Paramahansa Yogananda on Celebrating Christmas in the Consciousness of Christ
12th December, 2018
Paramahansa Yogananda began the practice of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with an all-day meditation with his disciples in 1931. SRF has continued to uphold this blessed tradition with many of our temples and centers around the world conducting all-day meditations.
Following are excerpts from his description of the first all-day meditation held at the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles in 1931. You can read the entire description, which appears, along with a revelatory commentary on the original teachings of Jesus, in Paramahansaji’s highly acclaimed commentary on the four Gospels, The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You.
“When Christmas comes, people usually think of buying gifts for their loved ones. A few think of the beauties of Christmas music and church services. Most celebrators revel in the festivity of the Christmas tree, with its glimmering electric ‘stars’ and tinsel and the gaily wrapped gifts beneath its branches. It is good to celebrate the birth of Christ with songs, dinners, and the exchange of gifts; but if material festivity becomes the only purpose of all the Christmas celebration, it is a pity, and nothing of spiritual value is gained….
“The original meaning of religious symbols and holy days is often forgotten. Thus, most people think of Christmas as an ordinary holiday festivity and forget Christ, the master of ceremonies. When used only as an occasion for festivity, the great spiritual significance of Christmas is lost sight of….
“We should rejoice that such a holy being as Christ was given to serve as an ideal of perfection for deluded mankind to follow. Indifferent, unconscious honour shown to him will not do us any good. Christmas should be so observed that it may materially, mentally, and spiritually give us, at the least, a new impetus to start in the Christ-path of truth with the beginning of the new year.
“We did this last year [1931] at the Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center. A short description of the way we observed Christmas will give some suggestions as to how spiritual people should celebrate the coming Christmas.
“To begin with, we did our Christmas shopping early. Every resident, and all others invited to the Christmas festivity, received a gift. However small in monetary value, it was rich with our love. Everyone in our divine family is considered close to us because of a spiritual tie, which is even stronger than a material tie of compulsion. We are gathered together in the name of our One Father, and have recognized ourselves as His children made in His image.
“We knew that getting dinner for a hundred people, adorning the Christmas tree, and making all the arrangements, would take much time, and that in the din of activity Christ might slip away unnoticed from the altar of our attention. So the day before Christmas we fasted on fruits and suspended all cooking and other preparations for Christmas Day. We sat around the exquisitely decorated Christmas tree and alternately chanted and meditated deeply, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. We ate a supper of fruit and meditated again until 11 p.m. As we retired, many guests, with tears in their eyes, said: ‘We have felt Christ and God today. We never knew before what the deep diving into Cosmic Consciousness meant. Most of us swam on the surface of the sea of silence, but never dived to get the beautiful pearls of God-contact.’
“Christmas morning we began with a meditation, and then the final preparations were completed and the long-looked-for dinner came. After that was the opening of the mystery packages, then a closing meditation and singing until late at night. So it was that our Christmas began in the consciousness of Christ and ended in his Expanded Consciousness.
“With the coming of Christmas, do not let your consciousness sink into the well of turkey dinners, exchange of gifts, dances, festivities, and cocktail parties. A well of material thoughts is not a fit place in which to celebrate Christ’s birthday. Instead, take your consciousness from the confines of mere material festivities and with closed eyes enter the secret door of meditative silence to behold the vast altar of peace spread eternally above, beneath, to the left and to the right, in front and behind, within and without….
“Meditate upon the following: ‘My Christ-Peace is descending upon every living thing, upon every living star, upon every speck of matter and space.
“Celebrate Christmas upon the altar of the vast inner silence; in the sanctuary of every desire, every living thing in the world, in all the cosmos, celebrate the birth of Christ….”
According to Hindu Scriptures, the River Ganges, better known as Ganga, originated in heaven where she was personified as a goddess bearing the name Akasha-Ganga. The Milky Way appearing in space from Earth is said to be the path of the Ganga River throughout the universe. This holy river brings life and fertility to nature; she is deeply revered and worshipped as a source of purification, healing, and liberation. She is also Jnana-ganga, the unbroken flow of knowledge itself. In the Mahabharata and Skanda Purana, her waters have been compared to amrita i.e., nectar of immortality.
The following article recounts how Gangaji leaves the higher planesand descends into the world in order to help human beings. It is through Shiva that she is able to do so. We go with her until she finally reaches her destination: Ganga Sagar. This place where the river (man) meets the ocean (God) in West Bengal is a symbol of enlightenment. The annual Gangasagar Mela will be held there from 10th January 2025 to 18th January 2025. It is the second largest Hindu fair (after the Kumbha Mela).
The Ganges flowing past Laxman Jhula town, and Sacha Dham ashram on the right. It is believed that Lakshman, Lord Rama’s brother, crossed the river here using just jute ropes.
The Ganges surrounds Sacha Dham ashram on three sides (early 2000s)
The origin and glory of the Ganges and the Lord’s Pastimes at Ganga Sagar are described in the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Gaudiya Vaishnava scriptures. Here they are presented in summary form.
According to the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.36.52–3, 2.5.38–42), the universe is a giant golden egg made up of fourteen planes of existence.
The seven upper planes are known as Bhu, Bhuva, Sva, Maha, Jana, Tapa, and Satya, and the seven lower planes are known as Tala, Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Talatala, Mahatala, and Sutala. These fourteen planes are often referred to as ‘the three worlds’: Svarga, Martya, and Patal [heaven, earth, and hell]. The universe, the golden egg made up of these worlds, floats in the Causal Ocean.
“Past the abode of light outside Vaikuntha lies the Causal Ocean. Surrounding Vaikuntha, it is eternal, impassable, and endless.” (Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita: Adi-lila, 5.51–52)
The Causal Ocean is also known as the Viraja River. It divides the spiritual world from the material world. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained this to Vasudev Datta:
“As a wild fig tree yields millions of fruit, so millions of universes float on the waters of the River Viraja.” (Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita: Madhya-lila, 15.172)
The Origin of Ganga Devi
Once the emperor Bali Maharaj conquered the three worlds. After a long battle, Bali Maharaj ousted Indra and the other demigods from heaven. The demigods’ mother, Aditi, became morose and performed a special sacrifice, the Payo Vrata, to induce the Lord to protect the demigods. Pleased with Aditi, the Lord agreed to descend to the world as her son and re-establish the demigods’ reign. He assumed the form of a young dwarf-brahman, Vamandev, and eventually came to a sacrificial arena where Bali Maharaj was performing an asvamedha sacrifice [horse sacrifice]. There He begged Bali Maharaj for three steps of land. When Bali Maharaj granted this, Vamandev began to expand His form. Gradually He became so large that His form filled the sky and all the directions. Vamandev stepped across the entire earth with His first step and across the heavens with His second step. When Bali Maharaj saw that there was nowhere else for the Lord to step, he surrendered and prayed that the Lord would place His last step on his head.
When the Lord stepped across the heavens, the nail of His big left toe poked a hole in the outer boundary of the universe.
“Water from the Causal Ocean entered the universe through this hole. It was coloured because it had washed the Lord’s kumkum-adorned lotus feet. Though the touch of this water destroys the sins of the whole world, the water itself remains uncontaminated. Because it emanates directly from the Lord’s feet, it is known as ‘Vishnupadi’.” (Srimad Bhagavatam: 5.17.1)
This water is identified as the Ganges in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita (Adi-lila, 5.54):
“The Ganges, which is the saviour of fallen souls, is a drop of the Causal Ocean’s spiritual water.”
When the Ganges entered the universe, it flowed into Dhruvaloka, the polestar, and the Saptarshi Mandal, the seven planets that closely orbit Dhruvaloka, which are inhabited by the seven great sages—Kasyapa, Atri, Vasishtha, Visvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadvaja. The Ganges remained there for thousands of yugas and was known as the Mandakini [‘she who flows gently’].
Meanwhile, on earth, the descendants of Manu, the progenitor of mankind, spread across the planet. The lineage of Manu’s son Ikshvaku, the lineage in which Ambarish Maharaj appeared, was eventually led by a king named Sagar. Once, on the direction of Aurva Muni, Maharaj Sagar was performing an asvamedha sacrifice for the Lord’s satisfaction. During the sacrifice, Indra stole the necessary horse. On his order, Maharaj Sagar’s sixty thousand sons went out to search for the horse and eventually found it on the bank of the ocean at the ashram of Kapila Muni (the Lord’s Saktyaves-avatar Kapiladev, who is described in Srimad Bhagavatam). Maharaj Sagar’s sons wrongly assumed that Kapila Muni had stolen the horse and came forward to kill him. As they did so, their bodies suddenly burned to ashes from within.
Ganga Devi’s Divine Powers Needed in the World
When, after a long time his sons did not return, Maharaj Sagar sent his grandson Amsuman to search for them and the missing horse. Amsuman eventually came to Kapila Muni’s ashram, where he found the horse and a great pile of ashes. Amsuman prayed to Kapila, and Kapila gave him the horse but said that his uncles could only be saved if Ganges water was sprinkled on their ashes. Amsuman returned to his grandfather with the horse. Maharaj Sagar completed the asvamedha sacrifice and then attained the supreme.
Amsuman performed austerities to bring the Ganges down to earth but was unsuccessful, and eventually passed away. Amsuman’s son Dilip tried to bring the Ganges to the earth but was also unsuccessful. Thereafter Amsuman’s grandson, Maharaj Bhagirath, began to try. Ganga Devi eventually became pleased with Maharaj Bhagirath and appeared before him: “I am pleased with you and ready to grant you a boon.” Maharaj Bhagirath explained that he wanted her to descend to the earth to deliver his ancestors. Ganga Devi replied, “I do not want to go to Earth because the people there will wash away their sins inside me. Where will I wash away those sins? I will have nowhere to go. Also, if I descend to the earth, who will catch me when I fall? If no one catches me, I will pierce through the earth and fall into the netherworld.”
Maharaj Bhagirath replied, “Lord Shiva can catch you when you descend; you will not fall into the netherworld. The sadhus will bathe within you when you come to the earth. They will remove the people’s sins because the Lord, the destroyer of all sin, is ever-present in their hearts.”
“The saviours of the world, the sadhus, who are detached, peaceful, and adept in Vedic principles, will remove all sins by bathing within you. Lord Hari, the destroyer of all sins, resides within them.” (Srimad Bhagavatam: 9.9.6)
Maharaj Bhagirath propitiated Shiva and requested him to catch the Ganges. Shiva replied, “So be it.” Thereafter Ganga Devi descended from Dhruvaloka through Chandraloka and the other heavenly planes. As she fell towards the earth, Lord Shiva carefully caught the stream of her water on his head. He thus became known as Gangadhar [‘Ganga’s holder’]. Kapila Muni further explains in Srimad Bhagavatam (3.28.22):
“Lord Shiva became imbued with the quality of shivatva, auspiciousness, by bearing upon his head the holy waters of the greatest of all rivers, the Ganges, whose origin is the Supreme Lord’s foot-wash.”
As Lord Shiva broke the Ganges’ fall, she descended to Mount Meru and from there flowed through the Himalayas towards Bharata-varsha. Maharaj Bhagirath mounted a chariot and raced in front of the Ganges blowing a conch as she flowed across the earth purifying the land and people.
As Maharaj Bhagirath and the Ganges travelled east towards the ashram of Kapila Muni on the seashore, they eventually came to Sri Nabadwip Dham. When they entered Simantadwip, the Ganges stopped. Alarmed, Maharaj Bhagirath worshipped the Ganges, and she appeared before him. Maharaj Bhagirath said, “If you stop here, my ancestors will never be delivered.” Ganga Devi replied, “I am the foot-water of the Supreme Lord, and we have arrived in His abode. After I finish the worship I desire to perform here, I will go and deliver your ancestors.”
Maharaj Bhagirath happily waited for the Ganges to complete her worship, and then they continued on. When they came to Jahnudwip, where Jahnu Muni resided, the muni’s achaman cup fell into the Ganges as her waves passed by him. Jahnu Muni was chanting the gayatri mantra at the time, and when he noticed his cup was gone, he swallowed the Ganges. Maharaj Bhagirath propitiated Jahnu Muni, and the muni released the Ganges through his thigh [‘jahnu’]. Thereafter the Ganges became known as ‘Jahnavi’, the daughter of Jahnu Muni.
From Sri Nabadwip Dham, Maharaj Bhagirath and the Ganges continued towards the ocean. Lastly they arrived at the ashram of Kapila Muni. There Maharaj Bhagirath sprinkled some of the Ganges’ water on the ashes of his ancestors, and they ascended to Svargaloka.
Because Maharaj Bhagirath brought her to Earth, Ganga Devi is known as ‘Bhagirathi’, and because she delivered the fallen souls, even though they had offended the Lord (Maharaj Bhagirath’s ancestors, who had attempted to attack Lord Kapiladev), she is known as ‘Patit-pavani’ [the Saviour of the fallen].
The bond with the Higher World enriches the consciousness bountifully. In manifold ways do the lofty sendings reach their mark — they may be apprehended in sleep, they may be received in wakefulness as a lightning flash of thought. One should not grieve if such thoughts sometimes seem to be immediately forgotten, rather, they have sunk into the consciousness. It may be that the thought was destined for the innermost consciousness. Only in due time will it be manifested; meanwhile it must live on and enrich the consciousness.
It is said that growth of consciousness is similar to the growth of a blade of grass. Man cannot notice the growth of grass by the hour, and just as imperceptibly appears a budding blossom. Only by periods is it possible to observe changes of consciousness; such a change will be indescribable. Consciousness grows by synthesis, it cannot move forward in a narrow manner. Advancement of the consciousness will proceed from the center encompassing successive circles of new understanding.
Likewise, sendings to scientists will not be materially narrow; they will impel the thought toward an expanding horizon. The mind will act as a scabbard for the flaming sword. Thus, tasks with a broad range are presented from the Higher World. Earthly limitations reduce supermundane thought to the human word, yet in the depths of consciousness is preserved the imprint of the heavenly hieroglyph. (AUM)
Many disciples gathered around a certain venerated teacher. They pursued their occupations successfully until a rumour reached them that in a distant city another teacher had made his appearance. This news gradually created doubt and divided opinion among the disciples; it weakened their attention and hindered their advancement.
One day the teacher said, “I am going into the mountains; in the meantime, strengthen yourselves in the assimilation of the Teaching.” The teacher departed. But within a short time, unexpectedly, the disciples were visited by a new teacher with whom they were extremely delighted. Finally one disciple, hoping to flatter the new teacher, exclaimed,
“How much more excellent and intelligible is your Teaching than the former one!”
Then the new teacher removed his turban, threw open his garment, altered his facial expression, and the disciples recognized their former teacher. They became greatly abashed and whispered, “Why did you change your appearance?” He said to them, “You wished to have a new teacher and a superior Teaching, so I helped you in this.” Thus one can discover in ancient tales qualities of people common to all ages.(AUM)
Learn to approach Our Heights pure of heart. Our Ray will shine upon you and exalt your daily life. You carry stones for the raising of My new Temple.
Teach others My Word, and wisdom will flourish; And a new Temple will be raised.
Do not regard Me as a magician, yet can I lead you upward upon the ladder of Beauty beheld only in dreams.
Wafting to you the fragrance from the mountains of Tibet, We bring the message of a new religion of the pure spirit to humanity.
It is coming; and you, united here in search of Light, bear the precious stone. To you is revealed the miracle of creating harmony in life. It will reveal to the world a new Teaching.
The miracle of Beauty in the adornment of our daily lives will exalt mankind. Raise high your light. Illumine the beauties of My Temple.
Teach the Joy of Beauty. Teach the Happiness of Wisdom. Teach the Bliss of Love. Teach the Glory of Unity with God.
I will grant you the power and fleetness of Mercury. Go forward without doubt, without fear, without turning back.
On 3rd October 2024 Sacha Dham ashram will be celebrating the Enlightenment Day – Prakash Diwash – of Saint Shri Hans Raj Maharajji Sacha Baba. He became enlightened in 1955. In the 1980s he founded Sacha Dham, a Vedic ashram and, as Sacha Baba, used it as his center from where he created more favourable conditions to facilitate the Shift in Consciousness of humanity (Parivartan), which is ongoing.
In 1989, one of his devotees, Shri Sudhir Bhardwaj situates Sacha Baba Maharajji’s work not only as the continuation of that of his Master Sacha Baba Kulanandji, Avatar of the Sacha Lineage, but also in the long, Vedic tradition of Mahatmas. In this extract, he gives a fitting description of a part of Maharajji’s work.
Shri Sacha Dham is blessed by the presence of a highly advanced and realized spiritual personality, Swamiji Hansrajji Maharaj, who is also the founder and spiritual leader of Sacha Dham. Swamiji, who is more popularly known as Maharajji, is a Saint of very rare spiritual distinction. Anyone coming into contact with Maharajji even for a short time, is deeply affected by his powerful spiritual vibrations and an extremely kind and generous heart. For the ashramites, Maharajji is like a mother.
Advanced spiritual personalities in India have always been deeply involved with the spiritual and material well-being of human society. Even if they live in remote Himalayan ashrams, by their spiritual and psychic powers they keep a close eye on world conditions, and by constant prayer and other spiritual practices, try to create peaceful, constructive and positive ideas in the Universal and individual souls.
Although these Saints are very few these days, they are still present. Swamiji Maharaj is one such Saint whose spiritual work extends far and wide and includes the welfare of the entire human society. Maharajji says that the main concern of Saints these days is to avoid any nuclear confrontation between major world powers, which will result in great destruction of human life. Small wars and civil strife, they feel, cannot be avoided under present circumstances, but their spiritual efforts are directed to avoiding any major confrontation which may turn into a full scale nuclear war.
From old Vedic times, Indian tradition has laid more emphasis on the spiritual progress of human society, though healthy material advancement has also never been denied. But only material advancement without enough spiritual enlightenment is a blind force which may turn back and destroy its own creator. Saintly philosophers and thinkers of India have always tried to turn human society towards its spiritual goal. Even today, they continue their efforts in the same direction.
Maharajji’s wish is that each of us practice a form of spirituality (sadhana) of his own choice so that he will be pushed up to a higher rung on the ladder of spirituality, and of general evolution, benefitting in this way from the present energies of the Parivartan, while at the same time enabling humanity on the whole to do the same. This sadhana is also necessary for the comfort and sefety of each of us.
An opinion exists that prayer is something apart from daily life, whereas it is the foundation of life. Without a link with the Higher World humanity would be unthinkable, it would be worse than the beasts! Thus, one may regard this bond with the Higher World as the foundation of Be-ness. It matters not in what language the invocation is uttered. Thought has no tongue, yet it is all-pervading.
Some devote themselves entirely to prayer, others are able to combine prayer with labour. Let us not weigh which is the most precious; suffice it that prayer and the link with the Higher World do exist and transform life.
Do not be astonished if a worker produces a better quality of work by performing it with an invocation of higher Assistance. Be not amazed if the shortest prayer will be the most efficacious.
Thus, let us commune with the Higher World, not by a command but by an inclination of the heart. One may transform earthly life only through the bond with the Higher World, otherwise suffering will not diminish; on the contrary, it will lead to ruin. (AUM)
Every year the Guru Purnima festival is celebrated in Hinduism to pay homage to spiritual and academic teachers or instructors known as Gurus. The term guru (Gu meaning darkness and Ru, light) refers one who dispells darkness or ignorance, thus leading us to the Light. For those on the spiritual path, he is a realized soul, known as Satguru, the True Guru or the Guru who reveals the truth. This festival is held on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Ashadha (June–July) according to the Hindu Calendar – on 21st July in 2024.
Lord Krishna teaches his disciple Arjuna
This homage includes Gurus of the past, where, for example, the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the Buddha, and in Vedic Hindu tradition, the day is also celebrated in honour of the sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest Gurus in ancient Hindu traditions. This homage is also paid to Lord Shiva, who some Hindus consider the first Guru as he began the transmission of Yoga to the Saptarishis (the Mind-born Sons of Brahma).
Who is Lord Shiva? Is Shiva a person? Shiva was not a man who walked our planet. Lord Shiva is the supreme consciousness (Divinity) eternally present everywhere. He is present from every atom to the whole universe and beyond. When we talk of Lord Shiva as the first Guru, it is not the physical form. Lord Shiva as Guru is the Divine light that resides within everybody which brings enlightenment or knowledge. The whole expansive space in the universe is not void but is brimming with divine consciousness and this space contains all knowledge. This infinite consciousness is Shiva, the first Guru.
Continuous Transmission of Light
It is very important to know that God’s sustaining Light has been continuously transmitted to humanity ever since humanity has existed, and that we are not left alone in our struggle to reach the source of this Light. Between the Divinity and humanity there is a realm of spiritual beings which forms the spiritual realm, divided into several planes. The entire Hierarchy of Spiritual Beings (angels and Masters) represent a synthesis of forces or of energies, which forces or energies are consciously used for the furtherance of planetary evolution.
This is where the fifth kingdom is found, on it’s particular plane. It is called the Kingdom of God by some as it is composed of highly advanced persons, who live through their Higher consciousness, which is merged in God. It includes a particular group – the spiritual Hierarchy of Masters.They watch over the planet, composed of the other four kingdoms – mineral, plant, animal, and human. They live on Earth in physical bodies – either dense physical bodies, or etheric bodies. They are indeed intermediaries who transmit to us Light (including Love and Wisdom) and well-being as Caretakers, Gurus, who carry out God’s plan. They are like parents who watch over their children.
Here are some key notions to clarify the background to this :
▪︎ God created the universe according to His Plan using the three energies of the Trimurti (Trinity): Shiva, the initiator of the creation, the force of destruction and regeneration; Vishnu, the preservative (or sustaining) energy; Brahma, the creative or formative energy).
▪︎ God does not work alone, he works through several categories of agents or assistants in the spiritual realm to carry out His plan. So when we are told that Brahma (third aspect of the Trinity of God) created something, this was necessarily done through the appropriate agents, starting with the Prajapati — ‘Mind-born’ sons of Brahma (Archangels, Architects of the Universe) who, in Hindu scriptures, are said to be the fathers of mankind.
▪︎ When God creates something, or beings, He does not create them perfectly finished. Our planet has taken ages and ages to become what it is today. So it is with Man, and he has still not finished his development.
▪︎God’s creation, the universe, is ruled by cycles of energies and so nothing happens by chance. All things change and develop according the the cycle in play, as it pushes the creation up the ladder of evolution to a higher place in the spiral. These cycles condition everything, thus giving a particular touch or colouration. This includes Man. However, man has free will and so can choose to follow his heart and so benefit from them; or else often follow only his lower mind and so go in the opposite direction – thus creating “friction”, which causes suffering.
▪︎The Hierarchy of Masters, these Elder Brothers of the race who watch over humanity, establish plans for long periods of time, and condition the energies which the planet needs to exist and develop. They have trodden every step of the path of suffering, have undergone every experience, have surmounted every difficulty, and have won out. They have one and all undergone the crucifixion of the personal self, and know that utter renunciation of all, which is the lot of every aspirant at this time.They are characterised by a love which endures, and which acts ever for the good of the group; by a knowledge which has been gained through millennia of lives. That is why they are perfectly qualified to assist humanity in its development.
They know how to intercede on our behalf to get what humanity needs at each stage of its development – something which humanity would not be able to do by itself. For example, the Divine Mother’s help is indispensable for man to be able to get out of the labyrinth of the lower self, and the Sacha Avatars always work closely with Her in the work of the transformation of consciousness. When speaking about meditation, Sacha Baba Kulanandaji says that Her help is necessary:
Mahamaya is the Goddess of creation, bondage and liberation. We have to ask the Mother [Mahamaya, the Shakti of God, the creative, enlightening Power] for grace.
▪︎These Masters often work through established lineages, (of which there are several in India), through individual Masters in different countries and to a lesser degree through any person who manages to develop to the point where he can receive their instructions and dedicate his life to carrying out God’s will. There are therefore always such Beings among us at all times.
Avatars
Among these great Masters, there is a class who resolve to follow the path of Krishna, the Path of Avataras, thus renouncing their completely blissful state; they resolve to work on Earth, and out of their own choice live in bondage for the sake of the race. In this way, they become a receptacle for God or Great Beings close to Him, who then work through them to carry out God’s Plan.
Some Examples From The Sacha Lineage Avatars
Avatars of the Sacha Lineage
Saints Kacha Baba (? — 1914), Sacha Baba Girnari (? — 16.06.1944), Sacha Baba Kulanandaji (06.08.1910 — 06.09.1983), Hans Raj Maharajji Sacha Baba (07.08.1922 — 23.10.2011)
They inaugurated the latest cycle of activities of the lineage, and laid the foundations to adapt its form and teachings to the new incoming energies which lead to greater intellectual and spiritual capacities.
In one of his speeches to his disciples, SaintMaharajji Hans Rajji explains why Saints or realized Masters all assist God in His work:
Spirituality must be manifested by all, for God’s creation must become perfect. That is what saints work for, when they watch over humanity’s evolution, thus serving God. This evolution comes about in two ways: either easily and harmoniously when men cooperate with this transformation, or else difficulties will bring about this change. This is so not only for individuals, but also for nations. ( Maharajji Hans Rajji’s Diwali Message, 28 Oct. 2008)
■ The first Avatar of the Sacha lineage in its present cycle, SaintKacha Baba, (Avatar of Vishnu and Rama), known as the greatest Saint in Varanasi, was working actively from the 19th C to help prepare the world for the new cycle of energieswhich had started off. At the beginning of the 20th C, with the parliament of Saints of which he was the president up to 1914 he worked in the Universal Soul to create conducive conditions for man to turn to God; at the same time he worked with the government to better the material conditions of people in India, to enable them to turn to God more easily. Also, like Lord Krishna (Bhagavad Gita) he used his ashram so that whatever light it gained would spread to the world.
When it was time, in 1914, he invested Girnari Baba with all the necessary powers to further the Shift in humanity’s consciousness (Parivartan in Hindi, the Change) so that people would more easily adapt to the transformative energies which would bring in the small “golden era” — after the present transition period from the Kali Yuga sub-cycle energies — Aquarius (2,160 yrs), an era of more wisdom where man would be much closer to the Divinity.
In this initiation, SaintKacha Baba conferred him the title of ‘Sacha Baba‘ meaning the Sage of Ultimate Truth to attest to the fact that from then on he was endowed with the ultimate Truth, Love, Power and Wisdom of God, becoming the divine Being whose responsibility it was henceforth to lead humanity to that same divine state.” (Shri Hans Raj Maharajji and the Dawn of a New Era, p. 143)
■ In his messages to his disciples, SaintMaharajji Hans Rajji now and then mentioned his role as an Avatar. Here, he refers to his connection with the Divine Being known as Sacha Baba who incarnates in the Avatars of the lineage, particularly at this time when the Hierarchy sends us assistance to weather the time of change (Parivartan) from the cycle of darkness (Kali Yuga) to one of greater Light.
One day I had a profound mystical experience where I had the darshan (to spiritually meet a Great Being) of three great Divine Mothers, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi et Mahasaraswati. Tripathi was with me that night. When I wanted to bow down before Them, They refused for They said, “You are Narada, you are Vishnu, you are God.” Then I understood that Sacha Baba wanted to incarnate in me. (Maharajji’sBasant Panchami Message 11th Feb 2008)
He did become an Avatar for Sacha Baba.
Through the last three Sacha Avatars – Saints Girnari Baba, Kulanandaji and Hans Rajji – all Avatars of Vishnu and Narada, Sacha Baba worked in the Universal Soul to create a spiritual atmosphere which made it easier for man to reach a higher state of spirituality. He also interceded with The Divine Mother so that She would improve the material and spiritual condition of human beings, thus making it easier for them to turn to God. These quotations from the book Shri Hans Raj Maharajji and the Dawn of a New Consciousness, 2008 illustrate this point.
■ So the Divine Mother made him (Saint Sacha Baba Girnari) the following promise, “In future I will create an auspicious spiritual atmosphere so that the whole world will move towards God.” (Ch. 17, The Divine Mother’s Promise)
■On the seventh night, the Goddess (the Divine Mother in the form of Annapurna) materialised as she had done the other nights and once again asked me (Saint Kulanandaji) to have some food, which I rejected as I had done before. Then she told me,‘Baba, if you accept to start eating again from today, I solemnly promise that I will meet the basic needs of whoever knows you in this world, whether by face or by name, for ever and ever.’
This time, I was not the only one concerned, for the Goddess promised her blessings and support to many people through me. Consequently, I accepted her offer.
[…]
My dear son Tripathi, you are used to my name and my face, so wherever you may live in the world, even in a cave or in the mountains, because you know me, Annapurna will take care of your basic needs. You don’t need to look for money, clothes or food for you and your family. On the other hand, it is also your duty to work towards making the Sacha Mission known in the world so that the problem of famine and lack of basic necessities will be solved for man.(Ch. 28, The Promise of the Goddess Annapurna)
■“It is difficult for us to know how much this great soul Sacha Baba (Saint Kulanandaji) has done for humanity. But from the little which has been revealed, it is said that one of the results of this special mission is that Sacha Baba made it possible for a disciple who establishes a perfect heart to heart connection with a Master of the Sacha lineage, to obtain liberation in this very life, thus becoming a jivanmukta. If not, he will obtain this liberation on leaving our world, i.e. what we usually call death, which means that he will no longer have to reincarnate again on this Earth as an ordinary man; but he may come back to help carry out the plan of the Great Beings.
To sum up, we could say that Sacha Baba has considerably reduced the distance between man and God, not only through his teachings, but also by this special work carried out on the higher planes, so that disciples of the Sacha lineage can attain realization more quickly. The fact that he was the incarnation of such a great Being as a Kumara (a Mind-born Son of Brahma) had certainly allowed him to carry out such action.
As Saint Hans Raj Maharajji has pointed out, this grace is not reserved for a small elite. Indeed, Sacha Baba’s work is universal and so this grace is available to whoever makes the effort to harmonise himself with a Master of the lineage and seriously follow the sadhana given, along with the teachings of his heart. Sacha Baba lived and worked for the spiritual upliftment of the entire humanity, and not for the progress of just a few individuals.” (Chapter 29, An Avatar and a Guide)
■ Maharajji: The Master is God, and one does not disobey. That is why in 1958, when Sacha Baba [Kulanandaji, his Master] told me that if I could manage to fulfil the basic needs of the ashram [in Allahabad] for food, then he in turn would satisfy India’s basic needs for food, thus putting an end to recurrent famine in the country. I had faith in what he promised. I therefore went to Punjab to ask the people there to donate cereal, which I transported to Allahabad. I devoted myself to this task every year until 1972. My Master kept his promise, for today, India is self-sufficient in food. (Hans Raj Maharajji’s Basant Panchami Message 11th Feb 2008)
■ […] one of Maharajji’s main tasks at the present time, and which is hardly known, is to work with the Divine Mother so that in future humanity will turn directly and naturally to God right from birth, as was the case with man from the first races far back in the past, and which has now been forgotten. However ancient Indian Scriptures like the Puranas bear witness to this. In those distant times, man was not at all materialistic, but close to his inner being. Consequently, from birth, it was natural to be able to reach the divine plane. (Ch. 45, The Torch Bearer)
Humanity Must Make the Right Choices
In the past members of the Hierarchy of Masters lived with men as Divine Rulers, instructors and brought civilization to humanity in its infancy. Under their rule, civilization reached a very high level, until many people in some parts of the world, having turned their backs on God, saw their world destroyed by floods, earthquakes, man-made disasters, etc., and so their civiĺization went back to a primitive state, while others remained untouched. This was not punishment from God, but the karmic results of their action.
Unfortunately humanity has again reached this point – the ending of Kali Yuga energies, where spiritual and scientific knowledge is more and more used destructively; and the fact that man is spirit in a body with a mission to accomplish has been completely forgotten. Selfless love is now often seen as weakness or a bad word, while a never-ending state of war has developed all over the world. This is quite simply sawing off the branch on which one is sitting! We have been warned that at the ending stage of the Kali Yuga (which is now) new energies will push man to change for the better or perish, as they usher in an era of greater Light.
The energies which will bring about this spiritual change started coming down on Earth from the middle of the 19th century. However, before the new era comes fully into being, there is presently a period of transition which could be dangerous for man, if he does not adapt quickly enough to these new energies. This is because they push him in the direction of more spirituality, living through one’s heart, and being less egotistic, while many prefer to continue a selfish, materialistic way of life. Those who do not harmonize with these energies will be swept away by the resistance offered to them just like a person trying to swim against an extremely strong current of water, since they are very powerful, and have shaped everything which exists and consequently cannot be fought against. These people could behave so negatively that they could create problems for others in their sphere of influence. A good example of this is the two World Wars in the 20th century. (The Parivartan or Great Spiritual Transformation)
Maharajji has insisted that one must do some spiritual practice which will enable us to raise our vibrations and connect with the Divine, such as meditation, reading passages from the Holy Scriptures, meetings with the Guru, singing spiritual songs or the constant chanting of God’s name, or whatever practices one finds in one’s religion which help us reach the goal.
“ You must be prepared for the Parivartan (Shift in Consciousness); it is going to come very soon, whether you want it to or not. The Gods will be here on the Earth. Those who survive will be those who are close to God. Sacha Baba Sant [his master Sacha Baba Kulanandaji] had noted in his diary that the ones who survive will be those who submit themselves to God. Depending on the nature of the destruction, the number of survivors will vary. If the destruction is caused by a nuclear disaster, thirty to thirty-five per cent of the population will survive. But in that case, the survivors will not be of much use because they will be very severely handicapped. On the other hand, in the event of natural or other means of destruction, fifty-two per cent of the population will survive.
A minimum of two or three hours a day should be devoted to God to be saved from these disasters. This sadhana can be for example japa (repetition of a mantra preferably given by a Master), satsangs (informal gatherings with a spiritual teacher), meditation on a verse from the Bhagavad Gita. Even one verse only communicates the essence of life. Do participate in satsangs.” [Maharajji Hans Rajji, Guru Purnima Festival 2004]
One last point – the work of a Satguru is truly important, even vital for the progress and well-being of the planet. Maharajji has said that if saints left India, the planet would fall apart, be destroyed. Words cannot express our gratitude for their dedication. For several decades Maharajji prayed constantly for a nuclear war to be avoided, and finally there was none (he left the physical world in 2011). Today there is a spiritual battle going on between the forces of Light and the forces of darkness. We will win this battle once again thanks to the help of the Spiritual Hierarchy (both angels and Masters).
However, it is important that humanity call upon them to fight with us, to fight for us, because in so doing, we strengthen the bridge between our two worlds and so their help comes more easily. We cannot win this battle alone. We do not need to know details about them, if we remember that they are sent by God to assist His creation. The call, or prayer of a sincere heart is heard, and is always answered – in accordance with the law of karma. It is through our hearts that we speak to God and the Hierarchy of Light, and it is through our hearts that we can know the answer, whether positive or not. This becomes possible when the connection between the lower consciousness and the individual soul is strong enough.
Let us not wait for Guru Purnima to connect with our elder Brothers. Let us often have a thought of gratitude and love for them as they take care of us in ways we do not even imagine.
One day desirous of showering His Grace on Markandeya, the Lord assuming the form of the twin immortal Rishis, Nara and Narayana, approached the hermitage of the sage. Seeing the divine Rishis from afar, splendid like flashes of lightning, the very embodiment of ascetism and capable of purifying the three worlds, Markandeya instantly stood up and rushed to welcome them, his heart thrilled with joy.
Falling flat at their feet like a log and bringing them excellent seats, the sage washed their feet, his hair standing on end all the while. Worshipping them with sandalpaste, incense and garlands, the rishi sang with a pure heart the praises the Lord, who, for the welfare of all beings had assumed these most wonderful forms of Nara and Narayana.
Highly pleased with his devotion, the Rishi Narayana spoke to him,
“Greetings to you, most noble soul! Perfection has indeed been attained by you through concentration of mind, study of the Vedas, self-control, ascetism and unceasing devotion to Me. May all be well with you! Receive thou a boon of your choice from Me!”
Markandeya replied,
“Oh Immortal Lord, what other boon can be asked from me, whose life stands fulfilled by the very sight of You. Nevertheless, I would like to witness the glory of your Maya, under whose sway even the wisest stand deluded.”
Saying “So be it”, the Lord smilingly withdrew to his own hermitage in Badarikashrama. The sage then entered into deep meditation, overjoyed in his heart for having been blessed with the darshan of the Supreme Being.
In The Whirlpool of Dissolution
After a short while though, suddenly a furious wind started blowing. Frightful clouds made their appearance accompanied by terrible claps of thunder and bolts of lightning, while sheets of rain as thick as the axle of a chariot poured down. Then the oceans filled with enormous whirlpools and dreadful aquatic animals engulfed the earth on all sides with their mountain-like waves, tossed by the fury of the wind.
The sage felt highly perburbed to witness the whole creation, including himself, tormented by the enormous waves as well as by severe blasts and bolts of lightning. In this manner, the whole of the Earth was submerged under the waters, Markandeya being the only one left alive. Drifting along like a blind, stupid creature, oppressed by hunger and thirst and assailed by alligators and whales, the great sage lost all sense of the direction of the sky and Earth, nay, even of himself.
Now fallen into a whirlpool, now attacked by some aquatic animal, now a victim of grief and now of infatuation, being constantly afflicted by fear, he experienced one death after another. Millions of years passed by his eyes, as he kept drifting along in that infinite deluge, his wisdom having been clouded by the enchanting potency of the Lord.
The Luminous Babe
Then he beheld a wonderful banyan tree on elevated ground. Lying in the hollow of a leaf was a babe, luminous like the sun, driving away all darkness with his pure splendour. With eyes like fresh lotuses and soft, curly hair waving under the impact of his breath, and a smiling countenance, inebriating to the mind, the babe was holding his lotus-like foot with his tender hands and was playfully sucking it.
At the very sight of the babe, all the Rishi’s pains and fatigue vanished, and with heart and eyes wide open, his hair standing on end as he was filled with unprecedented bliss, he rushed towards the babe.
Baby Krishna lying on a banyan leaf.
Coming close to him, even as a mosquito, the sage entered his body through the babe’s incoming breath. There to his great wonder, he beheld the whole creation arranged as before the dissolution. He saw the sun and the moon and the star-lit sky, he saw the Earth girded by the oceans, he saw the lakes and rivers and forests and even his own hermitage. He saw all beings engaged in their natural duties and all aspects of worldly life, gross as well as subtle.
While he was thus staring in amazement, he was thrown out of the babe’s body, through his outgoing breath. Then, with his heart overfilled with love, he proceeded to embrace the baby. At that very moment the babe disappeared, along with the banyan tree, the deluge water and the whole dissolution of the universe as well, and the sage found himself just as before, in his hermitage.
Bowing down to the Lord, Markandeya glorified Him as well as his powerful Maya, that can so easily delude even the wisest of men.
ॐ ॐ ॐ
● The version of this tale is from the booklet, Vedic Tales from the Srimrad Bhagavatam.
Pure music helps the transmission of the current. We pray by sounds and by symbols of Beauty. The heart and mind do not conflict when they sail the Ocean of Creative Labour. And the wings of the bird of the spirit, atremble, will soar upon the breeze of harmony. And the steel of the word flashes in the furnace of Truth.
ॐ
You know about the effect of human emanations upon plants. You also know about the effect of colour. Now it is necessary to recall the influence of sound. The similarity of these effects is significant.
If, for the expansion of the potencies of a plant, an open, bright-sounding heart is necessary, then, in the effects of sound, consonance and all the dominant combinations are necessary.
A dissonance cannot strengthen the current of energy. Dissonances, as an antithesis, may be useful in their effect upon people for strengthening the rhythm of consciousness; but with plants, where consciousness is at its minimum, dissonance seems to be only a retarding condition. With minerals, dissonance may even be a cause of disintegration.
Verily, a rose is a symbol of consonance, and the dominant of the radiation of the rose is linked with the glow of the heart. Not a few experiments have been made with sound on plants, but the ancients believed that the finest flowers grew by the temples where there were numerous harmonies of voice and music.
Across the deserts, seas, and mountains, You transport yourselves in one breath. And there, face to face, we meet. There is no space. Time exists not. The power of knowledge is manifested.
Is it easy to soar when you have wings? I shall say, it is easy for those who sense their wings. But those for whom the cup of worldliness is sweet, fly not. Chained to their idol, their delight, whither to fly?
Fly above the storms
By experience will you learn the fruitlessness of earthly desires. It is simple, for all things are simple.
Soar with your thoughts. Fly by affirmation. Fly by love
Fly by love
And you will realize the joy of flying. And the gulf of life will remain far below you. And a miracle of flaming colors will radiate near the splendor of the Southern Cross.
All is attainable.
(Leaves)
The eagle alone avoids the storm by flying above it. An eagle can detect when a storm is approaching long before it breaks. Fearlessly, the eagle will fly into the fierce winds, using the storm current to rise higher quickly. (Quote)
Remember the vigor of the dawning hour. The coolness of the morning is a refreshing draught to your spirit. Hasten to drink it!
Thou Blossom of the Lotus Flower, Dream of Dreams, Seven-Pointed Pearl! In Thee is hidden the knowledge of the universe. In Thee is born the striving to behold the mysteries.
Hidden Temple of the Unknown, Giver of Living Waters, Great Healer of the Universe, Soul ever-watchful over worldly terrors! In Thy Radiance bathes Thy faithful servant, Who has chosen Thee to be his whole possession.
O Lord of the Wisdom of Heavenly Gates, Erect Thy Throne upon the highest summit. Thence wilt Thou better see the fear and anguish of human hearts.
O Lord named the Compassionate, Behold Thy sons engulfed in human darkness.
Darkness, darkness, darkness. Light, light, light. Without the darkness there would be no light, For only in darkness may we behold the light. But where abideth Thou, O Lord, There is nor light, nor darkness. All is One.
Mystery of Mysteries. Holy of Holies. Not comprehended by men, It remains clear; But grasped by human minds, Its clarity dulls. Such is the law.
The Call of the Heart 