Preparation for the Study of Chidakasha Geeta
To study the Chidakasha Geeta of Bhagavan Nityananda, a student needs to prepare themselves as sadhak (aspirants) who seek to embody His teachings. What are the prerequisites for studying the Chidakasha Geeta?
It’s worth noting that Bhagavan did not hold any lecture series or deliver sermons. This is very fortunate for all of us that this took place. In His early days, He used to speak in a deep state of trance. Two young boys were curious and wanted to learn what Bhagavan was conveying in His state. Whenever they got a chance to hear Him speak, they jotted it down. These aphorisms were delivered spontaneously by Bhagavan during His sojourn in South India, mostly while He was in Mangalore, Udupi, Mulki, etc. At a later time, Shree Tulas Amma compiled all such notes and, as instructed by Bhagavan named this compilation of aphorisms Chidakasha Geeta. She was a highly evolved and advanced Sadhak and an authority, having studied various scriptures and her spiritual progress and experiences. She could easily decipher and provide commentary on each aphorism. To understand the teachings of Bhagavan Nityananda, a sadhak needs some basic preparation.
To understand the teachings of Bhagavan Nityananda, a sadhak needs some basic preparation, as alluded to before. I will describe the basic requirements essential for a sadhak to learn and inculcate the essence of the Chidakasha Geeta. I learned these from the recommendations my elders shared with me. It has certainly helped a novice like myself who had no background in spiritual practices
- Study of various Scriptures
As a preparation for the Chidakasha Geeta, an aspirant should learn the basics by studying the relevant scriptures. What is recommended is daily study of the Bhagavat Geeta. When asked, “What should young aspirants read?”, Bhagavan would reply, “A young sadhak should read the works of Swami Vivekananda. This will teach the sadhak how to balance their spiritual pursuits and worldly duties.
One must also read the Bhagavat Geeta. A sadhak must study a few slokas of the Bhagavat Geeta.While we aspire to follow the path that Bhagavan shows us in Chidakasha Geeta, we also have to live in this world of diversity. The attractions and distractions of worldly life are inevitable. Living among people and objects that give us pain and joy is unavoidable. It is challenging to remain unaffected by their influences and keep the mind constantly motivated and inspired to continue on the path of spirituality. It is recommended that we read some scriptures, even if just a little bit daily, to remain motivated and inspired to continue on the path of spiritual goals as described in Chidakasha Geeta.
In addition to Bhagavat Geeta, Amrut Anubhav, Dassbodh, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Guru Charitra are recommended, along with reading about the lives of renowned saints such as Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Sant Tukaram, Shree Gajanan Maharaj, etc. These suggestions can greatly help us to remain on the path of spirituality.
2. Performing Duties with Seva Bhav
While studying these various scriptures, we must also be aware of our various duties or dharma. Simply studying the scriptures is not enough. We must try to live our lives in alignment with the learning from such scriptures.
We must perform our duties as a service to Ishwar (God), whether it is professional work, work as a homemaker, or work as a business person or employee. Our actions and approach should be as if every act of ours is an offering to Ishwar or Sadguru. Work, we must. There is no escape from it. But we must perform our work as if we are in service to Him. As sons, daughters, parents, citizens, defense personnel, politicians, or teachers, whatever our position in life, we must live with integrity and commitment to give our best to Him.
We must learn to do our duty as a service, an offering, to Ishwar, to Sadguru. Be it whatever sort of work – professional work, that of a householder, or employment, our actions and approach should be as if every act is an offering to Ishwar, to Sadguru. Work we must. There is no escape from it. But we must do our work as a service to Him. As sons or daughters, parents, citizens, defense personnel, politicians, or teachers – whatever our positions maybe – we must live with integrity and commitment to give our best to Him
3. Remaining ceaselessly connected with Sadguru
A Sadhak who wishes to learn Chidakasha Geeta and practice must remain connected with his Sadguru or his Self. There must be a consistent effort to stay connected with the Self. When we attempt to control our minds, they become more turbulent. Through repeated practice, a sadhak may be able to empty his mind of thoughts. However, there is a high possibility that the empty mind becomes immediately filled with new thoughts. To avoid this, one must engage his mind in contemplation.
Shree Shankar Maharaj emphasized the practice of Atmachintan (self-reflection). A young sadhak who has withdrawn his mind from the external world through practice must re-employ his mind in contemplation of the Self or his Sadguru. Just as children are ceaselessly connected to their mother, a sadhak should ceaselessly remain connected to his Sadguru.
4. Contemplate to get the right Discrimination
A Sadhak is guided by the Manas (mind), Buddhi (intelligence), and Viveka (conscience). A sadhak is guided by the mind, Buddhi (intelligence), and Viveka (conscience). He must continuously contemplate to discriminate between real and illusion, permanent and transitory. The joys in this world of plurality begin and end with pain or sorrow. It is a continuous game of hide and seek between joy and pain. Neither is permanent. Swami Janananda used to say, “Samsara Sagara maha bhainkara” – frightening/challenging. This worldly ocean is very difficult to ferry across.” One must understand that no joy or pain is permanent. Life is always a roller coaster ride.
A young aspirant must not be swayed by either. The mind must be made alert to all external onslaughts and vigilant against internal distractions. Avoiding influence from the external world is easy, but it becomes more difficult when the mind itself waylays the aspirant by creating an attraction towards fleeting joy.
5. Satsangh
A Sadhak must seek the company of noblemen and wise men. It is not simply a matter of visiting a wise man and becoming physically or emotionally attached to him. The sadhak must learn from the wise men. Being with them and sharing with them should leave the sadhak feeling touched, moved, and inspired to pursue their spiritual goals.
Meeting such a wise man is very rare and difficult – a Durmil. Only blessed souls are lucky enough to meet a spiritually evolved being and, having met such a saint, are allowed to remain and learn from them. However, it is not necessary to meet a saint in person. One can gain the same advantage by studying the life and teachings of saints that are left for us to posterity. For this reason, we have created this platform to make the grace of Bhagavan Nityananda available to all future generations of aspirants.
To meet such a wise man is very difficult -durmil, very rare and difficult. Only blessed souls are indeed lucky enough to meet a spiritually evolved being. And having met such a saint, they are allowed to remain and learn from him. However, it is not essential to meet a saint in person. One can gain the same advantage by studying the lives and teachings of saints that have been passed down to posterity.
Shree Adishankaracharya in his famous composition, Bhajha Govindam, too expresses the importance of Satsangh.
satsaNgatve nissN^gatvaM
nissaNgatve nirmohatvam.h .
nirmohatve nishchalatattvaM
nishcalatattve jiivanmuktiH .. (9)
Being in the company of saints (Satsang) gives rise to non-attachment. From non-attachment comes freedom from delusion, which leads to reality. Understanding reality gives rise to emancipation, leading to the liberation of the soul, Jeevan Mukti, while still alive
6. Develop Bhakti
Regardless of which path you choose, which Yog -Raj, Karma or Dynan, devotion is a must. In Bhakti, the mind gathers and expands, freeing itself from distractions. By replacing our love for worldly things with love for God or Sadguru, we can prevent the mind from dissipating or disintegrating. Only when in love can a person think of nothing but their object of love. All thoughts get directed toward that object. Bhakti facilitates meditation and concentration, preparing us to easily give up anything or make sacrifices to remain connected to God.
Bhakti is developed through practices such as Namasmaran, Satsang, Pooja, reading, and singing the glories of God, and more..
7. Inculcating Values
One must cultivate values such as patience, tolerance, acceptance, benevolence, compassion, and peace. This greatly helps to control the mind from being influenced by our indriyas (senses). A certain stimulus may induce anger in us, but if we train ourselves to be tolerant and proactive, the mind can remain stable and not become excited. By cultivating virtues, we can calm our mind. When the mind is calm, we take actions under the influence of intelligence and conscience, Buddhi and Vivek. We are able to contemplate better and understand better. It facilitates better Sadhana. Lord Rama serves as an example. Many saints keep Lord Rama as their ideal, as he is known as Purshottam (best among men). What are the qualities of Shree Rama? Few are mentioned below:
- Virtuous
- Viryavan (Courageous)
- Dharmagya (Committed to one’s duties)
- Krutagnya (Grateful)
- Satyavakya (Truthful)
- Jitkrodh (Self control)
- Sarwabuhitah (Tolerant)
- Vidhvan (Scholar)
- Sarvagunsampana (Capable)
- Sarva Priyadarshi (Pleasant)
- Patient and self-reliant
8. Have full Trust in Sadguru
A Sadhak must surrender to his Sadguru. Who is a Sadguru? Sadguru is a perfect manager who is a master of ancient wisdom and has also experienced the Divine and remains in Awareness of Brahman. He has not only achieved the Supreme State but is also capable of making It available to his disciples. We may find many teachers or preachers who can merely share what they have learned from books but have not experienced themselves. They can help us to understand but they cannot guide us on the path. Bhagavan Nityananda used to say “If you meet anyone claiming to be Guru ask him whether he has seen God and can also show it to you or manifest for you. If he can do that, then he is the right Guru.” Bhagavan never asked us to search for a Guru! He used to say “In the future, even a milestone will act like a Guru!’ What He meant was that even sundries will move around as a realized master.
How do we find a guru who is Sadguru? With our present state of imperfection, we may not be in a position to recognize a Sadguru even if we meet. So we wait for the right Sadguru to come into our lives and take us in his fold. Till then we take the teachings of Masters of yore as Guru. When Shree Samarth Ramdas was to take his samadhi, he said “I shall continue to exist in my work Dassbodh as your eternal Guru”. Sikhs believe that their holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is their final, sovereign, and eternal Guru. So till we find our Sadguru, we look upon Bhagavat Geeta, Upanishad, Dassbodh, or Chidakasha Geeta as our Guru and give all the respect and reverence deserved to the living Master. We must align with the teachings of the Masters in these scriptures and surrender unto the Sadguru.
9. Paduka Poojan
“Just as a Shiva Linga represents Shiva and Shaligrama represents Vishnu, in the same way, the feet of the teacher represent to the students, not the feet, but the underlying concept. What we are invoking is Brahman, the Lord. But we cannot go directly to Him. We want a symbol. At this time, there is no symbol more sacred than the feet/Padukas of the teacher.” – Swami Chinmayananda
Paduka represents the Saguna (with Form) and Nirguna (without Form) of Sadguru. Since we live in the world of Dwaita – -dichotomy, we feel connected when there is form. But when we get attached to a person, we often lose on the essence and universality. It is for this reason that in Guru Krupa Yog, Guru’s Paduka is worshipped so that the disciples hold to the essence, to the teachings of his Sadguru, and not only to his physical form.
It is important for an aspirant to continuously remain connected with his Sadguru and his teachings so that he remains on the path shown by his Sadguru. What can be better than the Sadguru’s Paduka to facilitate this connectivity with the Sadguru and his teachings. The feet or Padukas of a Guru thus represent wisdom, knowledge and energy. And also the Guru’s connection to the divine power. By connecting with Paduka, an aspirant thus remains present to his Sadguru and his teachings while he go about his day to day work. So one should worship Sadguru’s Paduka daily.
10. Omkar Sadhana
The Supreme Consciousness or Supreme Self is indicated in the Veda by Omkar. What does Omkar or Om mean? Om indicates Truth! When an aspirant engages in Om Sadhana, he can gather his mind and focus on Self thus experiencing peace, joy, and quietude. Moreover, his mind becomes not only alert but also vigilant, making it conducive to meditation.
Bhagavan Nityananda insisted on the worship of Omkar. He often gave the Omkar Mantra to devotees who sought the Guru Mantra.
