Bapu says, ‘My pranam to the great soul of Santram Maharaj, who is considered to be an reincarnation of Bhagwaan Duttatraya and also all the past and present saints. In some sects, the master (guru) is worshipped in the form of a scripture (granth), in some as an statue/idol (moorti), but it is unique here as the great soul is worshipped in the form of a flame/ lighted lamp (jyoti).'

I've chosen ‘Manas Santram' as the main subject for this katha. Of the two chaupais, one starts with ‘Sant' and other with ‘Ram'. We shall discuss its various aspects in coming days.

As the CM of Gujarat remembered his stay in Santram mandir in his inauguration speech, Bapu appreciated it by saying that it is commendable that in spite of gaining height in the society, one does not forget the roots and the source of his inspiration (prerna), enlightenment (prakash) and affection (prem). Every individual should duly regard the roots of his existence.

There should be no material reason behind any katha. The basic motive should be an increase in devotion in Lord's feet. “Swaantah sukhaay” means remembering God with fondness in moments of solitude.

An ideal human being is the one who bears cleanliness on the front, purity in the heart, courage/patience at the back, knowledge in the head and humbleness in the feet (in conduct).

Worshipping or following a Sadaguru with devotion contains the worship of panch-dev (Ganesh, Shiv, Parvati, Vishnu and Surya). A Sadaguru is All-in-one subject of worship for a dedicated aspirant. That is why, it is seen that people pray for the well being of Sadaguru.

Bapu says, ‘ I want to revise for myself and share with you all that I learned from my Sadaguru about this chaupai- ‘ Sant bitap sarita giri dharani | Par hit hetu sabanha kai karani ||'. He took me under a Banyan tree in neighbour's house and then discussed this chaupai. Tulsidas jee equates a tree to a saint. Dadajee explained following reasons behind this equation.

• A tree keeps on growing. Likewise, a saint never stops in his spiritual journey.
• The newest leaves on the top of a tree are the tenderest ones. Similarly, a saint may be a strong in every way but from inside he is very softhearted. He remains humble in spite of holding a position in the society.
• A tree grows in height but at the same time, its' branches grow in all directions. A saint is so large-hearted that he takes care of aspirants in countless ways, provided one is eager and receptive for his grace.
• The roots of a tree are downwards and the fruits are on the top. The roots of any saint may not be visible but they are actually very deep.
• A tree gives four things. We shall see them in context to the four trees of Bhushundi sarovar, mentioned in Shri Ramcharitmanas.
1. Aarogya - Health/medicinal value. Kaag Bhushundi jee meditates under a peepal tree; it is a sign of a healthy person whose mind is pure as well as steady because it is not easy to meditate under peepal tree whose leaves are extremely wobbly.
2. Aahaar - Food in the form of fruits. Harinaam - is the food for soul. Kaag Bhushundi jee chants Ram naam under Paakari tree. An aspirant should do Japa of God's holy name with faith (like Bhagwaan Shankar), understanding that one need not be affected by criticism of anyone (like Ganesh jee) and with total commitment (like Ma pravati).
3. Aanand - Joy. Kaag Bhushundi jee does maanas pooja (worshipping mentally) under a mango tree. It is a joyful way of worship as it is not dependent on any equipment.
4. Aaraam - The shade of a tree gives comfort. Kaag Bhushundi jee recites Ramkatha under a Banyan tree; it grants peace and comfort.

According to Swami Sharnanand jee, every individual should use body in some work or exercise (shram), mind should be under control (sanyam), intellect should be adorned with discretion (vivek), heart should be full of love and head should be free from ego.

Ahalya jee is an example of absolute surrender (sharanaagati) as she became a stone, which did not utter a word. A devotee should not give own choice to the Master. She went away in front of Bhagwaan Ram. Same was with Shabari jee, she was committed to waiting for Bhagwaan Ram and she also went away before him. It is seen that even Ma Sita went away before Bhagwaan Ram could wind up his life on earth as an avataar.

Hanuman jee is such an element who can be felt every moment but the condition is total surrender.

Harinaam is capable of transforming the whole attitude of an individual. If an aspirant engrosses himself in Harinaam, he can understand that Kaliyuga is actually a blooming time (kali+yuga) for his spiritual quest. Every name is Harinaam, if it is taken with heartfelt feelings.

Bapu says, “first of all, I want to do pranam to the great soul of Gandhi jee, who became a martyr on this day. I also want to pay homage to all other martyrs who laid their lives for the nation. Gandhi jee was one such leader whom the common man worshipped (lok-pujya), loved (lok-priya) and had access to (lok-praapya). Due to following reasons he touched the hearts of people:

1. Use of mother tongue - He was a firm believer in the habit of speaking in mother tongue. He even forced Mr. Jinnah to speak in Gujarati.
2. Simple dress - He wore very simple and country made clothes only. At the time of meeting the British queen, he was asked that why he did not wear suit, boots etc., he replied that he wanted to show that this is the way the common man of India lived in poverty due to British oppression.
3. Use of spinning wheel - The wheel provided an inspiration for a movement against exploitation.
4. Salt satyagraha - Gandhi jee appealed to the common man with the most common thing i.e. salt, which is used everywhere from a queen's palace to a farmer's house.
5. Quit India movement - This movement aimed to create freedom in the minds of people and thus take steps to put this freedom in practice.

Let us offer our salutations to the great saintly leader with two-minute silence!!

Bapu says, “Now I want to congratulate the young cricketer, bowler, Irfan Pathan, who created a record yesterday in Karachi test match, when he took a hatrick of three wickets in the very first over of the match. May Almighty keep him happy!!”

Geographically, there are seven well-known wonders in the world. Bapu says, “But I think there are other seven wonders that are present everywhere and not in one particular place". Let us discuss them as follows:

1. Saint (sant)- The presence of a saint can do wonders and do the most impossible of things. He is beyond the bounds of caste, creed or class in society. People put a great amount of faith in such saints, so they shoulder big responsibilities. Just one glance from him can wash off the sins of any aspirant spontaneously till date.
2. Tree (bitap)- Isn't it a wonder that a small seed results in a huge tree. The whole vegetation is a wonder in itself. It is a marvel that the manure and water are put in the roots but their effect reaches till the top most part of the tree. In a Banyan tree, even if there's a large shade made of branches and leaves, there are natural windows for sunrays to beam through it. The elderly members of family should take inspiration from this that in spite of being the senior most, one should be open minded to receive new thoughts of youngsters.

   In Ayodhya Kand, Tulsidas jee mentions the five main trees of Chitrakoot:

   Tab kevat unchein chaddhi dhaai | Kaheu bharat sana bhuja utthaai ||
   Naath dekhiyahin bitap bisaala | Paakari jambu rasaal tamaala ||
   Jinha tarubaranha madhya batu soha | Manju bisaal dekhi manu moha ||
   Neel saghan pallav fal laala | Abiral chhaanh sukhad sab kaala ||
   Maanahun timir arun-maya raasi | Birachi bidhi sankeli sushama si ||
   Ai taru sarit sameep gosaain | Raghubar paran-kuti jahan chhaai ||
   Tulsi tarubar bibidh suhaaye | Kahun kahun siya kahun lakhan lagaaye ||
   Bata chaaya bedika banaai | Siya nij paani saroj suhaai ||” Ayodhya Kand, 237)

3. River (sarita) - This is the third wonder. Tulsidas jee equates a river with poetry (kavita) and devotion (bhakti).
4. Mountains - The strength and the firmness of mountains inspire an individual to do its circumambulation (parikrama).
5. The planet Earth (dharani) - Beauty of this earth is a subject of wonder. Its non stop rotation on its axis and revolution around the sun are unique processes.
6. Sea (sindhu)
7. Wind (sameer)- The force of wind or Bapu says, ‘it can be said that the Pavan-putra Hanuman jee is a wonder. All the seven wonders are secure if they are between first wonder saint and the last wonder Hanumant.

One should never be pessimistic about the state of affairs of the world. Don't criticize the circumstances; try to change your attitude and find joy in every little thing.

Don't do Hanuman Chalisa for material gains; it is a remiss to ask for such things! Do it for removing the inauspicious faults of within and establishing fervent devotion for the Almighty.

All the seven wonders that were discussed yesterday are actually assimilated in a saint. He has generosity of a tree, non-stop spiritual quest like a flowing river and unbending courage of a mountain. There may be an earthquake in earth but a saint never does any harm to anyone. The sea of mercy in a saint never results in Tsunami and the air stream inside him is soothing for all.

In the chaupai-‘ Sant bitap sarita giri dharani | Par hit hetu sabanha kai karani ||' , Tulsidas jee associates a rives with a saint. The most prominent character of a river is its flow. Likewise, a saint is not restricted in his thoughts; he reaches out to people. A person has to go near a lake or a sea, but river is such a water-body that it comes to smallest of villages and towns. A saint also reaches out to the last person of society. Like a bath in river cleanses a person, a saint cleanses the inner faults of aspirants. River quenches thirst and provides satisfaction to an individual, similarly a saint guides in spiritual quest.

Just like a river never differentiates people for their caste or class, a person who wants to do good for society should not create discrimination of any kind and serve every person with equal respect. Like a river flows through many places but its ultimate destination is to merge with the sea; similarly a person who does social service may involve himself in many activities for welfare of others but he should maintain his goal to attain ultimate peace. He should be careful that his bhajan should not get neglected in the process of doing social service.

Today Bapu narrated the story of Mansukh master, a teacher who was so devoted to Bhagwaan Krishna that once when he had gone for Darshan in a teertha, the Lord himself did his duty in school; such is the power of devotion and faith!!

Just like a light object floats on river and reaches ashore at some point of time and heavy objects drown in it, A saint's flow of grace can be felt in the right way by an aspirant who does not carry a load of ego and prejudices.

But, there's a difference between a river and saint. The river becomes muddy during rainy season due to excessive water and soil erosion. But, a saint may experience a rain of people's respect and faith, acclaims of many kind and several felicitations by society but he does not get carried away by that and in fact becomes more pure with his bhajan.

‘Power is always corrupt' - It is true that a person with pure and healthy mind never stays in politics (satta), but prefers to remain and live in truth (satya).

A shishya worships Sadaguru's feet but Sadaguru watches shishya's feet .i.e. checks the conduct of shishya.

There are four facets of faith:

• Maanyata - it is a belief according to customs (parampara); it usually preaches rituals of worship (pooja vidhi)
• Vishwaas - it is the next step of putting trust at a place.
• Bharosa - the development of trust is called bharosa.
• Shradhha - the absolute faith in Sadaguru's words.

Let us continue with the subject of this katha.- ‘ Sant bitap sarita giri dharani | Par hit hetu sabanha kai karani ||.' A mountain is full of many precious elements, but it still does not make any declaration about them. Likewise, a saint remains silent in spite of his various capabilities. “Talk less and work more”- The more you speak, there are more chances of lying unnecessarily or hurting others. If you want to maintain peace within and in your surroundings, talk only when necessary and how much is required. Talkativeness creates pollution in environment.

• Satyaatmak - speech should be truthful.
• Shastraatmak - words should have some base of scriptures.
• Sutraatmak - speech should not be too long.
• Snehaatmak - speech should be full of care.

Bapu says, ‘ I would like to add two more in this list.

• Samaajaatmak- speech should be useful for good of society.
• Samaadhaanaatmak- speech should provide solutions to questions.
• A mountain gives birth to rivers (sarita) as well as poetry (kavita). It is The origin place of Ma Parvati and the most important fact is that it is the abode of Bhagwaan Shankar.

The next part of chaupai equates the earth (dharani) with a saint. It is a scientific fact that the earth rotates on its axis and sometimes the movement becomes harmful in the form of earthquakes. A saint moves around in the world, keeping his modesty (maryada) intact, but unlike earth his actions are never harmful for anybody; there are no turbulences of faults like greed, anger or desire. The axis of all the activities of a saint is Hari bhajan. Gandhi jee did all kinds of experiments in his life but never compromised with his twice a day routine of prayers. He stuck to his bhajan in every situation.

The earth upholds the elements discussed earlier in katha i.e. tree, river, mountain; they all exist on earth. If a shishya is large-hearted like a tree or his flow of knowledge is like a river or his faith if firm like a mountain, then it should be understood that it is all because of earth like existence of a Sadaguru, who is a base for all these qualities.

The earth is called ‘Bahu ratna vasundhara', as it is the origin of vegetation, sea (water bodies), medicines, grains etc. it is called the mother earth for this reason. Similarly, a saint is a mother for the aspirants, he takes care of the smallest detail of their lives.

The most prominent character of the earth is its forbearance (sahan-sheelata); it gives shelter to a sinner as well as a virtuous person. Another marking feature is forgiveness (kshama); even if we step on it, it provides us support.

God provides solution to our every problem but in his own way and in his own time for our best. Don't expect the desired solutions immediately.

It is not too hard to remain happy, its only because of ego (ahankaar) and ignorance (moodhhata) that we create problems for ourselves.

Shrewdness (chaturaai) may work for you in some fields, but it just does not work in Hari bhajan. Abstain from it!!

The actual dharma of the earth is to do welfare of others (parhit), but one of its sub-features is its gravitational force that attracts heavy objects. Similarly, a saadhu also has a gravitational force that attracts the aspirants who are heavy with the load of faith. The more the faith of an aspirant, the more he gets attracted to a saint. The people who get drawn towards a saint are indeed lucky!

The most three complex parts of Shri Ramcharitmanas are the following:

Let us go the other chaupai of the subject of this katha.

“Ram sindhu ghan sajjan dheera | Chandan taru hari sant sameera ||”

Tulsidas jee says that Bhagwaan Ram is a sea, but he cannot be bound in the concept of seven seas of the world; in fact he is the origin of thousands of seas of the universe. Let us discuss seven facets of his equation with a sea.

1. ‘ Jo aanand sindhu sukh-raasi | Seekar tain trailok supaasi||'
2. ‘ Charit sindhu girija raman beda na paavahin paaru|'
3. ‘ Kripa-sindhu mati-dheer akhil biswa kaaran karan||'
4. ‘ Pranat-paal raghunaayak karuna sindhu kharaari|'.
5. ‘Seel-sindhu suni gur aagavanu | Seeya sameep raakhey ripu-davanu ||.'
6. ‘Roop sindhu sab bandhu lakhi harashi uttha ranivaasu|.'
7. ‘ Utthey harashi sukh-sindhu mahun chaley thaah si let|.'

The purest form of love is not based on outward appearance, but on inward bonding.

Bapu says, “I want to request that please don't use any adjectives before my name. They are not required. You can not please me by using any adjectives for me!”

Question - Who was Gandhi jee's guru?

Swami Ramdev jee Maharaj came to katha today and gave a short speech. Bapu expressed his happiness by saying that he and other saints would always support any movement that aims for the welfare of the common man. He also said that there are seven elements that are considered as mothers in Indian culture- Janeta (mother who gives birth), Guru ma (wife of the master), Brahmin patni (wife of a Brahmin), Raj mata (wife of the ruler), Gaay mata (cow), Vidhatri (who writes the destiny) and Dharati mata (earth). And he was glad that the young sanyasi (Ramdev jee) of our country acknowledges the blessings of the mother behind his successful Yoga mission.

There are seven facets of the seven wonders discussed in this katha earlier. If seven multiplies seven, it equals to forty-nine. The winds are of forty-nine types. Thus, Hanuman jee being pavan-putra (form of wind) is the essence behind all the seven wonders!!

Yesterday, seven seas with reference to Bhagwaan Ram were discussed:

There are certain differences between kripa (grace) and karuna (compassion):

Question - Why is the word ‘sajjan' used in the main chaupai?

Bapu's answer - ‘Sajjan' (decent person) is the mid point between a saint (sant) and a crook (asant), so there is an equal possibility for him to become either of the two. It is the influence of company and other surroundings that creates his whole personality, either positive or negative. Sometimes, he may look gentle, but may be full of wickedness. Everyone should examine oneself on this criterion whether we also just look good outwardly and breed faults inside.

There is one similarity between a saint and a crook --they look what they are. A saint is noble and he looks so and a crook is wicked and cannot hide it.

Bapu says, “Some missionaries are wrongly converting people on the pretext of social service. If they provide hospitals, they should just treat the person for health and should not try to tie them to Christian religion. If we, Hindus plan a meet (Shabari kumbh to be held this month) in such conversion-affected areas, they do not feel comfortable. Such meets are not to convert people but to save them from it as they originally belong to India ; Indians have not been brought from Vatican .”

A sea is full of salty water, but when it evaporates and takes a form of cloud, the water becomes sweet and drinkable. Similarly, the Almighty may be difficult to understand (like a sea), but the saints (cloud) make him accessible for everyone. The Lord may be like a sandalwood tree, but the forum of this tree reaches out only with the help of wind in the form of saints.

There are three types of sameer (winds/breeze) - mand (soft), sugandh (fragrant) and sheetal (cool). Saints are equated with wind, so they are also of three types. Some saints are calm, bon-aggressive and always smiling (mand). In some saints there is unique fragrance (sugandh) of saadhna without any outer perfumes or cosmetics. And some are such that grant tranquility spontaneously (sheetal).

According to Swami Sharanaanand, bhajan is comprised of prem (love), seva (service) and tyaag (sacrifice/surrender). Seva is ‘karma-yoga' where service is done with available resources without any expectation for the result. Prem is building a bond/relation with God. Tyaag is sacrifice for others.

Swami jee also said that the procedure (vidhi) of bhajan contains four features:

1. Shradhha - the belief that God exists.
2. Aastha - my Lord is supreme for me, nothing or nobody is bigger than him; but this feeling should be without any offence to others.
3. Vishwaas - the faith that my Lord is the ultimate source of beauty and joy for me.
4. Aatmeeyata - I belong to my Lord and he is mine- this kind of feeling of intimacy.

The world is pleased by service, the Lord is pleased by love and the soul is pleased with surrender.