1991-07-16 - Kodai Discourses Notes 2

Harishchandra Hill in Kamarpukur - Ramakrishna's Ashram. Naren perturbed when father died, wanted to go. Ramakrishna stopped him, but he still went. In six months, he was an atheist. Criticized Ramakrishna. Even when messages were sent, did not return. Even though he had dreams, did not come. So, Naren's mother heard a voice, send Naren or lose your son. When Naren returned, Ramakrishna ran and welcomed him.
Later, Ramakrishna died, Naren suffered asthma - heard a voice - Pashchaathaapam is Praayashchittam. (Repentence is atonement).
Ramakrishna's diary - chief of mission should be Brahmananda, not Naren. Brahmananda is soft, gets along well, hence chairman. Eg. - one day, went to get fish for Ramakrishna. People criticized Brahmananda for being a sannyasi. He was sad. (On his return,) Ramakrishna criticized him for keeping quiet. The next day, Naren went. He picked up the person (who had created the quarrel), said will throw him into the Ganga if he talks (ill of Ramakrishna). (Once again, on his return,) Ramakrishna criticized him, too. Should be like correct pressure in car tyre. Ramakrishna 'reduced the pressure' in Naren, 'increased the pressure' in Brahmananda, by shouting.

Why wave the Arati flame? Camphor, end, not beginning. Goes around deity, nothing remains. Similarly, man's thoughts should linger around God, merge with God. If impure, samskaras, reborn, something remains behind.
Why ring the bell? Visiting card, diverts God's attention.
Max Mueller translated Rig Veda into German. Could not get appropriate words. He was about to come to India to clarify his doubts. Just then, he got a card, that Chaturveda Amara Shastri had come to visit him. But Shastri said he had come on a courtesy call, he had come there for his studies, he did not know anything about Veda.
Why go to the temple with a coconut offering? Fiber covers the shell, and inside that is the kernel. Fibers - desires. Shell - ignorance. Then the white kernel - Atma. Also representing Tamas, Rajas and Satwa.
Boy weak in Maths - had part-time devotion. Found the paper was easy. "Sai Baba is great". Wrote a list (of offerings he would make) in an additional sheet. The bill came to Rs. 30. Started reducing items. Finally, zero budget, Rs. 20 used for cinema. In a hurry, he gave this list to the invigilator instead of the answer sheet, and brought the answer sheet home! He has deceived himself. God's grace falls on all equally. Your own actions lead to results, good or bad.
Significance of sandal paste - Jantoonaam Narajanma Durlabham - also, sandal tree is the pinnacle (of sacrifice?). The good smell (vasana or tendency) leads to good thoughts and good actions.

Diary of a Sai Student