All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Many of you get inspired towards devotional and spiritual practices of sadhana1 with a hope to be blessed with great benefits. But you often get frustrated, as you don’t know the prerequisites and don’t follow the right approach. 

Upasana2 is an integral component of spiritual endeavors of sadhana. The main purpose of upasana is – cleansing of the inner self; that is, removal of the vices, untoward tendencies and negative impressions assimilated in the mental domain, in convictions and desires. It is not easy. But there could be no spiritual progress without it. You cannot augment your worthiness without sincere endeavors of upasana. If you could follow it, you will not have to worry about blessings. Divine tendencies would naturally enter and assimilate in your mind, in your inner self, as you progress in this endeavor. 

The first thing you need to do to induce ‘life’ in your upasana is - thorough introspection and sincere attempt with the force of your inner urge to uproot the blemishes. Try also to uplift and inspire your mind by convincing it that this will lead to immense joy in doing up³san³. Once you determine and firmly endeavor to cleanse your mind and chisel your personality, things won’t be so hard. As the self-purification progresses, your positive qualities, your hidden virtuous tendencies, and divine inspirations begin to surface. You may think these are blessings from above by the grace of Almighty. My child, the grace of Almighty is always there; you miss it, as you are not well prepared. There is nothing exceptional in the elevation, enlightenment and empowerment experienced with adept endeavors of up³san³. Nothing is bestowed from above; it is awakened from within. Recall the example of rainfall! The clouds don’t come from the higher planes to shower the rains. They are the result of evaporation of the sea- water, the fruits of the tapa3 and generosity of the ocean! 

Experience of divine grace, inculcation of virtuous qualities by invocation of divinity (through devout up³san³ after self-purification) is a natural process. If you take a deep breath, your lungs will be filled by air to their full capacity. Air is pervading all around in earth’s atmosphere; it is its nature to fill the empty space. Similarly, it is the nature of divine powers to grace us as per our capacity. Their nature is — to give. We should have the empty space (worthiness) to retain their generous bequests. The divine forces as well as devilish forces are active in Nature. They are attracted in their own ways towards compatible antennae at the receiving end. We have to check what kind of receivers we possess.

Generate Inner Strength 

If your lungs are weak, they can’t resist the attack of infections. In their weak condition, hazardous bacteria like mycobacterium may also invade and cause tuberculosis (T.B.). Similar is the case of many other infections and diseases. Though sublime in nature, the health of the subtle body also suffers such risks. If you lack strength of character, if you do not have firmness and stability of mind to adopt moral values, then evil tendencies, sinful desires and varieties of wrong doings in the world will attack and further augment your infirmity. On the contrary, if you have the inner strength, purity of thoughts and character, then good qualities and favorable effects will be naturally attracted towards you. 

For example if you are walking with a neat and healthy baby, he will attract everyone around. People will smile at him, call him near them and ask him to sit near them. Someone will try to play with him and give him something he likes. Someone will say – “the child is so cute, we want to play with him”. Someone would like to hug him and take him on the lap if he continues to smile, giggle, or talk in his sweet voice… Why? Is the child related to them? No! Then…! Is he is some kind of ‘Lord’ or ‘big boss’? No! Then…! It’s his natural beauty and purity (of his being) that charm everyone. 

Why don’t you generate the beauty of purity, alacrity and benevolence in your heart? Why not you activate the benign force of attraction in you that will also attract goodness around? Why don’t you cultivate those qualities in you that can invite the divine powers — which (directly or indirectly) run the world — to grace you in your benevolent efforts, to strengthen and illuminate your inner self? Please note, these qualities cannot be bought by any amount of wealth; these potentials cannot be ‘transplanted’ or ‘transferred’ by anybody. They are to be awakened and inculcated within you through your own endeavors. 

Look at the lives of great personalities! It was the strength and charm of their noble character, their high ideals and human-values that had paved the path of their success. As you might know our former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bhadur Shastri lived in severe hardship. He used to get only two rupees a month to continue his studies. With this meager amount he had to manage his transport, books, everything. He was not strong physically either. But his character, his dedication for the nation, his genuine qualities were such that among all the young volunteers of the Congress Sevadal, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had chosen only him for assistance and sharing of responsibilities in many important projects. 

Success of Sadhana Sadhana in simple terms means – self-determined endeavor of self-refinement and self-development. Attainment of siddhis (supernormal potentials, extraordinary success) through sadhana is as true as any universally affirmed scientific fact, or Law of Nature. It has its own method of experimentation, which should also be ‘scientific’ in truest sense of the term. Not only in the field of spirituality, this principle of ‘success of sincere and righteous efforts’ works in every walk of life. 

For example, Lal Bahadur Shastriji had done the ‘sadhana’ of a duty-bound, principled life. In spite of all odds he continued his studies, also looked after his responsibilities towards his mother and later on towards his own family. Above all, his dedication towards service of the nation continued with brighter sheen after each chiseling phase of hardship. This amounts to sadhana, which gives weightage and bright charm to one’s personality. This is what made his personality so valued and powerful that the great leader, Nehruji advocated his active participation in governance of independent India. Shastriji became an M.L.A., then a minister of UP govt. Later on he was selected on the Union Cabinet. Because of Pt. Jawarharlal Nehru’s high opinion about him, he was also chosen as Nehruji’s successor and was appointed as honorable Prime Minister of India. You all know that whichever duty, whichever position Shastriji was given, he succeeded in his efforts with immortal glory. So you see how God blessed him! 

Every genuine sadhaka gets the deserving support and grace of God. He does not have to demand or pray for it. God has arranged for His divine powers in the system of Nature. They are always ready to help and elevate whosoever is sincerely making best use of his available resources and faculties, is making adept attempt to improve. In fact they always look for people having saintly tendencies, people who have nurtured some qualities of great personalities in themselves. I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many great saints, seers and siddhas; therefore I can tell you about them with full confidence. These siddhas are also eager to help people in their sincere endeavors of self-improvement and ascent in life with sustenance of ethical values. I can assure you on their behalf that you will not have to search for them; they will themselves come to you and offer a helping hand once you proceed along the path of s³dhan³ with your full energy and devotion. 

No Place for Sycophancy or Bribe 

It is disappointing to see how you have made a mockery of upasana! You don’t even seem to remember what has been taught to you here. For you even the great science of spirituality has no value. You don’t concentrate on meditation or introspection. Even your prayers lack the sensitivity of a devotee. You only know one thing, and that is to somehow do some rituals of worship to make a bargain with God. You have been doing that throughout your life. Cheat people, deceive yourself, and by all means fulfill your vested interests, satisfy your selfish ego, get things done by telling lies, make false promises or shameless flattering — this is what you seem to have been doing in one way or the other on every front of life! That is what you are doing in your upasana too!