spiritual seeker is the ultimate truth of the soul.

"Souls spend their whole lives in spiritual pursuits in India, then again, we find others spending their whole lives in scientific pursuits in the West," said the Swami. "Perhaps the environment is more conducive to spiritual inquiry in the East and more conducive to scientific in the West, but whatever the reason, the result is that India has produced many saints over time. From North to South; from many places of birth; not only monks, but householders; not only men, but many women are revered as saints in India. And what is it that makes this difference of environment?"

"It is that many in India believe in India the fulfillment of life is in spiritual realization. Not in the pursuit of money or fame, but in finding the way to eternal peace through the realization of God. They make God part and parcel of their daily lives. The family designates a place for the family deity in the home where they worship, say prayers and make food offerings everyday. Every new item brought into the household, greetings, problems, the daily comings and goings of family members, all is offered before the deity. From this constant inclusion and acknowledgment in daily life, love of God grows: not fear, but love."

"Saints live with God, and in turn, the lives of these souls become an inspiration for others. Throughout the many troubled periods of history, such people have shown paths that have inspired and guided - not only with spiritual, but with social implications as well. These realized souls have shown themselves to be real leaders of Indian society. And what are some of the common features of these great souls?"

"Firstly, they have renounced all; forsaken all other loves. Other relationships and pursuits become secondary. Next is development of devotion to God and with this devotion comes knowledge. Another commonality is that most practice bhakti and have a chosen ideal of which the two incarnations of God, Rama and Krishna. are favored in such aspects as a master and a child. Accordingly, they practice for months and years in a tremendous struggle directed at purifying the mind in the conquering of secular samskaras." Hints of this struggle can be seen in the lives of Christ and Buddha that every aspirant passes through. This tremendous mental agony results - because in spite of renouncing all, one still has not had the vision of one's beloved."

"Blessed are those who agonize so. It is something very special and shows great progress in spiritual life. Sri Ramakrishna, shedding tears at the end of each day, would beseech the Divine Mother, 'O Ma, another day has gone and still I have no vision of Thee!' Through this self-effort and, finally, the grace of the Lord, that 'dark night' of the soul passes and the aspirant's innermost desire is granted and fulfilled; the goal of human life is realized and one experiences true peace, joy and knowledge." Among these souls there are those feel no urgency to share this discovery and others who are driven to share it. And how is it that they share?"

"They seek the company of spiritual aspirants in order to show them the spiritual path. This these great souls do in different ways. They teach through stories and parables. They compose songs and hymns that not only guide with a message, the singers themselves experience joy in the singing of such compositions. Many gain psychic powers, and many writings are full of such anecdotes. So much so that ordinary devotees cannot recognize the spiritual greatness of such souls without displays of these powers. In reality, psychic powers are no indication of spiritual realization, rather, the use of such powers are obstacles to the aspirant's final goal."

As time for this talk was running short, the Swami shared one example of Indian sainthood in the person of the renowned poetess Mirabai.  Meera was born in 1504 A.D. in Chaukari Village in the Merta District of Rajasthan, From her childhood Meera was devoted to Lord Krishna as the child Gopala and referred to him as 'Giridhar Nagar' as depicted in one episode of Krishna's life. She once told her mother that the Lord had married her in a dream. Later it was arranged that she marry the Prince of Chitter. This marriage raised Meera to a very high social status as the ruler of Chitter was considered to be the leader of the Hindu princes. But luck didn't favor Princess Meera. By 1527 she had lost her father, her husband and her father-in-law as well. Meera, who dedicated her life to Lord Krishna, accepted these bereavements as a matter of course.

Meera began to devote most of her time in prayer and worship and did not pay any attention to the etiquettes of a royal household. This led to her being subjected to great hardships and punishments after her husband and protector had died. The emperor was so enraged with Mira's conduct he set out to kill her, three instances of which she later set to song. When these hardships became intolerable and came in the way of her worship of Krishna, she left the palace for good and went to the pilgrimage of Mathura, Vrindavan and finally to Dwarika.

Meera expressed her intense and deep love of God in a beautiful style. She composed hundreds of songs in a simple, unpretentious style. Her songs have gained a unique popularity and are sung by the rich and the poor alike, even to this day. Mirabai's songs don't place much importance on rituals and formalism such as rules on food, fasting, cleanliness and such, as in this free translation of one song:

If we could reach the Lord through bathing in water, there are many animals that live in water who would have realized God.
If we could reach Him through nothing but berries and wild nuts, then surely there are monkeys and bats who would have realized God.
If we could reach Him by munching dry leaves, then goats would surely get to the Holy One before us!
If worship of stone statues could bring us all the way, I would have adored a granite mountain years ago.


"So how does one realize Hari?" asked the Swami. "Mira says only with real and genuine love."