Jnaana Saraswathi
Spiritual Discourses by Shri Datta Swami
Explore spiritual discourses covering all aspects of universal spirituality, philosophy, and divine wisdom from Shri Datta Swami.
Showing 15 of 5828 discourses
SCIENCE AND LOGIC
Petitioner (P): You have to speak every spiritual concept within the limits of the scripture (Veda) based on ancient Indian logic alone. Do not bring science in o philosophy. Mediator (M): Ancient Indian logic is as good as science. The Mithya Vada is exactly same as the present theory of relativity. Respondent (R): Logic and science deal with the same subject, which is the study of the analysis of various items of the world. In the ancient logic also they were referring to experimental proof in the name of experience (Anubhava). The only difference between science and logic is that science needs experimental proof in every step, whereas in ancient logic (Tarka) the experimental proof is inadequate. Therefore, certain points like propagation of sound in vacuum as per the ancient logic...
O PRIESTS, BRING GLORY TO YOURSELVES!
Shankara never changed even a trace of traditional practices, which are called as rituals. He allowed the entire practical tradition as it is and stressed the part of knowledge in the Vedic statements. He asked the people to discuss the meaning of the Veda than performing the rituals without analysis. The analysis will change the motive of the doer. The motive must be devotion to God because all the Vedic hymns are prayers to God only. A prayer should be recited with the knowledge of its meaning, which alone helps to raise the devotion. Blind recitation of the prayer does not serve this main purpose. The Purva Meeimamsakas before the arrival of Shankara did blind recitation of the Vedic prayers, thinking that the sound energy of the Veda itself is capable of giving divine fruits...
TRUTH AND VALIDATION
The logic [tarka shastra] shows four types of authorities [valid means of knowledge] to decide any point. The first is perception (Pratyaksham), in which anything is directly experienced through senses in this world. The second is inference (Anumanam), in which anything is inferred based on a characteristic sign. For example, smoke is coming from a mountain and fire is inferred. In this authority also the perception is the basis because the relationship between fire and smoke is already perceived in the kitchen. The third authority is simile (Upamanam), in which an unseen...
ANSWERING THE CONTROVERSIES AROUND THE PASSING AWAY OF SAI BABA
There are a few controversies, which appeared recently regarding the death of the body of Baba. 1) The controversy is that Baba told that He will live up to 96 years, but the death is preponed by about ten years. An astrologer told that Baba lived up to 96 years according to the theory of the cycle of 27 stars. So much strain is not necessary in this issue. God has full freedom to postpone or prepone the lifetime of any human being including the human incarnation. It is not like the one hour bell for a teacher in the classroom. The case of the divine preacher is different...
Better to Analyze Yourself and Rise to Higher Level
Shri Balaji asked: Respected Swamiji, Kindly clarify the following questions which came up during discussions with my friends Shri. Shriram, Shri. Chandan and Shri. Sohan: 1) Today, many religious conservatives agree that the different religions are messages from the same God. But they add a point saying that "Other religions were messages relevant only to a particular time, region, and section of people. At that time and place, people were at a lower level spiritually... Swami replied: Every religion has various levels of knowledge corresponding to different levels of devotees. In every language of every country, the education system varies from LKG to PG level. Of course, metaphysics was deeply developed in India compared to other countries. All these levels are related to theoretical level. Practical level is far higher than the theoretical level of devotion. The achievement of practical level depends...
TEACHING FOR THE VARANASI SAINT - I
[The following is the discourse given by Swami in reply to the criticism of a saint (monk), from Varanasi. The saint is a well known scholar, well versed in the Advaita school of Vedanta, other darshanas and six Vedangas. He was told about Shri Datta Swami and His teachings by Swami’s devotees. He severely criticized Swami on several points and was concerned that the devotees of Swami are not on the right path. Swami gave the following brilliant discourse in which He has refuted all the criticisms of the saint and has given a teaching for the upliftment of the saint.] Shankara’s Commentary: There are two items. One is the memorization of knowledge called as vyutpatti. The second is Pratibha, which means the assimilation of the real interpretation by sharp analysis. A debate will be meaningful if the opponent has Pratibha. There is no meaning in arguing with a person who only has Vyutpatti. He will repeat the same text again and again for any of your arguments. He may have memorized the commentary of Shankara very well. But insight is needed for any development. Vyutpatti only leads...
LAST BIRTH FOR GETTING SALVATION MUST BE BIRTH OF FEMALE ONLY
Shri Anil asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, 2) BIBLE: Acts 5:: Ananias and Sapphira Kindly give the message behind the following incident in bible. [5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet... Swami Replied: A father has Rs.100/- with him. He kept some money for his requirements and gave the rest of money to his issue. The issue wanted more money and the father says that he does not possess any more money with him. Since the son is not omniscient, he believed his father and went away with satisfaction
OMNIPOTENT GOD DOES NOT REQUIRE HECTIC EFFORT TO REALIZE HE IS GOD
[Deepaavali Evening Message] The Advaita philosophers believe that this world is unreal for them also and that God alone is real. This is absolutely correct with respect to the angle of God. In the angle of the souls, the world is absolutely reality because the soul is always absolutely real for itself since the soul is part and parcel of the world. The soul cannot grasp God, who is beyond this world since God is the ultimate absolute reality...
SELF ESTEEM LEADS TO WRONG ANALYSIS
Pravrutti (worldly life) is the important basic stage for Nivrutti (Spiritual life). If Pravrutti is correct and strong, Nivrutti can stand on it with peace and balance. Today, the position of Pravrutti is in high danger. In fact, God often incarnates Himself to establish Pravrutti only. He never encourages Nivrutti because the devotion to God is the subject of the devotee. God takes up the responsibility for Pravrutti since He is the creator of this universe. In fact, God opposes Nivrutti so that the real devotee can come out with successful colors. The examiner gives difficult question...
CONCEPT OF GOD IS TRUE
It is true that a few people exploited the concept of God for personal benefits. But, based on the few exceptions, you should not remove the basic system itself. A few railway accidents happen and due to such accidents, you should not cancel all the trains. You should concentrate to avoid the accidents. Similarly, some students might have copied in the examinations. Try to catch, such students. But, do not remove the system of examination itself. The system serves majority, doing a lot of good. You forget the vast positive side of the system based on the minor negative side...
SECRET OF LIFE
[Message on New Year Day] The human being is reluctant to miseries and enjoys the happy situation. The human being can be compared to an ignorant child, who enjoys the sweets only and is reluctant to chillies. Hence, such a human being is ignorant. The grown up adult enjoys both sweets and chillies in the meals. Similarly, a realized soul enjoys both happy situation and misery in the life. Therefore, it is only ignorance, which is the inability of art of enjoyment. God created this world with happiness and misery. People enjoy the cinema, which contains both pleasant scenes and tragic scenes. Similarly, people enjoy both sweet dishes...
REVELATION OF THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH ABOUT GOD
he real and absolute nature of God is unimaginable. The previous Preachers knew this point very well since They performed several miracles, which were unimaginable events only. The miracles stand as practical proof for the existence of the unimaginable Entity that performs the unimaginable events. When the preachers performed so many miracles, can’t They know the existence of the unimaginable item? It is very simple and no effort is necessary for the performer of the miracles to understand the existence of unimaginable entity and to propagate the same concept. In such case, why did not the preachers say that God is unimaginable? There may be difficulty to believe this...
CLEAR DIFFERENTIATION OF GOD FROM SOUL
[Following is a very close discussion of Swami with His devotees clarifying their doubts.] Shri Lakshman: You say that the awareness is the product of inert energy and also that awareness is non-inert. Where from the characteristic of non-inertness entered the awareness? Shri Swami: Let Me know your intention. Did you put this question to establish awareness as God like the Advaita philosopher? If so, it is a waste. I have elaborately dealt that awareness is not God and the reasons are that i)it is not all-pervading, ii)it is not the creator of any item of the real world, iii)it is not the controller of any item like a hitting stone, iv)it is not the destroyer of any item of the real world, v)it is generated from inert energy, vi)it has birth...
PRACTICAL SERVICE WITHOUT MIND HAS LITTLE EFFECT
[Maha Shivraatri Message] The three instruments (Trikarana) are 1) Mind, 2) Word and 3) Action. Mind generates word and action. Action gives full effect to others. If you injure somebody, the other person suffers a lot and thus action is the full potential field of fruit. Though, Mind is generator of action, by itself, it is ineffective to exhibit any practical fruit. If you think in your mind that you have injured him, the other person is not suffering at...
THREE PHILOSOPHIES PERTAIN ONLY TO INCARNATION
The human incarnation remains unimaginable with respect to God in It and remains imaginable and even visible with respect to the medium. The medium and God become one only, like the current and wire, which are inseparable during the flow of current. This is monism of Shankara. Since both are separable in one time or other, both are separate but become one and the same as long as God exists in the human form. Both monism and difference exist according to Ramanuja...