The Three Facets of Dharm
Sunanda
Dubai (U.A.E)
Hari Aum!
Humble Prostrations at Pujya Guru Maa’s Lotus Feet.
Below is a humble understanding of the precious teachings imparted by our revered Guru Maa, during the recent Call Talk on “Ritam Satyam Dharmam”.
The Shanti Mantra from Atharva Ved,
ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः ।
भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवां सस्तनूभिः ।
व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः |
स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः ।
स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः ।
स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
…explains us how to live ‘Ritam’ ‘Satyam’ and ‘Dharmam’.
The Udaat, Anudaat and Swarit have to be perfect for Vedic Mantras as given in the Scriptures. Ved Mantras have to be chanted in a particular manner and the vibrations created by chanting them are important. If not chanted correctly, they will not have Their effect.
Dharm is that essence in anything or being without which it will not be itself.
Ritam is to be practiced at the thought level, Satyam at the Speech level and
Dharmam at the physical level. Brahman - when in thought is Ritam; Brahman - at speech level is Satyam and Brahman - in action is Dharmam.
The above Shanti Mantra is a prayer to the Auspicious Divine Self – “O Divine Entities, please bless me with listening only to that, which is Auspicious. May my eyes see only the Auspicious, so that I practice only Dharm and let me not perceive anything inauspicious through my Gnyaanendriyas and do anything inauspicious through my Karmendriyas. May my health be good, and my sense organs of perception be healthy, so that I can perceive only the Divine to live a righteous life; while coming closer to my true Self.
How do I practice Dharm?
I must be completely focused on doing what I am doing; for example, while doing Japa, my mind should not be wandering here and there otherwise I have lost the essence of Japa. It is hypocrisy or pretense if I do so. I cannot live Dharm, till the time my speech has Satyam in it. Satyam in my speech must be priyam also (in order to speak Satyam I cannot be harsh in my speech).
I cannot practice Satyam and Dharmam, if my thoughts are manipulative. If my thought is contaminated, then my speech too will be affected and ultimately my actions will not be in line of practicing Dharm.
Ritam can be in the thought only if I have more Sattva in me. I have to rectify my thought. I should keep away from anything that is inauspicious, so that my Sattvik tendency is enhanced.
The prayer further says: - O Divinity, please protect me so that my thoughts are not dissipated by thinking all that is unnecessary.
All the 84 lakh species live nothing but Dharm except humans, because we have the precious ability to think which can ‘make or break’ us. By doing Puja, Japam, studying the scriptures and paying attention to Ritam and Satyam all the time we can elevate ourselves and associate with the Auspicious and live by Dharm.
Humble Prostrations at the Holy Feet of Revered Sree Guru Parampara.
Please Forgive my errors of omission and commission.
Dhanyawaad Manish Ji for letting us take a dip in this Holy mother Ganga of Knowledge by means of these monthly online Call Talks.
Humble Pranaam!