Spiritual Initiation Requires Preparation - A talk by Revered Swami Bhuteshananda-ji Maharaj
Abhijit Banerjee
"According to scriptural injunction, anyone approaching a guru for initiation must have certain qualifications. Here is an example. A sage named Narada went to Bhagavan Sanatkumara, a great teacher, for initiation. Sanatkumara said, "Tell me first what you know. Then I shall decide what should be taught." Narada gave a detailed list of what he had studied, and none of the principal scriptures were left out. Yet, in spite of so much learning, he said, "I am not at peace, neither am I satisfied. I still feel discontent." "Well, Narada," said Sanatkumara. "I understand that you have studied quite a lot. But what you know are only some words. You have become a master of words, but you do not know your Self. Only a knower of the Self overcomes grief." Then Narada humbly requested: "Bhagavan, kindly impart to me that knowledge by which I may get rid of all misery." What does this story signify? It signifies the great necessity for preparing the ground of one's mind before initiation.
Many desire to have spiritual initiation. But before initiation, there must be preparation. Those who are not prepared should be advised to wait. Being prepared helps one to proceed properly. This process is like preparing soil before planting seeds. The soil must be tilled and manure must be spread first. If the seed is sown after that, it grows well. One must prepare in a similar fashion before receiving mantra diksha, or spiritual initiation. This preparedness is conducive to success. And most humbly, I want to touch upon another point: There is no end to this preparation.
Unless the mind is pure, the mantra given with diksha will not be effective. The mind can be made pure through the practice of good conduct, humility and true yearning. Only then will the mantra, like a seed, sprout and flourish into a full-grown tree, bearing flowers and fruits. We must repeat that preparedness before receiving the mantra diksha is absolutely mandatory. In fact, nothing in spiritual life is achieved without preparation.
The scriptures recommend that a spiritual seeker should approach the guru for initiation only in humility, service, selfless devotion and purity. The moment of initiation is an invaluable one. We should receive the holy name in our heart with faith and devotion. We should concentrate our mind upon it. If we can dive deep into our being and remain engrossed in it, a most valuable gem will take shape within.
Once the field has been made ready, the seeker develops love for the name of God. It's like establishing a Deity in a temple. Before the installation, the structure and the surrounding area must be made ready. Then only can we consider the installation ceremony. Receiving a mantra symbolizes installation of God in our life.
We do not usually initiate young boys and girls. Devotees who are parents with children often feel hurt because of this. But we pose the question to them: "Are these young ones ready for initiation?" No they are not—not at all. There is an appropriate time for mantra diksha. When the mind becomes restless for initiation, we know that time is near.
There is another point to be remembered in this context. Our daily conduct should be in tune with our state of being initiated. To accomplish this, we recommend five codes of conduct to be followed. There is nothing secret about these codes. Everybody should know about them. Hence, we speak to all. No one can move toward God without pure conduct. Here are the five codes of good conduct.
1. We should pray for the welfare of all. We should behave in such a manner that no one's feelings are hurt and no harm is caused to anyone. We should follow ahimsa, noninjury. This not only implies not hurting others physically, it also means not thinking ill of anyone.
2. We must hold on to truth always. We should never have recourse to falsehood. And we must honor our commitments. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "One who holds on to truth rests in the lap of God." We will have to make a lot of sacrifice in life to observe truthfulness. It is not an easy job.
3. We must never cheat or deceive anyone in any way. Let us be satisfied with what is due. This is honesty in dealing with others.
4. We must bring all of our sense organs under our control. Let us not be guided by them. Control over one or two sense organs will not do. All the senses must be brought under strict control.
5. We must think of God and strive to realize him.We must lead a simple, straight forward and natural life. We should not seek luxury. This does not mean we should wear beggar's clothes, but we must strive to maintain ourselves with minimum requirements. This also means we should be free from greed.
Mantra diksha should be taken with all seriousness. It should not be looked upon as a status symbol. Initiation is for God realization only. At times, we are forced to pass through a number of adverse situations. From where shall we get the strength and motivation to overcome them? If we get initiated after due preparation, that initiation itself will provide us with that necessary strength."
Bharat Churiwala
It was really a most pleasent surprise to have you back after a long long time. I know that you have been occupied with your teaching work at Belur University and some of your personal social obligations.
I personally missed your POSTS ( I still remember, you had posted a series on SOME PRACTICAL HINTS ON MEDITATIONS from the book MEDITATION AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES by Most Rev. Swami Yatiswaranandaji Mj, long back in the group). I always Pray to THE HOLY TRIO for your's and your family's WELL BEING.
I also hope that your series on VIVEKCHUDAMANI will be a an excellent addition in the group and benefit all the Devotees in learning finer and deeper points of VEDANTA PHILOSOPHY.
Your article on SPIRITUAL INITIATION REQUIRES PREPARATION by Most Rev. Swami Bhuteshanandaji Mj. was really a great reading after 6 years of Initiation. Article reinforces your faith in GURU PARAMPARA and IMPORTANCE OF MANTRA DIKSHA in EVERY DEVOTEE'S LIFE. Thanking you for choosing this article.
a devotee of DEVOTEES
It is a cricketing clash meant for the Gods! Be there when we track the T-20 Champions League this December Try it now!
dwaipayan dutta choudhury
many forms are also rejected and the people who want to take initiation are deceived.
if we have deep love for thakur then what is the need for taking initiation?????
or we gradually develop love after taking initiation??? regarding the matter of holding onto truth we should strive all our lives ...regarding the matter of making the field ready.....tab tak to ham mar bhi jayengE aur hamari body shamshaan field mai padi reh jayegi...ye bataiye THAKUR MAA AUR SWAMIJI NE KITNI INTERVIEWS LI THI AUR KITNE FORM FILL UP KARWAYE THHEY??? KYA UNKI KRIPA "ACHANDALAPRATIHATARYO: NAHI THI?KYA UNHONE SABKO FIELD BANANE KO KAHA THA?
DWAIPAYAN
young boys n girls are also initiated when i was young i was aksed whether i want to get initiated or not.they told i dont have to fill up form or do any formalities just guruvaran and no reading of books or interview coz we stayed in the adjacent house f ramakrishna mission shillong and all maharaj knew our whole family. but i was afraid to take initiation and still i am not initiated.what has been said in this article ,i think only 2or 3% of the devotees follow and to be frank it is TRUE MANY PEOPLE DONT EVEN CHANT AFTER TAKING INITIATION.MY RELATIVES DINT EVEN REMAIN IN SAYYAM AFTER THE DEMISE OF H.H SWAMI BHUTESHANADA JI. only they cook nice fish curry, shidol bora(dish made of dry fish),and send these to the monks
DWAIPAYAN
dwaipayan dutta choudhury
DWAIPAYAN
dwaipayan dutta choudhury
dwaipayan dutta choudhury
sabuj biswas
where is the secrecy of the mantra when one shouts is to a bunch of 60 people??
U may not believe The Ramakrishna Math and Mission and its procedures, but for your kind information, it has been started by Swamiji himself...and the bylaws framed by him. Holy mother Sri Ma Sarada Devi had herself talked numerous times about the importance of diksha, leave the talks of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna and others.
About what gurumantra does to people, that u and I cant decide...cuz its very much personal...and what u talked about the woman, it was her fault not to know about Thakur and come for diksha....not Thakur's.....
There are many people who donot understand or follow the ideas. But u know why they take initiation? Cuz Sri Bhagawan and Sri Bhagawati have themselves told that they will come at their last moment to take them......which doesnt happen to all.......
Why is Diksha needed?? why isnt it enough to Love Thakur-Ma-Swamiji?
Well, in that case you dont love them, cuz when u love someone eholeheartedly, you would like to have that person with you always, and witout help of mantra and guru, that doesnt happen to normal masses like us.
and what does the guru remember ?
THAKUR MAA AUR SWAMIJI NE KITNI INTERVIEWS LI THI AUR KITNE FORM FILL UP KARWAYE THHEY??? KYA UNKI KRIPA "ACHANDALAPRATIHATARYO: NAHI THI?KYA UNHONE SABKO FIELD BANANE KO KAHA THA?
I cant imagine, a human body of 80 yrs old will give u diksha, consume all ur paap and u hope to not fill any form or show that you have the knowledge about what he is going to give u and just deposit it to that body!! wow....
and If people lik Hazra moshai got his darshan at the last moment...God....we really have hope!!
So Thankyou for wasting your time in typing down these kinds of stuffs, but if there are devotees who have devoted everything to him, they will understand what idiotic things have been written!!!!
I WOULD REALLY HOPE A STRICT ACTION.
May Mother cure your sickness. get well soon!!
--
Jay Mahamai ki Jay!!
Jay Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishnadev ki Jay!!
Jay Swamiji Maharajji ki Jay!!
Sumit Sett
Abhijit Banerjee
And this is how Maya covers one's vision.
In spitual life doubts and queries arise in all human minds at some point of time or other. And doubts disturb minds. In such situations the following step becomes making attempt to get rid of the doubts either through discussions with illuminated souls or through study of scriptures or through meditation or simply praying to God for an answer. This e-group is blessed to have revered matajis' swamijis, brahmacharis' and many other true and learned devotees with whom we can discuss any queries/doubts regarding spiritual matters if we are really interested in the answer. Instead, without following any of this, expressing baseless disrespect on any issue with kinds of words used in the last few mails is a sign of utter dishonesty. I request dear Bharatbhai kindly to take necessary actions for the group to get rid of this sort of jokers. May God bless us all. - abhijit
Bharat Churiwala
Many many thanks and congratulations for KEEPING SPIRIT OF DEVOTION OF HOLY TRIO SO HIGH AND FLYING.
In fact this is second time when Shri Dwaipayanji has really transgressed his limits and shown his true state of mind ( I am doubtful that it may be 3rd time also, because earlier also one Dwaipayanji was removed from this group and he joined the group with changed email ID... this is the reason our Res. Somesh Maharaj has devised the questionnaire for all those who shows interest in joining this group!!!!).
I have already removed him from our FAMILY OF DEVOTEES OF HOLY TRIO, it seems that HE IS AND WAS NEVER A DEVOTEE......!!!!!!
I will only like to add one more line in this regards....
PLEASE FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.... let us all pray to THE HOLY TRIO TO SHOW HIM CORRECT PATH IN HIS FUTURE LIFE...
Once again, My humble pranaams to ALL DEVOTEES FOR MAKING THIS FORUM A TRUE PLATEFORM FOR OFFERING OUR "E - WORSHIP" TO THIS "E - TEMPLE OF HOLY TRIO"...
a devotee of Devotees
Keep up with trends of the thread on MSN Lifestyle. Fashion is no more a passing phase. Check it out!
sabuj biswas
let MOTHER bestow grace on them and make them understand whats real and whats not...
LET TRUTH PREVAIL
Shoubhik
is not at all aware about the exact scenario related to Diksha and
its greatness....making such comments with the help of such fishy
knowledge is not at all advisable...even i was initiated in a room
where there were quite a few other devotees also but nowhere was the
beej mantra "shouted out" as this fellow claims....as far as the
greatness of the dikhsa is concerned...the Beej Mantra is truly very
very powerful...if you chant it with sincereity...it WILL SURELY drive
out the evil in you...i have seen that myself....now whether people
make good use of it even after aquiring it is a different
question..but whosoever will do so for a while will surely get to know
himself or herself about its greatness....it is indeed sad to find out
people like this guy making such light remarks about the Holy
Trio....but it is to be realised that this is out of lack of knowledge
and understanding...i hope Thakur blesses us all.....
Vineeth N
Never talk ill of anybody, be he a devotee, a monk, or an ordinary householder, nor despise any for a wrong act. After all, everyone is a child of the Lord. Who knows today's sinning will not make him a saint tomorrow? Other acts do not count so much as a moment's of love for the Lord. Blessed is he who has loved Him even for a moment. Saint or sinner, the Lord loves all.
Subhadip Dutta
Thanks,
Subhadip